Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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The subspecialty of international emergency medicine (IEM) continues to grow within the United States, just as the specialty of emergency medicine (EM) continues to spread to both developed and developing countries around the world. One of the greatest obstacles, however, faced by IEM researchers and practitioners alike, remains the lack of a high-quality, consolidated, and easily accessible evidence-base of literature. ⋯ Articles were selected for the review according to explicit, predetermined criteria that included both methodologic quality and perceived impact of the research. It is hoped that this annual review will act as a forum for disseminating best practices, while also stimulating further research in the field of IEM.
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Multicenter Study
Tandem measurement of D-dimer and myeloperoxidase or C-reactive protein to effectively screen for pulmonary embolism in the emergency department.
The hypothesis was that the tandem measurement of D-dimer and myeloperoxidase (MPO) or C-reactive protein (CRP) could significantly decrease unnecessary pulmonary vascular imaging in emergency department (ED) patients evaluated for pulmonary embolism (PE) compared to D-dimer alone. ⋯ The tandem measurement of D-dimer and MPO would have significantly decreased negative pulmonary vascular imaging compared with D-dimer alone and should be validated prospectively.
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Comparative Study
Eight hours of hypotensive versus normotensive resuscitation in a porcine model of controlled hemorrhagic shock.
The aim of this study was to compare hypotensive and normotensive resuscitation in a porcine model of hemorrhagic shock. ⋯ In this model of controlled hemorrhagic shock, initial severe hypotensive pressure-targeted resuscitation for 8 hours was associated with an increased mortality rate and led to a persistent base deficit (BD) and to decreased StO2, suggesting persistent metabolic stress and tissue hypoxia. However, mild hypotensive resuscitation did not lead to a persistent BD or to decreased StO2, suggesting less metabolic stress and less tissue hypoxia.
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The objective was to study the association between factors related to emergency department (ED) crowding and patient satisfaction. ⋯ A poor ED service experience as measured by ED hallway use and prolonged boarding time after admission are adversely associated with ED satisfaction and predict lower satisfaction with the entire hospitalization. Efforts to decrease ED boarding and crowding might improve patient satisfaction.
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Despite little empiric evidence, mechanical ventilation (MV) in the setting of salicylate poisoning is considered by many to be harmful. When salicylate-poisoned patients are ventilated at conventional settings, the respiratory alkalosis is abolished, more salicylate is able to pass into the central nervous system (CNS), and neurotoxicity worsens. The objective of this study was to identify a relationship between MV, acidosis, and outcome in salicylate-poisoned patients. ⋯ Inadequate MV of patients with salicylate poisoning is associated with respiratory acidosis, acidemia, and clinical deterioration in this series of cases. This supports warnings about the danger of improper MV in patients with salicylate poisoning. A prospective study should be performed.