EMDocs

JANUARY 8, 2024

This post will focus on the key parts of the guideline that affect ED evaluation and management. With respect to timing, for cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm, it may be reasonable to administer epinephrine after initial defibrillation attempts have failed. COR 2b, LOE C-LD. COR 3, No benefit, LOE B-R. COR 2b, LOE B-R.

Epinephrine 98

Epinephrine Defibrillator Coronary CPR 98

EMS 12-Lead

MARCH 19, 2023

He denied any known medical history, specifically: coronary artery disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, heart failure, myocardial infarction, or any prior PCI/stent. Despite immediate chest compressions, and multiple rounds of defibrillation, he could not be resuscitated. Breath sounds were clear in all lung fields.

Coronary 130

Coronary STEMI Paramedic Defibrillator 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 19, 2020

She was unable to be defibrillated but was cannulated and placed on ECMO in our Emergency Department (ECLS - extracorporeal life support). After good ECMO flow was established, she was successfully defibrillated. Here is a case of ECMO defibrillation with near shark fin that was due to proximal LAD occlusion. The K was normal.

Defibrillator 52

Defibrillator CPR Coronary CAD 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 24, 2015

Here was his initial ED ECG: There is atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response. Again, it is common to have an ECG that shows apparent subendocardial ischemia after resuscitation from cardiac arrest, after defibrillation, and after cardioversion. Ventricular fibrillation is not only caused by acute coronary syndrome.

Defibrillator 52

Defibrillator ACS CAD STEMI 52

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). The arrhythmia spontaneously converted before defibrillation was achieved. This is an ominous sign.

Coronary 128

Coronary ACS Emergency Department Epinephrine 128

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). There is a relatively normal QRS yet there is STD maximal in V2-V4, which resolves from V4 to V6.

STEMI 98

STEMI Coronary Defibrillator EMS 98

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024

On arrival to the ED, this ECG was recorded: What do you think? Although predicting the "culprit" artery of acute coronary occlusion is often straightforward ( ie, based on the distribution of leads with ST elevation and leads with reciprocal ST depression ) — this is not always the case. This prompted cath lab activation.

STEMI 110

STEMI Coronary Defibrillator OR 110

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 14, 2023

A 40-something with persistent Ventricular Fibrillation presented after attempted prehospital resuscitation A 40-something with no previous cardiac history presented to the ED in persistent Ventricular Fibrillation after attempted prehospital resuscitation. Finally, head-up CPR (which was not used here), makes for better resuscitation.

E-9-1-1 98

E-9-1-1 Defibrillator CPR STEMI 98

EMS 12-Lead

AUGUST 22, 2022

We can, therefore, put down the defibrillation pads, set aside the amiodarone, and look further at the ECG. The coronary angiogram revealed no critical stenosis, or acute plaque ulceration. Chou’s Electrocardiography in Clinical Practice (6th ed). Question 2: What explains the conduction abnormalities? Surawicz, B.

E-9-1-1 130

E-9-1-1 Coronary ALS ICU 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 28, 2013

She was found to be in ventricular fibrillation and was defibrillated 8 times without a single, even transient, conversion out of fibrillation. She arrived in the ED 37 minutes after 911 was called, with continuing CPR. She arrived in the ED 37 minutes after 911 was called, with continuing CPR. at the time of the ECG.

Defibrillator 52

Defibrillator ACS CPR STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

Submitted by Dr. George Mastoras (Twitter @georgemastoras), written by Jesse McLaren It’s a busy day in the ED when you’re sent another ECG to sign off from a patient at triage. Here is the post shock ECG: Cardiology was called stat for ischemic VT, query SCAD vs thrombotic occlusion vs coronary vasospasm.

OR 66

OR STEMI ACS Coronary 66

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 20, 2013

She was never seen to be in ventricular fibrillation and was never defibrillated. She was hypotensive in the ED and her bedside echo showed a normal RV and LV. Two prehospital 12-lead ECGs looked similar to this ED ECG: This shows diffuse ST depression (I, II, III, aVL, aVF, V3-V6) with reciprocal ST elevation in lead aVR.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary ACS Emergency Department 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 3, 2017

Here is his ECG on presentation to the ED, approximately 45 minutes after onset of pain, but with pain improving since onset: What is your interpretation? The initial ECG was interpreted as "normal" by the computer ( Algorithm: Marquette GE / 12SL ) and "no acute ischemic changes" by the ED physician.

CPR 52

CPR Defibrillator STEMI ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 30, 2022

She was defibrillated and resuscitated. Hospital Course The patient was taken emergently to the cath lab which did not reveal any significant coronary artery disease, but she was noted to have reduced EF consistent with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. One need not have obstructive coronary disease to have occlusive thrombus!

