2023

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SGEM#408: Hey, I, Oh I’m Still Alive – Is it due to TXA?

The Skeptics' Guide to EM

Date: July 1, 2023 Reference: PATCH-Trauma Investigators and ANZICS Clinical Trial Group. Prehospital Tranexamic Acid for Severe Trauma. NEJM 2023. Guest Skeptic: Dr. Salim Rezaie is a community emergency physician in San Antonio, TX. He is the Creator and founder of REBEL EM, a free, critical appraisal blog that tries to cut down knowledge translation gaps of […] The post SGEM#408: Hey, I, Oh I’m Still Alive – Is it due to TXA?

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ECG Cases 45 ECG in Weakness and Neurological Symptoms

Emergency Medicine Cases

In this ECG Cases blog Dr. Jesse MacLaren guides us through 10 cases of patients who present with generalized weakness or acute neurologic symptoms and discusses how to look for ECG signs of dysrhythmias, electrolyte emergencies, acute coronary occlusion, and demand ischemia in patients with generalized weakness and in patients with neurologic symptoms, to consider predisposing factors like LVH; seizure-like activity from cardiac syncope; TIA/CVA embolic sources like atrial fibrillation or LV th

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Neurogenic Shock in Children

Pediatric EM Morsels

To celebrate the end of trauma season ( is it ever really over? ), we here at the Ped EM Morsels Bakery have cooked up a morsel to remind you that pediatric trauma can be even more difficult than you think. Never fear. As our fearless leader likes to say: “children are not aliens, but they are a special population with unique anatomy and physiology.” Children compensate for blood and volume loss very well… until they don’t.

E-9-1-1 304
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ACMT Toxicology Visual Pearl: Poison Dart Frog

ALiEM

The toxin from the golden poison dart frog most resembles which of the following in its mechanism of action? Botulinum toxin Bufotoxin Grayanotoxin Palytoxin Tetrodotoxin Photo adapted from Wilfried Berns (Wikimedia Commons) Reveal the Answer 3. Grayanotoxin – a sodium channel opener Background The golden poison dart frog ( Phyllobates terribilis ), often considered one of the most poisonous animals on the planet, secretes onto its skin the lipophilic alkaloid batrachotoxin , which irreversibly

ALS 284
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Characteristics Associated With Serious Self-Harm Events in Children and Adolescents Mert Sekmen,a,b Carlos G. Grijalva, MD, MPH,c Yuwei Zhu, MD, MS,d Derek J. Williams, MD, MPH,a,b James A. Feinstein, MD, MPH,e Justine C. Stassun, MA,a,b Jakobi A. Johnson, BS,a,b Yasas C. Tanguturi, MBBS, MPH,f James C. Gay, MD, MMHC,g James W. Antoon, MD, PhD, MPHa,b

EMergucate

Characteristics Associated With Serious Self-Harm Events in Children and Adolescents Mert Sekmen,a,b Carlos G.

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How To Read a Scientific Paper

Don't Forget the Bubbles

Read between the lines. No matter where we are or what type of medicine we practice, it is likely that we all were told at one point that we were expected to be lifelong learners. This is important as medical knowledge is constantly evolving. Dr. David Sackett, the father of evidence-based medicine, once said: I The traditional way to stay current is by reading the relevant scientific literature.

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PATCH

The Bottom Line

In adult patients with major trauma, who are at risk for trauma-induced coagulopathy does early administration of 1g of tranexamic acid (TXA) followed by an infusion of 1g over 8 hours, compared with placebo, increase survival with a favourable functional outcome at 6 months?

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Massive hemorrhage: a very deep dive

First 10 EM

Transfusion seems like the simplest intervention in medicine. The patient is losing blood, so let’s put some back in. Not much more complicated than an oil change. Sure, you need to use a specific brand, but as long as the system is topped up, everything should run just fine. Therefore, when someone (to be left […] The post Massive hemorrhage: a very deep dive appeared first on First10EM.

