Category: Vascular
Keywords: D-Dimer, Pulmonary Embolism (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/30/2007 by Rob Rogers, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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Degree of D-Dimer elevation and Mortality Rates
Evidence now exists that links the degree of D-Dimer elevation with mortality rate. The higher the D-Dimer, the higher the PE mortality rate.
Consider this when risk stratifying patients with PE. This adds to our use of biomarkers for risk stratification. Elevation of BNP, D-Dimer, and Troponins have been shown to predict mortality.
Category: Critical Care
Keywords: traumatic brain injury, cerebral perfusion pressure, intracranial pressure, hypertonic saline (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/30/2007 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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Critical Care Pearls for Traumatic Brain Injury
Category: Cardiology
Keywords: electrocardiography, cardiac ischemia (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/28/2007 by Amal Mattu, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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The T-wave in lead V1 is usually inverted or flat. When the T-wave is upright, especially if it is tall (taller than the T-wave in lead V6), be worried about cardiac ischemia...especially if the large upright T-wave is a new finding compared to prior ECGs.
LVH, LBBB, and misplaced precordial leads are the other causes of tall upright T-waves in lead V1. In the absence of any of these three conditions, worry about ischemia.
Marriott described this finding many years ago and refers to it as "loss of precordial T-wave balance."
Category: Trauma
Keywords: Seatbelt Sign, Abdominal, Trauma (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/28/2007 by Michael Bond, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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Category: Pediatrics
Keywords: Severe Asthma, Refractory to standard therapy, intubation, atrovent, magnesium, noninvasive ventilation, heliox, ketamine, singulair (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/26/2007 by Sean Fox, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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Severe Asthma in Pediatrics (Using “the kitchen sink” when all else fails)
Every effort should be made to avoid intubating an asthmatic pt. Here are some possible options to consider:
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: SSRI, serotonin, toxicity (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/25/2007 by Fermin Barrueto
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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SSRI Toxicity
Things to watch for in patients that are taking SSRI:
Category: Neurology
Keywords: DTR's, deep tendon reflexes (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/25/2007 by Aisha Liferidge, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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Don't forget to do thorough assessment of deep tendon reflexes on physical examination when appropriate. DTR assessment can help localize a lesion and determine a diagnosis (i.e. thyroid disease, Guillain Barre, spinal cord and peripheral nerve lesions).
DTR Assessment Scale:
Major DTR Assessment Locations:
Category: Critical Care
Keywords: vasopressors, acidosis, bicarbonate (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/23/2007 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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Category: Vascular
Posted: 10/22/2007 by Rob Rogers, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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Blue Toe Syndrome
This syndrome refers to acute digital ischemia caused by athero-microembolism and is associated with cool, painful, cyanotic toes in the presence of palpable distal pulses.
Presence of this syndrome should prompt the Emergency Physician to search for the proximal source. Failure to identify the source and aggressively treat may lead to limb loss.
Common etiologies include:
Category: Cardiology
Keywords: creatinine clearance, medication adverse effects (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/22/2007 by Amal Mattu, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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Recent studies have identified that a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in women, elderly, and patients with renal failure is the failure to consider renal insufficiency in dosing certain anticoagulants and anti-platelet medications, resulting in bleeding complications. Medications should be based on creatinine clearance, NOT SERUM CREATININE. When the creatinine clearance is < 30 mL/min, the dose of any renally-excreted medications should be decreased.
For example, an 85 yo woman that is 110 lbs and has a serum creatinine of 1.2 (sounds normal!) actually has a creatinine clearance < 30, which means that she has relative renal insufficiency. Her dosages of medications (e.g. enoxaparin) should be adjusted for this.
Creatinine clearance can easily be calculated via computer programs that you can "google" (e.g. just google "creatinine clearance calculation"). If you enter the patient's gender, age, weight, and serum creatinine, the programs will calculate the value for you.
