Archives of emergency medicine
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Review Case Reports
Conjunctival oxygen monitoring during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
The conjunctival oxygen tension (CjO2) sensor is a non-invasive, continuous index of oxygen delivery in the haemodynamically unstable patient. Human and animal studies have indicated that CjO2 reflects cerebral blood flow and oxygenation. Simple insertion, rapid stabilization and reaction time less than 60 s allow use in the initial stages of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) where invasive monitoring is often impracticable. ⋯ This study suggests that closed CPR has no value in maintaining or improving cerebral oxygenation during cardiac arrest. Further studies are required to determine the precise relationship of CjO2 to cerebral blood flow and oxygenation during CPR using open and closed techniques of cardiac massage. Open chest cardiac massage (open CPR) has been shown to produce near normal cerebral perfusion and if patients are to survive prolonged resuscitation neurologically intact guidelines for open CPR must be reviewed.
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This study was undertaken to assess the accuracy of clinical examination in predicting significant injury following blunt chest trauma and to determine whether more selective use of frontal chest radiography could be achieved.
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The introduction of a hand-held drench hose into a district general hospital accident and emergency department, for the emergency irrigation of chemically injured eyes is reported. The hose is described, together with the technique of irrigation. The advantages that a high-flow, low pressure system affords over conventional irrigation methods are discussed. The system appears to offer a simple, immediately available, effective tool for emergency eye care, which is suitable for use by a variety of personnel.
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Cricothyroidotomy was attempted on 15 cadavers. Five out of 15 doctors failed to cannulate the trachea. The high failure rate and incidence of complications are discussed. All doctors found the experience beneficial.