Screening performance of Ultrasonographic B-lines in Detection of Lung Contusion following Blunt Trauma; a Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

INTRODUCTION: Chest ultrasonography is routinely used in evaluation of chest trauma for diagnosis of pulmonary injury. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of B-Lines for diagnosing lung contusion in patients with blunt trauma of the chest. METHODS: Trauma patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study and underwent ultrasonography by trained emergency medicine residents. Ultrasound results were recorded in terms of number of B-lines and the existence of peripheral parenchymal lesion (PPL). After ultrasound, the patient underwent chest x-ray and chest CT scan (as reference test) and screening performance of B-lines and PPL were evaluated. RESULTS: 147 patients underwent chest ultrasound. The mean age of the patients was 40.74 ± 18.6 (78.9% male). B-lines˃3 had 94.0% (95% CI: 83.45-98.75) sensitivity and 57.7% (95% CI: 47.3-67.7) specificity, B-lines˃6 had 90.0% (95% CI: 78.2-96.7) sensitivity and 93.81% (95% CI: 87.0-97.7) specificity, and PPL had 34.0% (95% CI: 21.2-48.8) sensitivity and 100% (95% CI: 96.3-100.0) specificity. Composite findings of B-lines˃6 + PPL had 92.0% (95% CI: 80.8-97. 8) sensitivity and 93.8% (95% CI: 87.0-97.7) specificity in the diagnosis of lung contusion. CONCLUSION: PPL and B-Lines˃6 had the highest accuracy in detecting lung contusion. B-Line˃6 had high sensitivity and specificity and was easy to perform; thus, it seems that B-Line˃6 could be considered as an alternative screening tool in detection of lung contusion.

Oral verapamil in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia recurrence control: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Adenosine is the first-line medication in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Because it is cleared so rapidly from the circulation, recurrence of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia after initial successful conversion may occur. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the role of oral verapamil administration to control early recurrences of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia after adenosine infusion. METHODS: Patients with acute paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and no contraindications for adenosine or verapamil treatment were included in study. All patients received an adenosine protocol (6 mg rapid bolus intravenous injection followed by two repeated doses of 12 mg if necessary). Patients in the adenosine-only group did not received any other medications but patients in the adenosine/verapamil group received 40 mg verapamil orally immediately after converting the rhythm to sinus rhythm. All patients were followed up for 6 h in the acute care area of the emergency department under continuous cardiac monitoring. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients were assessed for eligibility and 92 patients were randomized into two groups (adenosine only versus adenosine/verapamil). There was no statistically significant difference in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia recurrence rate between the two groups in the first 30 min after treatment. Recurrence rate was statistically significantly lower in the adenosine/verapamil group than in the adenosine-only group between 30 and 120 min after treatment and thereafter. Two patients in the adenosine-only group experienced flushing and one patient in the adenosine/verapamil group experienced decreased systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Oral verapamil can decrease paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia recurrence after successful control with intravenous adenosine.