OBJECTIVE: To explore the safety and effectiveness of electric cardioversion to treat atrial fibrillation in a hospital emergency department (ED).
METHODS: Retrospective observational study in a hospital ED. We reviewed episodes of atrial fibrillation in patients aged 18 years orolder treated with cardioversion in our ED or referred for scheduling of cardioversion. Clinical outcome measures were conversion to sinus rhythm, immediate adverse effects (hypotension, arrythmia, or bronchial aspiration), revisiting within 90 days for atrial fibrillation, and complications (stroke, major bleeding, heart failure, or death). We studied factors associated with recurrence and adverse effects according to sex.
RESULTS: Cardioversion was used in 365 episodes (median patient age, 67 years); 38.6% were women. Cardioversion was applied in the ED in 75.1% of the episodes, and 24.9% were referred for scheduled cardioversion. Sinus rhythm was restored in 90.7% of the episodes. Emergency cardioversion was more effective than a scheduled procedure (odds ratio [OR], 4.258; 95% CI, 2.046-8.859; P < .001). No serious immediate adverse effects were reported, but 16.7% of the patients revisited for atrial fibrillation within 90 days. Factors associated with revisits were heart failure (hazard ratio [HR], 2.603; 95% CI, 1.298-5.222; P = .007), sleep apnea (HR, 2.598; 95% CI, 1.163-5.803; P = .020), and, in women, hypertension (HR, 3.706; 95% CI, 1.051-13.068; P = .042). Eleven patients developed late adverse events, including stroke (n = 2), major bleeding (n = 1), heart failure (n = 5), and death (n = 3).
CONCLUSIONS: Cardioversion is a useful, effective, and safe treatment for atrial fibrillation in the ED, although there are frequent recurrences. Factors associated with recurrence differ according to sex.
OBJECTIVE: Conocer la seguridad y eficacia de la cardioversión eléctrica (CVE) en la fibrilación auricular (FA) en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SUH).
METHODS: Estudio observacional y retrospectivo realizado en un SUH. Se revisaron los episodios de FA en pacientes con edad igual o mayor a 18 años a los que se les realizó CVE en el SUH o se les programó de forma diferida. Las variables resultado fueron: reversión a ritmo sinusal (RS), efectos adversos inmediatos (hipotensión, arritmia y broncoaspiración), reconsulta a 90 días por FA y desarrollo de complicaciones (ictus, hemorragia mayor, insuficiencia cardiaca y mortalidad). Se estudiaron los factores asociados a recurrencia y efectos adversos, y se analizaron las diferencias por sexo.
RESULTS: Se incluyeron 365 episodios de CVE (67 años; 38,6% mujeres); el 75,1% se realizó en el SUH y el 24,9% se derivaron para CVE diferida. El 90,7% revirtieron a RS. La CVE urgente fue más efectiva que la diferida (OR 4,258; IC 95% 2,046-8,859; p < 0,001). No hubo efectos adversos inmediatos graves. El 16,7% de pacientes reconsultaron por FA en los 90 días posteriores. Los factores asociados a reconsulta fueron insuficiencia cardiaca (HR 2,603; IC 95% 1,298-5,222; p = 0,007), apnea del sueño (HR 2,598; IC 95% 1,163-5,803; p = 0,020) y, en mujeres, hipertensión arterial (HR 3,706;IC 95% 1,051-13,068; p = 0,042). Tras la CVE, 11 pacientes presentaron eventos adversos tardíos que incluyeron ictus (n = 2), hemorragia mayor (n = 1), insuficiencia cardiaca (n = 5) y muerte (n = 3).
CONCLUSIONS: La CVE es útil, eficaz y segura para la FA en los SUH, aunque las recurrencias son frecuentes. Los factores asociados a recurrencia difieren entre sexos.

Drug administration is crucial to achieve effective therapeutic drug outcomes. In medical emergencies, it is particularly convenient to use drugs that could be administered as an alternative to traditional routes (as oral or intravenous routes), that are not always suitable in these situations. Thus, sublingual and buccal routes offer an alternative to traditional routes, when a rapid onset of action is required. The main objective of this narrative review is to summarize the evidence for the use of sublingual and buccal drug administration in medical emergencies. The evidence obtained has been divided into four common scenarios found in the emergency department and intensive care units: cardiovascular emergencies, acute pain, agitation, and epileptic status. Moreover, the main advantages and disadvantages of sublingual and buccal routes are presented, as the future perspectives in the drug delivery field to overcome the limitations of these routes.

