Lidocaine and prilocaine are local anesthetics, a class of medications which are frequently used in clinical medicine to minimize pain in a variety of procedures. They are commonly found in over-the-counter products such as topical anesthetic creams advertised to relieve localized muscle and joint pain. While safe and well-tolerated when used appropriately, an overdose of these anesthetics increases the risk for local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST), which in severe cases can present with seizures, cardiac dysrhythmias, and ultimately cardiovascular collapse.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRolling adhesion, facilitated by selectin-mediated interactions, is a highly dynamic, passive motility in recruiting leukocytes to the site of inflammation. This phenomenon occurs in postcapillary venules, where blood flow pushes leukocytes in a rolling motion on the endothelial cells. Stable rolling requires a delicate balance between adhesion bond formation and their mechanically-driven dissociation, allowing the cell to remain attached to the surface while rolling in the direction of flow.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: The coronavirus 2019 pandemic caused a shortage of disposable N95 respirators, prompting healthcare entities to extend the use of these masks beyond their intended single-use manufacturer recommendation with a paucity of supporting research.
Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study of ED healthcare workers (HCW) ("subjects") required to use respirators at an academic, Level I trauma center. Subjects had been previously fit tested and assigned an appropriately sized N95 mask per hospital protocol.
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced health care workers to explore alternative personal protective equipment (PPE) strategies due to traditional product shortages in the setting of increased global demand. Some physicians have chosen to use elastomeric face masks (EFMs), traditionally used in non-healthcare industries.
Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study of Emergency Medicine (EM) physicians working at a Level 1 Trauma Center who chose to use self-supplied EFMs for PPE.
Unlabelled: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, many emergency departments (EDs) initiated continuous use of N95 disposable respirators (N95s) rather than discarding them after each use to conserve respirators. This study investigates the efficacy of wearing disposable N95s continuously during clinical work.
Methods: This is a prospective cohort study of ED staff required to wear N95s continuously throughout their shifts.
A 26-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a chief complaint of globus sensation and sore throat in the setting of recent cocaine use. On physical examination, he was found to have isolated uvular edema and erythema. After excluding other potential inciting mechanisms of Quincke's disease, he was treated with anti-inflammatory medication and was observed for any development of airway compromise prior to discharge.
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