The American journal of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
In flight auscultation: comparison of electronic and conventional stethoscopes.
The ability to auscultate during air medical transport is compromised by high ambient noise levels. The aim of this study was to assess the capabilities of a traditional and an amplified stethoscope (which is expected to reduce background and ambient noise) to assess heart and breath sounds during medical transport in a Falcon 50 plane. ⋯ Practicians in Falcon 50 are more able to hear cardiac sounds with an amplified than with a traditional stethoscope, whereas there is no significant difference concerning breath sounds auscultation.
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We investigated the degree of functional decline and loss of independence among older adults presenting to the emergency department (ED) with serious infection and to estimate 90-day case fatality. ⋯ Older adults presenting to the ED with potentially serious infection have significant 90-day mortality. Although functional status does not consistently deteriorate in survivors, there seems to be considerable risk in the short-term for loss of residential independence.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of the Pentax AWS videolaryngoscope with the Macintosh laryngoscope in simulated difficult airway intubations by emergency physicians.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the Pentax AWS videolaryngoscope (PAV) in intubation of simulated difficult airways by emergency medical staff. ⋯ The PAV may be a useful adjunct in difficult intubations by emergency medical staff.
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Appendicitis is the most common emergency operation in children. The rate of perforation may be related to duration from symptom onset to treatment. A recent adult study suggests that the perforation risk is minimal in the first 36 hours and remains at 5% thereafter. We studied a pediatric population to assess symptom duration as a risk factor for perforation. ⋯ Appendiceal perforation in children is more common than in adults and correlates directly with duration of symptoms before surgery. Perforation is more common in younger children. Unlike in adults, the risk of perforation within 24 hours of onset is substantial (7.7%), and it increases in a linear fashion with duration of symptoms. In our experience, however, perforation correlates more with prehospital delay than with in-hospital delay.
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Review Case Reports
Recurrent anion gap metabolic acidosis in a woman with vertebral disc disease.