Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 20, 2024

The ST segment changes are compatible with severe subendocardial ischemia which can be caused by type I MI from ACS or potentially from type II MI (non-obstructive coronary artery disease with supply/demand mismatch). Those who make it to the ED usually have transient occlusions with reperfusion.

Coronary 125

Coronary ACS Emergency Department Defibrillator 125

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 11, 2023

The neighbor recorded a systolic blood pressure again above 200 mm Hg and advised her to come to the ED to address her symptoms. Both the outdated 2014 AHA/ACC guidelines and the updated 2023 ESC guidelines recommend immediate invasive management of patients with uncontrolled chest pain. She contacted her neighbor, a nurse, for help.

E-9-1-1 121

E-9-1-1 ACS Coronary STEMI 121

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 17, 2024

showed that , when T-waves are inverted in precordial leads, if they are also inverted in lead III and V1, then pulmonary embolism is far more likely than ACS. In this study, (quote) "negative T waves in leads III and V 1 were observed in only 1% of patients with ACS compared with 88% of patients with Acute PE (p less than 0.001).

E-9-1-1 137

E-9-1-1 ACS Emergency Department Coronary 137

EMDocs

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

However, RSI has never been shown to reduce the risk of aspiration in the ED (13) or during emergent OR cases (14). While RSI should remain the gold standard in the vast majority of patients in the ED, FI presents an additional technique to mitigate anatomic or physiologic risk. To date, ketamine has been the agent of choice (12).

ED 65

ED Emergency Department ALS Paramedic 65

Don't Forget the Bubbles

OCTOBER 7, 2024

This is supplied via alternating current (AC), increasing the risk of titanic contraction of skeletal muscle, leading to kids holding on to the electrical power source. AC and DC shocks may result in different injury patterns. In: Walls RM, ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 130. How does electricity cause harm?

ACS 80

ACS Life Support OR CPR 80

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 5, 2023

An ECG was perfomed on arrival to our ED: NSR with ST elevation II,III, aVF with reciprocal depression in aVL Would you refer this pediatric patient for emergent PCI? Pediatric cardiology performed a bedside echo in ED with EF estimation of 60%, no pericardial effusion, and no regional wall motion abnormalities. World J Pediatr.

Coronary 112

Coronary CAD ACS ALS 112

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 3, 2024

But this time the Queen gets it wrong (thinks it is not OMI): There were runs of VT: Tha patient arrived in profound shock and had an ED ECG: Now there is some evolution to include the ST elevation (rather than ST depression) in V4-V6. RBBB + LAFB in the setting of ACS is very bad. Posterior and high lateral OMI. Learning Points: 1.

ACS 114

ACS ED Coronary EMS 114

Don't Forget the Bubbles

JULY 22, 2024

Pre-school wheezers remain a poorly understood cohort of children despite seeing them every day in paediatric EDs. However, there was no difference in LOS (83 minutes for placebo vs 79 minutes for prednisolone) in participants who were discharged straight from the ED ( 32% ). Reattendance to GP/ED was more important.

E-9-1-1 105

E-9-1-1 ALS ACS ED 105

ACEP Now

MARCH 14, 2024

A 44 year-old male with unknown past medical history came by emergency medical services (EMS) to the emergency department (ED) for an electrical injury and fall from a high voltage electrical pole. 2,3,5 Except for laundry or electrical car outlets (240 V AC), all U.S. household outlets are rated at 120 V AC. 2023 Jul 17.

Operating Room 52

Operating Room ACS Critical Care Coronary 52

Don't Forget the Bubbles

OCTOBER 2, 2024

Children often spend many hours in the emergency department (ED) before being sent home or admitted. The average waiting time for the first assessment was only a few minutes shorter when going through the ED. Still, treatment initiation was significantly faster (up to one hour) than admission through the ED. Arch Dis Child.

ALS 52

ALS Emergency Department ED ACS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023

References: 1) See this study showing an association between morphine and mortality in Non-STE-ACS: Meine TJ, Roe M, Chen A, Patel M, Washam J, Ohman E, Peacock W, Pollack C, Gibler W, Peterson E. Link to abstract Link to full text 2) Use of Morphine in Non-STE-ACS is independently associated with mortality, at odds ratio of 1.4

E-9-1-1 78

E-9-1-1 ACS STEMI Coronary 78

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

[link] Case continued She arrived in the ED and here is the first ED ECG. Angiogram No obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease Cannot exclude non-ACS causes of troponin elevation including coronary vasospasm, stress cardiomyopathy, microvascular disease, etc. I don't know if her pain was getting better or not.

