#EMconf: Can't Miss Ocular Pathology

Thu, 06/01/2017 - 6:03am

How comfortable are you with eye complaints? This week during conference we reviewed the approach to ocular complaints while emphasizing specific can't miss pathology. Keep reading for some high yield pearls.

Submitted by Andrew Nyce, MD

What's the Diagnosis? By Dr. Sarab Sodhi

Wed, 05/31/2017 - 7:00am

A 62 y.o. male sustains an out of hospital cardiac arrest with prolonged CPR and eventual ROSC. A CT scan of the brain is obtained. What's the diagnosis? (scroll down for answer)

Tue, 05/30/2017 - 9:29pm

You evaluate a patient complaining of acute onset of dyspnea with hypotension and hypoxia. You immediately consider the diagnosis of acute massive pulmonary embolism, but despite your best efforts can't get good cardiac windows on bedside ultrasound. Should you administer thrombolytics? Heparin? Send the shocky patient for a CT? Today Dr. Simpkins goes through the steps to perform 2-point compression ultrasound of the lower extremity to evaluate for DVT, an easy and rapid bedside test that may allow for indrect but more rapid diagnosis of acute, massive pulmonary embolism.

Submitted by Chad Simpkins, MD

Acute Triggers of Atrial Fibrillation

Mon, 05/29/2017 - 12:00am

It is understood that chronic conditions such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and valvular disease (just to name a few) are risk factors for the development of atrial fibrillation. However, in the ED it is important that we are aware of the acute triggers of atrial fibrillation, some of which are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Submitted by Blake Siglock, MD

EMDaily Board Review Question 12 with @CesarineMD

Sat, 05/27/2017 - 2:35pm

A 63 year old male presents to the ED with his wife after she noticed progressive change in behavior and yellowing of his skin over the last 2 days. The wife reports the patient has been havin abdominal pain.

Thu, 05/25/2017 - 6:33am

Looking for a quick review of side effects to frequently used antibiotics? This week, Dr. Sam Eldrich discussed potential complications from commonly used antibiotics used in the ED. So think twice before subscribing that antibiotic....

Submitted by Samuel Eldrich, MD