Category: Critical Care
Posted: 7/6/2010 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
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Asthma, Peak Pressures, and the Ventilator
Manthous CA. Avoiding circulatory complications during endotracheal intubation and initiation of positive pressure ventilation. JEM 2010; 38:622-31.
Category: Medical Education
Keywords: Pulmonary Embolism (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/5/2010 by Rob Rogers, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
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Risk Stratification in Pulmonary Embolism
The following are the principal markers useful for risk stratification:
Patients with one or more of these markers have a higher mortality rate.
Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism. European Heart Journal. 2008
Category: Geriatrics
Keywords: tachypnea, pneumonia, elderly, geriatric (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/4/2010 by Amal Mattu, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
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The majority of "classic" symptoms and signs in elderly patients with pneumonia (fever, cough, sputum production, leukocytosis,chest pain) are unreliably present. However, tachypnea is one of the most reliable early findings in elderly patients with pneumonia, and in fact the same can be said about other serious bacterial illnesses in the elderly. The takeaway point here is simple: always count the respiratory rate in elderly patients (and don't trust those triage respiratory rates)!
Category: Gastrointestional
Keywords: Diverticular, bleeding, gastrointestinal (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/3/2010 by Michael Bond, MD
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Diverticular Bleeding
Category: Neurology
Keywords: TIA, Stroke (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/1/2010 by Aisha Liferidge, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
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Category: Critical Care
Posted: 6/29/2010 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
Click here to contact Mike Winters, MBA, MD
Pre-existing acidosis and mechanical ventilation
Manthous CA. Avoiding circulatory complications during endotracheal intubation and initiation of positive pressure ventilation. JEM 2010; 38:622-31.
Category: Vascular
Keywords: Pulmonary Embolism (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/28/2010 by Rob Rogers, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
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Silent Pulmonary Embolism?
As many as 50% of patients with isolated DVT will be found to have silent pulmonary embolism (i.e. no chest pain or shortness of breath) on VQ scanning. Studies performed in the last year or so with CT scanning show that this percentage is much higher.
The clinical take-home point is NOT to get a pulmonary CTA on suspected DVT patients but to remember that many patients can and do have PE in the absence of cardiopulmonary symptoms. Pretty frightening....
Stein. Silent Pulmonary Embolism. Arch Intern Med.2000;
Category: Geriatrics
Keywords: leukocytosis, WBC, fever, elderly, geriatric, infection (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/27/2010 by Amal Mattu, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
Click here to contact Amal Mattu, MD
The WBC count is not an accurate predictor of bacteremia in the elderly. 20-45% of elderly patients with proven bacteremia have a normal WBC on presentation.
[from Caterino JM, et al. Bacteremic elder emergency department patients: procalcitonin and white count. Acad Emerg Med 2004;11:393-396.]
Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: Odontoid, fracture (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/26/2010 by Michael Bond, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
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Odontoid Fractures:
There are three types of C2 odontoid fractures:
Category: Pediatrics
Posted: 6/24/2010 by Rose Chasm, MD
(Emailed: 6/26/2010)
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
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MedStudy Pediatric Board Review, 1st edition
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: copperhead, crofab (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/24/2010 by Fermin Barrueto, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
Click here to contact Fermin Barrueto, MD
In the state of Maryland, the most common venomous snake is the copperhead. Though not as dangerous as the rattlesnake, it can still cause loss of function of limb and mortality in the pediatric patient.
Treatment has involved the use of CroFab (Protherics, Atlanta). This ovine derived monovalent immunoglobolin is actually made against the following snakes:
Though efficacy has been shown with these snakes, we are hoping for cross-reactivity when we treat copperheads. There are case series and case reports (1) that have shown anectdotal improvement. We are still awaiting a real randomized controlled trial - may never happen.
Lavonas EJ, Gerardo CJ, O'Malley G, Arnold TC, Bush SP, Banner W Jr, Steffens M, Kerns WP 2nd.
Ann Emerg Med. 2004 Feb;43(2):200-6.
Category: Neurology
Keywords: MS, multiple sclerosis, brain, mri, dawson's fingers (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/23/2010 by Aisha Liferidge, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
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Category: Critical Care
Posted: 6/22/2010 by Evadne Marcolini, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
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Acute renal failure occurs in 1-25% of critically ill patients, with an associated mortality of 28 - 90%.
