The Skeptics' Guide to EM

SEPTEMBER 28, 2024

Date: September 23, 2024 Reference: Essat et al. The patient has no specific risk factors for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or dissection. Reference: Essat et al. Diagnostic Accuracy of D-Dimer for Acute Aortic Syndromes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. There are no abnormalities in the blood work, ECG, or chest x-ray.

Emergency Department 196

Emergency Department ACS Coronary ALS 196

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 5, 2023

Acute coronary syndrome in a pediatric patient? Ultimately, cardiac cath was done — revealing patent coronary arteries. Written by Kirsten Morrissey, MD with edits by Bracey, Grauer, Meyers, and Smith An older teen was transferred from an outside hospital with elevated serum troponin and and ECG demonstrating ST elevations.

Coronary 120

Coronary CAD ACS ALS 120

ACEP Now

JULY 7, 2023

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation Of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest presenting to the ED in refractory VF, a majority have significant coronary artery disease, much of which is amenable to percutaneous coronary intervention. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a commonly encountered entity in U.S.

Defibrillator 98

Defibrillator OR ALS Epinephrine 98

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 5, 2024

Why Was Cardiac Cath Negative for Coronary Disease? As noted by Dr. Nossen — this patient qualified as MINOCA ( M yocardial I nfarction with N on- O bstructive C oronary A rteries ) — since troponin was positive on his 2nd admission, yet there was no evidence of obstructive coronary disease on cath.

Coronary 115

Coronary ACS ALS OR 115

ACEP Now

DECEMBER 6, 2024

A 45-year-old male with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, amphetamine and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use, and coronary vasospasm presented to triage with chest pain. During assessment, the patient reported that a left heart catheterization six months prior indicated spasms but no coronary artery disease.

Coronary 52

Coronary Life Support ALS Emergency Department 52

The Skeptics' Guide to EM

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

Date: September 8th, 2021 Reference: Desch et al. Date: September 8th, 2021 Reference: Desch et al. Defibrillation is the treatment of choice in these cases but does not often result in sustained ROSC ( Kudenchuk et al 2006). Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is responsible for the majority (60%) of all OHCAs in patients.

EMR 130

EMR Coronary Defibrillator Life Support 130

The Skeptics' Guide to EM

OCTOBER 22, 2017

[display_podcast] Date: October 19th, 2017 Reference: Hofmann et al. display_podcast] Date: October 19th, 2017 Reference: Hofmann et al. Studies have shown that oxygen can cause vasoconstriction, increase blood pressure and decrease coronary artery blood flow ( Kones et al AM J Med 2011). NEJM Sept 2017. NEJM Sept 2017.

Emergency Medical Services 130

Emergency Medical Services Coronary ALS STEMI 130

REBEL EM

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

What Your Gut Says: The patient has a tachydysrhythmia which may be the presentation of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) even though the patient has no ischemic symptoms. Essentially, we are using the troponin assay to find patients with ACO who may be benefited by coronary interventions or risk factor modification.

Coronary 143

Coronary ACS ED OR 143

REBEL EM

JUNE 1, 2023

Article: Branch KHR et al. Indication for emergency invasive coronary angiography or had coronary angiography within 1 hour of arrival. Known obstructive coronary artery disease or known coronary stent. References: Branch KHR et al. Advanced imaging post-arrest is a possible modality to achieve this end.

Coronary 145

Coronary Defibrillator CPR ALS 145

EMS 12-Lead

APRIL 21, 2022

There is appreciable STE aVR with near-global STD that appropriately maximizes in Leads II and V5, and thus suggesting a circumstance of generic, diffusely populated, circumferential subendocardial ischemia versus occlusive coronary thrombus. [1] It’s judicious, then, to arrange for coronary angiogram. Does the ECG normalize?

Coronary 130

Coronary ALS OR ACS 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 18, 2024

The ECG is just a test: a Bayesian approach to acute coronary occlusion If a patient with a recent femur fracture has sudden onset of pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, and hemoptysis, the D-dimer doesn’t matter: the patient’s pre-test likelihood for PE is so high that they need a CT. But does this matter?

STEMI 124

STEMI Coronary ALS CAD 124

The Skeptics' Guide to EM

JANUARY 18, 2020

Date: January 16th, 2020 Reference: Troponin Testing and Coronary Syndrome in Geriatric Patients With Nonspecific Complaints: Are We Overtesting? Date: January 16th, 2020 Reference: Troponin Testing and Coronary Syndrome in Geriatric Patients With Nonspecific Complaints: Are We Overtesting? Reference: Wang et al.

ACS 130

ACS Coronary Emergency Department OR 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 27, 2024

1] But there are multiple other abnormalities that make this ECG diagnostic of Occlusion MI, localized likely to the right coronary artery: 1. Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy of ST-segment elevation for acute coronary occlusion. Nikus et al. Kontos et al. Kontos et al. Bischof et al.

