Assessment of end-tidal carbon dioxide and vena cava collapsibility in volume responsiveness in spontaneously breathing patients.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) and inferior vena cava collapsibility index (IVCCI) in predicting fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients has been demonstrated. However, the data on spontaneously breathing patients is controversial. This study aims to investigate the accuracy of variations in the ETCO2 (∆ETCO2) and IVCCI (∆IVCCI) gradient in predicting volume responsiveness in spontaneously breathing patients with hypovolemia. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study conducted in an academic emergency department (ED). Spontaneously breathing patients who required fluid resuscitation due to hypovolemia were included in the study. Cardiac output (CO), IVCCI and ETCO2 were measured before and after the passive leg raise (PRL). A change in the CO of ≥15% after the PLR were considered volume responsive. The difference in the ∆ETCO2 and ∆IVCCI were compared between the volume responsive and nonresponsive groups. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients were included in the study, of whom 15 patients were volume responsive. The difference in the ∆ETCO2 was 4 mm Hg in the volume responsive and 2 mm Hg in the nonresponsive group (p = 0.02). There was no significant difference in ∆IVCCI between the groups. A moderate correlation was detected between the difference in ∆ETCO2 and CO (0.585; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: ∆ETCO2 can be an alternative method in predicting volume responsiveness in spontaneously breathing patients with hypovolemia.

Two injection digital block versus single subcutaneous palmar injection block for finger lacerations.

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare two digital nerve block techniques in patients due to traumatic digital lacerations. METHODS: This was a randomized-controlled study designed prospectively in the emergency department of a university-based training and research hospital. Randomization was achieved by sealed envelopes. Half of the patients were randomised to traditional (two-injection) digital nerve block technique while single-injection digital nerve block technique was applied to the other half. Score of pain due to anesthetic infiltration and suturing, onset time of total anesthesia, need for an additional rescue injection were the parameters evaluated with both groups. Epinephrin added lidocaine hydrochloride preparation was used for the anesthetic application. Visual analog scale was used for the evaluation of pain scores. Outcomes were compared by using Mann-Whitney U test and Student t-test. RESULTS: Fifty emergency department patients ≥18 years requiring digital nerve block were enrolled in the study. Mean age of the patients was 33 (min-max: 19-86) and 39 (78 %) were male. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of our main parameters; anesthesia pain score, suturing pain score, onset time of total anesthesia and rescue injection need. CONCLUSION: Single injection volar digital nerve block technique is a suitable alternative for digital anesthesias in emergency departments.

A randomized trial comparing intravenous paracetamol, topical lidocaine, and ice application for treatment of pain associated with scorpion stings.

OBJECTIVE: Appropriate treatment for scorpion-associated pain was not previously studied in detail in the literature. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of three treatment modalities in patients with painful scorpion stings using visual analog scale (VAS) scores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized study was carried out during a 1-year period in patients with scorpion stings who did not have any systemic signs or symptoms. Patients were treated with intravenous paracetamol, topical lidocaine, or ice application. Pain intensity was evaluated using VAS score at the time of presentation to emergency department and at 30th, 60th, 120th, and 240th minutes. Changes in VAS scores from baseline were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 130 patients were included in the statistical analysis. Significant reduction in pain intensity was observed with topical lidocaine group when compared with the ice application group (p < 0.001) and paracetamol group (p < 0.001) in all selected time intervals. The median reduction in scores at 30 min after therapeutic intervention was 25.0 mm for topical lidocaine, 14.5 mm for ice application, and 10.0 mm for intravenous paracetamol. No adverse events were reported. DISCUSSION: Our results revealed that topical lidocaine is superior to both intravenous paracetamol and local ice application and its effect lasts several hours after envenomation. CONCLUSION: Topical lidocaine is an effective and safe treatment in scorpion sting associated with pain in patients with nonsystemic signs and symptoms.

Can initial lactate levels predict the severity of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning?

INTRODUCTION: Accidental carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication is a major cause of unintentional poisoning. This study aimed to determine the value of initial lactate levels in patients with CO poisoning and to evaluate its utilization in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out among patients with CO intoxication, who were admitted to the ED between April 1, 2011 and April 1, 2012. The study data were extracted from a hospital database system using International Classification of Diseases-10 diagnosis codes. The patients were analyzed according to lactate levels, carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels, electrocardiographic manifestations, and clinical features at admission to the ED. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients with CO poisoning were enrolled in this study. The average COHb value of the patients was 21.5 ± 13.9%. A total of 50 patients (67.6%) received normobaric oxygen treatment and 24 patients (32.4%) received hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment. The patients who received HBO treatment had increased lactate levels compared with patients receiving normobaric oxygen treatment (2.3 mmol/L vs. 1.0 mmol/L, p < 0.001). The lactate levels were positively correlated with COHb values (r = 0.738, p < 0.001). We determined that a lactate level of 1.85 mmol/L has a sensitivity of 70.8% and a specificity of 78.0% to predict the HBO treatment needed in CO poisoning. CONCLUSION: In evaluating patients with CO poisoning, an initial lactate level could be taken into consideration as an adjunctive parameter of severity, together with the clinical criteria and levels of COHb.