A recent meta-analysis of 13 studies that were investigating needle decompression compared data of sample size, mean chest wall thickness, and decompression success rates. The meta-analysis concluded that the needle decompression catheter should be at least 6.5 cm in length…
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Pediatric lumbar punctures can have much higher success rates when proper positioning and technique are emphasized. The position should be the lateral decubitus position with hips flexed, but the neck does not need to be flexed. The spinal cord ends…
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Recently, a retrospective review of over 14,000 adult patients who underwent general anesthesia were assessed. A multivariable analysis was used to determine risk factors of difficult laryngeal mask airways (LMA). The following four risk factors were identified: male gender, age…
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Previous trials have investigated the use of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) to assess patients with dyspnea in the ED. The sentinel trial was the BNP (Breathe Not Properly) trial that evaluated nearly 800 patients presenting to the ED with complaints…
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A study was executed to decipher the best cut-off point for a positive Allen’s test. Ninety-three hands of 47 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery were screened. The average age of the patients was 63.3 years. Independent observers examined these…
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Target Audience: Emergency clinicians Background: A multidisciplinary group of emergency physicians, radiologists, cardiologists, and others has developed appropriateness criteria for the use of imaging to help inform clinicians for four clinical scenarios presenting as chest pain in the ED. Key…
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Every four years the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) disseminates a new set of guidelines on the evaluation and management of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE). The ACCP just released its updated guidelines for the treatment of VTE and I…
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