J Emerg Med
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Brain noncontrast computed tomography (CT), CT angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging have been used clinically for decades, and emergency physicians have a good understanding of their indications, the meaning of their results, and some facility with the interpretation of CT. However, brain CT perfusion (CTP) is relatively new and emergency physicians are less familiar with its basic concepts, indications, and role in managing patients with neurological emergencies. ⋯ Taking care of patients with large-vessel occlusions is multidisciplinary, and emergency physicians need to understand CTP imaging and its clinical utility.
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Incidence of delayed intracranial hemorrhage (DICH) in patients on warfarin has been controversial. No previous literature has reported the utility of international normalized ratio (INR) in predicting traumatic DICH. ⋯ No patient with INR < 2 suffered DICH, suggesting that warfarin users presenting with INR < 2 may be managed without repeat HCT. For INR > 2, patients age and injury severity can be used for shared decision-making to discharge home with standard head injury precautions and no repeat HCT.
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Case Reports
High-Dose Insulin for Toxin Induced Cardiogenic Shock: Experience at a New High and Overview of the Evidence.
High-dose insulin therapy is an effective treatment for cardiogenic shock caused by the overdose of particular medications. Other treatment options are usually of limited benefit. Consensus suggests that early initiation improves efficacy. No ceiling effect has been established at doses in the general range of 0.5-10 units/kg/hour. ⋯ A 79-year-old man presented in cardiogenic shock after an intentional overdose of numerous cardioactive medications 10 days after experiencing myocardial infarction. A high-dose insulin infusion was commenced. This was titrated up to a maximum of 20 units/kg/hour (1600 units/hour) and sustained for 32 h (61,334 units total). Minimal adverse events were seen despite this exceptional infusion rate (3 episodes of hypoglycemia and 2 episodes of hypokalemia). Concurrent catecholamine support was used, and cardiovascular function was maintained until all support was withdrawn 5 days after admission. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Emergency physicians are pivotal to the successful initiation/up-titration of high-dose insulin therapy. They must balance the potential for treatment failure with other treatment options, mitigate against adverse events in the initial phase of therapy, and coordinate care between other hospital specialties. This case shows that the relative safety and efficacy was extended to an infusion rate of 20 units/kg/hour, the highest recorded in the published literature. This information may help guide treatment of similar cases in the future.
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The current practice at a large urban academic emergency department (ED) is to obtain screening electrocardiograms (ECGs) as part of the medical screening on all psychiatric patients who test positive for cocaine. ⋯ Most ED patients with recent cocaine use but without chest pain have a normal ECG. Of the minority with an abnormal ECG, no cases of acute myocardial ischemia or infarction were identified.
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Interpretation of radiologic images is a critical skill for resident physicians in emergency medicine (EM), however, few training programs offer formal training in this realm. Time and money also need to be considered when adding to the curriculum of trainees. ⋯ Use of an asynchronous curriculum in image interpretation increased the confidence of trainees and was well-utilized. The implications of this are far-reaching, given that a similar intervention could be undertaken for any topic in any specialty in medicine, and with no cost of money or didactic time.