Category: Critical Care
Posted: 8/7/2012 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD
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Lung Protective Ventilator Settings Still Underutilized
Needham DM, et al. Lung protective mechanical ventilation and two-year survival in patients with acute lung injury: A prospective cohort study. BMJ 2012;344:e2124.
Category: Visual Diagnosis
Posted: 8/5/2012 by Haney Mallemat, MD
(Updated: 8/6/2012)
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Answer: Mandibular dislocation...and the Gromis method?
• The Gromis method (a.k.a. the "Masseteric Massage" technique) is an alternative method for reducing mandibular dislocations.
• Firm, direct, and constant pressure is applied bilaterally to the masseter muscles, which relaxes the muscles (i.e., reduces spasm) and allows mandibular reduction with less traction than traditional reduction techniques and with no procedural sedation.
• Rob Orman (@emergencypdx) posts a video of Dr. Daniel Gromis demonstrating the technique: http://vimeo.com/46453741
• Finally, UMEM pearl regulars may recognize this Xray from a post last year where we described another alternative method to reduce mandibular dislocations. Here it is again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp8AzHIC0hM
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Category: Cardiology
Keywords: takotsubo cardiomyopathy, stress cardiomyopathy, broken-heart syndrome (PubMed Search)
Posted: 8/5/2012 by Semhar Tewelde, MD
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Takotsubo cardiomyopathy a.k.a. stress cardiomyopathy is an acute reversible disorder characterized by left ventricular (LV) dysfunction most commonly affecting postmenopausal women
The LV adopts the shape of an octopus trap (“takotsubo”) describing the narrow neck and broad base globular form during systole
Symptoms include precordial chest pain, dyspnea, or heart failure presenting with pulmonary edema mimicking ACS
Mayo Clinic Diagnostic Criteria
- Suspicion of AMI based on symptoms and STEMI on ECG
- Transient hypokinesia or akinesia of the middle and apical regions of LV
- Functional hyperkinesia of the basal region of LV
- Normal coronary arteries (luminal narrowing <50%)
- Absence of recent head injury, ICH, HCOM, myocarditis, or pheochromocytoma
Treatment is symptomatic and determined based on complications during the acute phase; occasionally requiring IABP or ECMO
Prognosis is better than those with ACS, however initial LVEF is similar to those seen with ischemic heart disease
Castillo Rivera AM, Ruiz-Bailen M, Rucabado Aguilar L. Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy – a clinical review. Medical Science Monitor. 17 (6): RA 135-47, 2011 Jun.
Category: Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Keywords: vasopressor, cardiac arrest, epinephrine, vasopression (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/30/2012 by Bryan Hayes, PharmD
(Updated: 8/4/2012)
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A recent paper reviewed 53 articles to assess the utility of vasopressors in cardiac arrest. The authors aimed to determine if vasopressors improved ouctomes in this patient population. Here are their conclusions:
Although these conclusions don't support the use of vasopressors in cardiac arrest, we should not abandon these therapies. Most of the trials were completed before wide-spread recognition of the post-cardiac arrest syndrome, implementation of therapeutic hypothermia protocols, and early cardiac catheterization.
Larabee TM, Liu KY, Campbell JA, et al. Vasopressors in cardiac arrest: a systematic review. Resuscitation. 2012;83(8):932-9.
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Category: Pediatrics
Posted: 8/3/2012 by Lauren Rice, MD
(Updated: 11/24/2024)
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Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (aka. Anaphylactoid purpura) is a small vessel vasculitis.
Background:
Clinical Features:
Etiology:
Diagnosis:
Treatment:
Category: Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Keywords: Uti,bactrim,smx/tmp,ciprofloxacin,levofloxacin (PubMed Search)
Posted: 8/2/2012 by Ellen Lemkin, MD, PharmD
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Acute, uncomplicated cystitis (in the non-pregnant female):
· The drug of choice is SMX/TMP (provided the resistance rate is <20%) X 3 days.
· An alternative is nitrofurantoin X 5 days.
Acute, uncomplicated pyleonephritis (in the non-pregnanct female) may be treated with:
· Levofloxacin X 5 days, or ciprofloxacin X 7 days (provided resistance rate is <10%).
· Alternatively, SMX/TMP may be used X 14 days.
The Medical Letter. July 23, 2012. Vol 54(1395):57-60.
Category: Critical Care
Posted: 7/31/2012 by Haney Mallemat, MD
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Crystalloids (i.e., 0.9% saline and lactated ringers) have been used during resuscitation for more than a century. Their invention, however, was more accidental than intentional.
Crystalloids were first used during the European Cholera epidemic of 1831. Hartog Hamburger later modified this solution in 1896 to the solution we know today as "normal" saline. Hamburger's solution was only intended for in vitro study of RBC lysis and was never intended for clinical use.
