Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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Perimortem cesarean section is rarely required in the ED. However, since trauma now represents a leading cause of nonobstetric maternal death, emergency physicians (EPs) may more commonly be faced with the difficult decision of performing an emergency cesarean section. Two cases are described of severely traumatized pregnant patients for whom perimortem cesarean section in the ED led to birth of viable infants, with one long-term survivor. The rationale and guidelines for the procedure are discussed, and it is emphasized that the EP should be thoroughly familiar with the procedure and prepared to perform it when indicated to enhance fetal (and potentially maternal) survival.
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Comparative Study
Mock drug delivery to the proximal aorta during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: central vs peripheral intravenous infusion with varying flush volumes.
To compare mock drug deliveries to the proximal aorta during CPR after peripheral vs central i.v. administration when the mock drug is followed by different postinfusion flush volumes. ⋯ An adequately sized postinfusion crystalloid flush (0.5 mL/kg) permits peripherally administered model drug to reach the central circulation as quickly and in equivalent concentration as centrally administered drug during CPR in a canine cardiac arrest model.