Category: Critical Care
Posted: 7/22/2014 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD
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Predicting Neurologic Outcome in Patients Treated with TTM
Golan E, et al. Predicting neurologic outcome after targeted temperature management for cardiac arrest: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Care Med 2014; 42:1919-30.
Category: Visual Diagnosis
Posted: 7/21/2014 by Haney Mallemat, MD
(Updated: 7/22/2014)
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45 year-old right-hand dominant patient presents with right hand pain from a prior injury to hand. Patient has also been injecting subcutaneous heroin into hand for relief. What's the diagnosis?
Perilunate dislocation (volar displacement)...and severe hand cellulitis.
Perilunate and Lunate dislocations
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Category: Cardiology
Keywords: ARVD (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/20/2014 by Semhar Tewelde, MD
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ECG Risk Predication in ARVD
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is a genetically determined cardiomyopathy characterized by fibrofatty replacement of the right ventricle (RV) predisposing to ventricular arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death (SCD).
Twelve-lead electrocardiography (ECG) is an easily obtainable and noninvasive risk stratification tool for major adverse cardiac event (MACE); defined as a composite of cardiac death, heart transplantation, survived sudden cardiac death, ventricular fibrillation, sustained ventricular tachycardia, or arrhythmic syncope.
ARVD ECG findings that predict adverse outcome are not well known.
A multicenter, observational, long-term study, found ECG findings were quite useful for risk stratification of MACE, specifically:
- Repolarization criteria
- Inferior leads T wave inversions
- Precordial QRS amplitude ratio of ≤0.48
- QRS fragmentation
Saguner A, Ganahi S, et al. Usefulness of Electrocardiographic Parameters for Risk Prediction in Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. American Journal of Cardiology. May 15, 2014. Vol 113, Issue 10,1728-34.
Category: International EM
Keywords: Smallpox, public health, infectious diseases (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/19/2014 by Jon Mark Hirshon, PhD, MPH, MD
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· Smallpox (Variola):
o Only eradicated human infectious disease.
o Prior to the advent of vaccination, it killed an estimated 400,000 Europeans annually and was a major cause of blindness.
· Major potential as a bioterrorism agent:
o Now only supposed to exist in two laboratories in the world (at the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia and in the Vector Institute in Koltsovo, Russia).
· Recently, previously unknown vials of active virus from the 1950s were found in a NIH laboratory in Maryland.
· Clinical Presentation:
o Incubation is usually 10-12 days (range 7-17 days)
o Signs and symptoms include:
§ Febrile (38.8-40.0C) prodome lasting 1-4 days, headache, myalgia (esp. back/spinal pain), pharyngitis, chills, abdominal pain
§ Rash: classically round and well circumscribed. May be confluent or umbilicated. The rash evolves slowly: macules to papules to pustules to scabs.
· It is important to differentiate smallpox from chicken pox (Varicella):
o Smallpox: Significant prodrome. Centrifugal rash (trunk to extremities). Can involve soles and palms. Lesions are in the same stage of development on any one part of the body.
o Chickenpox: Minimal prodrome. Centripetal rash (extremities to trunk). Seldom on soles and palms. Asynchronus evolution of rash.
Bottom Line:
Smallpox is a global public health emergency and requires immediate reporting. If the clinical presentation is unclear, discuss with local infectious disease experts or public health officials.
Category: Pediatrics
Keywords: tympanostomy tubes, antibiotics, otorrhea (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/18/2014 by Jenny Guyther, MD
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Up to 26% of patients with tympanostomy tubes (PE tubes) can suffer from clinically manifested otorrhea. This is thought to be the result of acute otitis media that is draining through the tube. Previous small studies suggested that antibiotic ear drops are as effective or more effective and with less side effects for its treatment. This study compared treatment with antibiotic/glucocorticoid ear drops (hydrocortisone-bacitracin-
Study population: Children 1-10 years with otorrhea for up to 7 days in the Netherlands
Exclusion criteria included: T > 38.5 C, antibiotics in previous 2 weeks, PE tubes placed within 2 weeks, previous otorrhea in past 4 weeks, 3 or more episodes of otorrhea in past 6 months
Patient recruitment: ENT and PMD approached pt with PE tubes and they were told to call if otorrhea developed and a home visit would be arranged
Study type: open-label, pragmatic, randomized control trial
Primary outcome: Treatment failure defined as the presence of otorrhea observed otoscopically
Secondary outcome: based on parental diaries of symptoms, resolution and recurrence over 6 months
Results: After 2 weeks, only 5% of the ear drop group compared to 44% of the oral antibiotic group and 55% of the observation group still had otorrhea. There was not a significant difference between those treated with oral antibiotics and those that were observed. Otorrhea
lasted 4 days in the ear drop group compared to 5 days with oral antibiotics and 12 days with observation (all statistically significant).
Key differences: The antibiotic dosing and choice of ear drops are based on availability and local organism susceptibility.
