The American journal of emergency medicine
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Airway control in patients with suspected laryngotracheal injury following blunt trauma is a challenging problem. Tracheostomy remains the treatment of choice in most instances. This report describes a patient with a laryngotracheal injury in whom initial airway control was achieved using orotracheal intubation. The indications for this method are discussed, and an approach to initial airway management in these injuries is outlined.
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Lidocaine is one of the most frequently used drugs to suppress ventricular arrhythmias; however, it has caused sinus arrest when given in excess or along with other antiarrhythmics (quinidine, phenytoin, amiodorane). A case of asystole after a conventional dose of lidocaine and resuscitation following discontinuance is reported. Although such complications are rare, the widespread utilization of this drug requires emergency physicians to recognize the potential for this problem.
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In 18 months, 44 patients underwent thoracotomy in an emergency department (ED) for penetrating thoracic injuries. Of 14 patients resuscitated, seven (50%) survived, and all were neurologically intact. Patients were classified according to the quality of signs of life in transit or upon arrival at the ED. ⋯ Five of the seven survivors (71%) arrived at the ED by rapid transport without the benefit of any pre-hospital life support. Patient classification appears to be a valuable tool in evaluating the benefit of ED thoracotomy. The neurological status of all survivors and pertinent transportation data should be included in all future studies of ED thoracotomy. "Scoop and run" in the urban setting with rapid transport capability may be superior to pre-hospital stabilization of victims of penetrating thoracic trauma.
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Reversing ventricular ectopy with plasma alkalinization following acute tricyclic antidepressant overdose is a recognized mode of therapy. The mechanism responsible for this effect is unclear. Changes in plasma protein binding of free drug, effects of the sodium ion on the myocardium, and alterations of plasma concentrations of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein may all interact to alter toxicity of tricyclics in overdose. ⋯ The current investigation used plasma concentrations typically present in amitriptyline overdose, a sensitive gas liquid chromatographic assay to detect total and free drug, and adequate control of plasma pH. The results of two separate experiments demonstrated a significant decrease in percentage of free amitriptyline of 20% over a pH range of 7.0-7.4 (P less than 0.05) and 42% over a pH range of 7.4-7.8 (P less than 0.05). The rate of change in slope in both experiments was not significantly different (P less than 0.01) indicating similar effects of pH change on plasma protein binding of amitriptyline within the two groups.