Imitators and Mimics of Acute Stroke
Stroke Mimics and Imitators
Acute Stroke mimics, or nonvascular disorders that produce focal neurologic deficits, often confound the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke...
Non-Cardiac Causes of Chest Pain
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…
Embolic Complications of Infective Endocarditis
Infective endocarditis - etiology and sources of infection
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a bacterial or fungal infection of the heart valves or perivalvular structures and is a highly morbid condition associated with significant in-hospital mortality. The morbidity of…
Atypical Causes of Status Epilepticus
The definition of status epilepticus has evolved as understanding of its potential sequelae has increased. Before examining the different causes of generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE), it is important to…
A Guide to Vaso-Occlusive Episode (VOE) in Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell Disease - Pathophysiology of disease and complications
Pain in a patient with sickle cell disease (SCD) can be an indicator of lifethreatening pathology. The provider can be lured into diagnosing and treating pain as a vaso-occlusive episode…
Acute Esophageal Variceal Bleeding
Esophageal Variceal Bleeding - Diagnosis and Management Summary
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) results from a variety of conditions that can vary from annoying to life threatening. The determination of nonvariceal versus variceal bleeding is critical as the tests…
Nontraditional Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in Patients with Chest Pain
Emergency providers (EP) frequently evaluate patients with acute chest pain. While most EPs rely on traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) to aid their evaluation, they should also…
Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS)
Treatment of Metabolic Abnormalities of Tumor Lysis Syndrome
What is Tumor Lysis Syndrome ? Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a metabolic syndrome characterized by renal failure and multiple metabolic abnormalities caused by the rapid and massive cell destruction…
Pitfalls in the Management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of diabetic ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a critical metabolic derangement that is commonly precipitated by acute illness (i.e., infection, myocardial infarction, stroke) or medication noncompliance. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) - Summary (Diagnosis and…
Acute Mesenteric Ischemia – An Overview
Small Bowel Infarction - Pathogenesis and Clinical Findings
Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) occurs when blood flow to the small intestines is not sufficient for normal bowel function. AMI is a high-risk diagnosis that carries an extremely high mortality…