Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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End-tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO2) monitoring is becoming more common in both the ED and the out-of-hospital setting. Its main use has been as an aid when confirming endotracheal intubation. However, since CO2 is intrinsically coupled with states of metabolism, circulation, and ventilation, PetCO2 monitoring along with analysis of its capnographic component is becoming increasingly valuable for other uses in the ED. This article reviews the physiology of CO2, the means by which end-tidal CO2 may be monitored, and the components and analysis of the capnogram.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Intravenous ketorolac vs intravenous prochlorperazine for the treatment of migraine headaches.
To compare i.v. ketorolac with i.v. prochlorperazine as the initial treatment of migraine headaches in the ED. ⋯ Although both drugs were associated with a significant reduction in pain scores, benefit over a placebo agent was not tested. Furthermore, the patients who received prochlorperazine i.v. for migraine headaches had a statistically significant greater decrease in their pain scores than did those receiving ketorolac i.v.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The role of betamethasone in the treatment of acute exudative pharyngitis.
To compare betamethasone with placebo as an adjuvant to antibiotic therapy in the treatment of acute exudative pharyngitis. ⋯ Pain relief was greater and more rapid in patients treated with betamethasone as an adjuvant therapy in acute exudative pharyngitis.
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To assess whether contact with a health care provider or gatekeeper increases the use of an ambulance for patients with acute chest pain. ⋯ Of patients presenting to an ED for evaluation of chest pain, those who made contact with a health care provider were less likely to arrive via ambulance.
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To compare 2 clinical wound scales and to determine a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) on the visual analog cosmesis scale. ⋯ An MCID on the VAS cosmesis scale is 15 mm. Studies should be designed to have a sample size and power to detect this difference.