Emergency medicine clinics of North America
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This article describes the cardiovascular effects and treatment of patients who have used cardiotoxic drugs. The discussion includes cocaine, methamphetamine, cyclic antidepressants, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, and digoxin. The authors review treatment controversies and emphasize the acute aspects of toxicity commonly seen in the emergency department.
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Caring for patients with eye emergencies will always challenge even the most experienced emergency clinician. The threat of loss of sight is anxiety provoking for patients and requires the physician to act in an organized and expeditious manner. By avoiding these pitfalls and examining each patient in a systematic and comprehensive fashion, the physician can ensure the best possible outcome. The ensuing articles describe the approach to diagnosing and treating significant eye emergencies in greater detail.
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Trauma to the globe is a common problem seen in the emergency department that may lead to significant permanent visual disability. Common causes of globe trauma include motor vehicle crashes, assaults, falls, and sports-related and occupational injuries. ⋯ This article summarizes the initial diagnostic and therapeutic approach, important prognostic indicators, and delayed complications of the traumatized globe. Accurate diagnosis and proper disposition are vital in salvaging visual capacity.
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The success rate for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in children is dismal. This review discusses the physiology of CPR, the basis for pharmacologic therapy, and the rationale for advanced interventions. It focuses attention on those areas in which research indicates hope for improved outcomes.
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Providing sedation and analgesia is an integral part of emergency care for children. To become facile at pediatric pain control and sedation, clinicians must develop expertise regarding proper monitoring, drugs and doses, potential side effects, and strategies to select the best agent for a given procedure and clinical setting. Currently available agents, methods, and monitoring guidelines are reviewed with an emphasis on conscious sedation.