Neurovascular ultrasound in acute stroke: emergency department applications.

Acute stroke is one of the most common neurologic emergencies encountered by emergency clinicians. While point of care ultrasound has been a core part of emergency clinicians' training and practice for many years, the use of specialized ultrasound modalities in the care of acute ischemic stroke has not been as widely adopted. This review discusses the use of ultrasound in acute stroke, with a focus on applications of interest to emergency clinicians. Transcranial Doppler, carotid Doppler, microembolic signal detection, transthoracic echocardiography, evaluation for collateral circulation and optic nerve sheath diameter measurement are discussed in a case-based format, with a focus on practical applications for emergency clinicians.

Iatrogenic Vertebral Artery Dissection with Posterior Fossa and Lateral Medullary Stroke After Uncomplicated Cervical Nerve Ablation.

BACKGROUND: A cervical radiofrequency ablation is a procedure that can be performed to treat arthritis-related pain in the neck and upper back. There have been no large studies reporting complications after this procedure. We report a case of a 55-year-old woman with iatrogenic vertebral artery dissection of C3-C4 with segmental occlusion leading to a posterior fossa stroke and lateral medullary stroke after a high-grade cervical nerve ablation. CASE REPORT: A 55-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department with vomiting, neck pain, temperature changes, dizziness, and dysarthria after undergoing C2-C3, C4-C5 nerve ablation 30 min prior to arrival. The patient was found to have a vertebral artery dissection with posterior fossa and lateral medullary stroke. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Vertebral artery dissection and subsequent stroke should be considered with recent cervical facet joint injections, such as intra-articular facet joint injections, medial branch blocks, or medial branch radiofrequency nerve ablation. The case we report shows devastating outcomes that can result from what many consider a relatively simple procedure.

Emergency department antibiotic use for exacerbations of COPD.

BACKGROUND: COPD is the third leading cause of death, with acute exacerbations accounting for 1.5 million emergency department (ED) visits annually. Guidelines include recommendations for antibiotic therapy, though evidence for benefit is limited, and little is known about ED prescribing patterns. Our objectives were to determine the rate with which ED patients with acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are treated with antibiotics, compare the proportions of antibiotic classes prescribed, describe trends of antibiotic treatment, and identify predictors of antibiotic therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was an analysis of the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) for the years 2009-2014. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the rate of antibiotic therapy and the relative proportions of each antibiotic class prescribed for AECOPD. Logistic regression was used to measure the trend in treatment rate over time and identify the variables associated with antibiotic use. RESULTS: There were an estimated 4.5 million ED visits for AECOPD. Antibiotic treatment occurred at a rate of 39%. Among those treated, macrolides (41%) and quinolones (35%) were prescribed most frequently. Logistic regression did not reveal a trend in antibiotic treatment over time and identified emergent/immediate triage level (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.09-4.10) and elevated temperature (OR 7.92, 95% CI 2.28-27.50) as being independently associated with antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: Less than half of the ED visits for AECOPD resulted in antibiotic therapy, with no upward trend over time. Fever and triage level were predictive of antibiotic therapy, with macrolides and quinolones constituting the agents most commonly prescribed.

Contents of a Bug-Out Bag.

A large number of civilian agencies have published guides and recommendations on how to assemble personal and family emergency kits. However, the kits resulting from following these guidelines are impractical, particularly in the event evacuation becomes necessary. This report describes an alternative approach to assembling an emergency kit. OstrovskiyG, ShemeshAJ. Contents of a bug-out bag. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(6):647-649.

Medical issues in flight and updating the emergency medical kit.

Airline travel is more affordable than ever and likely safer than ever too. Within half a day, a passenger can be on the other side of the world. However, medical care in-flight has been an issue for those with medical conditions and for those who fall sick during a journey. While airlines have the advice of multiple recognized organizations on needs and standards of care, in-flight emergencies occur at various levels. An emergency medical kit (EMK) together with trained cabin crew can be very effective at resolving the minor problems that arise and reducing the risk of escalation. On occasion, an overhead plea may be announced for additional medical expertise. Having the right content in a medical kit is more important in modern day travel, coupled with advances in equipment and passenger expectations. The authors address current issues of illness and other relevant conditions and suggest a content enhancement for an onboard EMK.