The American journal of emergency medicine
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An algorithmic approach to testing utilizing risk stratification and quantitative D-dimer has been considered an acceptable approach to ruling out pulmonary embolism (PE). When D-dimer is elevated, further testing for PE is indicated. ⋯ This case describes a patient who initially had an elevated D-dimer with negative workup for PE who, on repeat visit, had a decreasing D-dimer but was diagnosed with a PE. When evaluating patients after a negative workup for PE after an elevated D-dimer, a decrease in D-dimer cannot be used to rule out PE.
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Case Reports
An unusual presentation of meningococcal meningitis--timely recognition can save lives!
Meningococcal meningitis has been known to have a high fatality rate. A high degree of suspicion is required for early recognition and timely intervention. In this report, a case of a young male is presented who came to the emergency department with predominately lower gastrointestinal symptoms but was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis and managed accordingly.
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Special attention to post-cardiac arrest management is important to long-term survival and favorable neurological outcome in patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest. The use of emergent percutaneous coronary intervention in resuscitated patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction has long been considered an appropriate approach for coronary revascularization. Recent evidence suggests that other subsets of patients, namely, post-cardiac arrest patients without ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, may benefit from immediate percutaneous coronary intervention following resuscitation. These findings could eventually have important implications for the care of resuscitated patients, including transportation of resuscitated patients to appropriate cardiac interventional facilities, access to treatment modalities such as therapeutic hypothermia, and coordinated care with cardiac catheterization laboratories.