The RIFLE Criteria represent the first consensus definition of acute renal failure used to classify critically ill patients as to their kidney function. Notably, we use the worst possible classification according to the criteria, which measures either serum creatinine, urine output or both.
Rinaldo Bellomo1, Claudio Ronco, John A Kellum, Ravindra L Mehta, Paul Palevsky and the ADQI workgroup
Acute Renal Failure - definition, outcome measures, animal models, fluid therapy and information technology needs: The Second International Consensus Conference of the Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative (ADQI) Group.
Critical Care 2004, 8:R204-R212 (DOI 10.1186/cc2872)
This article is online at: http://ccforum.com/content/8/4/R204
1006221408_RIFLE.jpg.doc (103 Kb)
Category: Geriatrics
Keywords: nitritie, infections, elderly, geriatric (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/20/2010 by Amal Mattu, MD
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The nitrite test on urine dipstick is commonly used for diagnosis of UTI. However, the test is only reliable in those bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites, which primarily includes enterobaceriaceae. However, elderly patients often develop UTIs with Staph saprophyticus, pseudomonas, and enterococcus, none of which produce positive nitrites on dipstick testing. The takeaway point here is very simply....don't assume you've excluded UTI (esp. in elderly populations) just because the nitrite test is negative.
reference: Anderson RS, Liang SY. Infections in the elderly. Critical Decisions in Emergency Medicine, April 2010.
Category: Dermatology
Keywords: Toxicodendron dermatitis, treatment (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/19/2010 by Michael Bond, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
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Toxicodendron dermatitis:
This is the contact dermatitis caused by the plant genus Toxicodendronm, better known as Poison Ivy. Here are some types to prevent the dermatitis and how to treat it:
Category: Neurology
Keywords: nicardipine, calcium channelblocker, hypertensive emergency, intracranial hemorrhage, hypertension, stroke (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/16/2010 by Aisha Liferidge, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
Click here to contact Aisha Liferidge, MD
Category: Critical Care
Posted: 6/15/2010 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
Click here to contact Mike Winters, MBA, MD
Hypotension after intubation and initiation of mechanical ventilation
Manthous CA. Avoiding circulatory complications during endotracheal intubation and initiation of positive pressure ventilation. JEM 2010; 38:622-31.
Category: Misc
Posted: 6/14/2010 by Rob Rogers, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
Click here to contact Rob Rogers, MD
Submitted on behalf of Dr. Michael Abraham
Thyrotropin (TSH)
1. Spencer CA, Takeuchi M, Kazarosyan M. Current status and performance goals for serum thyrotropin (TSH) assays. Clin Chem. Jan 1996;42(1):140-145.
2. Liebert M. Thyrotropin/Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Measurement. Http://www.medscape.com/
Category: Cardiology
Keywords: pericardial effusion, tamponade (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/13/2010 by Amal Mattu, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2024)
Click here to contact Amal Mattu, MD
Pericardial tamponade is a physiological diagnosis, not an ECG diagnosis. At best, the ECG can suggest the presence of large pericardial effusions--look for the combination of low voltage, tachycardia, and electrical alternans.
Be aware, however, that electrical alternans is only present in < 1/3 of patients with large pericardial effusions. Although it is "classic" and always seems to show up on board exams, in the textbooks, and in lectures, electrical alternans in not a consistent finding in patients with large effusions or tamponade.
Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: Calcaneus Fracture, Bohler Angle (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/13/2010 by Michael Bond, MD
Click here to contact Michael Bond, MD
Calcaneus Fractures:
Calcaneus fractures can easily be missed on plain films and the true extent of the injury might not be appreciated until a CT is done. However, you can increase your change of picking up a calcaneal fracture by evaluating Bohler's Angle.
Lateral radiographs of the foot are needed to evaluate the Bohler angle. This is the angle made by drawing a line from anterior process of the calcaneus to the peak of the posterior articular surface and a second one drawn from the peak of the posterior articular surface to the peak of the posterior tuberosity. (See Picture) The average angle is 25-40°. Angles less than 25' are strongly suggestive of a fracture and the patient should probably get a CT of their foot if there is clinical suspicion.
Photo and additional discussion can be found at http://www.blackburnfeet.org.uk/hyperbook/trauma/calcanealFx/imaging.htm and on eMedicine -- Calcaneus Fractures by Scott Nicklebur, MD http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1232246-overview