The American journal of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of ketamine-low-dose midozolam with midazolam-fentanyl for orthopedic emergencies: a double-blind randomized trial.
Most of the fractures and dislocations are reduced in the emergency setting. Many drugs are available for procedural sedation and analgesia in the emergency department (ED); however, the adverse effects are still a common problem. The aim of our study was to compare the 2 drug combinations. ⋯ Both drug combinations can be effectively used for procedural sedation and analgesia; however, with lower risk for hypoxia and lower pain scores, KM combination stands as a reasonable choice for orthopedic interventions in the emergency unit.
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Health care support occupations have an assault-injury rate nearly 10 times the general sector. Emergency departments (EDs) are at greatest risk of such events. ⋯ Emergency department HCWs are frequent victims of violence perpetrated by visitors and patients. This results in injuries, acute stress, and lost productivity. Acute stress has negative consequences on workers' ability to perform their duties.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Head position angles to open the upper airway differ less with the head positioned on a support.
The aim of the study was to assess the effects of positioning the head on a support on "head position angles" to optimally open the upper airway during bag-valve mask ventilation. ⋯ In the head-with-a-support group, when compared with the head-without-a-support group, head position angles differed less, indicating a decreased potential for failure during bag-valve mask ventilation with the head on a support. Moreover, in the head-with-a-support group, ventilation parameters differed less between head positions, and ventilation improved. These findings suggest a potential benefit of positioning the head on a support during bag-valve mask ventilation.
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Comparative Study
Anterior-posterior compression pelvic fracture increases the probability of requirement of bilateral embolization.
Transarterial embolization has become an effective method in the management of pelvic fracture-related retroperitoneal hemorrhage. However, the selection of bilateral embolization or selective unilateral embolization remains controversial. The anterior-posterior compression (APC) pelvic fracture creates a complete diastasis of the anterior pelvis, which might be associated with bilateral sacroiliac joint injuries and further bilateral arterial injuries. In the current study, we evaluated the correlation between APC pelvic fracture and the need for bilateral internal iliac artery (IIA) embolization. ⋯ In the management of APC pelvic fracture, more attention should be paid to the higher probability of bilateral hemorrhage. Bilateral IIA embolization should be considered in patients with APC pelvic fracture.
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We describe the case of a fatal septic illness in a previously healthy young man caused by community-acquired methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus of Staphylococcus protein A (spa) type t044. The patient developed a devastating Lemierre-like syndrome with extensive thrombosis of inferior vena cava and iliac veins with multiple metastatic septic emboli of the lungs. He presented to the emergency department with rapidly progressing sepsis followed by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Recognition of such virulent community-acquired strains is of great importance because they could prove to be emerging pathogens for life-threatening diseases.