Around this time, Sydney Ringer was testing several fluids to use for physiologic studies. Ringer's lab assistant was erroneously substituting tap water for distilled water when preparing these solutions. Ringer later discovered that this tap water contained minerals making the solution "physiologic", isotonic, and safe for human use; Alexis Hartmann later added sodium lactate to create Ringer's Lactate.
Since the invention of crystalloids, many types of resuscitation fluids have been created and studied (i.e., albumins, gelatins, and starches); all have been shown to be more expensive, with no more benefit, and with possibly more harm when compared to crystalloids.
The "perfect" resuscitation fluid still alludes us today, but of all of the solutions marketed crystalloids are arguably the best...despite their accidental history.
Awad, S. et al. The history of 0.9% saline. Clinical Nutrition 2008 Apr;27(2):179-88.
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Category: Visual Diagnosis
Posted: 7/30/2012 by Haney Mallemat, MD
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25 year-old male was struck by a car while crossing the street. Chest X-ray and CT Chest with 3D reconstruction are shown below. What's the diagnosis?
Answer: Aortic dissection / transection
Blunt Aortic Injury
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Category: Cardiology
Keywords: yamaguchi cardiomyopathy, apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/29/2012 by Semhar Tewelde, MD
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Yamaguchi Cardiomyopathy
Yamaguchi cardiomyopathy a.k.a. apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHCM) was first described 1976 in Japanese patients.
AHCM is a variant of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that is nonobstructive with predominant involvement of the apex of the heart.
AHCM is frequently misdiagnosed as ACS or STEMI since the typical ECG abnormalities include giant inverted T waves or ST elevation in the mid precordial leads, however coronaries are characteristically clean on cardiac catheterization.
Echocardiography classically used to diagnosis HCM may frequently miss AHCM because hypertrophy is only localized to the apex.
Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging or angiography reveals the pathognomonic "ace of spades" configuration of the left ventricle with systolic obliteration of the apical region.
Unlike HCM sudden cardiac death is very uncommon.
Olearczyk B, Gollol-Raju N, Menzies D. Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Mimicking Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Angiology Vol 59; No. 5. Oct/Nov 2008 629-631.
Category: Misc
Keywords: Travel, jet lag, circadian (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/28/2012 by Brian Corwell, MD
(Updated: 11/24/2024)
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Travel across time zones is regularly required of profession and collegiate athletes (in addition to the some of us professionally)
Jet lag is defined as insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness/malaise following travel across at least 2 time zones
Symptoms usually persist 1 day for each time zone crossed
The sleep schedule is primarily modulated by light and melatonin
Secretion of melatonin helps induce sleep
Exposure to light stimulates arousal and inhibits melatonin secretion
Who is at risk?
Those with more rigid sleep habits have more symptoms
“Morning” people have less difficulty flying eastward
“Evening” people have less difficulty flying west
However, overall, eastward travel causes the most severe symptoms which persist for up to 7 days (versus <3 days with westward travel)
(The length of the day gets shortened and the circadian system must shorten to reestablish a normal rhythm. The human body demonstrates a natural tendency toward periods longer than 24 hours)
Those with higher levels of physical fitness adjust more quickly
Effects similar in men and women
Midday arrivals experience fewer symptoms than morning arrivals
Symptoms are less in those who have traveled the journey previously
Symptoms are less in those who had a shorter interval their last full nocturnal sleep in the departure city and their first full nocturnal sleep in the destination city
Category: Pediatrics
Keywords: hemolysis, bilirubin, kernicterus, jaundice (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/27/2012 by Mimi Lu, MD
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Bonus pearl: Types of Jaundice by Age
- < 24 hrs: hemolyis, TORCH, bruising from birth trauma (ie- cephalohematoma), acquired infection
- Day 2-3: Physiologic
- Day 3-7: infection, congenital diseases, TORCH
- >1 week: Breast Milk Jaundice, breast feeding jaundice, drug hemolysis, hypothyroidism, biliary atresia, hepatitis, red cell membrane disorders (SS, HS, G6PD deficiency)
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: CIWA, alcohol, withdrawal (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/26/2012 by Fermin Barrueto
(Updated: 11/24/2024)
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CIWA-Ar (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale, Revised)
The use of a scoring system for the disposition of an ethanol withdrawal patient can be helpful. The CIWA-Ar Score can guide both treatment in the ED as well as admission versus discharge. Most studies have verified that a score of <8 can be treated outpatient; 8-15 requires treatment and >15 wil require admission/IV benzodiazepines.
