Harrison's PodClass: Internal Medicine Cases and Board Prep

An intense case study of an 18-year-old with chest trauma from a lacrosse game sets the stage. The discussion delves into the complexities of blunt cardiac injuries and the vital differences between myocardial contusion and other issues. The hosts highlight the importance of ECGs and cardiac biomarkers for accurate diagnosis. Furthermore, they emphasize the need for prompt medical responses, including defibrillator access at sports events, to ensure athlete safety.

Dive into the case of a 58-year-old woman getting ready for robotic cholecystectomy. Explore the critical preoperative assessments focused on her cardiovascular and pulmonary health. Learn about the importance of electrocardiograms and risk calculators for evaluating surgical readiness. Discover how individualized evaluations and functional capacity measurements play pivotal roles in planning her procedure. This discussion highlights the intricate process of ensuring safety in elective surgeries.

A man grapples with prostate cancer fears during his annual physical, sparked by a friend's diagnosis. The hosts dive into the nuances of PSA testing, discussing its critical role in early detection and what influences those levels. They highlight promising preventive strategies, noting the absence of FDA-approved medications despite encouraging trial results. Lifestyle adjustments and dietary choices also emerge as key elements in overarching cancer prevention efforts.

The hosts dissect a compelling case of a 66-year-old man grappling with speech issues and grip weakness, highlighting the need for comprehensive medical evaluations. They delve into stroke diagnoses, underlining the urgency of treatment as stroke prevalence rises globally. The discussion explores the nuances between transient ischemic attacks and strokes, clarifying common misconceptions. Emphasizing the connection between TIAs and subsequent stroke risk, they stress the importance of early intervention to improve patient outcomes.

Discover the fascinating case of a 55-year-old woman battling trans-thyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. Learn about the evolving history and recent advancements in cardiac transplantation that have significantly increased survival rates. Explore the stringent eligibility requirements for candidates with cardiac amyloidosis, as well as the challenges of organ availability. Gain insights into donor heart allocation urgency and the surgical techniques involved, including potential postoperative complications and overall success rates.

A gripping discussion unfolds around the challenges faced by medical teams when treating victims of a chemical attack. The conversation highlights the swift and severe effects of nerve agents, including life-threatening cholinergic crises. Listeners gain insight into vital antidotes like atropine and the imperative for timely responses during emergencies. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding exposure pathways and the critical interventions needed in the face of chemical warfare.

A 20-year-old college student faces puzzling symptoms and an abnormal chest X-ray, leading to a deep dive into diagnostic challenges. The discussion shifts to acute sarcoidosis with skin involvement, highlighting unique symptoms like erythema nodosum. Participants dissect the complexities of sarcoidosis, from its mysterious causes to misconceptions about its age demographics. The episode also sheds light on hypercalcemia and the favorable prognosis of Lofgren syndrome, showcasing the wide-ranging impacts of this intriguing condition.

Dive into the challenges of obesity through the lens of a 55-year-old man's journey. Explore the rising rates and health risks associated with obesity, including essential metrics like BMI. Evaluate different weight management strategies, focusing on diet, lifestyle changes, and effective calorie reduction. Discover the significant role of exercise and medications like Orlistat and GLP-1 analogs in the treatment game. Uncover how combining lifestyle modifications with pharmacotherapy can create a comprehensive approach to battling obesity.

The podcast dives into the journey of a 55-year-old woman managing hypertension with lifestyle changes and medical therapy. Non-pharmacologic strategies like weight loss, exercise, and dietary modifications take center stage. It clarifies misconceptions, such as the ineffectiveness of creatine for blood pressure. The discussion highlights the impact of sodium intake and genetic variants on hypertension responses. Recommendations lean toward a DASH-style diet while navigating the complexities of potassium and calcium supplementation.

Dive into the intriguing case of a 73-year-old woman battling lower extremity swelling and fatigue. The discussion emphasizes the role of physical exams and point-of-care ultrasounds in diagnosing her condition. Explore the complexities of glomerular diseases, with a spotlight on idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis. A comparative analysis highlights the differences between minimal change disease and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Learn why renal biopsies are crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective therapy in older patients.