Successful treatment of late obstetric ethylene glycol intoxication with ethanol via the enteral route: a case report.

Late obstetric ethylene glycol intoxication represents a diagnostic challenge for acute care physicians and an impending life threat with life-long implications for both the mother and the fetus. The metabolism of ethylene glycol to its toxic metabolites during late pregnancy is unpredictable due to maternal physiological changes. Namely, the hallmark signs and symptoms of ethylene glycol intoxication can mimic those of late pregnancy-related high blood pressure disorders, which makes it difficult to correctly diagnose the condition. Therefore, it is crucial to promptly recognize late obstetric ethylene glycol intoxication and initiate specific treatment, but evidence-based recommendations are not available to guide its most effective emergent treatment. We present our department's emergent management of late-obstetric ethylene glycol intoxication. The parturient was stabilized by inhibiting ethylene glycol metabolism, alongside general supportive care measures. The enhancement of its toxic metabolites was eliminated by administering ethanol via the enteral route, which progressively improved the parturient's clinical course and led to the on-term delivery of a healthy child. Our case shows the importance of a meticulous emergent assessment, prompt diagnosis, and carefully planned multidisciplinary treatment in the emergency department in improving outcomes after ethylene glycol intoxication in late pregnancy.

Analysis of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Croatia - survival, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and impact of physician's experience on cardiac arrest management: a single center observational study.

AIM: To analyze the initial rhythm, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) rate, and survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) in Varaldin County (Croatia), and to investigate whether physician's inexperience in emergency medical services (EMS) has an impact on resuscitation management. METHODS: We reviewed clinical records and Revised Utstein cardiac arrest forms of all out-of-hospital resuscitations performed by EMS Varaldin (EMSVz), Croatia, from 2007-2013. To analyze the impact of physician's inexperience in EMS (<1 year in EMS) on resuscitation management, we assessed physician's turnover in EMSVz, as well as OHCA survival, airway management, and adherence to resuscitation guidelines in regard to physician's EMS experience. RESULTS: Of 276 patients (median age 68 years, interquartile range [IQR] 16; 198 male; 37% ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia, bystander CPR rate 25%), 80 were transferred to hospital and 39 were discharged (median survival after discharge 23 months, IQR 46 months). During the 7-year study period, 29 newly graduated physicians inexperienced in EMS started to work in EMSVz (performing 77 resuscitations), while 48% of them stayed for less than one year. Airway management depended on physician's EMS experience (P=0.018): inexperienced physicians performed bag-valve-mask ventilation (BMV) more than the experienced, with no impact on survival rate. Physician's EMS experience did not influence adherence to resuscitation guidelines (P=0.668), survival to hospital discharge (P=0.791), or survival time (P=0.405). CONCLUSION: OHCA survival rate of EMSVz resuscitations was higher than in Europe, but bystander CPR needs to be improved. Compared to experienced physicians, inexperienced physicians preferred BMV over intubation, but with similar adherence to resuscitation guidelines and survival after OHCA.

CPR PRO® device reduces rescuer fatigue during continuous chest compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a randomized crossover trial using a manikin model.

BACKGROUND: The performance of high-quality chest compressions with minimal interruptions is one of the most important elements of the "Chain of Survival." OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of a novel CPR PRO(®) (CPRO) device for manual chest compression on rescuer fatigue, pain, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality. METHODS: Randomized crossover trial of 24 health care professionals performing continuous chest compression CPR for 10 min with a CPRO device and conventional manual CPR (MCPR). Data about chest compressions were recorded using a manikin. Rescuers' physiologic signs were recorded before and after each session, and heart rate (HR) data were tracked continuously. Fatigue was assessed with ratings of perceived exertion, and pain questionnaire. RESULTS: All subjects completed 10 min of CPR with both methods. Significantly more rest breaks were taken during MCPR sessions (1.7 ± 2 vs. 0.21 ± 0.72). Subjects' perceived exertion was higher after MCPR, as well as the average (120.7 ± 16.8 vs. 110.8 ± 17.6) and maximal HR (134.3 ± 18.5 vs. 123.42 ± 16.5) during testing. Subjects reported more pain in the hands, especially the wrist, after performing MCPR. Average depth of compressions was higher with the CPRO device (4.6 ± 7.0 vs. 4.3 ± 7.9) and declined more slowly over time. Other CPR quality parameters, such as the correct position and complete release of pressure, were also better for CPRO CPR. CONCLUSIONS: CPRO device reduces rescuer fatigue and pain during continuous chest compression CPR, which results in a higher quality of CPR in a simulation setting.