Abdominal Compartment Syndrome occurs when elevated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), or, intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH), leads to new organ dysfunction. The incidence of abdominal compartment syndrome in the ED has not been reported, but in studies of trauma patients, the incidence is between 1% and 14%.
SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) is Inflammatory response to a non-infectious insult (pancreatitis, burn, surgery…)
Intraosseous (IO) access can serve as a lifesaving alternative to intravenous (IV) access, especially in the crashing hypovolemic patient. The noncollapsible medullary space of bone is a reliable entry point into the vascular system in patients with difficult or delayed IV access.
Remove clothing (operative for adherent clothing), Stop burning, Provide first aid (avoid hypothermia with overuse of water to decontaminate wounds), Asses for other injuries, asses burn severity (below), consider transfer
Work-up for upper abdominal pain begins with resuscitation and exclusion of critical diagnoses. Then, through a detailed history and physical, consider all the causes of upper abdominal pain. The differential may then come down to Gallstone etiology vs Gastritis/PUD → will need further imaging based on suspicion (US abdomen)
Assess severity of dyspnea, including need for intubation/airway management based on physical examination. Emergent intubation indicated regardless of cause if severe respiratory distress/arrest. Consider Critical diagnoses → may be able to cure patient and avert intubation if the underlying cause is corrected (i.e. chest tube insertion, foreign body removal…)
The Anxious State limbic system, in particular the amygdala, facilitates autonomic arousal under conditions of uncertainty or distress. The increase in sympathetic tone contributes to a state of readiness with…
The goal for the patient in shock is rapidly identifying that the patient is in shock, finding the cause of shock and treating the cause while simultaneously resuscitating the patient.…
The patient in Undifferentiated Circulatory Shock presents a unique challenge for the emergency physician, as the provider must perform time-critical resuscitation with limited diagnostic information. In addition to a focused…
Annually, almost 6 million patients present to the emergency department with a chief complaint of chest pain. Thankfully, the majority will not have an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) as the…