Aortic dissection is a life-threatening yet infrequent diagnosis, estimated at about three cases in every 100,000 person years (1,2). Because of its low frequency and emergency nature, large randomized controlled trials are difficult to conduct (3). Thus, the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD) was established in 1996 to obtain up-to-date data on patients with acute aortic dissection. Currently, 30 large referral centers in 11 countries participate. Most novel research on aortic dissection is based on IRAD data. [...]

Editor's note: This article was listed in EM Curious' #FOAMed Review 19th Ed.

Wrist pain is a frequent emergency department complaint. Most presentations are due to an acute traumatic injury. Furthermore, overuse or repetitive motion mechanisms cause ED visits for either an acute injury or an exacerbation of chronic pain conditions. For the purposes of this post, the wrist is going to be defined as injuries occurring to the distal radius and ulna, as well as any injury to the carpal bones. In addition, I feel it to be a poor use of this forum to simply list every conceivable form of wrist injury. Instead, I’d like to discuss the following:

• Pertinent questions you need to ask your patient when evaluating a wrist injury
• Pain management techniques including hematoma blocks
• Which fractures have a higher likelihood of developing avascular necrosis
• What type of splint is indicated for a particular injury

Naloxone has been proven to reduce the incident of death in acute opioid overdoses. So why aren't we using it more often?

Editor's note: This article was listed in LITFL Review 154's "Best of #FOAMcc Critical Care" section.

Using thromboelastography in goal-oriented algorithms, clinicians may be able to optimize targeted transfusion therapies with specific coagulation factor(s) instead of empirically administering multiple components with potentially hazardous effects.

CC: Headache First visit HPI: 29 year old female with a prior history of headaches, presented with two days of gradual onset, atraumatic, right sided headache that is throbbing in nature. The patient reported heaviness about the eye but no visual changes or disturbances. No neck pain, fevers, chills. She described feeling slightly light-headed but no balance loss. She had a mechanical trip and fall yesterday without head trauma, and her headache had been present for a day prior to the fall. ROS: otherwise normal. PMH/PSH: headaches, depression, anxiety, asthma SH: no smoking, no etoh, no drugs Allergies: Penicillin (rash) Pertinent Exam Vitals: 98.6F, BP: 156/85 P: 101, RR: 16, O2: 98%RA Gen: A&Ox3, well-developed, well-nourished HEENT: normocephalic, atraumatic, conjunctiva wnl, EOM wnl, PERRL, normal fundoscopic exam, crisp optic discs, normal ROM neck/supple Chest: wnl Abd: wnl Musculoskeletal: wnl Neuro: CN2-12 intact, normal reflexes, normal muscle tone, normal coordination Labs: Serum HCG negative Imaging: None ordered ED Course: The patient was believed to be experiencing a migraine headache. She had no evidence of head trauma, no signs of infectious etiology, and had no clinical findings or hx for SAH. She was administered Toradol, IVF and Reglan, and discharged with instructions to follow up with neurology and possibly have an outpatient MRI. Discharge Dx: Headache [...]

Editor's note: This post was listed in both the #FOAMED Review from EM Curious AND in the LITFL Review 154 "Best of #FOAMed" section.

As an EM physician, it is difficult to have working knowledge of the hundreds of different types of rashes that exist. However, I argue that it is not the job of the EM physician to diagnose every rash that comes in the ED. That is the job of the dermatologist who has the luxury of time and biopsies. Rather, it is our duty, just like chest pain and syncope, to rule out the life-threatening causes of skin lesions, quickly identify a potentially lethal rash, and provide the appropriate initial stabilization, resuscitation and disposition (ICU, surgery).

Editor's note: This article was listed in the LITFL Review 154's "Best of #FOAMed" section.

The left bundle branch arises from the Bundle of His, and subsequently is divided into the anterior and posterior fascicles. The anterior fascicle is usually supplied by septal perforators from the Left Anterior Descending artery, and the posterior fascicle typically has a dual supply from septal perforators from the Left Anterior Descending artery and the Posterior Descending artery (arising from the Right Coronary). Electrocardiographically, a LBBB is defined as QRS duration greater than or equal to 120 ms; a broad-notched or slurred R wave in leads I, aVL, V5, and V6; absent Q waves in leads I, V5, and V6; and an R peak time >60 ms in leads V5 and V6 but normal in leads V1 to V3 (1). LBBB can be transient and/or rate-related (1). These morphologic changes make it difficult to discern whether or not a patient presenting to the emergency department with chest pain is experiencing a STEMI. [...]