Emergency Medical Minute

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Lateral Cutaneous Femoral Nerve Entrapment Syndrome, also known as Meralgia Paresthetica, results from entrapment of the lateral cutaneous femoral nerve, often as it exits the pelvis under the inguinal ligament. Meralgia Paresthetica is associated with obesity, pregnancy, compression from clothing or belts and diabetes. Symptoms include numbness, paresthesia and pain of the proximal lateral thigh. Signs or symptoms of radiculopathy such as weakness, loss of reflexes or severe back pain should not be present. Diagnosis is clinical and does not require further imaging if there are no additional or concerning findings. Meralgia Paresthetica typically resolves over time without intervention; however patients should be counseled on weight loss, diabetes control and avoidance of compressive clothing as relieving factors. References Solomons JNT, Sagir A, Yazdi C. Meralgia Paresthetica. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2022;26(7):525-531. doi:10.1007/s11916-022-01053-7 Grossman MG, Ducey SA, Nadler SS, Levy AS. Meralgia paresthetica: diagnosis and treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2001;9(5):336-344. doi:10.5435/00124635-200109000-00007 Image from my.clevelandclinic.org Summarized by Kirsten Hughes, MS4 | Edited by John Spartz, MD & Erik Verzemnieks, MD In an effort to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in Emergency Medicine, The Emergency Medical Minute is proud to present our 2nd annual Diversity and Inclusion Award. We support increasing the representation of underrepresented groups in medicine and extend this award to individuals applying to emergency medicine residencies during the 2022-2023 cycle. For information on award eligibility and the application process, visit https://emergencymedicalminute.com/edi-award/ Donate to EMM today!

Contributor: Travis Barlock, MD Educational Pearls: An EKG should be obtained quickly after a syncopal event to identify possible life-threatening causes such as ischemia and arrhythmia WOBBLER is a good mnemonic for remembering additional EKG findings to look for in syncope Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Check for delta wave on QRS Obstructed AV node Any potential heart blocks Brugada syndrome Na channel blockade that can cause ST elevations in anterior leads Bifascicular block Conduction blockade in two of the three fascicles increases risk of complete heart block Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) Can be a sign of HOCM (younger patients) or aortic stenosis (older patients) Epsilon waves Positive deflections after the QRS that is seen in arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia Repolarization abnormalities Prolonged/shortened QT segments References Martow E, Sandhu R. When Is Syncope Arrhythmic? Med Clin North Am. 2019;103(5):793-807. Solbiati M, Dipaola F, Villa P, et al. Predictive Accuracy of Electrocardiographic Monitoring of Patients With Syncope in the Emergency Department: The SyMoNE Multicenter Study. Acad Emerg Med. 2020;27(1):15-23. Summarized by Mark O'Brien, MS4 | Edited by John Spartz, MD & Erik Verzemnieks, MD In an effort to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in Emergency Medicine, The Emergency Medical Minute is proud to present our 2nd annual Diversity and Inclusion Award. We support increasing the representation of underrepresented groups in medicine and extend this award to individuals applying to emergency medicine residencies during the 2022-2023 cycle. For information on award eligibility and the application process, visit https://emergencymedicalminute.com/edi-award/

