Case Report Open Access 15 Methaemoglobinaemia is a rare but potentially life -threatening cause of hypoxemia that may be overlooked in emergency settings. We report a case of acquired methaemoglobinaemia in a 36 - year-old man following inhalation of an alkyl nitrite –containing recreational product (“Super Rush ”). The patient presented with cyanosis and hypoxemia on pulse oximetry despite minimal symptoms and preserved arterial oxygen tension. Diagnosis was confirmed by co -oximetry demonstrating elevated methaemoglobin levels. Prompt treatment with intravenous methylene blue led to rapid clinical and biochemical improvement. This case highlights the importance of suspecting and recognising recreational inhalants as a cause of methaemoglobinaemia and the utility of co -oximetry in patients with unexplained cyanosis and a saturation gap

Case Report Open Access 15 Methaemoglobinaemia is a rare but potentially life -threatening cause of hypoxemia that may be overlooked in emergency settings. We report a case of acquired methaemoglobinaemia in a 36 - year-old man following inhalation of an alkyl nitrite –containing recreational product (“Super Rush ”). The patient presented with cyanosis and hypoxemia on pulse oximetry despite minimal symptoms and preserved arterial oxygen tension. Diagnosis was confirmed by co -oximetry demonstrating elevated methaemoglobin levels. Prompt treatment with intravenous methylene blue led to rapid clinical and biochemical improvement. This case highlights the importance of suspecting and recognising recreational inhalants as a cause of methaemoglobinaemia and the utility of co -oximetry in patients with unexplained cyanosis and a saturation gap

Background: Prophylaxis for cerebral desaturation events (CDEs) during anesthesia in the beach chair position (BCP) for shoulder surgeries has not been evaluated. We systematically analyzed the effectiveness of various prophylactic measures used in this clinical setting. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis (PROSPERO; no. CRD42020167285) of trials reporting CDEs and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) and jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO2) values in anesthetized patients undergoing shoulder surgery in BCP. Considering the type of prophylactic measures used (pharmacological or non-pharmacological), a subgroup analysis was planned. Outcomes included (1) rSO2 and SjvO2 data with and without prophylactic measures for CDEs, recorded for different time intervals, and (2) the number of patients experiencing CDEs and hypotension. Results: Twelve studies (786 patients) were included in the analysis. We observed lower absolute rSO2 values for early and all-time periods for vasoactive agent prophylaxis. The lowest achieved rSO2 values were also lower for vasoactive agent prophylaxis. Risk of CDEs was higher with vasoactive agent prophylaxis. Subgroup analysis identified targeted mild hypercarbia as effective in preserving cerebral oxygenation. Similarly, targeted mild hypercarbia prevented the fall in rSO2 with position change. Meta-regressions revealed statistically significant highest estimates for vasoactive agent prophylaxis in contrast to targeted mild hypercarbia. Likelihood of not developing CDEs was higher for targeted mild hypercarbia. In contrast to rSO2, most prophylactic methods reduced hypotensive episodes. Conclusions Targeted mild hypercarbia can reduce BCP-related CDEs. Evidence does not favor prophylactic use of vasoactive agents for the prevention of cerebral desaturations irrespective of whether their use interferes with cerebral oximetry readings.

Background: Prophylaxis for cerebral desaturation events (CDEs) during anesthesia in the beach chair position (BCP) for shoulder surgeries has not been evaluated. We systematically analyzed the effectiveness of various prophylactic measures used in this clinical setting. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis (PROSPERO; no. CRD42020167285) of trials reporting CDEs and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) and jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO2) values in anesthetized patients undergoing shoulder surgery in BCP. Considering the type of prophylactic measures used (pharmacological or non-pharmacological), a subgroup analysis was planned. Outcomes included (1) rSO2 and SjvO2 data with and without prophylactic measures for CDEs, recorded for different time intervals, and (2) the number of patients experiencing CDEs and hypotension. Results: Twelve studies (786 patients) were included in the analysis. We observed lower absolute rSO2 values for early and all-time periods for vasoactive agent prophylaxis. The lowest achieved rSO2 values were also lower for vasoactive agent prophylaxis. Risk of CDEs was higher with vasoactive agent prophylaxis. Subgroup analysis identified targeted mild hypercarbia as effective in preserving cerebral oxygenation. Similarly, targeted mild hypercarbia prevented the fall in rSO2 with position change. Meta-regressions revealed statistically significant highest estimates for vasoactive agent prophylaxis in contrast to targeted mild hypercarbia. Likelihood of not developing CDEs was higher for targeted mild hypercarbia. In contrast to rSO2, most prophylactic methods reduced hypotensive episodes. Conclusions Targeted mild hypercarbia can reduce BCP-related CDEs. Evidence does not favor prophylactic use of vasoactive agents for the prevention of cerebral desaturations irrespective of whether their use interferes with cerebral oximetry readings.

Introduction: The Day Ward or Observation Ward is an essential part of an Accident and Emergency Department (AED), and for the hospital as a whole. The Day Ward serves as an area where patients can be observed and reviewed after a few hours, before decisions are made whether admissions are required. This study was carried out to assess the profiles of admissions to the Day Ward of the AED of RIPAS hospital and to assess the rate of admissions to the hospital. Materials and Methods: A retro- spective study on 4,459 patients who were admitted to the day ward of the AED, RIPAS Hospital from 1 st January to 30th June 2007 was carried out. The triage sheets were analysed. Data on the time from triage to the time of admission/discharge, the presenting symptoms, and reasons for admissions to the various wards were extracted. Results: Close to 60,000 patients visited the AED during the 6 month study. There were more male patients than female patients; however female patients were more likely to be admitted to the day ward for observation. The most common age group was in the 31-60 years. The most common indications for admissions to the Day Ward were for abdominal pain (18%), non– specific giddiness (15%), non-specific body weakness (13%) and headache (12%). Of the 4,459 pa- tients who were admitted to the day ward, only 179 patients (4.01%) were admitted to the hospital wards, more female than male patients. The most common symptoms were giddiness and body weak- ness. They were mainly admitted to the medical wards primarily for deranged laboratory investigations. The average duration spent in the day ward was 5-6 hours. Conclusion The Day Ward is very essen- tial to the AED and hospital. Many patients present to AED with a wide spectrum of symptoms, but only a small fraction of the require admission, most of them are discharged after a brief period of observa- tion.