J Emerg Med
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Early thoracotomy (ET) is a procedure performed on patients in extremis. Identifying factors associated with ET survival may allow for optimization of guidelines and improved patient selection. ⋯ ETs performed at Level I TCs were associated with 40% greater odds of survival compared with ETs at non-Level I TCs. This demonstrates that factors extrinsic to the patient may play a role in survival of severely injured patients.
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Emergency departments (EDs) have the potential to promote critical public and preventive health interventions. Cervical cancer (CC) screening has been a cornerstone of preventive health efforts for decades. Approximately 20% of U.S. women are not adherent with CC screening guidelines-considerably below the U.S. Federal Government's target. ED patients are disproportionately nonadherent with CC screening guidelines. The ED, therefore, is an optimal setting to target women with an intervention that promotes CC screening. ⋯ This pilot study demonstrates feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a behavioral intervention to increase uptake of CC screening among ED patients.
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Observational Study
Postcontrast Acute Kidney Injury After Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography for Acute Pulmonary Embolism.
Despite the widespread use of computed tomography pulmonary angiography with contrast media for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism, high-quality evidence on risk factors for postcontrast acute kidney injury related to its use is lacking. ⋯ Our study findings could serve as useful reference for physicians who are concerned about performing computed tomography pulmonary angiography for fear of renal function deterioration.
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Malignancy predisposes patients to higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is the second leading cause of death in patients with cancer. ⋯ This narrative review provides key updates in the assessment and management of cancer patients with VTE.
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Heat stroke is a life-threatening syndrome that is characterized by its severe clinical symptoms, rapid progression, and high rate of mortality. Recently, research has indicated that a dysfunctional intestinal epithelia barrier plays an important role in the pathophysiology of heat stroke. Protecting the intestines from heat stress had been identified as a potentially effective treatment for patients with heat stroke and may reduce the innate immune response caused by endotoxins in circulation. ⋯ A more detailed pathogenesis of heat stroke needs to be elucidated so that potentially effective means of treatment and prevention of heat stroke can be developed and studied.