Practical Summaries in Acute Care Archives – August 1, 2003
August 1, 2003
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SAEM 2003: Reviews of the Latest Research in Emergency Medicine
The following are brief summaries of nine abstracts presented at the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) 2003 Annual Meeting in Boston. Editorial board members who attended selected these topics because of their interesting content and importance to the field of emergency medicine research. Because these are abstracts and not peer-reviewed publications, results and conclusions should be considered preliminary. -
Taking the Trauma Out of Traumatic Spinal Taps
When the pediatric lumbar puncture (LP) is traumatic, confusion arises as to whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cells are from infection or from contaminating blood. To better identify patients with and without CSF pathogens, Mazor and colleagues studied 57 children ages 1 month to 13 years who had traumatic LPs (> 500 red blood cells [RBCs]/mm3) during evaluation for suspected meningitis. -
Special Feature - Bell’s Palsy: New Trials for Better Smiles
Since its first clinical description in 1829 by Sir Charles Bell in England, Bell's Palsy has been surrounded by therapeutic controversy and its etiology has been shrouded in mystery. Recent literature, however, features evidence-based trials that enable emergency department clinicians to recommend more advanced treatment than ever before. -
ECG Review: Tachycardia with 1° AV Block
The ECG in the Figure was obtained from a 61-year-old woman who was being treated with flecainide for arrhythmia. Her tracing was interpreted as showing sinus tachycardia with 1° AV block, with the conduction disturbance being seen best in lead V1. How would you interpret this ECG?