Lactated Ringer's versus normal saline in the management of acute diabetic ketoacidosis (RINSE-DKA).

Introduction: A mainstay in the acute management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is fluid resuscitation. Normal saline is recommended by the American Diabetes Association; however, it has been associated with hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis and acute kidney injury. Limited literature is available to determine the most appropriate crystalloid fluid to treat patients with DKA.

Pulseless Electrical Activity Cardiac Arrest.

Audience: This simulation-based scenario is appropriate for senior level emergency medicine residents.

Introduction: Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) accounts for up to 25% of sudden cardiac arrest;1 therefore the ability to recognize and care for this condition is an essential skill of emergency medicine physicians. Management of PEA arrest in the emergency department centers on Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) algorithms and the identification and treatment of potentially reversible causes.

Feasibility of upright patient positioning and intubation success rates At two academic EDs.

Objectives: Endotracheal intubation is most commonly taught and performed in the supine position. Recent literature suggests that elevating the patient's head to a more upright position may decrease peri-intubation complications. However, there is little data on the feasibility of upright intubation in the emergency department.

Cross-over study of novice intubators performing endotracheal intubation in an upright versus supine position.

There are a number of potential physical advantages to performing orotracheal intubation in an upright position. The objective of this study was to measure the success of intubation of a simulated patient in an upright versus supine position by novice intubators after brief training. This was a cross-over design study in which learners (medical students, physician assistant students, and paramedic students) intubated mannequins in both a supine (head of the bed at 0°) and upright (head of bed elevated at 45°) position.