Background: Despite its popularity, evidence of the effectiveness of Psychological First Aid (PFA) is scarce.Objective: To assess whether PFA, compared to psychoeducation (PsyEd), an attention placebo control, reduces PTSD and depressive symptoms three months post-intervention.Methods: In two emergency departments, 166 recent-trauma adult survivors were randomised to a single session of PFA (n = 78) (active listening, breathing retraining, categorisation of needs, assisted referral to social networks, and PsyEd) or stand-alone PsyEd (n = 88). PTSD and depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline (T0), one (T1), and three months post-intervention (T2) with the PTSD Checklist (PCL-C at T0 and PCL-S at T1/T2) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Self-reported side effects, post-trauma increased alcohol/substance consumption and interpersonal conflicts, and use of psychotropics, psychotherapy, sick leave, and complementary/alternative medicine were also explored.Results: 86 participants (51.81% of those randomised) dropped out at T2. A significant proportion of participants in the PsyEd group also received PFA components (i.e. contamination). From T0 to T2, we did not find a significant advantage of PFA in reducing PTSD (p = .148) or depressive symptoms (p = .201). However, we found a significant dose-response effect between the number of delivered components, session duration, and PTSD symptom reduction. No significant difference in self-reported adverse effects was found. At T2, a smaller proportion of participants assigned to PFA reported increased consumption of alcohol/substances (OR = 0.09, p = .003), interpersonal conflicts (OR = 0.27, p = .014), and having used psychotropics (OR = 0.23, p = .013) or sick leave (OR = 0.11, p = .047).Conclusions: Three months post-intervention, we did not find evidence that PFA outperforms PsyEd in reducing PTSD or depressive symptoms. Contamination may have affected our results. PFA, nonetheless, appears to be promising in modifying some post-trauma behaviours. Further research is needed.
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is widely recommended early after trauma.We assessed PFA\'s effectiveness for decreasing PTSD symptoms and other problems 3 months post-trauma.We didn\'t find definitive evidence of PFA’s effectiveness. Still, it seems to be a safe intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of a restrictive calcium replacement protocol in comparison with a liberal one in patients with septic shock.
METHODS: Multicenter retrospective before-after study that estimated the impact of implementing a restrictive calcium replacement protocol in patients with septic shock. Patients admitted to an intensive care unit between May 2019 and April 2021 were assigned to liberal calcium replacement, and those admitted between May 2021 and April 2022 were assigned to a restrictive protocol. The primary outcome measure was 28-day mortality. Patients were matched with propensity scores.
RESULTS: A total of 644 patients were included; liberal replacement was used in 453 patients and the restrictive replacement in 191. We paired 553 patients according to propensity scores, 386 in the liberal group and 167 in the restrictive group. Mortality did not differ significantly between the groups at 28 days (35.3% vs 32.3%, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.72-1.29) or after resolution of septic shock (81.5% vs 83.8%; hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.73-1.09). Nor did scores on the Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment scale differ (2.1 vs 2.6; P = 0.20).
CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a restrictive calcium replacement protocol in patients with septic shock was not associated with a decrease in 28-day mortality in comparison with use of a liberal protocol. However, we were able to reduce calcium replacement without adverse effects.
OBJECTIVE: Investigar el efecto de un protocolo de reposición restrictiva de calcio frente a una estrategia liberal en pacientes con shock séptico.
METHODS: Estudio multicéntrico, antes-después y retrospectivo que evaluó el efecto de la implementación de un protocolo de reposición restrictiva de calcio en pacientes con shock séptico. Los pacientes que ingresaron en unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI) entre mayo de 2019 y abril de 2021 se asignaron al grupo con administración liberal, y los que se presentaron entre mayo de 2021 y abril de 2022 –tras la implementación del protocolo– al grupo con administración restrictiva. La variable de resultado principal fue la mortalidad a 28 días. Se realizó un emparejamiento por puntuación de propensión.
