Emergency medicine clinics of North America
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To effectively treat an aging and increasingly complex patient population, emergency physicians and other acute-care providers must be comfortable with the use of vasopressors, inotropes, and chronotropes. These medicines are used to augment the cardiovascular function of critically ill patients. ⋯ For the emergency physician, these agents are used with the explicit goal of preserving vital organ perfusion during acute and severe illness. This article reviews the physiologic receptors targeted by such drugs, common agents used, and specific clinical indications for their use.
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · Nov 2014
ReviewEmergency Department Antimicrobial Considerations in Severe Sepsis.
Severe sepsis and septic shock are common problems in the emergency department patient population and require expert clinical skill by members of the emergency department team to maximize optimal patient outcomes. Although various guidelines have been developed for the management of these patients, issues around antimicrobial-related considerations in critically ill patients require further evidence-based attention. In this review article, important factors related to patient illness, microorganism, timing of antimicrobial administration, and source control are discussed.
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Neurotrauma continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Prevention of primary neurologic injury is a critical public health concern. ⋯ Critical care management of the patient with neurotrauma is focused on the prevention of secondary injuries. Much research is still needed for potential neuroprotection therapies.
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Critically ill patients with undifferentiated shock are complex and challenging cases in the ED. A systematic approach to assessment and management is essential to prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality. The simplified, systematic approach described in this article focuses on determining the presence of problems with cardiac function (the pump), intravascular volume (the tank), or systemic vascular resistance (the pipes). With this approach, the emergency physician can detect life-threatening conditions and implement time-sensitive therapy.
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Neurocritical care aims to improve outcomes in patients with life-threatening neurologic illness. The scope of neurocritical care extends beyond the more commonly encountered and important field of cerebrovascular disease, as described previously. This article focuses on neuromuscular, neuroinfectious, and neuroimmunologic conditions that are significant causes of morbidity and mortality in the acutely neurologically ill patient. As understanding continues to increase regarding the physiology of these conditions and the best treatment, rapid identification, triage, and treatment of these patients in the emergency department is paramount.