Trauma in pregnancy: A narrative review of the current literature.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma accounts for nearly half of all deaths of pregnant women. Pregnant women have distinct physiologic and anatomic characteristics which complicate their management following major trauma. OBJECTIVE: This paper comprises a narrative review of the most recent literature informing the management of pregnant trauma patients. DISCUSSION: The incidence of trauma during pregnancy is 6-8%. The focus of clinical assessment must be on the mother, starting with the primary survey. During airway management, clinicians should consider early intubation if necessary and utilize gastric tubes to minimize the risk of aspiration. Pregnant women experience progesterone-mediated hyperventilation, and normal PaCO2 levels may portend imminent respiratory failure. Clinicians should utilize left lateral tilt in hypotensive pregnant women to displace the uterus off the inferior vena cava. Ultrasonography is an attractive imaging modality for pregnant women which is specific for ruling in intraabdominal hemorrhage but not sufficiently sensitive to exclude this diagnosis. Clinicians should not hesitate to order computed tomography imaging in unstable patients if there is diagnostic ambiguity. Cardiotocographic monitoring simultaneously assesses uterine contractions and fetal heart rate and should last at least 4 h for pregnant women following even minor abdominal trauma if their fetus has achieved viable gestational age (approximately 24 weeks). In the event of cardiac arrest, peri-mortem cesarean section may improve outcomes for the mother and fetus alike. Unique specific complications include uterine rupture and placental abruption, which require emergent resuscitation and obstetrics consultation for definitive management. Emergency clinicians should maintain a low threshold for transfer to a tertiary care center given correlations between even isolated and relatively minor traumatic injuries with adverse fetal and maternal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Trauma is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnant women. Emergency clinicians must understand the evaluation and management of pregnant trauma patients.

Hereditary Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: A Case Presentation of a Rare Stroke Mimic.

Acute ischemic cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is a time-sensitive emergent diagnosis, requiring rapid diagnosis and consideration of thrombolytic administration. However, a myriad of cerebrovascular mimics creates a diagnostic challenge. A rare CVA mimic is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rapidly progressive fatal dementia due to protein misfolding. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurology consultation for electroencephalogram (EEG) and specialized cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies are diagnostic while the patient is alive. All forms are fatal within months, and diagnosis can be confirmed on postmortem brain testing. While incredibly uncommon, emergency clinicians should consider this diagnosis in the proper patient to advocate for specialized CSF testing and potential palliative care consultation.

High risk and low prevalence diseases: Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

INTRODUCTION: Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are serious conditions that carry a high rate of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: This review highlights the pearls and pitfalls of SJS/TEN, including presentation, diagnosis, and management in the emergency department (ED) based on current evidence. DISCUSSION: SJS/TEN is a rare, delayed hypersensitivity reaction resulting in de-epithelialization of the skin and mucous membranes. The majority of cases are associated with medication or infection. Clinicians should consider SJS/TEN in any patient presenting with a blistering mucocutaneous eruption. Evaluation of the skin, mucosal, pulmonary, renal, genital, and ocular systems are essential in the diagnosis of SJS/TEN, as well as in the identification of complications (e.g., sepsis). Laboratory and radiological testing cannot confirm the diagnosis in the ED setting, but they may assist in the identification of complications. ED management includes stabilization of airway and breathing, fluid resuscitation, and treatment of any superimposed infections with broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. All patients with suspected SJS/TEN should be transferred and admitted to a center with burn surgery, critical care, dermatology, and broad specialist availability. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of SJS/TEN can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this potentially deadly disease.

