This randomized, controlled, single-blinded study examined the hypothesis that rapid measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide levels (BNP) would improve the care of patients presenting to the emergency department with acute dyspnea.
From 1999 to 2002, these Austrian investigators randomly assigned adults with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest to receive two injections of either vasopressin or epinephrine, followed by additional treatment with epinephrine, if needed. The primary endpoint was survival to hospital admission, and the secondary endpoint was survival to discharge from the hospital.
In this study, the authors performed a meta-analysis of 12 randomized trials comparing the treatment of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) with standard unfractionated heparin or one of a variety of low molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) agents.
This study from Lehigh Valley Hospital in Pennsylvania sought to determine whether admission Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS), pupil size, and pupil reactivity are sufficient to predict outcomes of major trauma patients.
The next time you are in the ED and have a quiet moment, review your hazardous material protocols. Imagine a scenario where, by terror attack, terror hoax, or public fear, an asymptomatic individual (or individuals) brings to you a suspicious powder or substance. Is there a rational approach to handling this situation?
The 12-lead ECG and accompanying rhythm strip in the Figure were obtained from an 84-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with acute dyspnea from pneumonia and heart failure. Can you account for the relatively slow heart rate despite his acute shortness of breath?
Researchers and clinical trials managers may have noticed that the best practices standards in tissue banking have been evolving in recent years due to scientific advances, greater public scrutiny on human subject protection, and new privacy rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
A cardiovascular surgeon develops an experimental intravascular blood oxygenation device that has the potential to eliminate the need for mechanical ventilation in severely injured patients. However, testing the device in human patients would be unethical because of the great risk of harm, and the still-unknown chance for benefit.
Smallpox vaccine draft guidance issued by FDA; New technology, lack of consent leads to lawsuit