STEMI 125

STEMI Coronary ALS Emergency Department 125

REBEL EM

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

Zeymer HT et al. The benefits of this strategy may be outweighed by the risk of the device-related complications (i.e. bleeding, stroke, limb ischemia, and hemolysis). The evidence for this practice has been sparse until now. Extracorporeal Life Support in Infarct-Related Cardiogenic Shock. Control: 53.4% D ECLS: 18.2% Control 8.7%

Life Support 136

Life Support Coronary CPR ICU 136

EMDocs

NOVEMBER 6, 2023

Author: Brit Long, MD (@long_brit) // Reviewed by Alex Koyfman, MD (@EMHighAK) The American Heart Association 2023 Guideline for managing cardiac arrest or life-threatening toxicity due to poisoning was recently released. This post will focus on the key parts of the guideline that affect ED evaluation and management. Top 10 Take Home Pearls 1.

Naloxone 94

Naloxone OR Overdose BLS 94

EMS 12-Lead

JUNE 1, 2022

Such findings would normally suggest primary ischemia with concomitant surveillance of coronary occlusion, but these ST/T changes might very well be secondary to the Escape mechanism at hand. Steve Smith [link] @SmithECGblog A 72 y/o Male experiences a syncopal episode while seated. Crew members note residual pallor and clammy skin.

Coronary 130

Coronary ALS Firefighter ACS 130

EMS 12-Lead

MAY 20, 2022

Additional architectural changes include systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve, endothelial dysfunction at the level of the coronary arterial bed, and ventricular diastolic dysfunction. This worried the crew of potential acute coronary syndrome and STEMI was activated pre-hospital. It is spread to V2 and V3.

Coronary 130

Coronary STEMI Firefighter ED 130

REBEL EM

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Paper: Van de Werf, F et al. STREAM-2: Half-Dose Tenecteplase or Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Older Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized, Open-Label Trial. neoplasm, aneurysm, intracranial or spinal surgery) or recent trauma to head or cranium (i.e.

STEMI 138

STEMI Allergic Reaction Coronary Ambulance 138

EMS 12-Lead

JUNE 20, 2022

One cannot rely on this feature as a means of detecting changes – subtle, or dramatic – for volatile occlusive coronary thrombus. Discussion When the QRS is normal, is the encountered ST/T changes that beget suspicion for LAD ACS (as in both of these cases) the result of occlusive coronary thrombus, or simply a normal variant?

ACS 130

ACS Coronary STEMI CAD 130

EMS 12-Lead

AUGUST 22, 2022

The coronary angiogram revealed no critical stenosis, or acute plaque ulceration. Takotsubo should be a diagnosis of exclusion after angiography reveals no obstructive coronary disease, and repeat Echo displays left ventricular recovery. A 12 Lead ECG was recorded secondary to bizarre telemetry findings at bedside.

E-9-1-1 130

E-9-1-1 Coronary ALS ICU 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 17, 2024

In fact, Kosuge et al. showed that among patients with either acute coronary syndrome or acute pulmonary embolism and negative T waves in the precordial leads (V1-V4), that inverted T waves in leads III and V1 were present in only 1% of patients with acute coronary syndrome and 88% of patients with pulmonary embolism. “The

E-9-1-1 141

E-9-1-1 ACS Emergency Department Coronary 141

The Skeptics' Guide to EM

MAY 19, 2018

[display_podcast] Date: May 16, 2018 Reference: Freund et al. display_podcast] Date: May 16, 2018 Reference: Freund et al. Reference: Freund et al. Effect of the Pulmonary Embolism Rule-Out Criteria on Subsequent Thromboembolic Events
 Among Low-Risk Emergency Department Patients: The PROPER Randomized Clinical Trial.

Emergency Department 130

Emergency Department ALS Coronary OR 130

EMS 12-Lead

APRIL 8, 2022

Cardiology admitted him for observation with plans for next-day coronary angiogram. A 56 y/o Male called 911 from his hotel room in the early morning hours after abruptly awakening from sleep with crushing chest discomfort and difficulty breathing. He reported to EMS a medical history of GERD only. He left AMA and is lost to follow-up.

STEMI 130

STEMI ALS Coronary CAD 130

REBEL EM

JANUARY 29, 2024

Click here for Direct Download of the Podcast Paper: Aykan AC et al. Because the lungs receive 100% of cardiac output, it has been hypothesized that a lower dose of thrombolytic therapy may still be effective with a better safety profile [3][4]. REBEL Cast Ep123: Reduced-Dose Systemic Peripheral Alteplase in Massive PE?

ALS 136

ALS ACS OR CPR 136

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 19, 2023

The commonest causes of MINOCA include: atherosclerotic causes such as plaque rupture or erosion with spontaneous thrombolysis, and non-atherosclerotic causes such as coronary vasospasm (sometimes called variant angina or Prinzmetal's angina), coronary embolism or thrombosis, possibly microvascular dysfunction. This is not the case.

