J Emerg Med
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Obstructive shock is an uncommon presentation to the emergency department (ED) and is most often caused by an acute pulmonary embolism. A very rare cause of obstructive shock is extensive deep venous thrombosis, otherwise known as phlegmasia cerulea dolens. We present a case of obstructive shock caused by placement of an inferior vena cava filter complicated by acute occlusion with extensive deep venous thrombosis. ⋯ A 57-year-old man presented to the ED with hypotension, lethargy, and chronic leg pain. The day prior he had an inferior vena cava filter placed and was taken off his anticoagulation approximately 1 week prior. Massive pulmonary embolism was excluded as the cause based on point-of-care ultrasound showing absence of right heart strain. His initial resuscitation and evaluation did not determine the cause of his shock and he was empirically treated for sepsis. After adequate blood pressure was achieved with norepinephrine, his lower extremities were noted to be cyanotic and an ultrasound revealed the diagnosis of phlegmasia cerulea dolens. The shock state resolved after catheter-directed thrombolysis. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Although unique, this case highlights an alternative cause of obstructive shock and informs emergency physicians about a potential deadly complication of a common procedure.
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Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present with diagnostic challenges because COVID-19 can cause varied end-organ failures that mimic respiratory distress of pulmonary origin. Early identification of concurrent complications can significantly alter patient management and course. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can be particularly useful in helping to differentiate concomitant complications with COVID-19. While lung POCUS findings related to COVID-19 have been published, little guidance exists on how ultrasound can be incorporated into a more comprehensive evaluation of patients under investigation for COVID-19. ⋯ COVUS aims to maximize identification of the most immediately life-threatening complications while minimizing time at bedside and provider risk of exposure to COVID-19.
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Angioedema is a complication that has been reported in up to 1.0% of individuals taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is). Importantly, the onset of angioedema can occur anywhere from hours to several years after initiation of therapy with ACE-Is. Although most cases of ACE-I-induced angioedema (ACE-I-AE) are self-limiting, a major clinical concern is development of airway compromise, which can potentially require emergent airway management. The underlying pathophysiology of ACE-I-AE is incompletely understood, but is considered to be due in large part to excess bradykinin. Numerous medications have been proposed for the treatment of ACE-I-AE. This article is an update to the 2011 Clinical Practice Committee (CPC) statement from the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. ⋯ The primary focus for the treatment of ACE-I-AE is airway management. In the absence of high-quality evidence, no specific medication therapy is recommended for its treatment. If, however, the treating physician feels the patient's presentation is more typical of an acute allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, it may be appropriate to treat for those conditions. Any patient with suspected ACE-I-AE should immediately discontinue that medication.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Relationship Between Pain Management Modality and Return Rates for Lower Back Pain in the Emergency Department.
Emerging evidence suggests that opioid use for patients with acute low back pain does not improve functional outcomes and contributes to long-term opioid use. Little is known about the impact of opioid administration in the emergency department (ED) for patients with low back pain. ⋯ Patients receiving opioids were more likely to return to the ED within 30 d than those receiving received nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen. This suggests that the use of opioids for low back pain in the ED may not be an effective strategy, and there may be an opportunity to appropriately treat more of these patients with nonopioid medications.