Emergency Medical Minute

Contributor: Geoff Hogan MD Educational Pearls: Penicillin allergies are relatively uncommon despite their frequent reports 10% of the population reports a penicillin allergy but only 5% of these cases are clinically significant 90-95% of patients may tolerate a rechallenge after appropriate allergy evaluation Penicillin Allergy Decision Rule (PEN-FAST) on MD Calc Useful tool to assess patients for penicillin allergies Five years or less since reaction = 2 points (even if unknown) Anaphylaxis or angioedema OR Severe cutaneous reaction = 2 points  Treatment required for reaction (e.g. epinephrine) = 1 point (even if unknown) A score of 0 on PEN-FAST indicates a less than 1% risk of a positive penicillin allergy test A score of 1 or 2 indicates a 5% risk of a positive penicillin allergy test A low score on PEN-FAST should prompt clinicians to proceed with the best empiric antibiotic for the patient’s infection References Broyles AD, Banerji A, Barmettler S, et al. Practical Guidance for the Evaluation and Management of Drug Hypersensitivity: Specific Drugs [published correction appears in J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021 Jan;9(1):603. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.10.025.] [published correction appears in J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021 Jan;9(1):605. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.11.036.]. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020;8(9S):S16-S116. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2020.08.006 Piotin A, Godet J, Trubiano JA, et al. Predictive factors of amoxicillin immediate hypersensitivity and validation of PEN-FAST clinical decision rule [published correction appears in Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2022 Jun;128(6):740. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2022.04.005.]. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2022;128(1):27-32. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2021.07.005 Shenoy ES, Macy E, Rowe T, Blumenthal KG. Evaluation and Management of Penicillin Allergy: A Review. JAMA. 2019;321(2):188-199. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.19283 Trubiano JA, Vogrin S, Chua KYL, et al. Development and Validation of a Penicillin Allergy Clinical Decision Rule. JAMA Intern Med. 2020;180(5):745-752. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.0403 Summarized & edited by Jorge Chalit, OMS3 Donate: https://emergencymedicalminute.org/donate/  

Delve into the fascinating world of heart transplants where unique physiological changes like the absence of vagal tone lead to an increased heart rate. Discover how transplant patients face atypical symptoms during rejection, such as fatigue instead of chest pain. Immunosuppressants raise infection risks, adding complexity to patient care. Plus, a surprising study reveals that radiographic cardiomegaly doesn't necessarily indicate heart failure, challenging conventional wisdom.

Contributor: Taylor Lynch, MD Educational Pearls: Pediatric febrile seizures are defined as seizures that occur between the ages of six months to five years in the presence of a fever greater than or equal to 38.0 ºC (100.4 ºF). It is the most common pediatric convulsive disorder, with an incidence between 2-5% What are the types of seizures? Simple: Tonic-clonic seizure, duration 15 minutes, requires medication to stop the seizing, multiple occurrences in a 24-hour period, PRESENCE of focal features, PRESENCE of Todd’s paralysis What are the causes? Caused by infectious agents leading to fever. Seen with common childhood infections.  It is debated whether the absolute temperature of the fever or the rate of change of temperature incites the seizure, but current evidence points to the rate of change of the temperature being the primary catalyst What are the treatment considerations? For simple febrile seizures, work-up is similar to any pediatric patient presenting with a fever between the ages of six months and five years Thorough physical exam to rule out any potential of meningeal or intracranial infections Prophylactic antipyretics are not believed to prevent the occurrence of febrile seizures Disposition?  If the patient has returned to normal baseline behavior following a simple febrile seizure, and the physical exam is reassuring, the patient can be discharged home.  Additional labs, electroencephalogram, or lumbar punctures are not indicated in simple febrile seizures as long as the physical exam is completely normal Any evidence of a complex seizure requires further workup Fast Facts:  Patients with a familial history of febrile seizures and developmental delays have a higher risk of developing febrile seizures If a child has one febrile seizure, there is a 30-40% chance of another febrile seizure by age 5 Only 2-7% of children with febrile seizures go on to develop epilepsy References:  1. Berg AT, Shinnar S, Hauser WA, Alemany M, Shapiro ED, Salomon ME, et al. A prospective study of recurrent febrile seizures. N Engl J Med. 1992 Oct 15;327(16):1122–7.  2. Schuchmann S, Vanhatalo S, Kaila K. Neurobiological and physiological mechanisms of fever-related epileptiform syndromes. Brain Dev. 2009 May;31(5):378–82.  3. Nilsson G, Westerlund J, Fernell E, Billstedt E, Miniscalco C, Arvidsson T, et al. Neurodevelopmental problems should be considered in children with febrile seizures. Acta Paediatr. 2019 Aug;108(8):1507–14.  4. Subcommittee on Febrile Seizures, American Academy of Pediatrics. Neurodiagnostic evaluation of the child with a simple febrile seizure. Pediatrics. 2011 Feb;127(2):389–94.  5. Pavlidou E, Panteliadis C. Prognostic factors for subsequent epilepsy in children with febrile seizures. Epilepsia. 2013 Dec;54(12):2101–7.  6. Huang CC, Wang ST, Chang YC, Huang MC, Chi YC, Tsai JJ. Risk factors for a first febrile convulsion in children: a population study in southern Taiwan. Epilepsia. 1999 Jun;40(6):719–25.  7. Hashimoto R, Suto M, Tsuji M, Sasaki H, Takehara K, Ishiguro A, et al. Use of antipyretics for preventing febrile seizure recurrence in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Pediatr. 2021 Apr;180(4):987–97.  Summarized by Dan Orbidan, OMS1 | Edited by Dan Orbidan & Jorge Chalit, OMS3 Donate: https://emergencymedicalminute.org/donate/