Multiple Sclerosis: An Emergency Medicine-Focused Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a rare but serious condition associated with significant morbidity. OBJECTIVE: This review provides a focused assessment of MS for emergency clinicians, including the presentation, evaluation, and emergency department (ED) management based on current evidence. DISCUSSION: MS is an autoimmune disorder targeting the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by clinical relapses and radiological lesions disseminated in time and location. Patients with MS most commonly present with long tract signs (e.g., myelopathy, asymmetric spastic paraplegia, urinary dysfunction, Lhermitte's sign), optic neuritis, or brainstem syndromes (bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia). Cortical syndromes or multifocal presentations are less common. Radiologically isolated syndrome and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) may or may not progress to chronic forms of MS, including relapsing remitting MS, primary progressive MS, and secondary progressive MS. The foundation of outpatient management involves disease-modifying therapy, which is typically initiated with the first signs of disease onset. Management of CIS and acute flares of MS in the ED includes corticosteroid therapy, ideally after diagnostic testing with imaging and lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Emergency clinicians should evaluate whether patients with MS are presenting with new-onset debilitating neurological symptoms to avoid unnecessary testing and admissions, but failure to appropriately diagnose CIS or MS flare is associated with increased morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of MS can assist emergency clinicians in better diagnosing and managing this neurologically devastating disease.

Transvenous Pacemaker Placement: A Review for Emergency Clinicians.

BACKGROUND: Transvenous pacemaker placement is an integral component of therapy for severe dysrhythmias and a core skill in emergency medicine. OBJECTIVE: This narrative review provides a focused evaluation of transvenous pacemaker placement in the emergency department setting. DISCUSSION: Temporary cardiac pacing can be a life-saving procedure. Indications for pacemaker placement include hemodynamic instability with symptomatic bradycardia secondary to atrioventricular block and sinus node dysfunction; overdrive pacing in unstable tachydysrhythmias, such as torsades de pointes; and failure of transcutaneous pacing. Optimal placement sites include the right internal jugular vein and left subclavian vein. Insertion first includes placement of a central venous catheter. The pacing wire with balloon is then advanced until electromechanical capture is obtained with the pacer in the right ventricle. Ultrasound can be used to guide and confirm lead placement using the subxiphoid or modified subxiphoid approach. The QRS segment will demonstrate ST segment elevation once the pacing wire tip contacts the endocardial wall. If mechanical capture is not achieved with initial placement of the transvenous pacer, the clinician must consider several potential issues and use an approach to evaluating the equipment and correcting any malfunction. Although life-saving in the appropriate patient, complications may occur from central venous access, right heart catheterization, and the pacing wire. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of transvenous pacemaker placement is essential for emergency clinicians.

A prospective, pragmatic non-inferiority study of emergency intubation success with the single-use i-view versus standard reusable video laryngoscope.

INTRODUCTION: Video laryngoscope (VL) technology improves first-pass success. The novel i-view VL device is inexpensive and disposable. We sought to determine the first-pass intubation success with the i-view VL device versus the standard reusable VL systems in routine use at each site. METHODS: We performed a prospective, pragmatic study at two major emergency departments (EDs) when VL was used. We rotated i-view versus reusable VL as the preferred device of the month based on an a priori schedule. An investigator-initiated interim analysis was performed. Our primary outcome was a first-pass success with a non-inferiority margin of 10% based on the per-protocol analysis. RESULTS: There were 93 intubations using the reusable VL devices and 81 intubations using the i-view. Our study was stopped early due to futility in reaching our predetermined non-inferiority margin. Operator and patient characteristics were similar between the two groups. The first-pass success rate for the i-view group was 69.1% compared to 84.3% for the reusable VL group. A non-inferiority analysis indicated that the difference (-15.1%) and corresponding 90% confidence limits (-25.3% to -5.0%) did not fall within the predetermined 10% non-inferiority margin. CONCLUSIONS: The i-view device failed to meet our predetermined non-inferiority margin when compared to the reusable VL systems with the study stopping early due to futility. Significant crossover occurred at the discretion of the intubating operator during the i-view month.

Acute aortic occlusion: A narrative review for emergency clinicians.

