The American journal of emergency medicine
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Acute aortic dissection is a cardiovascular emergency with high mortality that necessitates prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment. Though asymmetric extremity pulses/blood pressures and mediastinal widening on chest roentgenogram are often clues to diagnosis, aortic regurgitation (AR) of variable degrees could be the only sign on initial assessment. Mostly resulting from dilated aortic ring with valvular insufficiency, the AR could be caused by different pathogenic mechanisms. Herein we report a case of Stanford type A aortic dissection presenting with acute pulmonary edema. Physical examination detected severe AR murmur and bedside echocardiogram confirmed prolapsed dissecting intima flap with interference of aortic valve closure as a specific mechanism. ⋯ Acute pulmonary edema resulting from severe AR is a specific presentation of aortic dissection. New-onset AR murmur, either caused by aortic ring dilatation or prolapsed intima flap interfering with aortic valve closure, may serve as a clue to timely correct diagnosis.
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A 57-year-old male former smoker presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with blurry vision, headache, and generalized weakness. He was hypoxic on room air and ECG showed sinus tachycardia. A CT pulmonary angiogram was ordered in the ED and revealed no pulmonary embolism but incidentally noted a likely significant stenosis in the proximal LAD. ⋯ Unlike coronary CTA, CTPA is performed with non-ECG gated helical scanning and generates motion artifacts associated with myocardial contraction. However, the timing of vascular contrast opacification during CTPA often allows for at least partial evaluation of the coronary arteries, especially ostial and proximal segments. Physicians ordering and evaluating noncardiac-focused CT chest studies, particularly in the ED, should remain cognizant of the radiographic appearance of underlying CAD, particularly life-threatening incidental coronary pathologies to allow for timely management and intervention.
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Review Meta Analysis
Ketamine versus ketamine pluses atropine for pediatric sedation: A meta-analysis.
The application of atropine for pediatric sedation in the emergency department remains controversial. Our objective was to perform a comprehensive review of the literature and assess the clinical indexes in groups with and without atropine use. ⋯ Based on the current evidence, the group receiving atropine had reduced hypersalivation and increased rash and tachycardia; no differences were observed in nausea, vomiting, desaturation, agitation and laryngospasm between the two groups. Given that some of the studies were of low quality, additional high-quality randomized controlled trials should be conducted to further verify these findings.
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Case Reports
Chemotherapy patient with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome presents to the Emergency Department: A case report.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is part of a continuum of severe mucocutaneous reactions, commonly thought to be triggered by certain medications. The syndrome itself is characterized by diffuse necrosis and detachment of the epidermis. ⋯ While Stevens-Johnson syndrome has been a rare toxicity, it is potentially fatal. The emergency physician should pay special attention cancer patients presenting with suspicious rashes and carefully review their medications.
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Acute renal infarction is a relatively rare and scarcely reported condition. Contrast enhanced CT scan is essential for diagnosing this condition. The most common etiology of this condition is cardioembolic, however up to 59% of cases could be classified as idiopathic acute renal infarction. ⋯ Work-up for common etiologies was negative and the renal infarction was presumed to be idiopathic. He was discharged home on Enoxaparin. In conclusion, acute renal infarction is a rare condition which should be suspected in patients presenting with acute flank/abdominal pain in whom the more common etiologies have been ruled out.