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is used to assess cardiac activity during cardiac arrest and can identify potential reversible causes such as pericardial tamponade Ultrasound could be beneficial in another way during cardiac arrest as well: pulse checks Manual palpation for detecting pulses is imperfect, with false positives and negatives Doppler ultrasound can be used as an adjunct or replacement to manual palpation for improved accuracy Options for Doppler ultrasound of carotid or femoral pulses during cardiac arrest: Visualize arterial pulsation Use color doppler Numerically quantify the flow and correlate this to a BP reading - slightly more complex Doppler ultrasound is much faster than manual palpation for pulse check Can provide information almost instantaneously without waiting the full 10 seconds for a manual pulse check The main priority during cardiac arrest resuscitation is to maintain quality compressions If pulses are unable to be obtained through Doppler within the 10-second window, resume compressions and try again during the next pulse check References Cohen AL, Li T, Becker LB, Owens C, Singh N, Gold A, Nelson MJ, Jafari D, Haddad G, Nello AV, Rolston DM; Northwell Health Biostatistics Unit. Femoral artery Doppler ultrasound is more accurate than manual palpation for pulse detection in cardiac arrest. Resuscitation. 2022 Apr;173:156-165. doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2022.01.030. Epub 2022 Feb 4. PMID: 35131404. Summarized by Meg Joyce, MS1 | Edited by Meg Joyce & Jorge Chalit, OMS3 Donate: https://emergencymedicalminute.org/donate/

Discover the intriguing method of Hoover's Sign, a physical exam techique that distinguishes between organic and functional leg weakness. Learn how it works and its impressive diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Delve into the fascinating world of neurological disorders and the role of brain signaling in functional neurologic dysfunction. Plus, explore a fun fact about the pulmonary Hoover’s Sign related to COPD, adding depth to your understanding of these critical assessments in medical practice.

CYP enzymes play a crucial role in the metabolism of many medications. Discover how CYP inducers can lower drug concentrations, while inhibitors like grapefruit juice can increase them. The podcast delves into real-life implications, particularly for patients on multiple medications. It discusses the risks associated with interactions involving common drugs like Bactrim and Paxlovid, showcasing the need for awareness in polypharmacy. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the nuances of medication management!

Delve into the fascinating world of respiratory health as experts break down hypercapnia, the risks of elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Discover why maintaining proper oxygen saturation is crucial, especially for patients with COPD and hypoventilation syndrome. The discussion highlights surprising insights from a four-year audit that reveals excessive oxygen administration might pose greater risks than insufficient oxygen. Tune in for crucial knowledge that could change patient care approaches!

Discover the critical role of rapid defibrillation in saving lives during cardiac arrest. A recent study reveals that every minute of delay decreases survival rates by 6%. Learn how trained volunteers and AEDs can significantly boost chances of survival. Delve into the differences between cardiac arrest and heart attacks, and understand the chaotic electrical signals that lead to life-threatening arrhythmias like VTach and VFib. This insight emphasizes the urgency of immediate action in emergencies.

Discover the battle of pain relief between ketorolac and ibuprofen. Both are effective, but ibuprofen offers convenience and a lower risk of side effects. Learn why oral ibuprofen can match the relief offered by intramuscular ketorolac, despite the latter’s faster onset. The discussion dives into dosing quirks, adverse effects like gastrointestinal upset, and the importance of lower doses for safety. Cost efficiency and patient comfort take center stage in this enlightening comparison!

Dive into the fascinating world of colchicine, a drug used for treating gout and its surprising anti-inflammatory effects. Learn about the risks of colchicine overdose and how it can lead to multi-organ dysfunction. The episode highlights the critical phases of overdose, where patients may appear well while quietly suffering symptoms. Discover effective treatments, including gastrointestinal decontamination and advanced therapies like dialysis. This ancient drug reveals both its healing power and its potential dangers.