Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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The diagnosis of heart failure in the outpatient setting can be difficult. A rapid assay for B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been advocated for the diagnosis of heart failure, using a single cutoff of 100 pg/mL. ⋯ This multitude of causes of BNP elevation imposes limits on its diagnostic use for heart failure. The literature on the use of BNP testing for diagnosis of heart failure is reviewed, and improved guidelines for its interpretation are suggested.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Factors affecting pain scores during female urethral catheterization.
To compare pain and discomfort ratings of female patients undergoing urethral catheterization randomized to topical application of plain lubricant versus lidocaine gel prior to the procedure. ⋯ Catheter size and lubricant type did not affect the severity of pain after urethral catheterization in women.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of topical anesthetics and lubricants prior to urethral catheterization in males: a randomized controlled trial.
Although male urethral catheterization in the emergency department (ED) is both common and painful, few studies have evaluated the use of topical anesthesia prior to catheterization. ⋯ Use of topical lidocaine gel reduces the pain associated with male urethral catheterization in comparison with topical lubricants only.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Does the lateral chest radiograph help pediatric emergency physicians diagnose pneumonia? A randomized clinical trial.
To determine whether the addition of the lateral chest radiograph to the frontal view influences the pediatric emergency physician's diagnosis and management of patients with pneumonia. ⋯ The addition of the lateral chest radiograph to the frontal view did not improve the sensitivity or specificity of pediatric emergency physicians in their diagnosis of pneumonia in children.