The Skeptics' Guide to EM

FEBRUARY 27, 2021

Rapid Administration of Methoxyflurane to Patients in the Emergency Department (RAMPED): A Randomised controlled trial of Methoxyflurane vs Standard care. […] The post SGEM#320: The RAMPED Trial – It’s a Gas, Gas, Gas first appeared on The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine. Reference: Brichko et al. Reference: Brichko et al.

Emergency Department 130

Emergency Department ALS ACS ED 130

The Skeptics' Guide to EM

MAY 25, 2019

Robert Edmonds is an emergency physician in the US Air Force in Virginia. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT) in 2018 put out a joint statement for the use of REBOA [4]. This is Bob’s tenth visit to the SGEM.

ACS 130

ACS Emergency Department ALS OR 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 17, 2023

He had no symptoms of ACS. The remainder of his Emergency Department stay was uneventful. Here is the clinical informaton on ECG 2: A man in his 50s presented to the Emergency Department with acute chest pain that started within the past few hours. QOH: "OMI High confidence". Physician interpretation: "No STEMI."

OR 52

OR STEMI ACS Emergency Department 52

Don't Forget the Bubbles

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023

This blog post aims to help familiarise you with some of the most common reasons for prescribing antibiotics in the paediatric emergency department. Antibiotic Use for Common Infections in Pediatric Emergency Departments: A Narrative Review. Karageorgos, S.; Hibberd, O.; Mullally, P.J.W.; Segura-Retana, R.;

Emergency Department 142

Emergency Department E-9-1-1 ALS OR 142

EMS 12-Lead

APRIL 14, 2022

It should be emphasized here that this is a presentation of high-pretest probability for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). ACE inhibitors, or potassium-sparing diuretics), are particularly susceptible. In the case of ACS, the ECG can rapidly change from this. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 18 (4), 752-760. [2]

ACS 130

ACS Paramedic Coronary ALS 130

ACEP Now

JUNE 6, 2023

Notoriously elusive, with a high misdiagnosis rate, thoracic aortic dissection (AD) can mimic many conditions, including acute coronary syndrome (ACS, the most common), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stroke, and spinal-cord compression. The patient is admitted for ACS to a cardiologist who says he will see the patient in the morning.

ACS 85

ACS ALS ED OR 85

The Skeptics' Guide to EM

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

She arrives in the emergency department (ED) with decreased level of consciousness and shock. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is responsible for the majority (60%) of all OHCAs in patients. The paramedics achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after CPR, advanced cardiac life support (ALCS), and Intubation.

EMR 130

EMR Coronary Defibrillator Life Support 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 10, 2023

Case submitted and written by Dr. Mazen El-Baba and Dr. Emily Austin, with edits from Jesse McLaren A 50 year-old patient presented to the Emergency Department with sudden onset chest pain that began 14-hours ago. The pain improved (6/10) but is persisting, which prompted him to visit the Emergency Department. Shroff, G.

STEMI 89

STEMI ACS Emergency Department ED 89

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.

Operating Room 52

Operating Room ACS Critical Care Coronary 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 20, 2024

In SCAPE (sympathetic crashing acute pulmonary edema), Emergency providers seem now to regularly give high dose NTG, but when the BP is 170/105 in a patient who is not crashing, we often fail to give something to lower afterload. __ Here are some Images: The red circle shows the LAD coursing down the anterior interventricular sulcus.

CAD 126

CAD STEMI Coronary ACS 126

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 26, 2010

He presented to the Emergency Department with a blood pressure of 111/66 and a pulse of 117. ACS and STEMI generally do not cause tachycardia unless there is cardiogenic shock. Then ACS (STEMI) might be primary; this might be cardiogenic shock. One must clearly rule out these processes before jumping on the ACS diagnosis.

ACS 52

ACS STEMI OR Critical Care 52

The Skeptics' Guide to EM

MAY 29, 2021

The patient is an adult male with a gunshot wound to the chest, and they’re combative with emergency medical services (EMS). According to a recent study in the Journal of Surgical Research [3] , 44% of all penetrating thoracic trauma patients presented to a non-trauma center (not a level 1 or level 2 ACS defined trauma center).

Emergency Medical Services 130

Emergency Medical Services ACS ALS Emergency Department 130

REBEL EM

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

There are greater than 2 million annual emergency department visits for suspected renal colic in the US, and Ct scanning is performed for more than 90% of patients who receive a diagnosis of kidney stone. PMID: 25229916 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1404446 Westphalen AC, Hsia RY, Maselli JH, Wang R, Gonzales R. N Engl J Med.

