Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: What is thrombolysis? Thrombolysis is performed by administration of a medication that promotes the body’s natural ability to break up clots. These medications include Alteplase (tPA) and Tenecteplase (TNK). The main side effect of using such an agent is bleeding which typically occurs at puncture sites but can also…
Read MoreContributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) has been attempted as an adjunct to CPR during cardiac arrest but few studies on outcomes exist One prior small study stopped early when it showed ECMO with CPR (ECPR) was significantly superior to CPR Recent large, multicenter randomized control study in Netherlands evaluated neurologic…
Read MoreContributor: Travis Barlock, MD Educational Pearls: Early repolarization a benign EKG pattern that can mimic an anterior STEMI Can be seen in the anterior leads typically in young male patients Can differentiate Early Repolarization vs Anterior STEMI by looking at four variables: Corrected QT interval QRS amplitude in V2 R wave amplitude in V4 ST…
Read MoreContributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Hyperkalemia may cause cardiac arrest Treatment of suspected hyperkalemic cardiac arrest begins with typical management of cardiac arrest including high-quality CPR, defibrillation if appropriate, and resuscitation medications Administer calcium products to stabilize cardiac membrane and potassium shifting medications If ROSC is achieved, initiate dialysis There are several case reports…
Read MoreContributor: Meghan Hurley, MD Educational Pearls: Educational Pearls: Dental infections can be categorized into two main groups Infections of the gums Pericoronitis Tooth eruption leading to inflammation/irritation Can progress to an infection Requires pain control, no antibiotics Gingivitis Inflammation of the gums Can lead to an infection requiring antibiotics Abscess (gums) If an infection develops…
Read MoreContributor: Jared Scott, MD Educational Pearls: Commotio cordis is sudden ventricular fibrillation precipitated by direct impact to the chest A national registry, US Commotio Cordis Registry, reports an average of 10-20 cases annually 95% of reported cases occur in males, indicating possible genetic component Average age of patient in registry is 15 Most cases occur during…
Read MoreContributor: Chris Holmes, MD Educational Pearls: Through world history, there have been various interesting approaches to wound care Ancient Egyptians applied honey, lint, and grease which provided antimicrobial, absorptive and moisturizing properties, respectively Ancient Greeks irrigated wounds with clean water and applied wine and vinegar which may have been antimicrobial One of the first synthetic…
Read MoreContributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Through world history, there have been various interesting approaches to wound care Ancient Egyptians applied honey, lint, and grease which provided properties of being antimicrobial, absorption and moisturization, respectively Ancient Greeks irrigated wounds with clean water and applied wine and vinegar One of the first synthetic topical antimicrobials was…
Read MoreContributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Pediatric patients frequently have vital signs considered abnormal for age at discharge Large multicenter study recently evaluated if pediatric patients discharged with abnormal vital signs have worse outcomes 97,824 pediatric discharges were included in the study 18.1% were discharged with vitals considered abnormal for age No significant difference in…
Read MoreContributor: Travis Barlock, MD Educational Pearls: The causes of pancreatitis can be remembered with the mnemonic: “GET SMASHED” G: Gallstones (Most common cause of pancreatitis overall) E: Ethanol (Alcohol consumption is the most common cause of chronic pancreatitis) T: Trauma S: Steroids M: Malignancy A: Autoimmune S: Scorpion Sting H: Hypertryglyceridemia E: ERCP D: Drugs…
Read More