Prognostic value of PCT in septic emergency patients.

Background: An accurate assessment of septic patients at risk for poor clinical outcomes is challenging for clinicians in the emergency department (ED).

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) in septic patients in the ED for predicting death.

Results: In a retrospective study, 188 septic patients (median age 63 [IQR 51-80]) of two French university hospitals were included.

Can transcutaneous carbon dioxide pressure be a surrogate of blood gas samples for spontaneously breathing emergency patients? The ERNESTO experience.

Background: It is known that the arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2) is useful for emergency physicians to assess the severity of dyspnoeic spontaneously breathing patients. Transcutaneous carbon dioxide pressure (PtcCO2) measurements could be a non-invasive alternative to PaCO2 measurements obtained by blood gas samples, as suggested in previous studies. This study evaluates the reliability of a new device in the emergency department (ED).

Risk factors for onset of hypothermia in trauma victims: the HypoTraum study.

Introduction: Hypothermia is common in trauma victims and is associated with an increase in mortality. Its causes are not well understood. Our objective was to identify the factors influencing the onset of hypothermia during pre-hospital care of trauma victims.