J Emerg Med
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Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited disease that can lead to sudden cardiac death. Medications, such as antidysrhythmics, and fevers can unmask or induce the Brugada pattern on an electrocardiogram (ECG). This case report highlights a patient who developed drug-induced Brugada type I pattern after a procainamide infusion for the treatment of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) or flutter and discusses the implications for this incidental but potentially lethal finding. ⋯ We report a case of a young man who presented to the emergency department (ED) with new-onset AF with rapid ventricular response that began within 12 h of presentation. ED treatments included a crystalloid IV fluid bolus, diltiazem pushes, synchronized electrical cardioversion, and a procainamide infusion. After the procainamide infusion, the patient developed ECG findings consistent with Brugada pattern. Both the AF and Brugada pattern resolved spontaneously within 24 h. The patient was discharged without implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement due to presumed isolated procainamide-induced Brugada pattern and lack of concerning features, such as inducible dysrhythmia during electrophysiology study, family history of sudden death, and history of syncope. The patient was counseled to follow-up with genetics and avoid BrS-inducing medications. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS BE AWARE OF THIS?: Procainamide, an option for the treatment of AF in the ED, can provoke Brugada pattern. If encountered, it is important to recall that some patients may not be diagnosed with BrS if determined to be low risk according to the Shanghai criteria. All patients should be referred to cardiology for further evaluation.
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Experts recommend using the lowest effective dose of naloxone to balance the reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression and avoid precipitated opioid withdrawal, however, there is no established dosing standards within the emergency department (ED). ⋯ Lower doses of naloxone in the ED may help reduce related adverse events without increasing the need for additional doses. Future studies should evaluate the effectiveness of lower doses of naloxone to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression without causing precipitated opioid withdrawal.
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Multicenter Study
Subcutaneous Insulin Versus Traditional Intravenous Insulin Infusion in Treatment of Mild to Moderate Diabetic Ketoacidosis.
Intravenous (IV) insulin infusions are the current standard of care for treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Subcutaneous (SQ) insulin, however, may also be a safe and effective alternative. ⋯ SQ insulin may be an effective alternative option for treating mild to moderate DKA with fewer hypoglycemic effects.
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Acute glenohumeral dislocation is a common emergency department (ED) presentation, however, pain control to facilitate reduction in these patients can be challenging. Although both procedural sedation and peripheral nerve blocks can provide effective analgesia, both also carry risks. Specifically, the interscalene brachial plexus block carries risk of ipsilateral hemidiaphragmatic paralysis due to inadvertent phrenic nerve involvement. There are techniques, however, that the emergency clinician can utilize to reduce these risks and optimize the interscalene brachial plexus block for specific pathologies such as glenohumeral dislocation. ⋯ We report three cases of patients who presented to the ED with acute anterior glenohumeral dislocation. Two of the patients had a history of pulmonary disease. In all three cases, targeted low-volume interscalene nerve blocks were performed and combined with systemic analgesia to facilitate successful closed glenohumeral reduction and reduce the risk of diaphragm paralysis. All 3 patients were monitored after the procedure and discharged from the ED. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Contrary to anesthesiologists who often seek to obtain dense surgical blocks, the goal of the emergency clinician should be to tailor blocks for specific procedures, patients, and pathologies. The emergency clinician can optimize the interscalene brachial plexus block for glenohumeral dislocation by using a low volume (5-10 mL) of anesthetic targeted to specific nerve roots (C5 and C6) to provide effective analgesia and reduce the risk diaphragm involvement.
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Case Reports
A Case Report of Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula (Psalmopoeus Irminia) Envenomation and Review of Tarantula Exposures.
Tarantula envenomations are encountered infrequently but may increase with increased exotic animal ownership. This case report presents the first documented toxicity from a Venezuelan suntiger tarantula (VST), Psalmopoeus irminia, and provides a general framework for approaching patients with tarantula exposures. ⋯ A 35-year-old man presented to an emergency department 4 h after experiencing a bite from his pet VST. He developed erythema, pain, and edema to the bite site on the left thenar eminence that extended proximally. Within 4 h, he developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, throat itching, and tightness. The patient had a blood pressure of 131/105 mm Hg, heart rate of 102 beats/min, 36.6°C, respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min, and SpO2 of 94%. Laboratory evaluations were within normal limits (other than chronically elevated but improved transaminases). The patient received 0.5 mg epinephrine intramuscularly, 50 mg diphenhydramine IV, 20 mg famotidine IV, 0.4 mg ondansetron IV, and 1 L of normal saline for a suspected anaphylactic reaction. Shortly after epinephrine administration, his gastrointestinal and upper airway symptoms resolved. All symptoms resolved within 1 week. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Little is known about VST toxicity. Therefore, providers should rely on a general framework for approaching patients with tarantula exposures. Morbidity from tarantula exposures is mediated by mechanical injury, venom effects, and hypersensitivity reactions. Typical clinical findings include local pain, pruritis, edema, erythema, and burning. Muscle cramping, ophthalmia nodosa, and hypersensitivity reactions may occur. Treatment is primarily supportive and includes decontamination, cool compresses, analgesia, treatment of anaphylaxis, and ophthalmology evaluation if ocular exposure.