practice updates

Continuous quantitative waveform capnography, also known as end-tidal carbon dioxide, PetCO2, or ETCO2, is a measurement of the partial pressure of CO2 in the exhaled breath. This technology has been around since the mid-19th century and only relatively recently has its potential in emergency medicine begun to be explored. […]

Sepsis is the most common cause of death in children worldwide. What is the optimal evaluation and management of pediatric sepsis?

Included below is a summary of numerous blog posts and podcasts that discuss the sometimes controversial issue of permissive hypotension or minimum volume resuscitation in the bleeding trauma patient.

The Basics

• Idea of keeping BP low in traumatic hemorrhage to avoid “popping the clot”
• Based mostly on data from animal trials and penetrating trauma in humans
• Common practice in most major trauma centers in USA
• The exact approach still remains controversial around the world

Disclaimer: These are highlights as interpreted by the author of this article and should not replace listening to the original podcast or reviewing the background research.  Posts are in chronological order and many of the below podcasts go beyond the scope of permissive hypotension. […]

Does End Tidal CO2 correlate with PaCO2 in Traumatic Brain Injury?

Your neurosurgeons and trauma team have accepted a transfer to your hospital for intensive management of a trauma patient who presented to a small community hospital with a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and epidural hematoma after being involved in a motorcycle accident.

While the patient is in the ED, the neurosurgeons recommend maintaining eucapnea for the patient since while there are no acute signs of herniation.(1)

Can you use the end tidal CO2(etCO2) or do you need to rely on arterial blood gas (ABG) measurements to maintain PaCO2 between 35-40 mm Hg? […]

Concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that classically occurs in sports-related incidents but can be due to any traumatic force to the brain. The term concussion stems from the Latin word, concussus, which means “to shake violently.” While sport is the most common cause of concussion in children, the most common causes of concussion in adults are falls and motor vehicle accidents. Young children have the highest rate of concussions in all age groups. […]

Rapid evaluation and management of the sick neonate is a required skill for the emergency physician. Here we present a brief but comprehensive strategy for resuscitating and stabilizing the critically ill neonate as well as some mnemonics for help remembering the differential diagnosis.

Case Scenario:
A 38-year-old male with a history of hypertension and an unknown heart defect status post repair in infancy presents to the Emergency Department with acute onset chest pain, dyspnea, and diaphoresis.  He had a similar episode at another hospital 1 month prior that resolved after “some medication.”  He denies drug use.

An EKG is obtained in triage, and is shown below.

The patient’s blood pressure is 120/70.  He is alert and oriented, and speaking in full sentences although dyspneic with respiratory rate in lower 20s and O2 saturation 98% on RA.

Clinical Question: Which pharmacologic agent is most effective for termination of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia?

A review of the presentation, diagnosis, and management of this rare but deadly condition in the ED by Justin Arndt, MD.

“Programs like TExT-MED represent a powerful opportunity to expand the domain of emergency medicine”

Can texting reminders to ED patients with diabetes improve their A1C? Scott Kobner discusses the recent TExT-MED trial from June 2014 Annals of EM.