The American journal of emergency medicine
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To determine if the increase in transient focal enhancement of the liver adjacent to the gallbladder seen on dynamic computed tomography (CT) is greater in gangrenous cholecystitis than in nongangrenous cholecystitis by determining the CT attenuation value. ⋯ The increase in transient focal enhancement of the liver adjacent to the gallbladder during the arterial phase of dynamic CT was greater in gangrenous cholecystitis than in nongangrenous cholecystitis.
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Comparative Study
Accuracy of rapid sequence intubation medication dosing in obese patients intubated in the ED.
There are limited data regarding appropriateness of sedative and paralytic dosing of obese patients undergoing rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in the emergency department. The goal of this study was to compare rates of appropriate succinylcholine and etomidate doses in obese and nonobese patients. ⋯ Obese patients were more likely to be underdosed during RSI compared with nonobese patients, whereas nonobese patients were more likely to be overdosed with RSI medications. Most obese and nonobese patients were inappropriately dosed with RSI medications, suggesting that physicians are not dosing these medications based on weight.
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Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a potentially fatal vascular emergency, and several computed tomographic (CT) findings have been introduced to determine the presence of intestinal ischemia or necrosis, although the most useful finding is unknown. ⋯ The baseline disease rather than CT findings is the most important determinant of the primary end point. In patients with AMI, SMAT should undergo exploratory surgery and subsequent surgical treatment without delay.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of thiol/disulfide homeostasis in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) and investigate its compliance to show hospital mortality of patients with APE. ⋯ We have shown that thiol/disulfide homeostasis can be altered during APE and associated with worse hemodynamic parameters, and may be used as a prognostic marker for hospital mortality.