The comparison between two methods of basic life support instruction: Video self-instruction versus traditional method

Introduction: Medical education is changing and evolving. Teachers need to re-evaluate their medical teaching practice to enhance student learning. The data about the ideal training method of Basic Life Support (BLS) is lacking. The goal of this study was to analyse the use and performance of video self-instruction (VSI) method in BLS, in order to develop an efficient BLS training method. Methods: Eighty-one undergraduate medical interns were enrolled in a prospective clinical study in 2011. They were divided into VSI group and traditional group. We provided the first group with a DVD containing a 20-minute training video while the second group took part in a 4-hour training class of BLS. Subjects participated in a pre-test and post-test based on 2010 American Heart Association Resuscitation guideline. Results: The average scores of VSI group and the traditional group before training were 8.85±2.42 and 8.57±2.22 respectively (p=0.592). After training, the average scores of the VSI and the traditional group were 20.24±0.83 and 18.05±1.86 respectively. VSI group achieved slightly better scores compared with the traditional group (p<0.001). Conclusions: Training through VSI achieves more satisfying results than the traditional lecture method. VSI method can be considered a useful technique in undergraduate educational programs. Developing VSI can increase significantly the access to the BLS training. © 2015, Medcom Limited. All rights reserved

Assessment of time interval between tramadol intake and seizure and second drug-induced attack

Background: Tramadol is a synthetic drug which is prescribed in moderate and severe pain. Tramadol overdose can induce severe complications such as consciousness impairment and convulsions. This study was done to determine the convulsions incidence after tramadol use until one week after hospital discharge. Methods: This prospective study was done in tramadol overdose patients without uncontrolled epilepsy and head injury history. All cases admitted in Loghman and Rasol Akram Hospitals, Tehran, Iran from 1, April 2011 to 1, April 2012 were included and observed for at least 12 hours. Time interval between tramadol intake and first seizure were record. Then, patients with second drug-induced seizure were recognized and log time between the first and second seizure was analyzed. The patients were transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) if clinical worsening status observed. One week after hospital discharge, telephone follow-up was conducted. Results: A total of 150 patients with a history of tramadol induced seizures (141 men, 9 women, age: 23.23±5.94 years) were enrolled in this study. Convulsion was seen in 104 patients (69.3). In 8 out of 104 patients (7.6) two or more convulsion was seen. Time interval between tramadol use and the onset of the first and second seizure were 0.93±0.17 and 2.5±0.75 hours, respectively. Tramadol induced seizures are more likely to occur in males and patients with a history of drug abuse. Finally, one hundred forty nine patients (99.3) were discharged with good condition and the only one patient died from tramadol overdose. Conclusion: The results of the study showed tramadol induced seizure most frequently occurred within the first 4 hours of tramadol intake. The chance of experiencing a second seizure exists in the susceptible population. Thus, 4 hours after drug intake is the best time for patients to be hospital discharged. © 2015, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Can intravenous acetaminophen reduce the needs to more opioids to control pain in intubated patients?

Aims: To evaluate the effect of intravenous (IV) acetaminophen on reducing the need for morphine sulfate in intubated patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Settings and Design: Current study was done as a clinical trial on the patients supported by mechanical ventilator. Subjects and Methods: Behavioral pain scale (BPS) scoring system was used to measure pain in the patients. All of the patients received 1 g, IV acetaminophen, every 6 h during the 1 st and 3 rd days of admission and placebo during the 2 nd and 4 th days. Total dose of morphine sulfate needed, its complications, and the BPS scores at the end of every 6 h interval were compared. Results: Totally forty patients were enrolled. The mean pain scores were significantly lower in the 2 nd and 4 th days (4.33 and 3.66, respectively; mean: 4.0) in which the patients had received just morphine sulfate compared to the 1 st and 3 rd days (7.36 and 3.93, respectively; mean: 5.65) in which the patients had received acetaminophen in addition to morphine sulfate too (P &lt; 0.001). Cumulative dose of morphine sulfate used, was significantly higher in the 1 st and 3 rd days (8.92 and 3.15 mg, respectively; 12.07 mg in total) compared to the 2 nd and 4 th days (6.47 mg and 3.22 mg, respectively; 9.7 mg in total) (P = 0.035). Conclusion: In our study, IV acetaminophen had no effect on decreasing the BPSs and need of morphine sulfate in intubated patients admitted to ICU. © 2016 Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine

Ultrasound-guided hematoma block in distal radial fracture reduction: A randomised clinical trial

