Category: Neurology
Keywords: chiari malformation, cerebellum, vertigo, congenital abnormalities (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/5/2008 by Aisha Liferidge, MD
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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- vertigo
- headache
- muscle weakness
- coordination abnormalities
- gait abnormalities
- visual abnormalities
Category: Vascular
Keywords: PERC Rules (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/4/2008 by Rob Rogers, MD
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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Category: Critical Care
Keywords: auto-peep, mechanical ventilation (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/4/2008 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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Auto-PEEP in the non-COPD patient
Mughal MM, Minai OA, Culver DA, et al. Auto-positive end-expiratory pressure: mechanisms and treatment. Clev Clin J Med 2005;72:801-9.
Category: Cardiology
Keywords: coronary heart disease, cardiac disease, risk factors (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/2/2008 by Amal Mattu, MD
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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The classic risk factors for coronary artery disease (e.g. hypertension, diabetes, smoking, etc.) are helpful at predicting the long-term risk of CAD, but they have limited utility at predicting whether a patient with acute symptoms is having an acute coronary syndrome or not. In one recent study of > 800 patients with suspected cardiac chest pain, 12% of patients with NO cardiac risk factors ruled-in for acute MI.
Never rule out ACS in a patient purely based on the absence of traditional cardiac risk factors!
[Body R, McDowell G, Carley S, et al. Do risk factors for chronic coronary heart disease help diagnose acute myocardial infarction in the Emergency Department? Resuscitation 2008;79:41-45.]
Category: Misc
Keywords: high altitude illness (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/1/2008 by Michael Bond, MD
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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High altitude illnesses is typically called Acute mountain sickness (AMS) and is associated with two major complications high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE).
Symptoms associated with AMS are headache, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, anorexia and insomia. Cough, Cyanosis, hypoxia, and dyspnea are associated with HAPE. HACE is associated with progressive neurologic symptoms and can lead to ataxia and coma.
Factors that increase your risk for altitude illnesses are:
Category: Pediatrics
Keywords: bacterial conjunctivitis (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/31/2008 by Don Van Wie, DO
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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How do we know if we really need to put all those red eyes sent in from daycare centers and schools on antibiotics? The following study shows us why.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis in Children
Patel, P.Clinical Features of Bacterial Conjunctivitis in
Children. Academic Emergency Medicine 2007; 14:1–5a 2007
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: siadh, mdma, ecstasy (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/30/2008 by Fermin Barrueto
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or "Ecstasy"
A designer club drug that has been classified as a "hallucinogenic" amphetamine though it does not cause visual hallucinations like are reported with LSD. It has many of the sympathomimetic effects like other amphetamines but its main mechanism of action which both causes the euphoria and toxicity is serotonin agonism. Since Anti-diuretic hormone is released by the hypothalamus under the direct regulation of serotonin, there is a transient but dangerous episode of Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH (SIADH). Combined with the club culture and fear of dehydration while taking MDMA, patients ingest MDMA concomitantly with free water through the night further exacerbating the hyponatremia. The time sequence of events for these patient is (women appear genetically predisposed to this phenomena):
Treatment: Fluid restriction - this is the one time that the 1L NS Bolus can kill a patient with cerebral edema. If you must give fluid give 3% NaCl if there is symptomatic hyponatremia. Remember the patient has dropped their sodium in about 24 hours so you can replenish in about the same time quite safely and even faster in severe cases. Treated correctly, patients improve rapidly - within 24-48 hours. Read a great case report in the reference below.
Traub SJ, Hoffman RS, Nelson LS. The "ecstasy" hangover: hyponatremia due to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. J Urban Health. 2002 Dec;79(4):549-55.