E-9-1-1 127

E-9-1-1 Coronary ACS BLS 127

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 9, 2019

Post by Smith and Meyers Sam Ghali ( [link] ) just asked me (Smith): "Steve, do left main coronary artery *occlusions* (actual ones with transmural ischemia) have ST Depression or ST Elevation in aVR?" She had a proven 100% Left Main occlusion No ST shift in aVR This pattern of RBBB/LAFB was also the most common pattern in Fiol et al.

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI ACS ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 22, 2024

A comparison of electrocardiographic changes during reperfusion of acute myocardial infarction by thrombolysis or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Lemkes JS, et al. Total coronary occlusion, if very brief, may have minimal infarction and yet be very dangerous. Pattern A evolves into Pattern B. Am Heart J.

Coronary 122

Coronary STEMI ED OR 122

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). link] [1] Zachary et al. Utility of the history and physical examination in the detection of Acute Coronary Syndromes in emergency department patients. ECG's are difficult. 2] Costanzo, L. Physiology.

ACS 130

ACS Paramedic Coronary ALS 130

EMS 12-Lead

APRIL 28, 2022

In most cases, rather, the culprit is gross ischemia due to myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, or advanced coronary artery disease. Moreover, front office staff advise that she is a new tenant, and thus have nothing more to offer than a name and assigned apartment number. In general, monomorphic VT has a single, stable QRS morphology.

E-9-1-1 130

E-9-1-1 ALS Coronary EMS 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

Thanks in part to rapid bedside diagnosis, the patient was able to avoid emergent coronary angiography. Consider the following: We become attuned to looking for acute coronary occlusion in patients who present with acute symptoms to the ED ( E mergency D epartment ). What do you do clinically when the ECG looks like this?

E-9-1-1 118

E-9-1-1 Coronary STEMI ALS 118

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 21, 2024

It shows a proximal LAD occlusion, in conjunction with a subtotally occluded LMCA ( Left Main Coronary Artery ). Upon contrast injection of the LMCA, the patient deteriorated, as the LMCA was severely diseased and flow to all coronary arteries ( LAD, LCx and RCA ) was compromised. He was taken immediately to the cath lab.

Defibrillator 122

Defibrillator Coronary ALS STEMI 122

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 3, 2024

Coronaries were clean. Not OMI with High Confidence Click here to sign up for Queen of Hearts Access We showed that the Queen of Hearts decreases false positive cath lab activations: 1) Published recently in Prehospital Emergency Care Baker PO et al. 2) To be presented at AHA conference in Chicago in 2 weeks: Sharkey SW et al.

E-9-1-1 119

E-9-1-1 Coronary ALS ED 119

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 21, 2023

Below is the version standardized by PM Cardio app Meyers interpretation: Findings are specific for posterior (and also likely inferior) wall transmural acute infarction, most likely due to acute coronary occlusion (OMI). Most OMI have a peak Troponin T over 1000 ng/L [reference: Baro R et al.

STEMI 98

STEMI Coronary Defibrillator EMS 98

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 27, 2024

Old ‘NSTEMI’ A history of coronary artery disease and a stent to the same territory further increases pre-test likelihood of acute coronary occlusion, including in-stent thrombosis. So the patient had a transient acute coronary occlusion that spontaneously reperfused but is at risk for reocclusion. Deutch et al.

STEMI 110

STEMI Coronary ACS ED 110

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 27, 2024

The proof of this is that only 5% of patients enrolled had acute coronary occlusion. Lemkes JS, Janssens GN, van der Hoeven NW, et al. Coronary Angiography after Cardiac Arrest without ST-Segment Elevation. We at Hennepin recently published this study Sharma et al. This study failed to do so. 5% vs. 58%!! 5% vs. 58%!!

Defibrillator 99

Defibrillator STEMI Coronary ALS 99

The Skeptics' Guide to EM

MARCH 10, 2018

[display_podcast] Date: March 6th, 2018 Reference: Zahed et al. display_podcast] Date: March 6th, 2018 Reference: Zahed et al. He is the creator of the excellent #FOAMed project called First10EM.com Case: A 77-year-old woman with known coronary artery disease is on clopidogrel and aspirin because of a stent placed four month ago.

Emergency Department 100

Emergency Department ALS Coronary OR 100

EMS 12-Lead

APRIL 2, 2022

He reported a history of ischemic cardiomyopathy with coronary stent placement approximately 10 years prior, but could not recall the specific artery involved. He denied difficulty breathing, epigastric pain, or chest discomfort. BP 110/67 HR 68 RR 14 (non-labored) SpO2 95 RA Physical exam revealed slight pallor and diaphoresis. Figure 1-2.

ALS 130

ALS STEMI Coronary OR 130