The American journal of emergency medicine
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The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of initial arterial lactate level and 12-hour lactate metabolic clearance rate (MCR) in patients with acute paraquat poisoning. ⋯ The initial arterial lactate level and 12-hour lactate MCR had good predictive powers in evaluating the prognosis of patients with acute paraquat poisoning, which may prove to be simpler and more practical tools in assessing the severity of paraquat poisoning.
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The aim of this study was to investigate the role of serum heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) in the evaluation of patients with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. ⋯ Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein may be a promising novel biomarker in the evaluation of clinical severity and in the selection of patients for HBO therapy in acute CO poisoning.
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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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Rapid diagnosis (dx) of acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF) may be challenging in the emergency department (ED). Point-of-care ultrasonography (US) allows rapid determination of cardiac function, intravascular volume status, and presence of pulmonary edema. We test the diagnostic test characteristics of these 3 parameters in making the dx of ADHF among acutely dyspneic patients in the ED. ⋯ In this study, US was 100% specific for the dx of ADHF.
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The use of protein- and peptide-based drugs in the treatment of disease has significantly increased in recent years. However, their chemical and physical properties make them unsuitable for simple oral delivery. ⋯ The findings confirm that a large protein (22 kd) can be administered via IO injection, reaching blood levels comparable to IV injection. Further studies with a larger number of animals are required to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of high-molecular-weight proteins injected by the IO route.