The American journal of emergency medicine
-
Clinical Trial
d-Dimer and simplified pulmonary embolism severity index in relation to right ventricular function.
Right ventricular (RV) involvement in pulmonary embolism (PE) is an ominous sign. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which the d-dimer level or simplified PE severity index (sPESI) indicates RV dysfunction in patients with preserved systemic arterial pressure. ⋯ In the acute stage of PE, a d-dimer level 3 mg/L or higher may identify nonmassive PE patients with RV dysfunction and thereby help to determine their risk profile. We found no additional value for sPESI in this context.
-
Few investigations have been performed that address why emergency department (ED) crowding is associated with an increase in hospital mortality for emergency patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether ED crowding is associated with delayed resuscitation efforts (DREs) that resulted in hospital mortality. ⋯ Delays in resuscitation efforts occurred more frequently on crowded days and were associated with higher in-hospital mortality.
-
Although electrolyte abnormalities have been generally considered the major cause of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in patients with kidney disease (KD), this association has never been prospectively validated. ⋯ Severe hyperkalemia is common in patients with OHCA who have severe KD and should be considered during resuscitation for these patients.