The American journal of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of 2 cuff inflation methods of laryngeal mask airway Classic for safe use without cuff manometer in adults.
This single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind, 2-arm, parallel group comparison trial was performed to establish whether the adult-sized laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Classic (The Laryngeal Mask Company Ltd, Henley-on-Thames, UK) could be used safely without any consideration of cuff hyperinflation when a cuff of the LMA Classic was inflated using half the maximum inflation volume or the resting volume before insertion of device. ⋯ The partially inflated cuff method using half the maximum recommended inflation volume or the resting volume is feasible with the adult-sized LMA Classic, resulting in a high success rate of insertion and adequate range of intracuff pressures.
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Bacterial meningitis is an emergent disease requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment with appropriate antimicrobials. Although the lumbar puncture is widely used as a diagnostic tool for bacterial meningitis, it remains unclear which value in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis in emergency laboratory tests precisely predicts the presence of bacterial meningitis. ⋯ This study suggests that the CSF/blood glucose ratio may be a better single indicator for bacterial meningitis. Since the CSF glucose and blood glucose values are promptly and easily obtained from a lumbar puncture, the CSF/blood glucose ratio should be considered as a timely diagnostic indicator of bacterial meningitis. It may also help exclude the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis especially in cases in which no microorganisms can be cultured.
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Review
Considerations for resuscitation at high altitude in elderly and untrained populations and rescuers.
With the development of transportation technologies, elderly people with chronic diseases are increasingly enjoying trekking and tours of nature resorts that include mountain highlands. Because of problems related to circulation, respiration, metabolism, and/or the musculoskeletal system in this population, the impact of high altitude on cardiopulmonary function is increased. Alpine accidents, therefore, tend to be more common in this population, and cases of cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) at high altitudes seem to be increasing. ⋯ Alpine rescue teams should therefore be well prepared for their increased physical burden and difficult conditions. Elderly travelers should be made aware of their increased risk of CPA in alpine settings. The use of mechanical devices to assist CPR should be considered wherever possible.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Finger counting: an alternative method for estimating pediatric weights.
We compared the accuracy of a conceptually simple pediatric weight estimation technique, the finger counting method, with other commonly used methods. ⋯ The finger counting method is an acceptable alternative to the Broselow method for weight estimation in children aged 1 to 9 years. It outperforms the traditional APLS method but underestimates weights compared with parental estimate and the Luscombe formula.
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Clinical Trial
The effect of sonologist experience on the ability to determine endotracheal tube location using transtracheal ultrasound.
Transtracheal ultrasound has been described as a method to evaluate endotracheal tube placement. Correlation between sonologist experience and the successful use of transtracheal ultrasound to identify endotracheal tube location has not been examined. Our objectives were to evaluate emergency physicians' ability to correctly identify endotracheal tube location using transtracheal ultrasound and to evaluate the role operator experience plays in successful identification of tube placement. ⋯ Most participants obtained adequate images, but correct interpretation of the images was poor. The most experienced sonologists correctly identified tube location more often. Additional education would be required before adopting this method.