Apr 30, 2018
Author: Jared Scott, M.D.
Educational Pearls:
- Cardiac myocytes and vascular smooth muscle are dependent on an intracellular calcium influx for contraction. Pancreatic beta cells rely on calcium to release insulin.
- Calcium channel blockers will decrease cardiac contractility and heart rate, but will also cause...
Apr 27, 2018
Author: Nick Hatch, M.D.
Educational Pearls:
- Methemoglobinemia is when the iron in hemoglobin is in the Fe3+ (ferric) state rather than the normal Fe2+ (ferrous) state. Methemoglobin cannot release oxygen at the tissues.
- Symptoms include cyanosis, headache, tachycardia, dyspnea, and lethargy.
- Suspect in setting...
Apr 25, 2018
Author: Jared Scott, M.D.
Educational Pearls:
- Recent study compared Compazine with Benadryl vs. Dilaudid for acute migraine management in the ED.
- Compazine + Benadryl demonstrated migraine relief in 60% of patients compared to the 31% of patients who were relieved with Dilaudid.
- Compazine + Benadryl is a superior...
Apr 23, 2018
Author: Don Stader, M.D.
Educational Pearls:
- Pulmonary embolism is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality.
- There is disagreement among different medical societies about the value of D-dimer as a screening modality. If you use it, consider the rational D-dimer approach whereby you add 250 to your cut-off...
Apr 20, 2018
Author: Aaron Lessen, MD
Educational Pearls:
- Shockable rhythms like V-fib or V-tach have a better prognosis than patients with PEA or asystole.
- Recent study has shown an initial electrical frequency in PEA between 10-24/min had worse outcomes than PEA with initial rhythm over 60/min.
- Patients with an initial...