N/V: 0-7 (None to Constant N/V)
Tremor: 0-7 (None to Severe even with arms not extended)
Sweats: 0-7 (None to Drenching Sweats)
Anxiety: 0-7 (None to panic attack/delirium)
Agitation: 0-7 (None to pacing/thrashing during interview)
Tactile Disturbance: 0-7 (Mild itching to Continuous Hallucinations)
Auditory Disturbances: 0-7 (None to Continuous Hallucinations)
Visual Disturbances: 0-7 (None to Continuous Hallucinations)
Headache: 1-7 (Miild to Extremely Severe)
Orientation: 0-4
Go to this website to see the actual tool and how it should be administered:
http://www.regionstrauma.org/blogs/ciwa.pdf
Category: Critical Care
Posted: 7/24/2012 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD
(Updated: 11/24/2024)
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Steroids and Septic Shock
Sherwin RL, Garcia AJ, Bilkovski R. Do low-dose corticosteroids improve mortality or shock reversal in patients with septic shock? A systematic review and position statement prepared for the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. JEM 2012;43:7-12.
Category: Visual Diagnosis
Posted: 7/23/2012 by Haney Mallemat, MD
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Find four abnormalities in the chest Xray below.
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Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: Humerus Fractures (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/21/2012 by Michael Bond, MD
(Updated: 8/28/2014)
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Humerus Fractures, Proximal
Category: Pediatrics
Keywords: leukemia, back pain, cancer (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/29/2012 by Mimi Lu, MD
(Updated: 7/20/2012)
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Category: Critical Care
Posted: 7/17/2012 by Haney Mallemat, MD
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Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a neurologic disorder secondary to prolonged thiamine deficiency; it is characterized by confusion, ataxia, and ocular abnormalities.
Traditional medical teaching advises against the administration of glucose (or glucose containing fluid) in thiamine deficient patients, without first giving thiamine, as this may precipitate WE.
This teaching is problematic, however, in hypoglycemic patients who require the immediate administration of glucose while simultaneously being suspected of thiamine deficiency (e.g., malnourished alcoholics). Delays in treating hypoglycemia may be more harmful (e.g., seizures, permanent neurologic deficits, etc.) than the risk of WE.
Schabelman et. al performed a literature search to unearth the origins of this teaching. Nineteen papers related to this topic were found consisting of case reports, animal studies, and expert opinion; there were no randomized trials, cohort studies, or case-control studies.
Bottom-line: The available evidence does not support withholding glucose treatment until thiamine can be administered and educators should consider abolishing this dogmatic teaching until better evidence is available.
Schabelman, et al. Glucose before thiamine for Wernicke encephalopathy: a literature review. J Emerg Med. 2012 Apr; 42(4): 488-94
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Category: Visual Diagnosis
Posted: 7/15/2012 by Haney Mallemat, MD
(Updated: 7/16/2012)
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23 year-old female presents complaining of progressive right lower quadrant pain after doing "vigorous" pushups. CT abdomen/pelvis below. What’s the diagnosis? (Hint: it’s not appendicitis)
Answer: Rectus Sheath Hematoma
Rectus Sheath Hematoma (RSH)
Rectus muscle tear causing damage to the superior or inferior epigastric arteries with subsequent bleeding into the rectus sheath; uncommon cause of abdominal pain but mimics almost any abdominal condition.
May occur spontaneously, but suspect with these risk factors:
Typically a self-limiting condition, but hypovolemic shock may result from significant hematoma expansion.
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Category: Cardiology
Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, a fib (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/15/2012 by Semhar Tewelde, MD
(Updated: 11/24/2024)
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Atrial fibrillation is most commonly associated with cardiovascular disease
Non cardiac causes: pulmonary disease/PE, hyperthyroidism, sympathomimetics, drugs/ETOH
AFFIRM & RACE trials compared outcomes of a fib patients treated w/ rate vs. rhythm control
- No significant difference in survival between groups
Risk of thromboembolic CVA
- Rhythm control = Rate control + anticoagulation
New data challenges the need for strict heart rate control
- Resting heart rate should be <110 bpm
Use CHADS2 score to identify who requires anticoagulation based on %risk of emboli
- Chronic heart failure, HTN, Age>75, DM, Stroke/TIA
Atrial Fibrillation. Bontempo L, Goralnick E. Emerg Med Clin N Am 29 (2011)747-758.
Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: Ulnar nerve, compression, neuropathy, wrist (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/14/2012 by Brian Corwell, MD
(Updated: 11/24/2024)
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The median nerve is not the only compression neuropathy of the wrist
The ulnar nerve can become compressed at the level of the wrist as it 1) enters Guyon's canal or 2) or as the deep branch curves around the hook of the hamate
Compression can occur due to carpal bone fractures, local inflammation, ganglias, lipomas, anatomic abnormalities, etc
In sports medicine, the most common mechanism is injury is seen in cyclists (cyclist/handlebar palsy)
http://www.hughston.com/hha/b_15_3_2a.jpg
Also seen in those who participate in racquet sports, baseball, and golf
Symptoms can be isolated motor (claw hand = rare), sensory or both
http://en.academic.ru/pictures/enwiki/85/Ulnar_claw.jpg
Can be associated w/ median nerve compression
Tx: Activity modification such as wearing padded gloves, padding the object, or changing hand position on the handlebars
If above fails, surgical decompression is very effective.