Emergency Department 69

Emergency Department ALS ACS EMS 69

ACEP Now

DECEMBER 11, 2023

Many conditions outside of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) mimic ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but only a handful of cases have reported ST-elevations (STE) in the setting of pancreatic inflammation where underlying ACS was excluded. The Case FIGURE 1: Initial EKG were notable for a leukocytosis of 23.19 Click to enlarge.)

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary ACS Critical Care 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 9, 2024

Written by Colin Jenkins and Nhu-Nguyen Le with edits by Willy Frick and by Smith A 46-year-old male presented to the emergency department with 2 days of heavy substernal chest pain and nausea. Usefulness of automated serial 12-lead ECG monitoring during the initial emergency department evaluation of patients with chest pain.

STEMI 88

STEMI Coronary Heart Attack ACS 88

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 2, 2021

Although new high sensitivity POC assays are coming in the future, the present point of care assays should never be used in emergency medicine. Because the patient's pain had resolved completely and cardiology had declined immediate intervention, the patient was admitted but continued to board in the emergency department.

OR 52

OR ACS STEMI Coronary 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

Smith: If this is ACS (a big if), t his is just the time when one should NOT use "upstream" dual anti-platelet therapy ("upstream" means in the ED before angiography). History sounds concerning for ACS (could be critical stenosis, triple vessel), but differential also includes dissection, GI bleed, etc. Anything more on history?

Coronary 52

Coronary ACS STEMI ALS 52

EMDocs

JUNE 27, 2024

Left lower lung field end demonstrates expiratory wheezing on auscultation. Other lung fields unremarkable. smoke, high ozone levels, smog) Asthma/reactive airway disease (RAD) Diagnostic criteria 7,8 Respiratory symptoms +/- fever (at least 38.0 C or 100.4 mg/kg, max 4 mg per dose q20-30min) or hydromorphone (0.01-0.02 mg/kg, max 0.4 C or 100.4

E-9-1-1 75

E-9-1-1 ICU ACS EMS 75

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 27, 2024

, tells us that we physicians do not need to even look at this ECG until the patient is placed in a room because the computer says it is normal: Validity of Computer-interpreted “Normal” and “Otherwise Normal” ECG in Emergency Department Triage Patients I reviewed this article for a different journal and recommended rejection and it was rejected.

STEMI 104

STEMI Coronary ACS ED 104

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 19, 2023

Written by Kaley El-Arab MD, edits by Pendell Meyers and Stephen Smith A 61-year-old male with hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented to the emergency department for chest tightness radiating to the back of his neck that has been intermittent for the past day or two. What do you think? Stay tuned for upcoming studies showing this.

STEMI 52

STEMI ACS Coronary Defibrillator 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 4, 2010

He arrived in the emergency department hemodynamically stable. ACS would be highly unusual in a young athlete, and given the information on his race bib, one must first suspect that the abnormal ST elevation is due to demand ischemia, not ACS. On his bib it stated that he had a congenital heart disorder.

ACS 52

ACS Defibrillator Epinephrine STEMI 52

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). Diagnostic errors in the emergency department: a systematic review [internet]. Ann Emerg Med. Comparative Effectiveness Review, No.

Emergency Department 52

Emergency Department ICU ALS ACS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023

This was sent by anonymous The patient is a 55-year-old male who presented to the emergency department after approximately 3 to 4 days of intermittent central boring chest pain initially responsive to nitroglycerin, but is now more constant and not responsive to nitroglycerin. It is unknown when this pain recurred and became constant.

Defibrillator 133

Defibrillator Coronary STEMI CPR 133

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 27, 2023

Written by Willy Frick A man in his 50s with a history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and prior inferior OMI status post DES to his proximal RCA 3 years prior presented to the emergency department at around 3 AM complaining of chest pain onset around 9 PM the evening prior.

E-9-1-1 119

E-9-1-1 OR Coronary ACS 119

EMS 12-Lead

APRIL 21, 2022

He reports to staff that for the past two months, approximately, he has experienced intermittent dyspnea on exertion when walking the dog, particularly when scaling an incline. He admits to a mostly sedentary lifestyle, however denies any smoking, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, or peripheral edema. Here is the time-zero ECG (0939 hours).

