Emergency medicine clinics of North America
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · May 2012
ReviewAcute aortic dissection in the emergency department: diagnostic challenges and evidence-based management.
Acute aortic dissection in the emergency department (ED) remains one of the riskiest clinical and medicolegal challenges facing ED physicians. The variability in clinical presentations and mimics, the unreliability of clinical assessments and initial screening tools, and the need for advanced imaging all present obstacles in making an accurate and timely diagnosis for this entity. This article reviews available information and evidence regarding pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical variations in presentation, the usefulness of different diagnostic testing modalities, and management options in the ED when considering this diagnosis. Key recommendations from recent guidelines are reviewed in the context of ED practice.
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Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains one of the most challenging medical diseases in the emergency department. PE is a potentially life threatening diagnosis that is seen in patients with chest pain and/or dyspnea but can span the clinical spectrum of medical presentations. ⋯ This article offers a review of PE in the emergency department. It emphasizes the appropriate determination of pretest probability, the approach to diagnosis and management, and special considerations related to pregnancy and radiation exposure.
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · May 2012
Evaluation and management of seasonal influenza in the emergency department.
Seasonal influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality, primarily due to increased complication rates among the elderly population and patients with chronic diseases. Timely diagnosis of influenza and early recognition of an influenza outbreak or epidemic are key components in preventing influenza-related complications, hospitalizations, and deaths. Emergency departments are the most frequent points of entry for most influenza cases and are well positioned to identify and manage influenza community outbreaks and epidemics. Emergency departments need specific infection control measures to curb the spread of influenza in the Emergency Department and hospital during the influenza season.
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Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease that is commonly seen in the emergency department (ED). This article provides an evidence-based review of diagnosis and management of asthma. Early recognition of asthma exacerbations and initiation of treatment are essential. ⋯ Treatment involves bronchodilators and corticosteroids. Other treatment modalities including magnesium, heliox, and noninvasive ventilator support are discussed. Safe disposition from the ED can be considered after stabilization of the exacerbation, response to treatment and attaining peak flow measures.