A & A case reports
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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation has a low success rate both in and out of the hospital setting. Return of spontaneous circulation, however, is considerably higher for intraoperative cardiac arrests. Chest compressions remain of utmost importance. ⋯ However, this depth is often not achieved. We describe a case in which the adequacy of chest compressions, based on hemodynamic monitoring, was achieved with 2 persons simultaneously providing a compressive force. This hemodynamic-directed care resulted in return of spontaneous circulation on 2 separate occasions.
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Case Reports
Epidural Injections Contraindicated for Lumbar Radiculopathy in May-Thurner Syndrome: A Case Report.
A 59-year-old patient presented to the chronic pain clinic with a 6-week history of worsening lumbar back pain, bilateral thigh pain, and unilateral radiculopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed mild discogenic and facetogenic disease, but significant epidural venous plexus engorgement compressing the thecal sac. ⋯ A discussion with the radiologist confirmed worsening of the patient's May-Thurner Syndrome was the likely cause of the patient's symptoms. The patient was referred back to the surgeon to relieve the venous obstruction because routine injection therapy would be ineffective.
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Case Reports
Brachiocephalic Vein Perforation During Cannulation of Internal Jugular Vein: A Case Report.
We report a rare complication of right brachiocephalic vein perforation during ultrasound-guided cannulation of the right internal jugular vein (IJV) in a patient with a tortuous common carotid artery (CCA). We suspect that the tortuous CCA displaced the IJV, which caused misplacement of the J-tip guidewire into the subclavian vein. ⋯ This was diagnosed by videothoracoscopy. Anesthesiologists should be aware of the possibility of guidewire malposition during IJV catheterization in patients with a tortuous CCA.
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Case Reports
Use of 23.4% Saline in Symptomatic Vasospasm and Cushing's Triad to Prevent Herniation and Death: A Case Report.
A 53-year-old woman with migraines presented with Hunt-Hess grade 5 and Fisher grade 4 subarachnoid hemorrhage with intraventricular hemorrhage. She experienced severe vasospasm requiring intra-arterial medications. Continued vasospasm and edema resulted in Cushing's triad with profound tachypnea. ⋯ Despite the general practice to wait until complete neurologic deterioration before administering 23.4% saline, it was administered on 2 separate occasions, once after the failure of the 2 boluses of 3% saline and once on the reappearance of Cushing's triad 24 hours later, and on each occasion produced overall clinical improvement. The patient was subsequently discharged to a rehabilitation facility and then home. A paradigm shift to earlier intervention with 23.4% saline may improve overall outcomes in patients with severe intracranial hypertension refractory to 3% saline and impending herniation.