Coronary 102

Coronary E-9-1-1 STEMI ACS 102

EMDocs

JUNE 27, 2024

An 8-year old male with a history of sickle cell anemia presents to the ED for evaluation of fever for 2 days and “feeling like I can’t get a full breath”. 768: Epidemiology of Hospital Based ED Visits due to Sickle Cell Crisis and Acute Chest Syndrome in Kids. Chinawa JM, Ubesie AC, Chukwu BF, Ikefuna AN, Emodi IJ. C or 100.4

E-9-1-1 75

E-9-1-1 ICU ACS EMS 75

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 1, 2023

Sent by anonymous, written by Pendell Meyers A man in his late 40s presented to the ED with concern for allergic reaction after accidentally eating a potential allergen, then developing an itchy full body rash and diarrhea. In the ED he received methylprednisolone, diphenhydramine, and epinephrine for possible anaphylaxis.

Allergic Reaction 52

Allergic Reaction E-9-1-1 Epinephrine Coronary 52

ACEP Now

AUGUST 12, 2024

FIGURE 1: First ED EKG. FIGURE 2: Baseline ED from 2 months prior. FIGURE 3: Second ED EKG. Considering hyperacute T-waves have been accepted as STEMI equivalents, it is possible that pseudonormalization could gain more recognition as an indicator of ACS. 2023 May 2;15(5):e38428. Click to enlarge.)

Emergency Department 52

Emergency Department STEMI ACS ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

A man in his 70s with past medical history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, CAD s/p left circumflex stent 2 years prior presented to the ED with worsening intermittent exertional chest pain relieved by rest. In our opinion it should not be given in ACS unless you are committed to the cath lab.

ACS 83

ACS Coronary ALS CAD 83

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 27, 2023

Cardiology consult note written around that time documents that "Pain improved with NTG, morphine in ED but still present." link] == MY Comment , by K EN G RAUER, MD ( 12/26/ 2023 ): == Interesting case by Dr. Frick — with superb illustration by him of cardiac cath findings! Repeat cTnI drawn at around 8 AM was 3.910 ng/mL.

E-9-1-1 117

E-9-1-1 OR Coronary ACS 117

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 27, 2024

There were zero patients in this study with a "normal" ECG who had any kind of ACS! Figure-1: I've labeled the initial ECG in the ED. KEY Point: All patients who present to the ED for new CP should promptly have a triage ECG recorded, that is then immediately interpreted by the ED physician.

STEMI 102

STEMI Coronary ACS ED 102

ACEP Now

OCTOBER 11, 2024

ED treatment should focus on airway, breathing, and circulation with consideration for cervical spine protection depending on the circumstances surrounding the event. References Webb AC, Wheeler A, Ricci A, et al. 2023 Jun 14;49(1):74. Johnson MB, Boriack ED, McConnell CM, et al. 4 Another study cited only 2.3

ALS 52

ALS Emergency Department Emergency Medical Services ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 14, 2023

Sent by Anonymous, written by Pendell Meyers A man in his 60s with history of CAD and 2 prior stents presented to the ED complaining of acute heavy substernal chest pain that began while eating breakfast about an hour ago, and had been persistent since then, despite EMS administering aspirin and nitroglycerin.

CAD 52

CAD ACS STEMI Coronary 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

Here is the first ED ECG recorded, now pain free after sublingual Nitro: There is what appears to be a reperfusion T-wave in I and aVL. link] = My Comment by K EN G RAUER, MD ( 11/14 /2023 ): = One of the most helpful clinical clues in support that an acute cardiac event is ongoing — is the finding of " dynamic " ECG changes.

E-9-1-1 107

E-9-1-1 Coronary EMS ED 107

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 15, 2023

Prior episodes had simply resolved after brief symptoms, but the current episode had lasted for 2 hours without improvement, so she presented to the ED. At triage she stated her pain is still persistent, but it is mildly improved compared to when she decided to come to the ED. No diaphoresis or vomiting. It is very subtle.

ACS 101

ACS ED STEMI OR 101

EMDocs

OCTOBER 21, 2023

The NIHSS cutoff that predicts outcomes is 4 points higher in AC compared with PC infarctions. Median time from ED arrival to diagnosis was 8 hours 24 min in one study, with only 19% being diagnosed within the 4.5-hour Median time from ED arrival to diagnosis was 8 hours 24 min in one study, with only 19% being diagnosed within the 4.5-hour

EMS 73

EMS ALS OR ACS 73

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 19, 2023

Because there was proven thrombus (ACS) but the troponin never went above the 99% reference range (and therefore cannot be called MI -- definition of MI requires rise and/or fall of troponin with at least one value above the 99% reference range), this is UNSTABLE ANGINA with ST Elevation. After all, there is no S wave in lead V3.

