The American journal of emergency medicine
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The 2010 American Heart Association (AHA) for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science has changed the basic life support (BLS) sequence from "A-B-C" to "C-A-B." The AHA explained that this change may shorten the initiation time for chest compressions. In this study, the 2010 AHA guidelines for BLS (2010-BLS) were studied through a simulation program and practiced on a manikin. The time saved in initiating initial chest compressions was calculated, and the significance of the new guidelines was evaluated. ⋯ Chest compressions were initiated earlier by health care providers who were re-educated according to the 2010 AHA guidelines.
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Computed tomography (CT) has been shown to detect more injuries than plain radiography in patients with blunt trauma, but it is unclear whether these injuries are clinically significant. ⋯ Chest CT after a normal CXR result in patients with blunt trauma detects injuries, but most do not lead to changes in patient management.
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Heatstroke (HS) is a life-threatening condition, manifested by systemic inflammation and multiorgan failure. Rapid recognition and treatment are life saving. We report a laboratory-oriented characterization of HS by low plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) level and propose its usefulness in distinguishing this type of hyperpyrexia from central nervous system-associated high core temperature. ⋯ Low serum CRP levels characterize non-central nervous system-associated HS. This available laboratory test could identify noninfectious hyperthermic patients upon admission, saving precious time until treatment and avoiding unnecessary diagnostic tests.
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Recently, several studies were conducted to investigate the effect of selenium supplementation in septic patients. However, no consistent conclusion was made. Thus, we aimed to systematically summarize the available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effect of selenium supplementation on important clinical outcomes in septic patients. ⋯ The present meta-analysis showed no benefit of selenium supplementation in patients with sepsis. Due to the limited number of RCTs included, more prospective multicenter clinical trials on selenium therapy in septic patients are warranted in the future.