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Podcast 1020: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Contributor: Alec Coston, MD Educational Pearls: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) Common inner ear condition that can cause dizziness Diagnosis of BPPV can help to avoid admissions and extra imaging Three categories: positional, horizontal, and anterior Positional is the most common Dizziness is not a positive indicator, a torsional nystagmus must be induced Dix’s hallpike…
Read MorePodcast 1019: Trauma Blunt Cardiovascular Injuries (BCVI)
Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) Common inner ear condition that can cause dizziness Diagnosis of BPPV can help to avoid admissions and extra imaging Three categories: positional, horizontal, and anterior Positional is the most common Dizziness is not a positive indicator, a torsional nystagmus must be induced Dix’s…
Read MorePodcast 1018: Occult Ventricular Fibrillation on Echocardiography
Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Big question in cardiac arrest: is the rhythm shockable? Shockable: ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia Non-shockable: asystole and pulseless electrical activity (PEA) Rhythm classification is typically based on ECG, but echocardiography can directly visualize myocardial fibrillation Occult VF: a rhythm that appears non-shockable on ECG but demonstrates…
Read MorePodcast 1017: CPR Hand Placement
Contributor: Taylor Lynch, MD Educational Pearls: CPR is an important life-saving measure designed for anyone to perform. Chest compressions works by two mechanisms: Cardiac pump: Direct squeezing of the heart Thoracic pump: Increasing intrathoracic pressure, causing increased blood flow Proper hand placement per current AHA guidelines: Hands are placed in the center of the chest,…
Read MorePodcast 1016: Hypokalemia
Contributor: Meghan Hurley, MD Educational Pearls: What is hypokalemia? Hypokalemia is when the measured blood level of potassium falls below 3.5 mEq/L (normal 3.5 – 5.2 mEq/L). Can generally be considered in mild (3.0 – 3.5 mEq/L); moderate (2.5 – 2.9 mEq/L); and severe (<2.5 mEq/L) categories with differing treatment goals based on levels. Should…
Read MorePodcast 1015: Calcium in Hyperkalemia
Contributor: Meghan Hurley, MD Educational Pearls: What is hyperkalemia? Hyperkalemia is when the measured blood level of potassium reaches above 5.2 – 5.5 mEq/L (normal 3.5 – 5.2 mEq/L). What are common causes of hyperkalemia? Chronic or acute kidney disease. Medications that impact the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone-System (RAAS). Hypoaldosteronism and primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s Disease). What are…
Read MorePodcast 1014: Eating and Drinking on Shift
Contributor; Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: A 2026 survey asked Canadian emergency medicine (EM) physicians about their eating and drinking habits while on shift. Among 527 respondents, 35% reported that they never or hardly ever ate during shifts, and 37% said the same about drinking water Lack of time was the most commonly cited barrier,…
Read MorePodcast 1013: Thoracotomy Indications
Contributor; Taylor Lynch, MD Educational Pearls: Thoracotomy Thoracotomy is used in traumatic cardiac arrest to replace conventional CPR with direct access to the chest. Goals include identifying and controlling reversible causes of bleeding, prioritizing blood flow to the heart and brain, and performing open cardiac massage. Trauma categories Penetrating trauma: Gunshot wounds and stab wounds….
Read MorePodcast 1012: Meth Sedation
Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Agitated patients who are intoxicated with methamphetamine pose a unique challenge when selecting a sedative to counter their symptoms. Is there a superior medication? A recent study compared the efficacy of commonly used medications for methamphetamine-induced agitation in the emergency department. The study compared IM Droperidol 5mg, IM…
Read MorePodcast 1011: Creepy Crawlies
Contributor: Meghan Hurley, MD Educational Pearls: What animal is the most lethal to humans? Depending on how we define lethal, and animal, this answer is actually not straight forward. Globally and in the U.S. the most lethal animal is humans, accounting for ~436,000 to ~20,000 deaths (homicides) per year on average respectively. In the United…
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