Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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Emergency services for disaster-affected populations require the application of out-of-hospital planning, curative acute medical skills, and public health principles. SAEM can play an important role in promoting the research and educational agendas for disaster medicine through its network of EM educators at academic health centers. ⋯ Postgraduate fellowships in disaster medicine also should be promoted and closely linked to disaster response organizations. Overall professional training must encompass the many facets described in this paper to prepare physicians to meet the challenges of disaster medicine.
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To describe the use of a noninvasive bi-level positive airway pressure (PAP) support system for ED patients with acute congestive heart failure (CHF). ⋯ Noninvasive pressure support ventilation with a bi-level PAP support system may avert ETI in acute CHF patients. This device can be effectively used by ED personnel.
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A focused review of the physiologic mechanisms of colloid and crystalloid fluid resuscitations for acute critical illness is presented. This review suggests that postresuscitation plasma volume, cardiac output, left ventricular mechanical performance, and global and microcirculatory O2 supplies are more favorable with colloid therapy. Conversely, crystalloid may adversely affect microcirculatory blood flow and resultant O2 supply and use by ischemic tissues in shock. Poor relief of global and regional hypoxia may persist in critically ill patients after resuscitation with crystalloid.
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To review and describe the hemodynamics and mechanisms of benefit of interposed abdominal compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation (IAC-CPR) as well as the current complications and survival data with the use of IAC-CPR. ⋯ IAC-CPR should be considered an adjunct to standard CPR for adult patients experiencing in-hospital cardiac arrest, after an adequate airway has been secured. More research is needed before IAC-CPR can be recommended for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, for patients who have not been intubated, or for children.
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To propose reasons for the variability of the hemodynamic responses and survival data observed when interposed abdominal compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation (IAC-CPR) is performed on humans in cardiac arrest. ⋯ IAC-CPR should not be recommended for routine use until the mechanism of its beneficial effects is known and until those patients who are likely to benefit from the technique can be better identified.