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VT? Or Supraventricular tachycardic rhythm with aberrancy?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

A 70 something male presented in severe respiratory distress. The patient had altered mental status and so he was prepared for intubation. Before intubation, he became hypotensive. On the monitor patient had wide-complex tachycardia. The following 12-lead was obtained: What do you think? Differential is ventricular tachycardia versus supraventricular tachycardia with aberrancy versus sinus tachycardia with a aberrancy.

OR 139
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PulmCrit – Introducing the IBPH (Internet Book of Hospital Pulmonology)

EMCrit Project

In many countries, pulmonary and critical care are commonly bundled together. Consequently, a single person will often be responsible for both inpatient ICU management as well as inpatient pulmonary consultation. Honestly, I have some doubts about whether this is an ideal system. As both pulmonology and critical care medicine become increasingly complex, it's becoming impossible […] EMCrit Project by Josh Farkas.

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SGEM#421: I Think I’d Have a Heart Attack – Maybe Not in a Rural Area?

The Skeptics' Guide to EM

Date: November 22, 2023 Reference: Stopyra et al. Delayed First Medical Contact to Reperfusion Time Increases Mortality in Rural EMS Patients with STEMI. AEM November 2023. Guest Skeptic: Dr. Lauren Westafer an Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School – Baystate. She is the cofounder of FOAMcast and a […] The post SGEM#421: I Think I’d Have a Heart Attack – Maybe Not in a Rural Area?

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EM Quick Hits 53 Postpartum Hemorrhage, Serotonin Syndrome, TBI Herniation Syndromes, Ulcerative Colitis, Pediatric C-Spine Immobilization, Global EM

Emergency Medicine Cases

On this month's EM Quick Hits podcast: Anand Swaminathan on update to ED management of postpartum hemorrhage, Nour Khatib on serotonin syndrome and its mimics, Katie Lin on an approach to recognition and management of severe TBI and brain herniation syndromes, Hans Rosenberg on the ED management of ulcerative colitis, Heather Cary on pediatric c-spine immobilization controversies and techniques, Navpreet Sahsi on the difference between humanitarian and development work The post EM Quick Hits 53

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Imported Malaria

Pediatric EM Morsels

Imported Malaria , like all imported tropical illnesses, is a Tale of Two Cities. The infection was unknowingly obtained while enjoying a delightful holiday and then brought back in transit to a country where it is not endemic. In these non-endemic countries, we need to always be attentive to patient’s history of recent travel to correctly identify any concerns related to their recent travel.

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SAEM Clinical Images Series: Intracranial Abnormality

ALiEM

A 26-year-old male with no significant past medical history presented to the ED after slipping on wet pavement and hitting his head on the ground three hours prior. He endorsed a constant, achy 7/10 headache accompanied by nausea and photophobia. He denied vomiting, dizziness, diplopia, loss of consciousness, or seizures. Nothing made it better or worse.

OR 278
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Texas Residency Program Unexpectedly Announces Closure

ACEP Now

The CHRISTUS Health-Texas A&M Spohn Emergency Medicine Residency Program announced Friday that its program will close in June 2026 after the current emergency medicine residents complete their training. An official reason for the closure was not immediately available from the hospital administration, but residents there said they were told the surprise move was likely because of financial reasons.

ICU 132
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Hypothermia and drowning

Don't Forget the Bubbles

A PEM adventure It’s time for another PEM adventure. Join us on another journey (with an inbuilt time travel machine) in managing Elsa, a 2-year-old girl who is a HUGE fan of the Disney movie, Frozen. Elsa was found face down in the family pool 20 minutes after last visual contact and was picked up without resuscitation. Emergency Medical Services found her apneic and pulseless.

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Early and Empirical High-Dose Cryoprecipitate for Hemorrhage After Traumatic Injury

The Bottom Line

In patients with trauma and critical bleeding who require activation of a major haemorrhage protocol, does the empiric administration of 3 pools of cryoprecipitate (6g fibrinogen) within 90 minutes of randomisation (and no more than 3 hours after injury) improve survival, compared to standard care?

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Adjunctive Methylene Blue in Septic Shock?