Bottom line: For otorrhea in the presence of PE tubes, ear drops (with a non-aminoglycoside antibiotic and a steroid) may be more beneficial than oral antibiotics or observation.
van Dongen TM, van der Heijden GJ, Venekamp RP, Rovers MM, Schilder AG. A trial of treatment for acute otorrhea in children with tympanostomy tubes. N Engl J Med 2014; 370:723-33.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Metformin, lactic acidosis (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/17/2014 by Hong Kim, MD
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Metformin is the first line medication for the treatment of type II diabetes. A rare complication of chronic metformin use is MALA.
The association between metformin accumulation and development of lactic acidosis is controversial as patients with suspected MALA experience concurrent illnesses such as sepsis/septic shock, tissue hypoxia, and/or organ dysfunction (especially renal failure).
Category: Critical Care
Posted: 7/14/2014 by John Greenwood, MD
(Updated: 7/15/2014)
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Patient Positioning During Mechanical Ventilation
In any patient with acute respiratory failure, it is extremely important to consider patient positioning after initiating mechanical ventilation. Both ventilation (V) and perfusion (Q) of the lungs can be significantly altered by manipulating the way you position your patient.
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Category: Visual Diagnosis
Posted: 7/14/2014 by Haney Mallemat, MD
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30 year-old presents with cough & fever. CXR shows mild right lower lobe pneumonia. The lung ultrasound of the right lower lobe is shown below. What's the diagnosis?
Answer: Pulmonary abscess
Bottom-line: Not only is ultrasound faster than a CXR in diagnosing pneumonia, unexpected diagnoses may be found that change management
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Category: Cardiology
Keywords: Ventricular Arrhythmias, Myocardial Infarction (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/13/2014 by Semhar Tewelde, MD
(Updated: 11/14/2024)
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Ventricular Arrhythmias Associated with Myocardial Infarction
Therapeutic advances and management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has lead to a decreasing incidence of ventricular arrhythmias (VA)
VA remains a life-threatening occurrence after AMI, and all patients should be monitored closely during this vulnerable period
VA occurs more frequently inpatients with STEMI versus non-STEMI
Of those who develop VA’s, features associated with poor outcomes include:
· Late occurrence
· Sustained monomorphic VT
· Concurrent heart failure
· Cardiogenic shock
· Failure or lack of revascularization
Liang J, Prasad A, et al. Temporal Evolution and Implications of Ventricular Arrhythmias Associated With Acute Myocardial Infarction. Cardiology in Review: 21 (6) Nov/Dec 2013.
Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: cervical spine injuries, football (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/12/2014 by Brian Corwell, MD
(Updated: 11/14/2024)
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Football helmets
A review of head and neck injuries from football from 1959 to 1963 found the rates of intracranial hemorrhage /intracranial death were 2-3X higher than the rates of cervical spine fracture/dislocation or cervical quadriplegia. In contrast, a study of football injuries from 1971 to 1975, revealed a dramatic reversal in rates. Cervical injuries now exceeded the rate of ICH by 2-4X.
A 66% reduction in ICH
A 42% reduction in craniocerebral deaths
A 204% increase in cervical spine fractures and dislocations
The shift was attributed to the modern football helmet, whose superior protection promoted “spearing” (headfirst tackling technique). Spearing involves hitting with the crown of the helmet leading to axial loading of the spine. Spearing accounted for 52% of the quadriplegia injuries from 1971 to 1975. Research by Joesph Torg, M.D., resulted in rule changes that led to an immediate 50% reduction in quadriplegia in NCAA football.
As a parent, coach or team physician, teach and enforce proper form and protect our young athletes.
Category: Pediatrics
Posted: 7/11/2014 by Rose Chasm, MD
(Updated: 11/14/2024)
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Wolfe TR, Braude DA. Intranasal Medication Delivery for Children: A Review and Update. Pediatrics. 2010;126:532-7.
Mudd S. Intranasal fentanyl for pain management in children: a systematic review of the literature. J PediatrHealth Care 2011;25:316-22.
Chiaretti A, Barone G, Rigante D, et al. Intranasal lidocaine and midazolam for procedural sedation in children. Arch Dis Child 2011;96:160-3.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: poisoning, overdose, pediatric, ICU (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/8/2014 by Bryan Hayes, PharmD
(Updated: 7/10/2014)
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In a single academic medical center, 273 poisonings required Pediatric ICU (PICU) admission over a 5-year period. This represented 8% of total PICU admissions during that time. Key findings include:
The majority of poisonings were non-fatal and required supportive care, close monitoring, and some specific treatment. Drug classes causing poisonings have changed to a higher percentage of opioids in younger patients and atypical antidepressants in adolescents.