Emergency Department 52

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

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 29, 2020

She was never defibrillated. I was texted this ECG in real time, but it turns out to actually be the 2nd one recorded in the ED. ECG #4 — This is the 3rd ECG that was done in this case ( obtained ~1 hour after arrival in the ED ). As was seen in this case — defibrillation and/or overdrive pacing may be needed.

Epinephrine 52

Epinephrine Defibrillator Coronary Overdose 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

If the patient only had these two ECGs recorded, it would have missed the transient time between them which were STEMI positive, and the patient would then have arrived at the ED as “serial ECGs STEMI negative." Accuracy of OMI findings versus STEMI criteria for diagnosis of acute coronary occlusion myocardial infarction. Meyers et al.

STEMI 52

STEMI Paramedic Coronary ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 23, 2023

When the ICD was finally interrogated, the syncopal events and shocks correlated with two VF events that were defibrillated successfully. 90% stenosis of the proximal ramus intermedius, pre procedure TIMI II flow The ramus intermedius is a normal variant on coronary anatomy that arises between the LAD and LCX.

ACS 52

ACS Coronary Defibrillator STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 10, 2022

He reportedly told his family "I think I'm having a heart attack", then they immediately drove him to the ED, and he was able to ambulate into the triage area before he collapsed and became unresponsive. It was reportedly a PEA arrest; there was no recorded V Fib and no defibrillation. CPR was initiated immediately.

ACS 52

ACS CPR CAD Heart Attack 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 8, 2016

Here is his ED ECG: There is obvious infero-posterior STEMI. At cath, he immediately had incessant Torsades de Pointes requiring defibrillation 7 times and requiring placement of a transvenous pacer for overdrive pacing at a rate of 80. Medics stated that he had not been taking his clopidogrel for 2 weeks. He appeared to be in shock.

STEMI 52

STEMI Plasma Defibrillator OR 52

Critical Care Scenarios

JANUARY 8, 2025

We talk about the nitty-gritty details of a well-run cardiac arrest, with Scott Weingart of Emcrit (@emcrit), ED intensivist. Takeaway lessons Resources We talk about the nitty-gritty details of a well-run cardiac arrest, with Scott Weingart of Emcrit ( @emcrit ), ED intensivist. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy!

Epinephrine 212

Epinephrine Defibrillator Coronary ED 212

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 31, 2024

Written by Pendell Meyers A woman in her 70s with known prior coronary artery disease experienced acute chest pain and shortness of breath. Her history and ECG were interpreted as very concerning for acute coronary syndrome which might benefit from acute reperfusion therapy. Vital signs were within normal limits. hours since onset.

Coronary 119

Coronary ACS STEMI CAD 119

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 6, 2025

Second , when you have a rhythm problem, you are likely to be able to fix the problem with electricity (cardioversion, defibrillation, pacing). Fifth , potential management actions are in your hands; you do not need to request a coronary interventionalist or cath lab team. Again the clinical history is helpful.

Coronary 96

Coronary ICU OR Defibrillator 96

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 27, 2024

The submitter started the patient on amiodarone and arranged implantation of a defibrillator. == MY Comment , by K EN G RAUER, MD ( 12/27 /2024 ): == Superb discussion by Dr. Frick in today's case, that highlights a series of important points regarding the ECG recognition of stable VT ( V entricular T achycardia ).

Coronary 121

Coronary Defibrillator ACS ED 121

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

This is what the providers in the ED understood on patient arrival: Patient called 911 for syncope, then had witnessed PEA arrest after medics arrived. She was brought to the ED in a deep coma with GCS of 3, with vital signs, and an ECG was recorded: What do you think? Moreover, it does not follow a coronary distribution very well.

STEMI 89

STEMI Paramedic E-9-1-1 Epinephrine 89

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

She underwent coronary angiography which showed thrombotic occlusion of an RPL branch s/p aspiration thrombectomy. Throughout this process, the patient had repeated VF and was defibrillated 8 times. Written by Willy Frick A young woman with a history of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria presented with acute substernal chest pain.

Defibrillator 66

Defibrillator STEMI Coronary ED 66

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

During observation in the ED the patient had multiple self-terminating runs of Non-Sustained monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (NSVT). CT coronary angiogram showed a hypoplastic RCA and dominant LCx. The ECG in Figure-1 however, shows no signs of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. No PVCs are seen. There were no plaques or stenoses.

Plasma 72

Plasma ACS OR Coronary 72