practice updates

Hemolytic anemia is the premature destruction of RBCs, which can be classified as extrinsic or intrinsic, as well as acute or chronic. In particular, several conditions associated with these anemias can cause significant morbidity and mortality. The ED provider must focus on resuscitation, followed by recognition of the hemolytic process and initiation of appropriate therapy. This post will highlight an approach to evaluation and management of hemolytic anemias.

Continuing with our EM Mindset series, here is another great piece by Dr. Louis Ling to kick off your week. Enjoy!

Patients who undergo elective abortions may present to the emergency department for various symptoms and complications due to their recent procedures. This is a brief article of the complications of elective abortion. Workup and management of these complications are also reviewed.

Ophthalmologic medications carry a wide variety of indications and effects. The caps of the bottles have thus been color-coded to reflect these differences. Read this primer for a thorough run-down of all these medications and their uses.

Intubation, especially in the septic and critically ill patient, can, by itself, cause hemodynamic abnormalities and/or hypoxemia and hypercapnea. In some situations, it may be important to make sure that the patient is adequately prepared for intubation, both from hemodynamic and pre-oxygenation standpoints. This is a brief review of some suggestions when intubating the very ill patient in the emergency department.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is classically a life-threatening diagnosis, often considered in the work-up of patients with chest pain or dyspnea. Initial mortality rates of missed, untreated PE has been quoted as high as 26%, based on a 1960 study. This disease is common, with 400,000 patients affected with nonfatal PE and another 200,000 patients in the U.S. dying each year from this disease. PE is the third most common cause of death in cardiovascular disease after myocardial infarction and stroke.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome: a condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. These patients often present with vague symptoms. How do you make the diagnosis, and what are the keys in management? This post answers these questions and more.

The patient with penetrating trauma can present with many different injuries. The majority of injuries are easily diagnosed. What about the patient with pneumothorax, diaphragmatic injury, ureteral injury, and hollow viscus injury? These are not so easy to diagnose, and delay in management can cause significant morbidity and mortality. This post provides pearls and pitfalls for these conditions.

For all the rising trauma seniors out there about to take on heavier roles in their departments, tune in to read what you should keep in mind and hope to avoid for the blunt trauma patient.