Emergency Medicine Cases

Acute Dyspnea has a wide differential diagnosis from Metabolic Acidosis to Medically Unexplained Dyspnea. As a bonus to Episode 21 on Pulmonary Embolism and Acute Dyspnea, Dr. John Foote the CCFP(EM) residency program director at the University of Toronto presents his Best Case Ever related to an Acute Dyspnea presentation. In the related episode on Pulmonary Embolism we havet, with Dr. Foote, the triumphant return of Dr. Anil Chopra, the Head of the Divisions of Emergency Medicine at University of Toronto . We kick it off with Dr. Foote’s approach to undifferentiated acute dyspnea and explanation of Medically Unexplained Dyspea (‘MUD’) and go on to discuss how best to develop a clinical pretest probability for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism using risk factors, the value of the PERC rule, Well’s criteria and how clinical gestalt plays into pretest probability. Dr. Chopra tells about the appropriate use of D-dimer to improve our diagnostic accuracy without leading to over-investigation and unwarranted anticoagulation. We then discuss the value of V/Q scan in the workup of PE, and the pitfalls of CT angiography. A discussion of anticoagulation choices follows and the controversies around thrombolysis for submassive PE closes the podcast. [wpfilebase tag=file id=384 tpl=emc-play /] [wpfilebase tag=file id=385 tpl=emc-mp3 /]

Dr. Nazanin Meshkat, an emergency physician at University Health Network, Dr. Clare Atzema from Sunnybrook Health Sciences, and Dr. Bryan Au from St. Michael’s Hospital delve into the complexities of Atrial Fibrillation. They discuss the critical balance between rate and rhythm control and the nuances of anticoagulation strategies, particularly using the CHADS-VASc score. The guests also highlight the risks associated with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in AFib and share insights on managing patients with varying histories and conditions.

Explore the intriguing challenges of treating a 760-pound patient with atrial fibrillation. Discover the critical considerations for cardioversion in high-risk cases and the debate between rate and rhythm control. Learn about the intricacies of Afib medications, the Ottawa Aggressive Protocol, and the importance of anticoagulation. The CHADS-VASc score is discussed for effective stroke prevention. The episode wraps up with vital insights on identifying and managing Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

Dr. Anna Jarvis, a pioneer in pediatric emergency medicine, and Dr. Stephen Freedman, a leading researcher in pediatric GI emergencies, dive into the intricacies of pediatric gastroenteritis, discussing critical aspects of diagnosis and management. They emphasize differentiating gastroenteritis from serious conditions and explore rehydration methods, including the role of ondansetron. The duo also addresses severe causes of abdominal pain, such as bowel obstruction and constipation, providing valuable insights for healthcare professionals to navigate these common pediatric challenges.

In Part 1 of this Episode on Pediatric Abdominal Pain, Dr. Anna Jarvis, "the mother of pediatric emergency medicine" & Dr. Stephen Freedman, one of the world's pre-eminent pediatric EM researchers, discuss the nuances of the history, physical and work up of Pediatric Abdominal Pain & Appendicitis and key pearls on how to distinguish serious surgical causes from the very common diagnosis of gastroenteritis. An in-depth discussion on the pearls of the history, physical exam, lab tests, imaging including serial ultrasounds vs CT abdomen, clinical decision rules such as the Alvarado Score, best analgesics and antibiotics in pediatric appendicitis follows.

In Part 2 of this Episode on Emergency Ultrasound or Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Dr. Fischer, Dr. Hannam, Dr. Chenkin & Dr. Hall, Canada's EM ultrasound gurus discuss how POCUS can help our decision-making in the pediatric patient with a limp, in the patient with necrotizing fasciitis, in the pregnant patient with vaginal bleeding and in the common and challenging elderly patient with undifferentiated abdominal pain. They cover POCUS indications from urinary retention to appendicitis and debate the utility of these indications. This is followed by a debate on how best to educate ourselves and the EM community in POCUS and how best to designs quality assurance programs so that point of care ultrasound (POCUS) becomes an accepted tool across the entire medical community.

In this first installment of this Episode, Point of Care Ultrasound Pearls, Pitfalls & Controversies we have a panel of POCUS gurus, Dr. Greg Hall, Dr. Jordan Chenkin, Dr. Paul Hannam & Dr. Jason Fischer. They review the basic criteria for commonly used, practical Point of Care Ultrasound indications at the bedside and then dive into heated debate about specific pearls and pitfalls in Point of Care Ultrasound assessment of the patient with undifferentiated shortness of breath, undifferentiated shock, cardiac arrest and swollen leg. They discuss how best to interpret the massive body of literature for POCUS and when we can hang our hats on our Point of Care Ultrasound findings.

In the 2nd part of this episode on Stroke, Dabigitran & Intracranial Hemorrhage Dr. Walter Himmel & Dr. Dan Selchen tell us everything the ED doc needs to know about the oral direct thrombin inhibitor Dabigatran and how to reverse a Dabigatran ICH. The ED treatment of stroke is reviewed including best medications and a simple way to remember BP goals. They review the management of ICH including BP goals, indications for neurosurgery, the role of recombinant Factor Vlla, and how best to reverse Warfarin-associated and platelet-associated ICH.

Ep17 P1 StrokeDr. Walter Himmel, "the walking encyclopedia of Emergency Medicine" & Dr. Dan Selchen, the head of the stroke program at St. Micheal's Hospital in Toronto with 30+ years of experience as a stroke neurologist, update us on the literature regarding Emergency Stroke Controversies including the ABCD2 Score to predict Stroke after TIA, as well as the current thinking around the best carotid imaging for patients who have had a TIA. They then review the important findings of the key thrombolysis stroke trials & how we could incorporate these findings into our daily practice. Dr. Selchen reviews the key CT findings we should look for in stroke, & Dr. Himmel takes us through how to manage the dreaded complication of ICH post thrombolysis. This episode is super controversial - so please 'speak your mind' at the bottom of the page.

Ep16 MonoarthritisDr. Joel Yaphe, University of Toronto's Emergency Medicine Residency Program Director and Dr. Indy Ghosh discuss the difficult diagnostic dilemmas when faced with a patient with acute monoarthritis. They review how to distinguish clinically between septic arthritis and gout and which aspects of the presentation and work-up are the most reliable in risk stratifying patients. The key differential diagnosis of Acute Polyarthritis can be even more of a challenge, but fear not: by then end of this podcast and post you will be able to recognize the key diagnoses, how to work them up, and who needs consultation.