Objective We compared the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided haematoma block with that of procedural sedation and analgesia in patients with acute distal radial fracture reduction pain control. Methods This was a randomised clinical trial on adult patients conducted in two teaching hospitals. Patients received intravenous midazolam plus fentanyl in the procedural sedation and analgesia group, and fracture site injection of lidocaine 10 in the ultrasound guided haematoma block group. We measured pain scores before reduction, during reduction and 5, 10 and 15 min after reduction by a numeric rating scale, and patient and physician satisfaction by a four-level Likert scale. Time to discharge, early adverse effects and late complications were also compared. Results We enrolled 160 patients with distal radial fracture and randomised 143 patients into two groups (after excluding 17 patients). Pain was effectively controlled in both groups. Pain scores had no statistically significant difference before and during reduction and 5 and 15 min after reduction in the procedural sedation and analgesia and ultrasound guided haematoma block groups. Patient and physician overall satisfaction were similar in the two groups. Time to discharge was significantly lower in the ultrasound guided haematoma block group. Four patients (5.5) in the procedural sedation and analgesia group showed early adverse effects. No patient in either group showed any late complications. Conclusions Ultrasound guided haematoma block may be a safe and effective alternative to procedural sedation and analgesia

Direct ultrasound methods: A confirmatory technique for proper endotracheal intubation in the emergency department

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Early confirmation of incorrect endotracheal tube (ETT) placement is of vital importance when performing emergency airway management. No ideal confirmation technique has been proposed under all circumstances. Recently, ultrasonography was suggested as a useful tool for confirmation of correct positioning of the ETT. The aim of this study is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for detection of proper ETT placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was carried out in the emergency department from February to October 2012. The ultrasonography was performed by a trained senior resident in two phases: (a) as the intubation was being performed (dynamic phase) and (b) after the intubation had been completed (static phase). A linear probe was placed transversely over the cricothyroid membrane during the intubation process (dynamic phase) and on the anterior neck just superior to the suprasternal notch in the static method. Operating characteristics were calculated for both dynamic and static determination of ETT placement. RESULTS: Sixty patients were enrolled in each study group. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the dynamic technique for determining correct endotracheal intubation were 98.1 95% confidence interval (CI), 88.8-99.9%, 100% (95% CI, 51.6-100%), 100% (95% CI, 91.5-100%), and 85.7% (95% CI, 42-99.2%), respectively. Using the static technique, all testing characteristics listed previously were 100%. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found acceptable sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for prediction of tracheal ETT placement with the use of dynamic and static ultrasonography. © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

Can low-dose of ketamine reduce the need for morphine in renal colic? A double-blind randomized clinical trial

Background: The combination of morphine with low doses of ketamine (MK) has been utilized in the Emergency Department (ED) compared with morphine and placebo (MP) for the treatment of acute pain in few studies. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of MP with MK for the treatment of severe pain with renal colic of patients who had been referred to the ED. Methods: This study is a double blind randomized clinical trial on patients with severe renal colic pain who were referred to the ED. Patients were enrolled with pain severity of at least 6 of the 10 visual analogue scales (VAS). Patients were divided into two groups: Morphine 0.1 mg/kg and placebo (MP group) and morphine 0.1 mg/kg and ketamine 0.15 mg/kg (MK group). Pain of patients was studied in 10, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after injection. Results: Totally, 106 patients were enrolled in study groups. Assessment of the average pain during 120 min at 10 and 30 min after the start in the drug, MK group was significantly lower than the MP group (p = 0.019 and p = 0.003 respectively). Conclusion: Given that combinations of morphine with low doses of ketamine in patients with renal colic pain causes more pain and morphine consumption reduction then this combination is suggested as an alternative treatment that could be utilized in patients with renal colic. © 201

Can low-dose of ketamine reduce the need for morphine in renal colic? A double-blind randomized clinical trial

Background: The combination of morphine with low doses of ketamine (MK) has been utilized in the Emergency Department (ED) compared with morphine and placebo (MP) for the treatment of acute pain in few studies. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of MP with MK for the treatment of severe pain with renal colic of patients who had been referred to the ED. Methods: This study is a double blind randomized clinical trial on patients with severe renal colic pain who were referred to the ED. Patients were enrolled with pain severity of at least 6 of the 10 visual analogue scales (VAS). Patients were divided into two groups: Morphine 0.1 mg/kg and placebo (MP group) and morphine 0.1 mg/kg and ketamine 0.15 mg/kg (MK group). Pain of patients was studied in 10, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after injection. Results: Totally, 106 patients were enrolled in study groups. Assessment of the average pain during 120 min at 10 and 30 min after the start in the drug, MK group was significantly lower than the MP group (p = 0.019 and p = 0.003 respectively). Conclusion: Given that combinations of morphine with low doses of ketamine in patients with renal colic pain causes more pain and morphine consumption reduction then this combination is suggested as an alternative treatment that could be utilized in patients with renal colic. © 201