Propofol showed short-lasting analgesic properties during its administration, whereas the solvent-like formulation 10% Intralipid had no effect on pain perception.

Objective The study aims to describe the management of a case of life-threatening yew (Taxus baccata) intoxication. Background The needles of the yew tree contain highly cardiotoxic taxines. Intoxication with taxines, typically as part of suicide attempts, may lead to potentially lethal arrhythmias which often require prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other supportive measures. No specific therapy has been described. In some cases, extracorporeal life support has been used. Case After an attempted suicide with yew needles and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, a female adolescent was resuscitated for 6 hours according to Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support guidelines. Complex ventricular tachycardias were treated by repeated direct current shocks and broad complex bradycardia managed with transvenous cardiac pacing. Antiarrhythmic drugs (amiodarone, lidocaine), magnesium sulfate, and supportive measures (intravenous lipids, sodium bicarbonate) were provided. The arrhythmias finally resolved, and the patient did not show any significant neurological or cardiac short-term sequelae after 24 hours. Results The authors describe the successful management of a case of severe taxine intoxication by prolonged conventional advanced cardiac life support lasting for more than 6 hours. Conclusions In life-threatening yew intoxication, prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation is absolutely essential owing to the long duration of the cardiotoxic action of taxines and can lead to an outcome without cardiac or neurological sequelae.

OBJECTIVES: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is recommended in adults with drowning-associated hypothermia and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Our experience of managing a drowned 2-year-old girl with hypothermia (23°C) and cardiac arrest (58 min) prompted this summary using the CAse REport (CARE) guideline to address the question of optimal rewarming procedure in such patients.DESIGN/PATIENTS: Following the CARE guideline, we identified 24 reports in the "PubMed database" describing children less than or equal to 6 years old with a temperature less than or equal to 28°C who had been rewarmed using conventional intensive care ± ECMO. Adding our patient, we were able to analyze a total of 57 cases. MAIN RESULTS:The two groups (ECMO vs non-ECMO) differed with respect to submersion time, pH and potassium but not age, temperature or duration of cardiac arrest. However, 44 of 44 in the ECMO group were pulseless on arrival versus eight of 13 in the non-ECMO group. Regarding survival, 12 of 13 children (92%) undergoing conventional rewarming survived compared with 18 of 44 children (41%) undergoing ECMO. Among survivors, 11 of 12 children (91%) in the conventional group and 14 of 18 (77%) in the ECMO group had favorable outcome. We failed to identify any correlation between "rewarming rate" and "outcome. " CONCLUSIONS:In this summary analysis, we conclude that conventional therapy should be initiated for drowned children with OHCA. However, if this therapy does not result in return of spontaneous circulation, a discussion of withdrawal of intensive care might be prudent when core temperature has reached 34°C. We suggest further work is needed using an international registry.

Based on these findings, the helicopter transport, the equipment provided, the crew composition and the predefined process offer a safe concept for these complex transfers. The adherence to standard operating procedures is a precondition to achieve excellent quality of care, facilitating and accelerating the hand-over and comprehensive care of such high-risk patients.

Amniotic fluid embolism, also called anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy, is a rare but severe problem in obstetrics. It occurs in 8/100,000 births and the maternal mortality is up to 90%. We report the case of a patient with amniotic fluid embolism who was transferred to our hospital. The initial presentation was an unresponsive patient after spontaneous rupture of the membranes. The massive hypotension and coagulopathy as well as fetal bradycardia of 60 bpm led, after stabilisation of the mother, to an emergency caesarean section. The neonate expired hours later, despite neonatological intensive care. During the operation, we had to deal with massive bleeding due to the coagulopathy. Through interdisciplinary teamwork including Bakri postpartum balloon insertion through the obstetrics team, uterine artery embolism by the interventional radiologists and transfusion of blood products, the maternal life was saved and the patient was discharged 9 days after admission.