The American journal of emergency medicine
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Comparative Study
Treatment of presumed asystole during pre-hospital cardiac arrest: superiority of electrical countershock.
Standard drug therapy for asystole during cardiac arrest includes epinephrine, atropine, and calcium chloride (CaCl). Recent studies have shown that ventricular fibrillation (VF) can appear to be asystole when recorded from the chest surface. To determine the efficacy of these drugs and electrical countershock for asystole, a group of 83 adult nontraumatic cardiac arrest victims (55 men, 28 women, mean age of 64 +/- 14 years) were studied. ⋯ However, countershock was significantly more effective than epinephrine (P less than 0.003), atropine (P less than 0.04), or CaCl (P less than 0.03) in altering the rhythm from asystole, which appeared later in resuscitation. Ventricular fibrillation was the most common rhythm appearing after countershock for asystole. Countershock appears to be superior to epinephrine, CaCl, and atropine for treating asystole during the course of resuscitation, suggesting that the rhythm diagnosed as asystole may actually be VF in many cases.
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The flow rates of the 18- to 24-gauge catheters most commonly used in pediatrics were studied to determine which catheters and infusion techniques allowed for rapid volume replacement in infants and children. As expected, short, large-diameter catheters were found to have a higher flow rate, and flows under pressure in the largest catheters tested were up to 17 times greater than in a longer, smaller diameter catheter. ⋯ Thus, intravenous access via a central vein does not guarantee more rapid fluid infusion unless the use of the central vein permits the insertion of a catheter larger in diameter than any that could be placed peripherally. Knowledge of the flow rates determined for the various catheters in this study will assist the physician in optimizing fluid resuscitation of the critically ill or injured child.
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Over a six-month period, the New Jersey Poison Information System received 61 calls related to exposures to alkaline corrosives. Seven of these calls related to a new oven-cleaner product, oven-cleaner pads. These pads are sealed in a protective plastic wrap and contain lye in excess of 5%. ⋯ Five of the callers sustained injuries from their exposure, and three of these sustained burns, one in the oral cavity and one in the eye. None suffered permanent sequelae, but the potential for such is considerable. The method of application, concentration of base, and prolonged exposure to a widely covered area may make this product particularly hazardous.