European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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Multicenter Study
Investigation for pulmonary embolism in patients with chest pain in the emergency department: a retrospective multicenter study.
Chest pain is a common main complaint in the emergency department. Among its associated differential diagnoses, pulmonary embolism remains a key concern for the clinician. There are no clear recommendations on which patients should have a formal workup for pulmonary embolism diagnosis. The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of patients with chest pain who were investigated for pulmonary embolism diagnosis and to determine the clinical profile of these patients. ⋯ Among patients presenting to emergency department with chest pain, 30% had a workup for pulmonary embolism. We report five clinical variables independently associated with a higher probability of pulmonary embolism workup in our sample.
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The association between objective nutritional indexes and prognosis in patients with acute heart failure have not been well studied. Therefore, we aimed to compare the prognostic value of modified Glasgow prognostic score, prognostic nutritional index, controlling nutritional status score, and geriatric nutritional risk index for the prediction of in-hospital mortality in patients with acute heart failure. ⋯ Though all objective nutritional indexes were associated with prognosis in elderly patients with acute heart failure, geriatric nutritional risk index was superior to other scores in predicting in-hospital mortality.
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Theoretical knowledge and ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are unknown with regard to provided training. The aim of this study was to evaluate in-hospital healthcare professionals' (HCPs) theoretical knowledge of CPR and their self-assessed ability to perform CPR and also to assess possible affecting factors. ⋯ The overall theoretical knowledge was poor and ratings of self-assessed abilities to perform CPR were low. Working on a monitored ward, recently attended CPR training and being a nurse or physician were factors associated with higher theoretical knowledge and higher ratings of self-assessed ability to perform CPR. These findings imply prioritisation of CPR training.
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Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte disorder observed in the emergency department. It is often associated with underlying predisposing conditions, such as moderate or severe kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, or significant tissue trauma. Additionally, medications, such as inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, potassium-sparing diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, succinylcholine, and digitalis, are associated with hyperkalemia. ⋯ Membrane stabilization by calcium salts and potassium-shifting agents, such as insulin and salbutamol, is the cornerstone in the acute management of hyperkalemia. However, only dialysis, potassium-binding agents, and loop diuretics remove potassium from the body. Frequent reevaluation of potassium concentrations is recommended to assess treatment success and to monitor for recurrence of hyperkalemia.