High Prevalence of among South Asian Migrants in Primary Care-Associations with Eosinophilia and Gastrointestinal Symptoms.

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are a frequent reason for primary care consultation, and common amongst patients with strongyloidiasis. We conducted a prospective cohort and nested case control study in East London to examine the predictive value of a raised eosinophil count or of GI symptoms, for infection in South Asian migrants. We included 503 patients in the final analyses and all underwent a standardised GI symptom questionnaire, eosinophil count and serology testing.

Traumatic brain injured patients: primum non nocere.

Purpose Of Review: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains an unfortunately common disease with potentially devastating consequences for patients and their families. However, it is important to remember that it is a spectrum of disease and thus, a one 'treatment fits all' approach is not appropriate to achieve optimal outcomes. This review aims to inform readers about recent updates in prehospital and neurocritical care management of patients with TBI.

Specialist Advice Support for Management of Severe Hereditary Angioedema Attacks: A Multicenter Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.

Study Objective: Hereditary angioedema is a rare disease associated with unpredictable, recurrent attacks of potentially life-threatening edema. Management of severe attacks is currently suboptimal because emergency medical teams are often unaware of new specific treatments. The objective of this trial is to test whether a dedicated national telephone care-management strategy would reduce resource use during severe hereditary angioedema attacks.

Effect of Bag-Mask Ventilation vs Endotracheal Intubation During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation on Neurological Outcome After Out-of-Hospital Cardiorespiratory Arrest: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Bag-mask ventilation (BMV) is a less complex technique than endotracheal intubation (ETI) for airway management during the advanced cardiac life support phase of cardiopulmonary resuscitation of patients with out-of-hospital cardiorespiratory arrest. It has been reported as superior in terms of survival.

Objectives: To assess noninferiority of BMV vs ETI for advanced airway management with regard to survival with favorable neurological function at day 28.

The assessment of circulating volume using inferior vena cava collapse index and carotid Doppler velocity time integral in healthy volunteers: a pilot study.

Background: Assessment of circulating volume and the requirement for fluid replacement are fundamental to resuscitation but remain largely empirical. Passive leg raise (PLR) may determine fluid responders while avoiding potential fluid overload. We hypothesised that inferior vena cava collapse index (IVCCI) and carotid artery blood flow would change predictably in response to PLR, potentially providing a non-invasive tool to assess circulating volume and identifying fluid responsive patients.

Emergency department procedural sedation: the London experience.

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop a procedural sedation guideline and an audit tool to identify the medications chosen, the incidence of predefined adverse events and the factors associated with their occurrence.

Methods: We performed a prospective observational study using a standardized proforma. We obtained data on patient demographics, the procedure performed, the drugs used and the dosages and predefined adverse events.

Best approach to measuring the inferior vena cava in spontaneously ventilating patients: a pilot study.

The objective of this study was to establish the reliability of different measurements of inferior vena cava (IVC) size and respiratory variation in response to changes in circulating volume. Transabdominal ultrasound measurements of the IVC were obtained in longitudinal (B and M modes) and transverse planes (B-mode height and ellipse circumference) during inspiration and expiration, and inferior vena cava collapsibility indices (IVCci) were calculated. Measurements were repeated following venesection of ∼450 ml.

Self-perception of knowledge and confidence in performing basic life support among medical students.

Aim: Before implementing new workshops and teaching in our faculty for performing basic life support (BLS), we aimed to determine the level of self-confidence of medical students with regard to the management of cardiac arrest (CA).

Methods: We conducted a preinterventional study. A questionnaire was sent to third-year to sixth-year medical students.

Introduction of automated blood pressure devices intended for a low resource setting in rural Tanzania.

Regular blood pressure (BP) monitoring is a cost-effective means of early identification and management of hypertensive disease in pregnancy. In much of rural sub-Saharan Africa, the ability to take and act on accurate BP measurements is lacking as a result of poorly functioning or absent equipment and/or inadequate staff education. This study describes the feasibility of using validated automated BP devices suitable for low-resource settings (LRS) in primary health-care facilities in rural Tanzania.

Isosorbide dinitrate bolus for heart failure in elderly emergency patients: a retrospective study.

In this study we aimed to determine whether isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) bolus is associated with hypotension in patients aged at least 75 years presenting to an emergency department (ED) with acute heart failure (AHF) syndrome. This is a retrospective study, and all patients with AHF presenting in our ED during 2007 were included. We included 136 patients: 25 (18%) of them received ISDN in bolus (group B) among other treatments, and 111 (82%) did not (group O).

Can a low-resource-use blood pressure device impact on global maternal mortality?

Background: Hypertension in pregnancy in the developing world is largely underreported, misdiagnosed, and untreated, especially in rural settings, though it contributes significantly to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. To reduce general global cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality, the World Health Organization aims to develop and validate low-resource-use blood pressure devices for use in developing nations.

Objective And Methods: To describe how existing antenatal care systems provide a useful and relevant model through which to evaluate the potential for this initiative to be applied in low-resource settings and to offer opportunities for much needed further research.

Validation of the Nissei DS-400 in a low-resource setting.

Objective: Hypertension affects approximately one billion individuals worldwide. The effective management of hypertension requires accurate measurement and monitoring of blood pressure. We evaluated the accuracy of a low cost self-measurement oscillometric device, with features suitable for use in a low-resource setting, in an adult population in the developing world according to the International Protocol of the European Society of Hypertension.