Retroperitoneal hematoma in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Objective: To retrospectively study demographic, clinical and hospital outcomes in patients who developed RPH following cardiac catheterization.

Methods: Charts of patients with RPH from cardiac catheterization, between January 1, 2000 and July 30, 2005 were reviewed and compared with two control groups (Grp-I, 90 patients with local groin complications and Grp-II, 98 patients with no bleeding complications).

Results: 31 cases of RPH (0.

Confusion about epinephrine dosing leading to iatrogenic overdose: a life-threatening problem with a potential solution.

Epinephrine is indicated for various medical emergencies, including cardiac arrest and anaphylaxis, but the dose and route of administration are different for each indication. For anaphylaxis, it is given intramuscularly at a low dose, whereas for cardiac arrest a higher dose is required intravenously. We encountered a patient with suspected anaphylaxis who developed transient severe systolic dysfunction because of inappropriately received cardiac arrest dose, ie, larger dose given as an intravenous push.

Case report of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and review.

A previously healthy 29-year-old male presented to the emergency department with pleuritic chest pain, nonproductive cough, and dyspnea. He was treated empirically for community acquired pneumonia and discharged to home. Two days later, the patient presented with respiratory distress along with neutrophilia, thrombocytopenia, elevated liver function tests, and hemoconcentration.

Recurrent acute profound thrombocytopenia related to readministration of eptifibatide.

We describe the case of an 86-year-old woman who presented with unstable angina. She was given heparin and eptifibatide, and she underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Shortly thereafter, she developed acute profound thrombocytopenia (6,000 platelets/mm3), which resolved after the discontinuation of heparin and eptifibatide.