The American journal of emergency medicine
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Chest pain is one of the most common reasons for emergency department visits worldwide, and troponins play a central role in diagnosing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in these patients. Hence, the tests for these molecules are imperative in triage for ACS. ⋯ Further, no guidelines exist for interpreting the results in patients with CKD. We identified studies that compared the relative efficacy, sensitivity, and specificity of tests for troponin T and I in patients with CKD to understand the practical problems in the clinical interpretation of these results in the specific setting of CKD and highlight the measures to be taken into consideration.
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Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a known complication in patients with ventricular assist devices (VAD). We present a case of a 42-year-old male with a VAD and on warfarin who presented to the emergency department with ICH necessitating anticoagulant reversal. An attenuated dose of 15 units/kg of 4-factor prothrombin complex-concentrates (4F-PCC) was given and the patient's coagulation profile was subsequently assessed using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) to determine appropriateness of reversal. ROTEM® analysis showed adequate reversal at the time of assessment and the patient ultimately returned home without further functional deficits, highlighting the role of ROTEM® to guide anticoagulation reversal in the VAD patient population.
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Limited data exist regarding the presentation and bacteriology of nonneonatal pediatric breast abscess. ⋯ Non-neonatal pediatric breast abscess bacteriology is no different than data published on other skin abscesses. MRSA coverage should be considered based on local prevalence in skin infections.
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Wandering spleen is a rare condition in which the spleen is not anchored properly, due to congenital or acquired weakness of the splenic ligaments. This allows the spleen to migrate to any portion of the abdomen or pelvis, and can cause complications, including a splenic volvulus. The presentation of splenic volvulus of a wandering spleen ranges from mild pain to a surgical emergency. Splenic volvulus of a wandering spleen can cause significant morbidity and mortality, and often warrants surgical intervention. Cases of splenic volvulus of a wandering spleen have been reported in radiology and surgery literature, however there are no reports in emergency medicine literature in North America. ⋯ A 37-year-old female presented to the ED with seven days of mild left upper quadrant abdominal pain that acutely worsened. She underwent laboratory studies which were near her baseline values. A CT abdomen pelvis demonstrated findings consistent with splenic volvulus of a wandering spleen. She was taken emergently to the operating room for exploratory laparotomy, detorsion of spleen, and splenectomy. Her postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged on hospital day six. Splenic volvulus of a wandering spleen is rare, though carries significant morbidity and mortality, especially if unrecognized. The presentation of splenic volvulus is variable, ranging from minor symptoms to an acute abdomen. Early diagnosis can prevent downstream complications, including development of vascular congestion, ischemia or infarcted intra-abdominal organs. Emergency Physicians should consider splenic volvulus in the differential diagnosis as an etiology of left-sided abdominal pain.
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In the present study, we aimed to investigate the demographic and clinical features, laboratory and radiologic characteristics, management, and outcomes of pediatric drowning patients in order to identify predictors of hospital admission, and to evaluate the need for respiratory support, and prognosis. ⋯ The Szpilman score was associated with the duration of hospital stay and the degree of hypoxia, so it could help the physician make rapid decisions on ventilation strategy. Application of NIV in the emergency department shortened the length of stay in the PICU and in the hospital, suggesting that it can be used more often in pediatric emergency settings.