Severe Vertebral Body Fracture-Dislocation as a Result of Chest Compressions: A Case Report.

Background: Although high-quality chest compressions are an essential, lifesaving component of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, injuries are common with both manual and mechanical chest compressions.

Case Report: We discuss the case of a 77-year-old woman who sustained thoracic vertebral fractures after cardiopulmonary resuscitation involving both manual and mechanical chest compressions. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Routine post-cardiac arrest care should include evaluation for chest compression-related injury.

Severe Hyperkalemia: Can the Electrocardiogram Risk Stratify for Short-term Adverse Events?

Introduction: The electrocardiogram (ECG) is often used to identify which hyperkalemic patients are at risk for adverse events. However, there is a paucity of evidence to support this practice. This study analyzes the association between specific hyperkalemic ECG abnormalities and the development of short-term adverse events in patients with severe hyperkalemia.

Xanthrochromia? By what method? A comparison of visual and spectrophotometric xanthrochromia.

Study Objective: Most US hospitals use visual inspection for the detection of cerebrospinal fluid xanthrochromia. We compared visual inspection with spectrophotometric xanthrochromia and studied the effect of tube diameter on the sensitivity of visual inspection.

Methods: Blinded, experienced laboratory technicians visually examined unmarked samples to determine the presence or absence of xanthrochromia.