Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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Comparative Study
Ultrasonographic investigation of the effect of inguinal compression on the cross-sectional area of the femoral vein.
The reverse Trendelenburg position increases the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the femoral vein, making it easier to cannulate, although this position is potentially harmful in hypovolemic patients. The authors hypothesized that compression above the femoral vein increases the CSA of the femoral vein during emergency cannulation. ⋯ Inguinal compression presents an alternative method for increasing the CSA of the femoral vein for venous catheterization in normal patients.
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Uncontrolled hemorrhage remains a leading cause of traumatic death. Several topical adjunct agents have been shown to be effective in controlling hemorrhage, and two, chitosan wafer dressing (HemCon [HC]) and zeolite powder dressing (QuikClot [QC]), are being utilized regularly on the battlefield. However, recent literature reviews have concluded that no ideal topical agent exists. The authors compared a new chitosan granule dressing (CELOX [CX]) to HC, QC and standard dressing in a lethal hemorrhagic groin injury. ⋯ In this porcine model of uncontrolled hemorrhage, CX improved hemorrhage control and survival. CELOX is a viable alternative for the treatment of severe hemorrhage.