Is that chocolate blood?

Increasing political tensions, terrorist groups, and general turmoil faced around the world makes the possibility of a biological, chemical, or other attack on American soil a true reality.  In the event of such an attack, one must depend on the knowledge, preparedness, and action of Emergency Physicians and others to act in a timely manner in order to care for the injured.

Compartment syndrome is a rare complication that can occur after snake bites and should be managed primarily using antivenin. Keep orthopods and their scalpels at bay.

Today we will review the basics of cardiovascular drug effects on the different phases of the action potential.

A two-year-old male presents to the emergency department following the ingestion of his grandmother's propranolol. Upon presentation, the young boy is lethargic. EKG demonstrates sinus bradycardia (heart rate: 39 beats per minute) and a first degree AV block. How do you treat this patient's bradycardia? Read this week's review of beta-blocker toxicity for a rapid refresher.

SILENT syndrome is a severely disabling syndrome that is difficult to diagnose but should be suspected in patients with altered mental status and neurologic changes with a history of lithium use.

A young female presents to the emergency department requesting testing for exposure to gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB). How do you advise the patient? Read this week's review for a number of helpful hints.

This week's toxcard is on mushrooms! Yummy. Enjoy.