Curēus
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Introduction The association of pain and discomfort of moderate to high severity and a high incidence with the intravenous (IV) administration of propofol is well known. Various physical and pharmacological methods are used to minimize propofol-induced pain, but the best intervention is still unknown. Therefore, our aim was to determine the analgesic efficacy of IV paracetamol when used in combination with lidocaine pretreatment in reducing propofol injection pain. ⋯ The analgesic efficacy of group A was positive in 36 patients (97.3%), and for group B, the analgesic efficacy was positive in 24 patients (64.9%). Conclusion The administration of IV paracetamol with lidocaine pretreatment was more effective than lidocaine pretreatment alone in reducing the pain caused by the injection of propofol. Physicians should consider using IV paracetamol in combination with lidocaine pretreatment when patients require IV propofol to ease patient suffering and reduce pain, which may help provide optimal patient care.
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Inferior vena cava (IVC) is the most commonly injured abdominal vessel in blunt and penetrating abdominal traumas, and its injury carries a very high rate of mortality. Hemodynamic instability at presentation, poor response to resuscitation, the anatomical level of venacaval injury, low Glasgow Coma Score, and concomitant vascular and visceral injuries are the main factors predicting the outcome of the patient. ⋯ Each of these techniques carries its own merits and demerits. This case report is of a patient who survived an infrarenal tear of IVC caused by a firearm injury that was repaired by venorrhaphy at a hospital of Pakistan with limited cardiac and endovascular facilities.
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Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are deadly infections that can involve all tissue layers from the epidermis to the muscle. NSTIs can be difficult to diagnose, as skin manifestations are often absent early in the course of the disease, and they can be difficult to differentiate from simple cellulitis. Definitive diagnosis and treatment occur in the operating room. ⋯ Prior to admission, however, she was found to have an NSTI. The patient went to the operating room and had an extensive debridement followed by prolonged hospital stay. This case highlights the importance of a thorough physical examination in ill-appearing patients with non-specific symptoms, possible sepsis, and any alteration in mental status.
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Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic with great efficacy targeting gram-positive cocci, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus. Acute eosinophilic pneumonia is a rare complication of daptomycin therapy, with a poorly understood etiology thought to involve the accumulation of the drug in pulmonary surfactant inducing inflammation. We present a 56-year-old male with a history of spinal epidural abscess being treated with intravenous daptomycin, who presented to the emergency department with fever, developed worsening shortness of breath, and was subsequently discovered to have eosinophilia of pulmonary secretions via bronchoalveolar lavage. Daptomycin was discontinued, and he underwent treatment with corticosteroids, resulting in full resolution of symptoms. ⋯ Identification may be further complicated by the fact that symptoms can present anywhere from days to weeks after starting the therapy. This complication is very responsive to treatment with corticosteroids and cessation of daptomycin, but recognition is essential. With an increasing use of daptomycin subsequent to continued emergence of antibiotic resistance, it is essential that physicians are aware of this rare complication of daptomycin therapy.
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Introduction There is a high prevalence of hypertensive crisis with myocardial injury, as evidenced by elevation in cardiac troponin levels. The risk factors predisposing patients to developing a myocardial injury, detectable troponin, and increase in serial troponin in this population are not known. Methods A retrospective study was designed to include all patients, presenting to the emergency room, diagnosed with hypertensive crisis, using International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes between 2016-2018 (n=467). ⋯ Conclusion About one-third of patients with the hypertensive crisis have detectable troponin. Still, among these, less than half have troponin levels >99th percentile URL, and the majority of these patients have minimal changes in serial troponin. Low BMI was associated with higher initial and serial troponin levels, and this obesity paradox was stronger among females and older patients.