E-9-1-1 119

E-9-1-1 Coronary ACS BLS 119

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 19, 2023

Written by Jesse McLaren A 75 year-old patient with diabetes and end stage renal disease was sent to the ED after dialysis for three days of nausea, vomiting, loose stool, lightheadedness and fatigue. But because the patient had no chest pain or shortness of breath, it was not deemed to be from ACS. Below is the 15 lead ECG.

STEMI 86

STEMI ACS OR ALS 86

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 20, 2023

Case "Male, 43yo, come to ED with Epigastric Pain started 3 hours ago. Remember: these findings above are included as STEMI equivalent findings in the 2022 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on ACS Patients in the ED. Since then, I started looking for OMI EKG findings and not just STEMI. Risk Factors: High Cholesterol.

STEMI 52

STEMI ACS CAD ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 6, 2023

The patient vomited once and given the more intense pain decided to come to the ED. Smith comment: We have shown that use of opiates is associated with worse outcomes in ACS: Bracey, A. 2-hour hsTn: 615 ng/L; bedside ED echo (without contrast) did not show a clear wall motion abnormality (WMA). Abstract 556.

ACS 52

ACS Coronary ICU STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 9, 2023

Submitted by Ali Khan MD and James Mantas MD, MS, written by Pendell Meyers A man in his 50s with history of diabetes, hypertension, and tobacco use presented to the ED with 24 hours of worsening left sided chest pain radiating to the back, characterized as squeezing and pinching, associated with shortness of breath.

ACS 52

ACS ED OR EMS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 27, 2023

On arrival to the ED, the patient was diaphoretic, tachycardic. I did not think it was due to ACS, but we ordered an ED ECG immediately: What do you think? He had a prehospital ECG that was worrisome to the medics, so they called me to see him at the door. and had dilated pupils. He was alert and oriented. both here and here ).

Coronary 52

Coronary ACS Naloxone Plasma 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023

This is diagnostic of ACS; it appears to be a reperfused acute inferior OMI. That is what Emergency Medicine is all about. == MY Comment , by K EN G RAUER, MD ( 9/3 /2023 ): == I’ve seen a “common theme” with many of the ECGs that Drs. In aVF it is "coved" (upwardly convex). There is ischemic ST depression in V4-V6.

Defibrillator 131

Defibrillator Coronary STEMI CPR 131

ACEP Now

MAY 9, 2024

It has been well over a year since the controversial publication of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) report on diagnostic errors in the emergency department (ED). percent of ED visits resulted in preventable death as result of diagnostic error. Available from: [link] Newman-Toker DE, Nassery N, Schaffer AC, et al.

Emergency Department 52

Emergency Department ICU ALS ACS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 9, 2024

Ischemia from ACS causing the chest discomfort, with VT another consequence (or coincidence)? Cardioversion will address the rhythm problem immediately, also if the chest discomfort subsides when SR is restored, ischemia from ACS becomes much less likely. This patient presented to the ED “after a couple of days of chest discomfort”.

Coronary 99

Coronary ACS ED OR 99

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 17, 2023

One case sent by Dr. Sean Rees MD, written by Pendell Meyers, other case by Sam Ghali and Steve Smith Take a look at these two ECGs below from two patients in the ED, first without any clinical context. He had no symptoms of ACS. Full case details and outcomes are below. Case 1: Case 2: Case 1: What do you think? Physician: "No STEMI."

OR 52

OR STEMI ACS Emergency Department 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 8, 2023

Edits by Meyers and Smith A man in his 70s with PMH of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, CVA, dual-chamber Medtronic pacemaker, presented to the ED for evaluation of acute chest pain. Code STEMI was activated by the ED physician based on the diagnostic ECG for LAD OMI in ventricular paced rhythm. I cannot be anything else.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary ED ACS 52

ACEP Now

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

One of the most hair-raising presentations to the emergency department (ED) can be massive hemoptysis with respiratory failure. References Deshwal H, Sinha A, Mehta AC. Accessed October 11, 2023. 6 Position the patient with the head of the bed at 30 to 45 degrees during intubation whenever possible, and use an 8.5

E-9-1-1 52

E-9-1-1 ALS Emergency Department OR 52

REBEL EM

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

However, many institutions’ surgical teams still require or request a formal study over a bedside exam, likely due to a lack of confidence in the accuracy of POCUS, resulting in longer ED stays. ACS surgeons appeared to select surgery as their initial choice substantially more frequently than other subspecialties.

ED 69

ED ACS Emergency Department OR 69

ALiEM

OCTOBER 30, 2024

Our experience: Traditionally, ED physicians do not like ordering urine drug screens (UDS). In our study, we used COWS alone in the ED, which does utilize restlessness, anxiety, and tachycardia as part of the formula, as the sole evaluation tool for tranq dope withdrawal. Some patients require re-dosing in the ED. 2023 [book].

E-9-1-1 161

E-9-1-1 Naloxone Emergency Department ALS 161