Even KM, et al. Poisonings requiring admission to the pediatric intensive care unit: A 5-year review. Clin Toxicol 2014;52(5):519-24. [PMID 24738737]
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Category: Neurology
Keywords: Stroke, Score, MRI (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/9/2014 by Danya Khoujah, MBBS
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In patients presenting to the ER with a TIA (transient ischemic attack), the classic teaching has been to calculate their ABCD2 score (age, blood pressure, clinical features, duration of episode and diabetes) to determine their risk of developing a stroke.
The problem is, a moderate-to-high ABCD2 score is sensitive (86%) but not specific (35%) for a stroke in 7 days.
The solution: Combining imaging data with the scoring system!
The presence of an acute infarct on a diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) in a patient with an ABCD2 score of 4 or more carries the highest risk of stroke, at 14.9% at 7 days. On the other hand, a negative DWI predicts a 0-2% stroke risk at 7 days irrelevant of the ABCD2 score.
Panagos P D. Transiet Ischemic Attacks (TIA): the initial diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. AJEM (2012) 30: 794-799
Category: Critical Care
Posted: 7/8/2014 by Haney Mallemat, MD
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Editors note: The new Back 2 Basic series will review essential critical care concepts on the first Tuesday of each month. Want a specific topic reviewed? Contact us by email or Twitter.
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Category: Visual Diagnosis
Posted: 7/6/2014 by Haney Mallemat, MD
(Updated: 7/7/2014)
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10 year-old male complains of fever and rash (shown below); no other complaints. He went camping 10-days ago. What’s the diagnosis...and what medication(s) should he receive?
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF)
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Category: Cardiology
Keywords: Magnesium, cardiovascular disease, arrhythmia (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/6/2014 by Semhar Tewelde, MD
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Role of Magnesium in Cardiovascular Disease
* Magnesium (Mg2+) is an essential element that is obtained via dietary intake of leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts/seeds, and whole grains; it is relatively deficient in the American diet.
* Mg2+ is critical for the normal physiological functioning of the vascular smooth muscle, endothelial cells, and myocardium. Several epidemiological and clinical studies have linked Mg2+ in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disorders (CVD).
* Mg2+ is well known for its antiarrhythmic properties via modulation of myocardial excitability and in the pathogenesis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias (polymorphic ventricular tachycardia/torsades de pointes & digoxin toxicity).
* Mg2+ supplementation has also been shown to cause significant decrease in ventricular ectopic beats and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in NYHA class II–IV heart failure patients.
* A recent meta-analysis by Qu et al examined the association between dietary Mg2+ intake, serum Mg2+ levels, and the risk of total CVD events; the greatest reduction in CVD events was observed for intake between 150-400 mg/d.
* Given the magnitude of CVD and Mg2+-deficient diet in the US, there is a critical need to further investigate the interrelationship between Mg2+ and CVD events. Additionally increasing Mg2+ intake in the diet to maintain high normal serum Mg2+ level is both physiologic and judicious.
Dhaval K, Krishnaswami V, et al. Role of Magnesium in Cardiovascular Diseases. Cardiology in Review. Vol22 (4) pgs. 153-192 July/August 2014
Category: Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Keywords: clindamycin, MRSA, SSTI (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/1/2014 by Bryan Hayes, PharmD
(Updated: 7/5/2014)
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Clindamycin used to be a first-line agent for many SSTIs, particularly where MRSA was suspected. With growing resistance to staph species, the 2014 IDSA Guidelines recommend clindamycin as an option only in the following situations:
* Clindamycin may be used if clindamycin resistance is <10-15% at the institution.
Stevens DL, et al. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissue infections: 2014 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis 2014;59(2):e10-52. [PMID 24947530]
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Category: International EM
Keywords: Geriatric, Global, Emergency Care (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/3/2014 by Jon Mark Hirshon, PhD, MPH, MD
(Updated: 11/14/2024)
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Background:
Relevance to the EM Physician:
Bottom Line:
University of Maryland Section of Global Emergency Health Author: Terrence Mulligan DO, MPH
Samaras N, Chevalley T, Samaras D, et al. “Older Patients in the Emergency Department: A Review” Annals of EM Vol 56:3, Sept 2010, p 261-269.
WHO Global Burden of Disease. 2010. www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/GBD_report_2010update_full.pdf
United Nations. “World Population Ageing 1950-2050” 2011. www.esa.un.org/wpp/
Category: Critical Care
Keywords: blood, anemia, infection, blood transfusions (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/1/2014 by Feras Khan, MD
(Updated: 11/14/2024)
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Risk of infection from Blood transfusions
JAMA Meta-Analysis
What they found
Bottom Line
Rohde J, et al. Health Care Associated Infection after Red Blood Cell Transfusion. A systematic Review adn Meta-Analysis. JAMA 2014; 311(13): 1317-1326.
Category: Visual Diagnosis
Posted: 6/30/2014 by Haney Mallemat, MD
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49 year-old female on trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole presents with a rash & lesions on her oral mucus membranes. What's the diagnosis?
Answer: Steven-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)
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