Contributor: Don Stader, MD Educational Pearls: Home naloxone is traditionally given to those at high risk for opioid overdose such as those in the ED due to an opioid overdose, opioid intoxication, or admit to illicit opioid use There are a number of other patient populations that benefit from home naloxone including those on chronic opioid or benzodiazepine therapy, and those who report any type of illicit drug use Any illicit drug could be laced with opioids, and those who use drugs are more likely to be present as bystanders when an opioid overdose occurs Some important tips to remember when prescribing home naloxone There is often a scannable QR code that instructs bystanders on how to recognize and intervene in an overdose Inform the patient that naloxone is temporary and those who overdose are at high risk of overdosing again Provide support and inform the patient that if they decide they would like to enter treatment/rehabilitation programs, they can return to the ED to start that process References Strang J, McDonald R, Campbell G, et al. Take-Home Naloxone for the Emergency Interim Management of Opioid Overdose: The Public Health Application of an Emergency Medicine. Drugs. 2019;79(13):1395-1418. Moustaqim-Barrette A, Dhillon D, Ng J, et al. Take-home naloxone programs for suspected opioid overdose in community settings: a scoping umbrella review. BMC Public Health. 2021;21(1):597. Summarized by Mark O'Brien, MS4 | Edited by John Spartz, MD & Erik Verzemnieks, MD In an effort to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in Emergency Medicine, The Emergency Medical Minute is proud to present our 2nd annual Diversity and Inclusion Award. We support increasing the representation of underrepresented groups in medicine and extend this award to individuals applying to emergency medicine residencies during the 2022-2023 cycle. For information on award eligibility and the application process, visit https://emergencymedicalminute.com/edi-award/ Donate to EMM today!

Contributor: Jared Scott, MD Educational Pearls: Elevated lactate levels can be a useful indicator of critical illness in patients who meet SIRS criteria Lactate can also be elevated due to other causes including seizures and medications such as albuterol and metformin A recent study from Switzerland* performed routine point-of-care lactate testing in all elderly patients presenting at triage in the emergency department in order to determine the prevalence of elevated lactate in the population and its utility in predicting poor patient outcomes Patients with seizure as their chief complaint were excluded from the study due to expected transient elevated lactate levels Poor outcomes were defined as requiring extensive IVF and/orvasoactive medications, undergoing intubation, admission to the ICU, or death 27.1% of patients had an increased lactate but only 7.3% actually met poor outcome criteria ED physicians should note that an increased lactate in an elderly patient does not mean that they are critically ill Routine point-of-care lactate monitoring at triage is of limited usefulness and should instead be targeted towards those who meet critical illness criteria *Errata: This study was performed in Switzerland, not Sweden as was stated in the podcast References Gosselin M, Mabire C, Pasquier M, et al. Prevalence and clinical significance of point of care elevated lactate at emergency admission in older patients: a prospective study. Intern Emerg Med. 2022;17(6):1803-1812. Summarized by Mark O'Brien, MS4 | Edited by John Spartz, MD & Erik Verzemnieks, MD In an effort to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in Emergency Medicine, The Emergency Medical Minute is proud to present our 2nd annual Diversity and Inclusion Award. We support increasing the representation of underrepresented groups in medicine and extend this award to individuals applying to emergency medicine residencies during the 2022-2023 cycle. For information on award eligibility and the application process, visit https://emergencymedicalminute.com/edi-award/ Donate to EMM today!

Contributor: Don Stader, MD Educational Pearls: There are two major groups of local anesthetics: Amide and Esther To recall what group an anesthetic belongs to, use this memory trick: Amide has an 'i' in the name and Amide anesthetics have 2 'i's e.g., Lidocaine. Ester has no 'i' and most common Ester anesthetics have only one 'i' e.g., Tetracaine. In a true allergy and/or contraindication to both local anesthetic groups, diphenhydramine is an acceptable alternative. Epinephrine is administered with local anesthetics to decrease bleeding, increase duration of action, and minimize systemic spread of the anesthetic, thus reducing toxicity. Symptoms of Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST) may begin with dizziness, confusion and/or slurred speech, and can progress to cardiovascular collapse and death. Treat LAST with lipid emulsion therapy i.e. 'Intralipids' to create a lipid sink that absorbs anesthetic agent Administer initial 1.5 ml/kg bolus (approximately 100 ml in 70 mg adult) followed by infusion rate of 0.25 mg/kg/hour. Do not surpass 10 mg/kg total. References Dickerson DM, Apfelbaum JL. Local anesthetic systemic toxicity. Aesthet Surg J. 2014;34(7):1111-1119. doi:10.1177/1090820X14543102 Bina B, Hersh EV, Hilario M, Alvarez K, McLaughlin B. True Allergy to Amide Local Anesthetics: A Review and Case Presentation. Anesth Prog. 2018;65(2):119-123. doi:10.2344/anpr-65-03-06 Macfarlane AJR, Gitman M, Bornstein KJ, El-Boghdadly K, Weinberg G. Updates in our understanding of local anaesthetic systemic toxicity: a narrative review. Anaesthesia. 2021;76 Suppl 1:27-39. doi:10.1111/anae.15282 Summarized by Kirsten Hughes, MS4 | Edited by John Spartz MD & Erik Verzemnieks, MD In an effort to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in Emergency Medicine, The Emergency Medical Minute is proud to present our 2nd annual Diversity and Inclusion Award. We support increasing the representation of underrepresented groups in medicine and extend this award to individuals applying to emergency medicine residencies during the 2022-2023 cycle. For information on award eligibility and the application process, visithttps://emergencymedicalminute.com/edi-award/ Donate to EMM today!

