Cardiology

Critical Procedures: How to Create a Pericardiocentesis Model

Pericardiocentesis is a rarely performed, but potentially life-saving procedure. Commerical models are prohibitively expensive, but students and residents (and critical care fellows) still need to learn the mechanics, ideally with an ultrasound compatibile model. This week's post gives a step by step guide towards making a cheap, easy to fabricate phantom based on this fantastic paper published in the Journal of Emergency Medicne 2012: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21925818

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Critical Cases - Refractory SVT in the ED!

You are evaluating a patient with the sudden onset of palpitations. You note a regular, narrow complex tachycardia at a rate of 160 bpm and suspect a reentrant tachycardia. You think "adenosine" but secretly wonder if there is a better option, or what you'll do if this fails....

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Advanced Practice - Discharge Afib with RVR from your ED!

atrial fibrillation

Ever wonder if all of your patients presenting with recent onset (<48 hrs) atrial fibrillation and a rapid ventricular response really need to be admitted? Is there evidence of a safe and effective treat and street algorithm that EM physicians can employ? Read on for a review of the Ottawa Aggressive Protocol for rapid afib that enables discharge of 97% of patients!

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