INTRODUCTION: Acute aortic occlusion (AAO) is a rare but serious condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: This review provides an emergency medicine focused evaluation of AAO, including presentation, assessment, and emergency department (ED) management based on current evidence. DISCUSSION: AAO refers to obstruction of blood flow through the aorta due to either thrombosis or embolism. This condition primarily affects older adults ages 60-70 with cardiovascular comorbidities and most commonly presents with signs and symptoms of acute limb ischemia, though the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and spinal cord may be affected. The first line imaging modality includes computed tomography angiography of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. ED resuscitative management consists of avoiding extremes of blood pressure or heart rate, maintaining normal oxygen saturation and euvolemic status, anticoagulation with heparin, and pain control. Emergent consultation with the vascular surgery specialist is recommended to establish a plan for restoration of perfusion to ischemic tissues via endovascular or open techniques. High rates of baseline comorbidities present in the affected population as well as ischemic and reperfusion injuries place AAO patients at high risk for complications in an immediate and delayed fashion after surgical management. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of AAO can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this rare but devastating disease.

Management of high-risk pulmonary embolism in the emergency department: A narrative review.

BACKGROUND: High-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) is a complex, life-threatening condition, and emergency clinicians must be ready to resuscitate and rapidly pursue primary reperfusion therapy. The first-line reperfusion therapy for patients with high-risk PE is systemic thrombolytics (ST). Despite consensus guidelines, only a fraction of eligible patients receive ST for high-risk PE. OBJECTIVE: This review provides emergency clinicians with a comprehensive overview of the current evidence regarding the management of high-risk PE with an emphasis on ST and other reperfusion therapies to address the gap between practice and guideline recommendations. DISCUSSION: High-risk PE is defined as PE that causes hemodynamic instability. The high mortality rate and dynamic pathophysiology of high-risk PE make it challenging to manage. Initial stabilization of the decompensating patient includes vasopressor administration and supplemental oxygen or high-flow nasal cannula. Primary reperfusion therapy should be pursued for those with high-risk PE, and consensus guidelines recommend the use of ST for high-risk PE based on studies demonstrating benefit. Other options for reperfusion include surgical embolectomy and catheter directed interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency clinicians must possess an understanding of high-risk PE including the clinical assessment, pathophysiology, management of hemodynamic instability and respiratory failure, and primary reperfusion therapies.

High risk and low prevalence diseases: Acute mastoiditis.

INTRODUCTION: Acute mastoiditis is a serious condition that carries with it a high rate of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: This review highlights the pearls and pitfalls of mastoiditis, including the presentation, diagnosis, and management in the emergency department (ED) based on current evidence. DISCUSSION: Acute mastoiditis most commonly affects pediatric patients and is a suppurative infection of the mastoid air cells. It is often associated with otitis media, and common bacteria include Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. History and examination may reveal tympanic membrane erythema, pinna protrusion, postauricular erythema, mastoid tenderness with palpation, external canal swelling, otorrhea, fever, and malaise. The disease should be suspected in those who fail treatment for otitis media and those who demonstrate the aforementioned abnormalities on examination and systemic symptoms. Laboratory analysis may reveal evidence of systemic inflammation, but a normal white blood cell count and other inflammatory markers should not be used to exclude the diagnosis. Computed tomography (CT) of the temporal bones with intravenous contrast is the recommended imaging modality if the clinician is unsure of the diagnosis. CT may also demonstrate complications. Treatment includes antibiotics such as ampicillin-sulbactam or ceftriaxone as well as otolaryngology consultation. Complications may include subperiosteal and intracranial abscess, deep neck abscess, facial nerve palsy, meningitis/encephalitis, venous sinus thrombosis, and seizures. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of acute mastoiditis can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this potentially deadly disease.

Interventions associated with survival after prehospital intubation in the deployed combat setting.

INTRODUCTION: Airway compromise is the second leading cause of potentially preventable death on the battlefield. Prehospital airway management is often unavoidable in a kinetic combat environment and expected to increase in future wars where timely evacuation will be unreliable and air superiority not guaranteed. We compared characteristics of survivors to non-survivors among combat casualties undergoing prehospital airway intubation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We requested all Department of Defense Trauma Registry (DODTR) encounters during 2007-2023 with documentation of any airway intervention or assessment within the first 72-h after injury. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all casualties with intubation documented in the prehospital setting. We used descriptive and inferential statistical analysis to compare survivors through 7 days post injury versus non-survivors. We constructed 3 multivariable logistic regression models to test for associations between interventions and 7-day survival after adjusting for injury severity score, mechanism of injury, and receipt of sedatives, paralytics, and blood products. RESULTS: There were 1377 of 48,301 patients with documentation of prehospital intubation in a combat setting. Of these, 1028 (75%) survived through 7 days post injury. Higher proportions of survivors received ketamine, paralytic agents, parenteral opioids, and parenteral benzodiazepines; there was no difference in the proportions of survivors versus non-survivors receiving etomidate. The multivariable models consistently demonstrated positive associations between 7-day survival and receipt of non-depolarizing paralytics and opioid analgesics. CONCLUSIONS: We found an association between non-depolarizing paralytic and opioid receipt with 7-day survival among patients undergoing prehospital intubation. The literature would benefit from future multi-center randomized controlled trials to establish optimal pharmacologic strategies for trauma patients undergoing prehospital intubation.

