The American journal of emergency medicine
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To investigate the role of fetuin-A as a potential biomarker for prognosis of fatality in patients with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. ⋯ The decrease of Fetuin-A may indicate an early signal for the progression of fatality due to CO poisoning.
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Observational Study
Perceived vs. actual distractions in the emergency department.
The emergency department (ED) has been shown to be an interrupt-driven workplace fraught with potential for distractions and interruptions that increase the potential for medical error. Accuracy of provider perception of these distractions and interruptions has yet to be investigated. ⋯ The perceived amount and rate of distractions and interruptions are significantly higher than the actual amount and rate of distractions and interruptions. Attending physicians both perceive and experience more distractions and interruptions. Further work should be done to evaluate the power of provider perception, and the potential contribution of inaccurate perception to medical error and provider burnout.
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Comparative Study
Protective effects of minocycline, doxycycline and tetracycline on seizure and lethality in a mice cocaine toxicity model.
Acute cocaine intoxication is one of the important causes of admission to emergency department, especially in western countries. We aimed to compare the efficacies of tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline in the prevention of seizures and deaths in mice due to cocaine intoxication. ⋯ In our acute cocaine intoxication model, minocycline was effective in terms of lethality and preventing seizures, doxycycline was effective in preventing seizures.
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Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is a cardiomyopathy with altered ventricular wall anatomy. This condition is characterized by the presence of prominent left ventricular trabeculae, a thin compacted layer, and deep intertrabecular recesses that are continuous with the left ventricular cavity and separated from the epicardial coronary. Left ventricular non-compaction can present with acute heart failure, arrhythmias, or sudden cardiac death. We present a case of a common cardiac arrhythmia in the emergency department with a work up consistent with LVNC being the underlying etiology.
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Emergency department presentations of syncope can vary from benign to life-threatening etiologies. Older patients are at increased risk of cardiac causes of syncope. ⋯ He was transferred to the ICU and underwent pacemaker implantation. A high index of suspicion for dysrhythmias should be maintained for any patient presenting to the ED with high-risk syncope.