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: 2020 retrospective study with dat from two California hospitals compared rates of cardiovascular admissions in a five day period two weeks before and the five days after the presidential election Hospitalization rate for acute cardiovascular disease increased by 17% and rate of acute myocardial infarction increased by 42% Highest rates occurred in demographic of white males older than 75 years old No significant difference between groups in rates of stroke and heart failure References Mefford MT, Rana JS, Reynolds K, et al. Association of the 2020 US Presidential Election With Hospitalizations for Acute Cardiovascular Conditions. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(4):e228031. Published 2022 Apr 1. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.8031 Summarized by Kirsten Hughes, MS4 | Edited by John Spartz MD & Erik Verzemnieks, MD In an effort to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in Emergency Medicine, The Emergency Medical Minute is proud to present our 2nd annual Diversity and Inclusion Award. We support increasing the representation of underrepresented groups in medicine and extend this award to individuals applying to emergency medicine residencies during the 2022-2023 cycle. For information on award eligibility and the application process, visit https://emergencymedicalminute.com/edi-award/ Donate to EMM today!

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: The management of severe asthma or COPD exacerbation is complex, especially when the patient requires intubation/ventilation Asthma is an obstructive airway disease that can cause air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs To avoid worsening hyperinflation patients typically require slower respiratory rates, lower tidal volumes, and increased expiratory time when on a ventilator Patients on a ventilator require very close monitoring to prevent worsening hyperinflation and associated complications including barotrauma and hypotension/cardiac arrest secondary to decreased venous return If patient condition starts to worsen, decrease respiratory rate and tidal volume In these cases, a decreased oxygen saturation is acceptable until their condition improves If patient status continues to worsen, consider disconnecting the ventilator and pushing on the chest for approximately 30 seconds to help force out trapped air If patient continues to decompensate, consider the possibility of a pneumothorax and determine if a chest tube is necessary Remember to continue asthma/COPD management including albuterol/duonebs, steroids, magnesium, and alternatives including as heliox References Demoule A, Brochard L, Dres M, et al. How to ventilate obstructive and asthmatic patients. Intensive Care Med. 2020;46(12):2436-2449 Garner O, Ramey JS, Hanania NA. Management of Life-Threatening Asthma: Severe Asthma Series. Chest. 2022 Laher AE, Buchanan SK. Mechanically Ventilating the Severe Asthmatic. J Intensive Care Med. 2018;33(9):491-501 Summarized by Mark O'Brien, MS4 | Edited by John Spartz MD & Erik Verzemnieks, MD In an effort to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in Emergency Medicine, The Emergency Medical Minute is proud to present our 2nd annual Diversity and Inclusion Award. We support increasing the representation of underrepresented groups in medicine and extend this award to individuals applying to emergency medicine residencies during the 2022-2023 cycle. For information on award eligibility and the application process, visit https://emergencymedicalminute.com/edi-award/