Coronary 130

Coronary ALS OR ACS 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 18, 2024

Written by Jesse McLaren A 70 year old with prior MIs and stents to LAD and RCA presented to the emergency department with 2 weeks of increasing exertional chest pain radiating to the left arm, associated with nausea. 1] European guidelines add "regardless of biomarkers". But only 6.4%

STEMI 121

STEMI Coronary ALS CAD 121

EMDocs

JUNE 14, 2023

He has been having difficulty walking and is having trouble manipulating tools he uses for work with his hands. He has a glove and stocking pattern of numbness to his extremities. Motor and sensory findings are symmetrical. Patellar reflexes are 1+. Paraquat Influenza vaccine Methanol Organophosphate Are his symptoms reversible?

E-9-1-1 70

E-9-1-1 Emergency Department Plasma ED 70

EMDocs

JUNE 7, 2023

She is speaking one word at a time and constantly coughing. She complains of dizziness, nausea, and abdominal cramps. On exam, you notice there is a garlic-like odor filling the room. Questions: What is the most likely causative xenobiotic that led to these findings? Influenza vaccine Methanol Organophosphate Paraquat Are her symptoms reversible?

E-9-1-1 83

E-9-1-1 ICU Emergency Department ED 83

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 26, 2020

On arrival to the PCI center's Emergency Department, the receiving team recorded an ECG on arrival: Persistent atrial flutter, however this time the QRS occurs on a slightly different portion of the flutter wave. Here the flutter rate is approximately 240 bpm, with ventricular rate around 120 bpm. Christmas Eve Special Gift!!

STEMI 52

STEMI ACS Coronary Emergency Department 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 8, 2023

As recurrent ischaemia is the principle event reduced by early intervention in NSTE-ACS, these are important endpoint events occurring with delayed angiography and there is a consistent signal for harm now from two data sources.”[5] In addition, short-term MACE was low and not different between the treatment groups."[4] Kontos et al.

STEMI 62

STEMI Coronary Paramedic ALS 62

EMDocs

OCTOBER 21, 2023

More common in the setting of atherosclerotic lesions than emboli, which typically occur with sudden onset of symptoms. Symptoms may range from days to months prior to stroke onset. As many as two-thirds of patients with BAO experience prodromal symptoms, including TIAs, minor strokes, or other symptoms.

EMS 74

EMS ALS OR ACS 74

Pediatric EM Morsels

APRIL 19, 2024

Trauma season is at hand and like all other pediatric emergency departments in the country, we find our ED breaking ( pun intended ) at the seams with orthopedic injuries. We see all different flavors of upper extremity injuries. The minority of parents would have wanted clinic follow up (6%) and reimaging (14%).

ALS 285

ALS ACS Emergency Department ED 285

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 23, 2023

Submitted and written by Megan Lieb, DO with edits by Bracey, Smith, Meyers, and Grauer A 50-ish year old man with ICD presented to the emergency department with substernal chest pain for 3 hours prior to arrival. The screening physician ordered an EKG and noted his ashen appearance and moderate distress. Triage EKG: What do you think?

ACS 52

ACS Coronary Defibrillator STEMI 52

REBEL EM

FEBRUARY 2, 2023

Background Information: Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate (RVR) is one of the many tachydysrhythmias we encounter in the Emergency Department (ED). Amiodarone versus digoxin for acute rate control of atrial fibrillation in the emergency department. Am J Emerg Med. Paper: Mason JM, et al.

Emergency Department 52

Emergency Department ALS Critical Care ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 30, 2022

The fire department, who operate at an EMT level in this municipality, arrived before us and administered 324 mg of baby aspirin to the patient due to concern for ACS. Upon arrival to the emergency department, a senior emergency physician looked at the ECG and said "Nothing too exciting." V1 has 0.5

Emergency Department 52

Emergency Department E-9-1-1 Coronary STEMI 52

ALiEM

FEBRUARY 9, 2024

Intermediate-risk patients may be further stratified based on recent stress testing or coronary angiogram findings plus a modified HEART or Emergency Department Assessment of Chest Pain (EDACS) score. You (or someone in your department) needs to know which assay your ED has, and use the appropriate values for that assay.

E-9-1-1 276

E-9-1-1 ED Coronary ALS 276

EM Didactic

JANUARY 27, 2019

Myth 1 Absence of Classic Chest Pain obviates the need for ACS work up The absence of chest pain in no way excludes the diagnosis of ACS. Around 33-50% of the patients with ACS present to the hospital without chest pain. Close to 20% of patients diagnosed with acute MI present with symptoms other than chest pain.

ACS 52

ACS ALS Coronary Emergency Department 52