REBEL EM

Background: Sepsis can induce numerous physiologic derangements. At the most severe end, this includes endothelial dysfunction leading to increased vascular permeability, abnormal nitric oxide metabolism, and vasodilation (i.e. septic shock). Judicious fluid resuscitation is indicated in patients with signs of hypo perfusion but is often inadequate necessitating the administration of vasoactive medications.

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Delayed sequence intubation: An RCT

First 10 EM

Introduced to the world by our friend Scott Weingart, delayed sequence intubation (DSI) is often summarized as procedural sedation for the procedure of preoxygenation. (Weingart 2011, Weingart 2015) It is a brilliant concept, makes a ton of sense on paper, and anecdotally has seemed to help a number of my patients. However, any long time […] The post Delayed sequence intubation: An RCT appeared first on First10EM.

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A 50-something with Regular Wide Complex Tachycardia: What to do if electrical cardioversion does not work?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

Case submitted by anonymous. Written by Smith. Ken's piece at the bottom is excellent. A 50-something presented with s udden onset palpitations 8 hrs prior while sitting at desk at work. He had concurrent sharp substernal chest pain that resolved, but palpitations continued. Over past 3 months, he has had similar intermittent episodes of sharp chest pain while running, but none at rest.

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PulmCrit: New ARDS guidelines reveal a shambolic state of affairs

EMCrit Project

Within the past year, two major societies have released guidelines on ARDS: the ATS (American Thoracic Society) and the ESICM (European Society of Intensive Care Medicine). Don’t be fooled by their names – both of these organizations are fundamentally international in scope. Some authors on the ATS document were from Europe, and similarly some authors […] EMCrit Project by Josh Farkas.

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SGEM#415: Buckle Down for some Ultrasound to Diagnosis Distal Forearm Fractures

The Skeptics' Guide to EM

Reference: Snelling et al. Ultrasonography or radiography for suspected pediatric distal forearm fractures. New England Journal of Medicine June 2023 Date: July 19, 2023 Guest Skeptic: Dr. Casey Parker is a Rural Generalist that includes in his practice emergency medicine, anesthesia, and critical care. He is also a fully-fledged ultrasonographer. Casey currently splits his time […] The post SGEM#415: Buckle Down for some Ultrasound to Diagnosis Distal Forearm Fractures first appeared on The Ske

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Ep 187 Crashing Anaphylaxis – AMAX4 Algorithm and The Max McKenzie Case

Emergency Medicine Cases

I had the enormous honour of interviewing Dr. Ben McKenzie, EM physician and a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne studying the topic of resuscitation algorithms in anaphylaxis and asthma. The tragic death of his son Ben McKenzie at the age 15 from hypoxic respiratory arrest as a result of anaphylaxis and asthma in 2021 has led Dr. McKenzie on a mission to prevent deaths from anaphylaxis and asthma by educating emergency providers around the world using his AMAX4 algorithm as a framewor

EMS 304
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Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation (CPAM)

Pediatric EM Morsels

I’m sure you can recall at least several parents who bring their children into the ED for concern of recurrent pneumonias. Often the parents focus on a possible underlying immunodeficiency. Fortunately, most commonly these pneumonias are due to viral infections, and we can often offer reassurances to the parent. The differential could also include aspiration , asthma , and bronchiectasis depending on the patient’s history.

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SAEM Clinical Images Series: Dangerous Eye Drainage

ALiEM

A 32-year-old man with a history of traumatic globe rupture from a stab wound two months ago, status post repair, presented to the emergency department for worsening right eye pain and green malodorous drainage for the past three days. These symptoms started when he got a fleck of sawdust in the right eye about four days prior to presentation, which he was able to brush out with his finger.

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Massive Haemorrhage: Science and Practice

Broome Docs

This is another lecture by the always amazing Dr Justin Morgenstern from the series of talks he delivered on his tour of Perth in September 2023. In this talk I challenged Justin to go on a very deep dive into the literature around the modern management of the massively bleeding trauma patient. What is the best way to resuscitate and replace all those blood products in these severely unwell people?

