European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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To determine if the serum levels of creatine kinase and myoglobin can be used to differentiate the grandmal tonic-clonic seizure and syncope activities in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ Serum creatine kinase measured at the fourth hour of loss of consciousness may be a potentially useful laboratory test to differentiate tonic-clonic seizure from syncope. Patently, it requires and warrants further study.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Value of the timing of informing the emergency department patients on cardiac test results: a randomized controlled study.
This study is designed to investigate the role of written information, and the value of its timing, provided to Emergency Department (ED) patients regarding cardiac enzyme tests (CET), on their personal concerns about their health status and their discussions with the emergency physicians as to their normal health status post-test. ⋯ Written information provided to patients undergoing cardiac tests in ED population was found effective on anxiety and persuasion scores.
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To describe the outcome of patients after noninvasive ventilation in a high dependency unit (HDU) of an emergency department (ED). Secondary aims were to define the role of intensive care consultation and to identify variables associated with mortality. ⋯ Noninvasive ventilation is a relatively safe and effective treatment in the ED when performed in carefully controlled settings. ICU consultation may be securely deferred in this setting.
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To describe the initial experience of a group of emergency department (ED) physicians, utilizing a Glidescope videolaryngoscope (GVL) for orotracheal intubations in the ED. ⋯ We found the GVL to be an effective device in our ED's emergency airway control repertoire. Its role in the anticipated difficult airway in the ED will need further studies.
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We report a 54-year-old lady who presented to the emergency department for stridor and shortness of breath of acute onset. Nasopharyngoscopy revealed subglottic swelling and plain radiographs revealed a classical 'steeple sign' typical of croup. Although rare, croup should be considered in an adult presenting with stridor to the emergency department and the emergency airway team should be notified in advance for possible surgical airway emergency tracheostomy.