RESULTS: Se incluyeron 644 pacientes, 453 en el grupo liberal y 191 en el grupo restrictivo. De los que 553 se emparejaron (386 en el grupo liberal, y 167 en el grupo restrictivo). No hubo diferencias entre los dos grupos en la mortalidad a los 28 días (35,3% vs 32,3%; HR: 0,97; IC 95%: 0,72-1,29), en la finalización del shock (81,5% vs a 83,8%; HR: 0,89; IC 95%: 0,73-1,09) ni en la puntuación de la escala SOFA (2,1 vs 2,6; p = 0,20).
CONCLUSIONS: La implementación de un protocolo de administración restrictiva de calcio, en pacientes con shock séptico, no se asoció a una disminución de la mortalidad a los 28 días en comparación con una administración liberal. No obstante, la reposición de calcio podría reducirse sin efectos adversos.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify and analyze mortality in patients who die within 30 days of discharge home from a hospital emergency department (ED).
METHODS: All patients older than 14 years of age who were discharged home from the ED of a tertiary care hospital over a 5-year period were included. We collected age, sex, and other demographic variables, as well as the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). The outcome variables of interest were 7-day and 30-day mortality and cause of death. Deaths were classified as expected and directly related to the emergency, expected but not directly related, unexpected and directly related, and unexpected and not directly related. A death was classified as an adverse event if it was directly related to a problem of diagnosis or management in the ED, underestimation of severity, or complications of a procedure.
RESULTS: Of 519312 patients attended in the ED, 453 599 were discharged home. Of those discharged, 148 died at home within 7 days (32.63 deaths/100 000 discharges) and 355 died within 30 days (78.48 deaths/100 000 discharges). One hundred thirteen deaths (31.8%) were expected and related to the emergency 24.91/100 000), 169 (47.6%) were expected but unrelated 37.26/100 000), 4 (1.1%) were unexpected and related 1.10/100000), and 69 (19.4%) were unexpected and unrelated 15.21/100000). Deaths were considered adverse events related to ED care in 24.2% of the cases. Underestimation of severity was responsible for the highest proportion (10.7%) of such deaths. The median age of patients who died was 83 years, and the median Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was 6. The most common cause of death was a malignant tumor (23.0%), followed by congestive heart failure (20.2%) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (13.2%). Unexpected deaths related to ED care were significantly related to a higher proportion of adverse events related to diagnosis (P = .001), management (P = .004), and underestimation of severity (P .001).
CONCLUSIONS: Early deaths after discharge home from a hospital ED occured in patients of advanced age with concomitant conditions. The main clinical settings were neoplastic and cardiovascular disease. Seven-day and 30-day mortality rates directly related to the emergency visit were low. Adverse events related to ED care played a role in about a quarter of the deaths after discharge.
OBJECTIVE: Cuantificar y analizar la mortalidad de los pacientes dados de alta directamente desde un servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SUH) y que fallecen dentro de los primeros 30 días en el domicilio.
METHODS: Se incluyeron todos los pacientes mayores de 14 años dados de alta desde el SUH a domicilio durante 5 años en un hospital terciario. Se recogieron como variables demográficas, edad, sexo e índice de Charlson. Como variable evolutiva se investigó la mortalidad a 30 días, y si esta ocurrió en 7 o menos días o más de 7 días y la causa del fallecimiento. La mortalidad se clasificó como esperada y directamente relacionada, esperada y no directamente relacionada, no esperada y directamente relacionad, y no esperada y no directamente relacionada. Se determinó como evento adverso (EA) relacionada con la mortalidad si la muerte estaba relacionada con un problema diagnóstico o de manejo, de infraestimación de la gravedad o complicaciones del procedimiento.