Category: Neurology
Keywords: NIHSS, stroke scales, motor function, visual fields, language, gaze (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/29/2008 by Aisha Liferidge, MD
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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-- motor function (right leg)
-- motor function (left leg)
-- gaze
-- visual fields
-- language
Category: Critical Care
Keywords: PEEP, mechanical ventilation, ARDS (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/28/2008 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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Ventilator Therapy for ED Patients with ARDS
Category: Vascular
Keywords: Warfarin (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/27/2008 by Rob Rogers, MD
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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Reversal of Warfarin
Reversal of Warfarin can be accomplished by administering any of the following:
A few pearls:
Category: Cardiology
Keywords: syncope, seizure (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/27/2008 by Amal Mattu, MD
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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Syncope patients are often misdiagnosed as having a seizure. Some factors favoring true syncope:
1. Preceding nausea or diaphoreses
2. Oriented (not confused) upon waking (no post-ictal period).
3. Age > 45
4. Prolonged sitting or standing before episode
5. History of CHF or CAD
Factors favoring seizures:
1. History of seizure disorder
2. Tongue biting
3. Confusion upon waking
4. Loss of consciousness > 5 min
5. Age < 45
6. Preceding aura
7. Observed unusual posturing, jerking, or head turning during episode
Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: felon, management, incision (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/24/2008 by Michael Bond, MD
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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Management of Felons
For good photos of the incision technique please visit the reference article listed.
Clark, DC. Common Acute Hand Infections. Am Fam Physician 2003;68:2167-76
Category: Pediatrics
Keywords: Erythema Infectiosum,parvovirus B-19 (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/24/2008 by Don Van Wie, DO
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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With the cooler weather on us all our favorite viral infections will start to appear. Included in this is the "slapped - cheek disease" Erythema infectiosum.
Erythema Infectiosum
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: anticholinergic, olanzapineA (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/24/2008 by Fermin Barrueto
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
This is an atypical antipsychotic that gained popularity because it caused less sedation and fewer extrapyramidal effects. However, there are many other adverse effects that need to be emphasized. Some of these may contribute to a patient's condition in the ED:
Category: Neurology
Keywords: migraine, anitemetic, Reglan, metoclopramide, prochlorperazine, Compazine, diphenhydramine (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/22/2008 by Aisha Liferidge, MD
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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Category: Critical Care
Keywords: influenza, zanamivir, oseltamivir (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/21/2008 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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Influenza and the Critically Ill
Beigel JH. Influenza. Crit Care Med 2008;36:2660-6.
Category: Vascular
Keywords: HeparinPro (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/20/2008 by Rob Rogers, MD
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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Anticoagulation with Heparin-How to Reverse?
So you just started Heparin on that ACS patient? Just bolused the patient in room 12 with the large PE with a slug of Heparin? The nurse tells you that one of them just vomited blood and the other just had a large bloody bowel movement. What to do, oh, what to do?
How to reverse Heparin...use Protamine:
Category: Cardiology
Posted: 10/19/2008 by Amal Mattu, MD
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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Amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism is well-reported and should be considered anytime a patient that chronically takes amiodarone presents with hypothyroid symptoms, including decompensated CHF, decreased mental status, or myxedema coma (e.g. bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia).
Other drugs that have been implicated in producing hypothyroidism include lithium, iodine, iodinated contrast, and sulfonamides.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: bisphenol A, diabetes (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/16/2008 by Fermin Barrueto
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
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Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in epoxy resins that line common food and beverage materials. There has been concern that this compound, like phthalates, may be causing harm through chronic low exposure. An epidemiologic study was performed and published in JAMA that has raised this question. Amazingly, the study did find that:
Lange et al. JAMA 2008; 300(11): 1303-1310.
Category: Neurology
Keywords: Tourette Syndrome, vocal tics, motor tics (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/15/2008 by Aisha Liferidge, MD
(Updated: 11/26/2024)
Click here to contact Aisha Liferidge, MD
-- Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an inherited neurological disorder characterized by repetitive involuntary movements and uncontrollable vocal sounds called tics.
-- Underlying defect is unknown; however, research suggests that it could be caused by abnormalities in serotonin and dopamine activity within the basal ganglia.
-- Associated behavioral problems include OCD, ADHD, anxiety, and depression.
Diagnostic criteria: