Core EM - Emergency Medicine Podcast

This week we do a brief review on recognizing CO monoxide poisoning and expertly managing it. https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Episode_96_0_Final_Cut.m4a Download Leave a Comment Tags: CO, Inhaled Toxins, Toxicology Show Notes Take Home Points CO poisoning happens most often from common are accidental exposures from faulty home heaters, camp stoves and indoor use of gas powered generators, structure fires and intentional exposure like in suicide attempts. Patients with a mild exposure will present with symptoms like headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, vision blurring, palpitations, confusion or myalgias.  More severe exposures may produce Altered mental status. seizures, coma, dysrythmias, myocardial ischemia, metabolic acidosis, syncope and vital sign abnormalities including hypotension and, eventually, cardiac arrest. To help distinguish the vague symptoms of a patient who may have chronic exposure ask about things like whether symptoms improve in different environments or whether they have sick pets, as human viral illness generally don’t affect our dogs and cats. If you’re concerned about CO send a co-ox panel.  City dwellers may have a baseline carboxyhemoglobin of 1-2% and smokers around 6-10% but others should really have no carboxyhemoglobin. Treatment is supplemental O2 which can be stopped when symptoms improve.  For severe symptoms and for pregnant patients, consider hyperbarics to prevent long term sequelae and to protect the fetus.  As always, consider discussing the case with your local poison center to help decide whether a patient warrants transfer for hyperbarics. LITFL: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning EMCrit: Podcast 122 – Cardiac Arrest after the Toxicology of Smoke Inhalation with Lewis Nelson FOAMcast: Episode #1: EMCrit Episode #122 – Cyanide and Carbon Monoxide Toxicity Nelson LS, Hoffman RS: Inhaled Toxins, in Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al (eds): Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice, ed 8. St. Louis, Mosby, Inc., 2010, (Ch) 159: p 2036-2045. Tomaszewski C. Chapter 125. Carbon Monoxide. In: Nelson LS, Lewin NA, Howland M, Hoffman RS, Goldfrank LR, Flomenbaum NE. eds. Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies, 9e New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2011. Accessed April 19, 2017. Read More

This week we discuss the identification, prevention and treatment of local anesthetic systemic toxicity. https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Podcast_Episode_95_0_Final_Cut.m4a Download 6 Comments Tags: Antidote, Bupivicaine, Intralipid, Lidocaine, Toxicology Show Notes LITFL: Local Anesthetic Toxicity Wiki EM: Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity References: Schwartz DR, Kaufman B. Local Anesthetics. In: Hoffman RS, Howland M, Lewin NA, Nelson LS, Goldfrank LR. eds. Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies, 10e New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2015. Link Neal JM et al, American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine checklist for managing local anesthetic systemic toxicity: 2012 version. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2012;37:16–8. PMID: 22189574 Cao D et al. Intravenous lipid emulsion in the emergency department: a systematic review. J Emerg Med 2015; 48(3): 387-97. PMID: 25534900 Read More

Discover the ins and outs of mammal bites—from dogs to humans. Learn about the critical aspects of wound closure and effective antibiotic use. The dangers of rabies exposure are discussed, emphasizing tailored medical responses. Misconceptions around dog bite severity and treatment are debunked, providing clarity on wound management. Get insights into unique cases involving cat and bat bites, plus essential tips for recognizing deeper medical issues behind various bite patterns.

This week we cover a workshop from our conference on CNS infections focusing on meningitis. https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Podcast_Episode_93_0_Final_Cut.m4a Download 3 Comments Tags: Bacterial Meningitis, CNS Infections, Infectious Diseases, Meningitis, Neurology Show Notes CSF Analysis (LITFL) EM Lyceum: Viral Meningitis “Answers” EM RAP: Meningitis LITFL: Bacterial Meningitis LITFL: CSF Analysis The NNT: Glucocorticoid Steroids for Bacterial Meningitis References Attia J et al. Does this adult patient have acute meningitis. JAMA 1999; 281(2): 175-81. PMID: 10411200 Brouwer MC et al. Corticosteroids for acute bacterial meningitis (review). Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015. PMID: 26362566 Cooper DD, Seupaul RA. Is adjunctive dexamethasone beneficial in patients with bacterial meningitis? Ann Emerg Med 2012; 59(3): 225-6. PMID: 22088494 de Gans J et al. Dexamethasone in adults with bacterial meningitis. NEJM 2012; 347(20): 1549-57. PMID: 12432041 Hasbun R et al. Computed tomography of the head before lumbar puncture in adults with suspected meningitis. NEJM 2001; 345(24): 1727-34. PMID: 11742046 Sakushima K et al. Diagnostic accuracy of cerebrospinal fluid lactate for differentiating bacterial meningitis from aseptic meningitis: a meta-analysis. J Infection 2011; 62: 255-62. PMID: 21382412 Tunkel AR et al. Practice guidelines for the management of bacterial meningitis. Clin Infect Dis 2004; 39: 1267-84. PMID: 15494903 Read More

This discussion dives into urgent dialysis-related emergencies encountered in the ED. It highlights the critical assessment of dialysis access sites, emphasizing detection of complications. Bleeding management techniques for dialysis fistulas are shared, along with essential strategies for addressing bacterial peritonitis in patients. The conversation also sheds light on dialysis disequilibrium syndrome, detailing its symptoms and initial treatment approaches. Overall, it's a must-listen for emergency professionals tackling these complex cases.

This week we discuss a recent article in Annals of EM on contrast induced nephropathy and whether the phenomena is real or dogma. https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Podcast_Episode_91_0_Final_Cut.m4a Download Leave a Comment Tags: AKI, CIN, Contrast Induced Nephropathy, Journal Update Show Notes ACR Table on CIN – FOAMCast FOAMCast: Episode 65 – Contrast Induced Nephropathy and Genitourinary Trauma REBEL EM: Contrast Induced Nephropahty: Fact or Myth Core EM: Acute Kidney Injury is not Associated with IV Contrast Use in the ED EM Lit of Note: Punching Holes in CIN EMCrit: Do CT Scans Cause Contrast Nephrophathy? EM Lit of Note: Punching Holes in CIN EM Docs: Contrast-Induced Nephropathy – Confounding Causation Read More

This week we dive into acute rhinosinusitis focusing on diagnosis and discussing the absence of utility for antibiotics in most patients. https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Podcast_Episode_90_0_Final_Cut.m4a Download Leave a Comment Tags: ENT, Rhinosinusitis, Sinusitis, URI Show Notes Take Home Points Sinusitis is a clinical diagnosis. Patients typically present with purulent nasal discharge and facial pain or other URI symptoms. The vast majority of patients with acute rhino sinusitis will be viral in nature and will not benefit from antibiotics Patients with prolonged symptoms, more than 7-10 days, without improvement or continued fevers past 2-3 days should be considered for antibiotic treatment as should those who are immunocompromised. Show Notes Melio FR, Berge LR. Upper Respiratory Tract Infections, in Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al (eds): Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice, ed 8. St. Louis, Mosby, Inc., 2010, (Ch) 75: p 965-79. The NNT: Antibiotics for Clinically Diagnosed Acute Sinusitis in Adults The NNT: Antibiotics for Radiologically-Diagnosed Acute Maxillary Sinusitis Lemiengre MB et al. Antibiotics for clinically diagnosed acute rhinosinusitis in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012. PMID: 23076918 Ahovuo-Saloranta A et al. Antibiotics for acute maxillary sinusitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008. PMID: 18425861 Read More

This discussion dives into the management of nosebleeds, focusing on both anterior and posterior types. Solid pressure is emphasized as the first step in treatment. Intriguing techniques are shared, including the use of oxymetazoline and lidocaine for packing. Topical tranexamic acid emerges as a notable option for persistent cases. The podcast also covers effective nasal packing methods and addresses the use of Foley catheters for brisk bleeds. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the art of stopping the flow!

Learn a simplified method for tackling tachydysrhythmias by categorizing rhythms into four distinct boxes. Discover how to quickly differentiate between narrow and wide QRS complexes, and identify key rhythms like atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. Explore life-threatening conditions and the urgent treatments required for irregular rhythms. Anand emphasizes the importance of assuming VT for wide and regular rhythms and shares valuable resources for deeper understanding.

This week we discuss two recent journal articles - the POKER trial and the ketorlac analgesic ceiling https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Podcast_Episode_87_0_Final_Cut.m4a Download Leave a Comment Tags: Ketamine, Ketofol, ketorlac, POKER, Propofol, PSA Show Notes Take Home Points The POKER trial examined the difference between propofol and ketofol when it comes to adverse respiratory events.  They found no significant difference between the groups.  Given the increased risk of medication errors using two medication instead of one, you may want to avoid the mixture. Ketorolac has an analgesic ceiling effect lower than you may have thought.  When comparing IV doses of 10mg, 15mg and 30mg they found no difference in analgesic effect.  Given the risks of side effects may increase with higher doses, you may want to stick to the lower 10mg dose. RebelEM: The POKER Trial: Go All in on Ketofol? St. Emlyn’s: JC: Is Ketofol with the hassle? Core EM: Propofol vs. Ketofol in PSA EM: RAP: Just Enough Ketorlac RebelEM: The Ketorolac Analgesic Ceiling Core EM: Parenteral Ketorlac Dosing Propofol or Ketofol for Procedural Sedation and Analgesia in Emergency Medicine-The POKER Study: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial. PubMed ID: 27460905 Comparison of Intravenous Ketorolac at Three Single-Dose Regimens for Treating Acute Pain in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PubMed ID: 27993418 Read More