RESULTS: Fueron atendidos 519.312 episodios de los que 453.599 fueron dados de alta al domicilio. De estos, 148 fallecieron en domicilio a los 7 días (32,63/100.000 altas) y 355 fallecieron en los 30 días después del alta (78,48/100.000 altas): el 31,8% (n = 113) fueron fallecimientos esperados y relacionados (24,91/100.000 altas), el 47,6% (n = 169) esperados y no relacionados (37,26/100.000 altas), el 1,1% (n = 4) no esperados y relacionados (1,10/100.000 altas) y 19,4% (n = 69) no esperados y no relacionados (15,21/100.000 altas). En un 24,2% de los pacientes se detectaron EA relacionados con la asistencia en urgencias, el más frecuente EA fue la infraestimación de la gravedad (10,7%). La mediana de edad de los pacientes fallecidos era de 83 años y una mediana del índice de comorbilidad de Charlson (ICC) de 6 puntos. La principal etiología de fallecimiento fue la neoplasia maligna (23,0%), seguida de insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva (20,2%) y enfermedad cardiaca arteriosclerótica (13,2%). En los fallecimientos no esperados y relacionados, destaca una mayor proporción de EA por causa de problemas diagnósticos (p = 0,015), de manejo (p = 0,028) y de infraestimación de la gravedad (p = 0,004).
CONCLUSIONS: Los pacientes que fallecen de forma precoz tras el alta de SUH en el domicilio son ancianos con comorbilidad y donde las principales causas de muerte son las enfermedades neoplásicas y las enfermedades cardiacas. Las muertes no esperadas y directamente relacionadas son poco frecuentes a los 7 y 30 días del alta. En una cuarta parte de los pacientes se detectaron EA relacionados con la asistencia en urgencias.

BACKGROUND: In Spain, half of new HIV diagnoses are late and a significant proportion of people living with HIV have not yet been diagnosed. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of an automated opportunistic HIV screening strategy in the hospital setting.
METHODS: Between April 2022 and September 2023, HIV testing was performed on all patients in whom a hospital admission analytical profile, a pre-surgical profile and several pre-designed serological profiles (fever of unknown origin, pneumonia, mononucleosis, hepatitis, infection of sexual transmission, rash, endocarditis and myopericarditis) was requested. A circuit was started to refer patients the specialists.
RESULTS: 6407 HIV tests included in the profiles were performed and 18 (0.3%) new cases were diagnosed (26.4% of diagnoses in the health area). Five patients were diagnosed by hospital admission and pre-surgery profile and 13 by a serological profile requested for indicator entities (fever of unknown origin, sexually transmitted infection, mononucleosis) or possibly associated (pneumonia) with HIV occult infection. Recent infection was documented in 5 (27.8%) patients and late diagnosis in 9 (50.0%), of whom 5 (55.5%) had previously missed the opportunity to be diagnosed.
CONCLUSIONS: This opportunistic screening was profitable since the positive rate of 0.3% is cost-effective and allowed a quarter of new diagnoses to be made, so it seems a good strategy that contributes to reducing hidden infection and late diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are a common cause of inappropriate antibiotic prescription (ATB) in pediatrics. FebriDx® is a rapid diagnostic test that differentiates between viral and bacterial infections. The objective is to analyse the impact of FebriDx® on ATB prescription when managing febrile ARI.
METHODS: Prospective study carried out in patients aged 1-<18 years with febrile ARI in the emergency department. FebriDx® was performed and the impact on management was evaluated at follow-up.
RESULTS: A total of 216 patients were included. Clinical assessment and FebriDx® result coincided coincided in 174 (80.5%) cases. A modification of the initial therapeutic plan was made in 22 (52.4%) of the 42 discordant ones (10.2% of the overall patients). In pneumonia the impact was 34.5%; in all cases it involved not prescribing ATB.
CONCLUSIONS: FebriDx® could be a useful tool in the management of pediatric patients with febrile ARI to optimize ATB prescription.

OBJECTIVE: To study differences in the emergency department treatment of acute poisoning according to biological sex of patients and to assess adherence to care quality indicators.
METHODS: Retrospective observational study including all cases of acute poisoning diagnosed in patients over the age of 14 years treated in a tertiary care hospital emergency department over a period of 4 years. We analyzed demographic variables, substance type and reason for acute poisoning, degree of adherence to quality indicators, and discharge destination.