Category: Obstetrics & Gynecology
Keywords: Placenta, Abruption, Vaginal Bleed, Third Trimester (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/20/2007 by Michael Bond, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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Placental Abruption
Category: Pediatrics
Keywords: Sepsis, Shock, Tachycardia, Hypotension (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/19/2007 by Sean Fox, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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Pediatric Septic Shock
Goldstein B, Giroir B, Randolph A. International pediatric sepsis consensus conference: definitions for sepsis and organ dysfunction in pediatrics. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2005 Jan;6(1):2-8.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate, GHB, Liquid X, date rape, overdose (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/18/2007 by Fermin Barrueto
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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GHB
Category: Airway Management
Keywords: TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury, Head CT (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/18/2007 by Aisha Liferidge, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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According to ACEP's clinical policy, a non-contrast head CT is only indicated in mild traumatic brain injury under the following circumstances:
1) headache
2) vomiting
3) age over 60
4) drug or alcohol intoxication
5) short-term memory deficits
6) physical evidence of injury above the clavicle
7) seizure
Category: Infectious Disease
Keywords: MRSA, resistant bacteria, sepsis, antiobiotics, baltimore (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/17/2007 by Dan Lemkin, MS, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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A recent study came out which confirms what we already knew... that MRSA infections are no longer confined to ICUs but are spreading to the community. What the new study does show, is that it affects particular populations disproportionately and Baltimore City, more than any other study population. The full article is attached below, or can be obtained for free from the JAMA website.
"Unadjusted incidence rates of all types of invasive MRSA ranged between approximately 20 to 50 per 100 000 in most ABCs sites but were noticeably higher in 1 site (site 7, Baltimore City) (TABLE 2)." "... we calculated interval estimates excluding site 7 (Baltimore City) to allow the reader to interpret a range of estimates reflecting different metropolitan areas. Regarding the high observed incidence rates reported by site 7, we conducted an evaluation to determine whether these results were valid, including a review of casefinding methods, elimination of cases to include only those with zip codes represented in the denominator, contamination in any laboratory, and other potential causes for increased rates; however, none were in error." |
Category: Critical Care
Keywords: hyperammonemia, hepatic failure, cerebral edema (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/16/2007 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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Hyperammonemia in the Critically Ill
Clay AS, Hainline BE. Hyperammonemia in the ICU. Chest 2007;132:1368-1378.
Category: Vascular
Keywords: Hypertension (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/16/2007 by Rob Rogers, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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There is no good evidence for what type of workup an asymptomatic hypertensive patient should get in the ED. An ECG is likely to show LVH, a cxr will be normal in most cases, and many patients will have some degree of proteinuria.
So, what is a safe and reasonable strategy to workup these patients?
American College of Emergency Physicians 2006 Guidelines on the evaluation of asymptomatic HTN.
Category: Cardiology
Keywords: atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/14/2007 by Amal Mattu, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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New onset atrial fibrillation is rarely the sole manifestation of myocardial infarction. In other words, in the absence of accompanying chest pressure, dyspnea, diaphoresis, or other anginal equivalents, a rule-out ACS workup in not supported by the literature and is not cost-effective.
The two exceptions to the statement above are elderly and diabetic patients, in whom subtle presentations of ACS are common with or without atrial fibrillation.
Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: Salter Harris, Fracture, Strain, pediatric (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/13/2007 by Michael Bond, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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Pediatric Strain versus Fracture
Review of Salter Harris Fractures
Please click here for a pictorial of Salter Harris Fractures from FP Notebook.
Category: Pediatrics
Keywords: Foreign Body, Button Battery, Heliox, Respiratory Distress (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/12/2007 by Sean Fox, MD
(Updated: 2/13/2025)
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Foreign Bodies
• No object should be left in the esophagus for >24 hrs
• Unusual FB’s:
==> Very Sharp or pointed objects may perforate the GI tract and should be removed endoscopically.
==> Long objects (>6cm) or wide (>2cm) objects may not pass and should be remove endoscopically.
• Button Batteries
==> 9% of cases involve more than one battery (x-ray mouth to anus)
==> Hazards:
(1) Heavy metal leakage (Mercury) – low risk but real
(2) Electrical Discharge (Local tissue injury)
(3) Pressure Necrosis
(4) Leakage of Corrosives
==> 85% Pass without symptoms
(1) No intervention if pass the esophagus and pt is without symptoms
• Consider Heliox as a temporizing measure in children with respiratory distress, while awaiting endoscopy/bronchoscopy.