Morphine consumption is not modified in patients with severe pain and classified by the DN4 score as neuropathic.

Neuropathic pain has been poorly investigated in the emergency department, although it is known to be less sensitive to opioids than other forms of pain. We tested the hypothesis that morphine requirements are increased in patients having severe pain classified as neuropathic using the DN4 score. We included adult patients with acute severe pain (visual analog scale ≥ 70), assessed using the DN4 score, and treated with intravenous morphine titration (bolus of 2 or 3 mg [body weight >60 kg] with 5-minute intervals between each bolus).

Concordance between transcutaneous and arterial measurements of carbon dioxide in an ED.

Background: Transcutaneous carbon dioxide pressure (PtcCO(2)) has been suggested as a noninvasive surrogate of arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO(2)). Our study evaluates the reliability of this method in spontaneously breathing patients in an emergency department.

Patients And Methods: A prospective, observational study was performed in nonintubated dyspneic patients who required measurement of arterial blood gases.

Stroke in elderly patients: management and prognosis in the ED.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of age on management and prognosis of stroke.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed in consecutive patients admitted to an emergency department (ED) with a diagnosis of stroke. Comparison according to age (< 75 vs > or = 75 years old) was done, with a 1-year follow-up including autonomy and outcome.

Assessment of early administration of abciximab in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in the emergency room.

Objective: Abciximab, a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, administered in conjunction with primary coronary stenting, improves the outcome of acute myocardial infarction, and the earlier it is administered, the greater the improvement. We sought to assess the feasibility of early administration of abciximab in the emergency room (ER) before primary coronary stenting and compare our results with those of a group of patients treated in the prehospital (ambulance) phase.

Methods: Data and outcome of patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who received abciximab (0.