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Historically, pancreatitis has been treated with aggressive IV fluid rehydration. Recently published data shows this may not be appropriate. A randomized, controlled, multi-hospital trial evaluated outcomes for patients with acute pancreatitis receiving lactated Ringer's solution Aggressive fluid resuscitation group received 20ml/kg bolus + 3ml/hour Moderate fluid resuscitation groups received either 10 ml/kg bolus if hypovolemic or no bolus if normovolemic. Both moderate resuscitation groups received 1.5ml/hr. The primary outcome was development of moderately severe or severe pancreatitis. 22.1% of aggressive fluid resuscitation and 17.3% of moderate fluid resuscitation patients developed primary outcome. The safety outcome was fluid overload. Fluid overload developed in 20.5% of aggressive resuscitation group and only 6.3% of moderate resuscitation group. This trial was ended early due to differences in safety outcomes without obvious difference in primary outcome Overall, aggressive fluid resuscitation had no benefit in treatment of acute pancreatitis and providers should be aware of fluid overload risk. References de-Madaria E, Buxbaum JL, Maisonneuve P, et al. Aggressive or Moderate Fluid Resuscitation in Acute Pancreatitis. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(11):989-1000. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2202884 Summarized by Kirsten Hughes, MS4 | Edited by John Spartz, MD & Erik Verzemnieks, MD In an effort to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in Emergency Medicine, The Emergency Medical Minute is proud to present our 2nd annual Diversity and Inclusion Award. We support increasing the representation of underrepresented groups in medicine and extend this award to individuals applying to emergency medicine residencies during the 2022-2023 cycle. For information on award eligibility and the application process, visit https://emergencymedicalminute.com/edi-award/

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Recent study looked at the impact of screen time on duration of post-concussive symptoms 125 patients aged 12-25 diagnosed with a concussion were randomized to either abstain from or have unrestricted screen time for 48 hours after injury Patients with unrestricted screen time averaged approximately 5 hours/day of screen time Patients in the no screen time group averaged approximately 1 hour/day of screen time Statistically significant difference in duration of post-concussive symptoms Unrestricted screen time cohort averaged 8 days of post-concussive symptoms No screen time cohort averaged 3.5 days of post-concussive symptoms ED physicians should encourage patients to limit screen time as much as possible in the first 48 hours after a concussion to promote faster recovery from post-concussive symptoms References Macnow T, Curran T, Tolliday C, et al. Effect of Screen Time on Recovery From Concussion: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Pediatr. 2021;175(11):1124-1131. Summarized by Mark O'Brien, MS4 | Edited by John Spartz, MD & Erik Verzemnieks, MD The Emergency Medical Minute is excited to announce that we are now offering AMA PRA Category 1 credits™ via online course modules. To access these and for more information, visit our website at https://emergencymedicalminute.org/cme-courses/ and create an account. Donate to EMM today!

Contributor: Travis Barlock, MD Educational Pearls: Most oxygen in the body is bound to hemoglobin, forming oxyhemoglobin. Less than 1% of the oxygen in the body is dissolved in plasma. Pulse Oximeters (Pulse Ox) function by emitting wavelengths of light from one side, and capturing the amount absorbed on the opposite side. A calculation determined the amount of saturation. Pulse Ox relies on pulsations in arterial flow to create a photoplethysmogram (pleth) for measurements Patients with poor peripheral perfusion may have unreliable pulse ox. Patient with an LVAD have constant flow and also unreliable pulse ox. Pulse Ox is a useful tool when pacing to determine mechanical capture. If there is disparity between the electrical wave pulse and the rate on pulse ox, there is likely no mechanical capture leading to poor distal flow. References Eecen CMW, Kooter AJJ. Pulsoximeters: werking, valkuilen en praktische tips [Pulse oximetry: principles, limitations and practical applications]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2021;165:D5891. Published 2021 May 11. Elgendi M. On the analysis of fingertip photoplethysmogram signals. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2012;8(1):14-25. doi:10.2174/157340312801215782 Summarized by Kirsten Hughes, MS4 | Edited by John Spartz MD & Erik Verzemnieks, MD The Emergency Medical Minute is excited to announce that we are now offering AMA PRA Category 1 credits™ via online course modules. To access these and for more information, visit our website at https://emergencymedicalminute.org/cme-courses/ and create an account. Donate to EMM today!