Analgesic Techniques for Managing Orthopedic Injuries: A Review for the Emergency Clinician.

BACKGROUND: Orthopedic injuries are commonly managed in the emergency department (ED) setting. Fractures and dislocations may require reduction for proper management. There are a variety of analgesic and sedative strategies to provide patient comfort during reduction. OBJECTIVE: This narrative review evaluates hematoma block, intra-articular injection, intravenous regional analgesia (IVRA) (also known as the Bier block), and periosteal block for orthopedic analgesia in the ED setting. DISCUSSION: Analgesia is an essential component of management of orthopedic injuries, particularly when reduction is necessary. Options in the ED setting include hematoma blocks, intra-articular injections, IVRA, and periosteal blocks, which provide adequate analgesia without procedural sedation or opioid administration. When used in isolation, these analgesic techniques decrease complications from sedation and the need for other medications, such as opioids, while decreasing ED length of stay. Emergency clinicians can also use these techniques as analgesic adjuncts. However, training in these techniques is recommended prior to routine use, particularly with IVRA. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of analgesic techniques for orthopedic procedures can assist clinicians in optimizing patient care.

GLP-1 agonists: A review for emergency clinicians.

INTRODUCTION: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) based therapies, including GLP-1 agonists, are currently in use for treatment of diabetes and obesity. However, several complications may occur with their use. OBJECTIVE: This narrative review provides a focused evaluation of GLP-1 agonist therapy and associated complications for emergency clinicians. DISCUSSION: GLP-1 agonists potentiate insulin release and reduce gastric emptying and food intake. These agents have demonstrated significant improvements in glucose control in diabetics and weight loss in obese patients. The two most common agents include subcutaneous semaglutide (Ozempic, approved for type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy, approved for weight loss) and liraglutide (Saxenda, approved for weight loss, and Victoza, approved for type 2 diabetes), though an oral formulation of semaglutide is available (Rybelsus). While these drugs are associated with improved long-term outcomes, there are a variety of associated adverse events. The most common include gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Pancreatitis and biliary disease may also occur. Hypersensitivity including injection site reactions have been associated with use, with reports of anaphylaxis and other rashes. Renal adverse events are most commonly associated with severe GI losses. Hypoglycemia may occur when these agents are used with sulfonylureas or insulin. There is also an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy. Due to the current shortage and expense of these medications, many patients have attempted to obtain these medications from non-licensed and unregulated agents, which may be associated with increased risk of serious complications. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of the indications for GLP-1 agonist use and associated adverse events can assist emergency clinicians.

High risk and low prevalence diseases: Myocarditis.

INTRODUCTION: Myocarditis is a serious condition that carries with it a high rate of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: This review highlights the pearls and pitfalls of myocarditis, including presentation, diagnosis, and management in the emergency department (ED) based on current evidence. DISCUSSION: Myocarditis is an inflammatory syndrome of myocardium, most often resulting from a viral infection, that can cause life-threatening cardiovascular collapse. It has a highly variable presentation and no widely available specific diagnostic test, making it a challenging diagnosis. Emergency clinicians should obtain an electrocardiogram and perform bedside ultrasound to assess cardiac function. Treatment in the ED is largely supportive, focusing on resuscitation, cardiovascular support, cardiology specialist consultation, and appropriate disposition. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of myocarditis can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this potentially deadly disease.