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TXA in head injuries

Don't Forget the Bubbles

A PEM adventure Meet Polly, a 6-year-old girl with a penchant for shopping. Besides a few febrile convulsions when she was two, she’s a healthy 6-year-old. Having just bought the most gorgeous pair of red ballet pumps that would go delightfully with the red bow she bought in Harrods last week, she was skipping down Regent’s Street with her nanny. As they crossed the front of Liberty, a huge letter L came plummeting down, crashing in front of her.

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VA Issues Notice on Delay of Special Modes of Transportation Final Rule

American Ambulance Association

This content is for AAA members only. Please either Log In or Join! The post VA Issues Notice on Delay of Special Modes of Transportation Final Rule appeared first on American Ambulance Association.

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Clinical Conundrum: Should a Troponin Routinely be Ordered in Patients with SVT?

REBEL EM

Bottom Line Up Top: Troponins should not be routinely sent in patients presenting with SVT. Rarely, they may be necessary if the patient has concerning ischemic symptoms that persist after conversion to sinus rhythm. Clinical Scenario: A 44-year-old man presents with palpitations that started 45 minutes ago. He has no medical problems and denies any prior similar symptoms.

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Optimizing Demand Forecasts

High Performance EMS

Improvement of your deployment operations requires that you understand where your services will be needed and how to get the available units into the most suitable positions. Then, once you are prepared to respond, it is also critical that only the most appropriate assignments are made for each request to preserve your ability to respond to the next call as well.

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Webinar: Beyond STEMI: Diagnosing Acute Coronary Occlusion on the ECG. The Queen of Hearts can do it for you!!

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

Beyond STEMI: Diagnosing Acute Coronary Occlusion on the ECG. The Queen of Hearts AI app can do it for you. With explainability too.

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PulmCrit Hot Take: Steroid for severe pneumonia (CAPE COD trial)

EMCrit Project

Steroid is worthless for pneumonia! Wait, a new study shows it's beneficial! Hang on, a fresh meta-analysis shows that steroid it's useless! And wait, here's a fresh NEJM study showing mortality benefit!! This feels like a roller coaster. What's going on here? Several factors may explain this: Steroid is beneficial, but only in a subset […] EMCrit Project by Josh Farkas.

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SGEM#418: I Ain’t Missing You – Spinal Epidural Abscess

The Skeptics' Guide to EM

Date: October 20, 2023 Reference: Cai et al. Implementation of a Clinical Management Tool for Spinal Epidural Abscess Early Diagnosis. AEM October 2023. Guest Skeptic: Dr. Kirsty Challen is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals. Case: You are in your group meeting and have heard about a case at a nearby emergency department (ED) where the […] The post SGEM#418: I Ain’t Missing You – Spinal Epidural Abscess first appeared on The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine.

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Journal Club 5 Appendicitis Delay to Appendectomy – Safe?

Emergency Medicine Cases

You diagnose uncomplicated appendicitis in the ED. The on call General Surgery team wants to wait until the next morning to perform an appendectomy. Is your patient at risk for appendiceal perforation with a delay to surgery? Dr. Rohit Mohindra and Dr. Shelley McLeod analyze the latest RCT that attempts to answer this question, the PERFECT study, on this EM Cases Journal Club.

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Summer Penile Syndrome

Pediatric EM Morsels

Life is full of hazards! Chance encounters with life’s hazards seem to increase in the Summer time (ex, Trampolines , Snakes , Lawn Mowers , Water , and Heat ). It is good that continue to raise awareness of such hazards so we can prevent them ! Certainly, the care of pediatric patients is known for its “ Seasonality. ” Now that the long days of summer ( for us in the Northern Hemisphere ) might be behind us, some of those hazards may also be receding, but injuries and illnesse

EMS 278
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Trick of the Trade: Gel-free ultrasound-guided peripheral IV technique

ALiEM

Ever finally step away from a busy resuscitation and someone stops you for peripheral IV access? You set up everything, have the patient positioned, and then notice there is no sterile ultrasound gel. No gel? No problem. The trick is to eliminate anything of poor acoustic impedance between the ultrasound probe and the patient’s skin. Trick of the Trade 1.

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Imaging Case of the Week 578

EMergucate

The following chest x-ray is from a toddler taken post choking episode. What can be seen?

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