RESULTS: A total of 1144 cases were included; 710 patients (62.1%) were female and 434 (37.9%) were male. The proportion of deliberate self-poisoning was higher in females (52.3% vs 41.4% in males; P .001); unintentional poisoning was less frequent in females (in 24.9% vs in 30.3% of males; P = .047). Benzodiazepine poisoning was more frequent in females (in 49.6% vs 41.2%; P = .007). Street drug and alcohol poisoning was less common in females. Adherence to quality indicators was high (> 85%) for both sexes.
CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiologic profile of poisoning is different in females and males. General emergency department adherence to quality indicators can be considered optimal. We detected no qualitative sex-related differences in the care of patients with acute poisoning.
OBJECTIVE: Estudiar las diferencias dependiendo del sexo en la atención de pacientes con intoxicaciones agudas en urgencias y en el grado de cumplimiento de los indicadores de calidad (IC).
METHODS: Estudio observacional y retrospectivo, que incluyó todos los casos de intoxicación aguda de pacientes mayores de 14 años atendidos en el servicio de urgencias de un hospital terciario durante 4 años. Se analizaron variables demográficas, tipo de tóxicos y causa de la intoxicación, el grado de cumplimiento de los IC y destino al alta.
RESULTS: Se registraron 1.144 casos, un 62,1% (n = 710) eran mujeres. Las mujeres tuvieron mayor número de intoxicaciones voluntarias (52,3% vs 41,4%; p 0,001) y menos de manera accidental (24,9% vs 30,3%; p = 0,047). Los fármacos más frecuentes en mujeres fueron las benzodiacepinas (49,6% vs 41,2%; p = 0,007), y las intoxicaciones por drogas de abuso y alcohol fueron menores que en hombres. Hubo un alto grado de cumplimiento en la mayoría de los IC (> 85%) en ambos sexos.
CONCLUSIONS: El perfil epidemiológico de la intoxicación aguda en mujeres es diferente al de los hombres. En general se puede considerar como óptimo el cumplimiento de los IC en urgencias. No existen diferencias cualitativas en la asistencia del paciente intoxicado con respecto a su sexo.

OBJECTIVE: A low socioeconomic status (SES) has been associated with poor health results. The present study aimed to investigate if SES of older patients attending the emergency department is associated with the use of healthcare resources and outcomes.
METHODS: Observational, retrospective study including consecutive patients 65 years or older admitted to the emergency department. Variables at baseline, index episode, and follow-up were recorded. SES was measured using an indirect theoretical index and patients were categorised into two groups according to whether they lived in a neighbourhood with a low or high SES. Primary outcomes included hospitalisation after the emergency department visit and prolonged hospitalisation (>7 days) at index episode. Secondary outcomes included emergency department re-consultant and hospital admission in the following 3 months after the index episode, and all-cause mortality after long-term follow-up. Logistic regression and cumulative hazards regression models were used to investigate associations between SES and outcomes.
RESULTS: The cohort included 553 patients (80 years [73-85], 50.5% female, 55.9% with low SES). After the emergency department visit, 234 patients (42.3%) required hospital admission. A low SES was inversely associated with hospitalisation with an adjusted odds ratio=0.654 (95% CI 0.441-0.970). Among hospitalised patients, a low SES was associated with prolonged hospitalisation (adjusted odds ratio=2.739; 95% CI 1.470-5.104). Follow-up outcomes, including all-cause mortality, were not associated with SES.
CONCLUSIONS: Older patients living in more deprived urban areas were hospitalised less often after emergency department care, but hospital stays were longer. Understanding the effect of social determinants in healthcare use is mandatory to tailor resources to patient needs.

The latest acute heart failure consensus document from the Spanish Society of Cardiology, Spanish Society of Internal Medicine, and Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine was published in 2015, which made an update covering the main novelties regarding acute heart failure from the last few years necessary. These include publication of updated European guidelines on heart failure in 2016, new studies on the pharmacological treatment of patients during hospitalization, and other recent developments regarding acute heart failure such as early treatment, intermittent treatment, advanced heart failure, and refractory congestion. This consensus document was drafted with the aim of updating all aspects related to acute heart failure and to create a document that comprehensively describes the diagnosis, treatment, and management of this disease.