The American journal of emergency medicine
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Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is primarily utilized in traumatic non-compressible torso hemorrhage. We present a 49-year-old male with hemorrhagic shock necessitating on-site REBOA placement on an island 986 km away from the nearest critical care center. The patient experienced sudden pain in the right costal margin and visited the local clinic where computed tomography revealed a massive intra-abdominal hemorrhage and a renal artery aneurysm. ⋯ The patient was later discharged home in a good state of health. On-site REBOA placement is not only applicable to trauma but also internal hemorrhaging due to non-traumatic causes. Partial and intermittent REBOA successfully stabilized circulation, prevented organ ischemia and facilitated long-distance patient transport in the present case.
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Syncope is a common presenting symptom in the pediatric emergency department (PED). The etiology of pediatric syncope is generally benign. However, differentiating cardiac and other serious causes from benign causes of syncope are crucial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change of physicians' behavior after introduction of an institutional protocol designed to act as a guide in the assessment and management of syncope patients in the PED. ⋯ The introduction of the syncope approach protocol in PED has enabled an evidence-based and systematic evaluation and management of syncope patients, and reduced the rates of low-yield investigations. Sustained implementation of this protocol can have long-term benefits in the care of children with syncope at the emergency department.
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Bradycardia is an under-studied manifestation of hyperkalemia potentially associated with adverse outcomes. We sought to systematically describe emergency department (ED) patients that present with severe bradycardia (heart rate < 50) associated with severe hyperkalemia (potassium ≥6.0 mEQ/L) and identify factors associated with the receipt of hemodynamic support. ⋯ Patients presenting with severe bradycardia represent a unique phenotype of ED patients with hyperkalemia that may require significant resuscitation and critical care resources. Further research on the treatment of this uncommon, but potentially life-threatening condition is needed.
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We describe a case of acute respiratory failure caused by inhalation of gas formed from a reaction of intentional dissolution of sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) tablets in water. A patient had refractory respiratory failure despite the use of conventional therapy, including lung-protective mechanical ventilation. Early veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) support was initiated in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ Cases of severe inhalation injury with acute respiratory failure refractory to conventional treatments and mechanical ventilator support may benefit from VV-ECMO. Literature on early initiation of ED-VV-ECMO in NaDCC-induced refractory respiratory failure is rare. This case may be used as a guide in the management of subsequent cases as it shows that early initiation of ED-VV-ECMO was beneficial to the patient.