Archive

Author: Anand Swaminathan

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis

Definition: Acute infection of the ascitic fluid in a patient with liver disease without another source of infection Epidemiology: (Runyon 1988, Runyon 1988, Borzio 2001) Incidence 10-25% risk of at least one episode per year 20% risk in those with ascites ...

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Infectious Disease

Acetaminophen vs. Diclofenac vs. Combo for Acute MSK Pain

Background: Acute, minor musculoskeletal injuries (i.e. non-fracture or dislocations) are frequently seen in the Emergency Department. Aside from ruling out a more severe injury, management often focuses on pain relief or mitigation of pain. Though many analgesic agents exist, acetaminophen ...

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Orthopedics

Acute Pancreatitis

Acute Pancreatitis Background: Definition: Acute inflammatory process of the pancreas; a retroperitoneal organ with endocrine and exocrine function. Epidimiology (Rosen’s 2018) US Incidence: 5 – 40/100,000 Mortality: 4-7% Progression to severe disease: 10-15% of cases (mortality in this subset 20-50%) ...

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Abdominal and Gastrointestinal

The YEARS Study – Simplified Diagnostic Approach to PE

Background: The clinical diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) can be challenging given its variable presentation, requiring dependence on objective testing. Decision instruments such as PERC and the Wells’ score help stratify patients to low or high probability, enabling focused use of ...

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Thoracic and Respiratory

The DETO2X Trial: Do Patients with AMI Need Supplemental O2?

Background: Each year approximately 790,000 Americans suffer an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (Benjamin 2017). Traditional treatment for an acute myocardial infarction has included morphine, oxygen, nitroglycerine and aspirin (MONA) with interventions such as percutaneous coronary intervention providing more definitive management. ...

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Cardiovascular

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