The American journal of emergency medicine
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Case Reports
Needle decompression of the eye! Emergent management of a vision threatening surgical complication.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG) is a medical emergency that can cause permanent visual deficits without prompt recognition. From 2006 to 2011, nearly 12 million visits to emergency departments (ED) in the United States were ophthalmologic in nature, making it crucial for emergency physicians to be familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmologic emergencies. AACG can be precipitated by several mechanisms including pupillary block, anticholinergic medications, and sympathomimetic medications. We present a rare case of angle-closure glaucoma status post pneumatic retinopexy with cryotherapy due to migration of an intravitreal gas bubble into the anterior chamber with emphasis on understanding how retinal surgery types lead to significant differences in management.
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Review Meta Analysis
Efficacy of topical tranexamic acid in epistaxis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Epistaxis is a very common presentation in the emergency department (ED), accounting for approximately 1 in 200 ED visits in the United States. Currently, standard practice includes the initial use of topical anesthetics and vasoconstrictors, followed by more invasive treatments such as nasal packing, cauterization or surgical ligation for refractory cases. Over the years several studies have investigated the potential use of topical Tranexamic Acid (TXA) in the management of epistaxis. We have conducted a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of topical TXA versus other standard practices or placebo in the management of epistaxis. ⋯ Topical TXA is associated with better bleeding cessation rates after treatment compared to the standard practices.
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We present a case of hyperacute hyponatremia with stroke like symptoms on presentation. Symptoms included confusion, left-sided facial droop, right-sided hemiparesis, dysarthria and aphasia, with an NIH stroke score of 5. Sodium level at the time of presentation was 119 mmol/L which dropped acutely from 138 mmol/L seven hours prior. ⋯ The patient remained symptom free after discharge with resolution of hyponatremia. Acute hyponatremia can cause focal neurological complaints and deficits, mimicking acute ischemic stroke. We advise clinicians to be aware of this entity when considering interventions for possible acute ischemic stroke and evaluating a patient with focal neurological deficits.
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The purpose of this study was to explain the process and results of implementing a bundle of two cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) programs in Gwang-ju metropolitan city and to determine whether the use of these programs improved the clinical outcomes for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. ⋯ OHCA patients treated in the after-intervention period with the bundle of CPR programs including MTR and prolonged on-scene resuscitation showed better clinical outcomes, especially pre-hospital ROSC, and neurological recovery at hospital discharge than those treated in the before-intervention period.
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Many patients with Coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) present with radiological evidence of pneumonia. Because it is difficult to determine co-existence of bacterial pneumonia, many of these patients are initially treated with antibiotics. We compared the rates of bacterial infections and mortality in Covid-19 patients with pulmonary infiltrates versus patients diagnosed with 'pneumonia' the year previously. ⋯ The rate of bacterial infections is lower in Covid-19 patients with pulmonary infiltrates compared with patients diagnosed with pneumonia prior to the pandemic and most are nosocomial. Mortality was higher in Covid-19 than non-Covid-19 patients even after adjusting for age, tachypnea, hypoxemia, and bacterial infection.