The American journal of emergency medicine
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) as a modality for diagnosing perforation of the gallbladder (GB) and pericholecystic hepatic abscess. ⋯ Contrast-enhanced US clearly visualized defects in the GB wall and pericholecystic abscesses in patients with GB perforation. The results indicate that CEUS is a useful modality for the diagnosis of GB perforation.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the necessity of chest x-ray (CXR) in detecting the endotracheal tube (ETT) misplacement after the intubation. ⋯ Although ED intubations have high success rate, the complications of inappropriate intubations are highly remarkable that postintubation CXR remains a necessary step to minimize the misplacement of the tube.
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The use of protein- and peptide-based drugs in the treatment of disease has significantly increased in recent years. However, their chemical and physical properties make them unsuitable for simple oral delivery. ⋯ The findings confirm that a large protein (22 kd) can be administered via IO injection, reaching blood levels comparable to IV injection. Further studies with a larger number of animals are required to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of high-molecular-weight proteins injected by the IO route.
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Chest pain represents between 5% and 10% of annual visits to emergency departments (EDs) and near 25% of hospitalizations. Characterization of chest pain is sometimes difficult, and strategies should focus on preventing inappropriate discharge of patients with acute coronary syndrome. The goal of our study is to compare negative predictive value of the algorithm in the chest pain unit using the fourth-generation troponin T assay (4GTT) vs high-sensitivity troponin T assay (HSTT). ⋯ The algorithm in the chest pain unit using HSTT showed to have the same negative predictive value as the algorithm with the 4GTT but with a shorter stay in the ED.
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Current reversal options for warfarin-related bleeding are limited but include fresh frozen plasma, recombinant factor VIIa, or a prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC). There are little data discussing the use of activated 4-factor PCC for warfarin reversal. ⋯ Emergent reversal of warfarin utilizing a fixed, low dose of FEIBA appears to be efficacious, consistent, and safe. Further comparator studies with other reversal agents are needed.