The American journal of emergency medicine
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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) has been recognized for over half a century as a cause of morbidity in infants and children. Over the past 20years, data has emerged linking RSV as a cause of illness in adults resulting in 177,000 annual hospitalizations and up to 14,000 deaths among older adults. ⋯ Adults can harbor RSV as this can lead to significant mobility and mortality, especially in individuals who are over the age of 60. RSV is not being considered in the DDx diagnosis, and this was especially surprising in the transplant/immunocompromised subgroups. Given antiviral treatment options, educational efforts should be undertaken to raise awareness of RSV in adults.
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Case Reports
Hyperkalemia and cardiac arrest associated with glucose replacement in a patient on spironolactone.
We present a case of hypoglycemia, which after intravenous glucose replacement, led to cardiac arrest secondary to a profound extracellular potassium shift. The patient was on spironolactone therapy which is known to cause aldosterone resistance (which inhibits the body's ability to prevent potassium shifts) [1]. ⋯ Knowledge of this case may prompt further monitoring, repeat lab testing, and careful medication reconciliation before discharging a patient with risk for aldosterone resistance. On our literature review, we have not found additional reports where this particular physiology led to cardiac arrest.
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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease which follows a relapsing and remitting course that can manifest in any organ system. While classic manifestations consist of arthralgia, myalgia, frank arthritis, a malar rash and renal failure to name a few, cardiac tamponade, however, is a far less common and far more dangerous presentation. We highlight the case of a 61year-old male with complaints of acute onset shortness of breath and generalized body aches associated with a fever and chills in the ER. ⋯ While denying a history of any rash, photosensitivity, oral ulcers, or seizures, his physical examination did reveal metacarpal phalangeal joint swelling along with noted pulsus paradoxus of 15-200mmHg. Subsequent lab work revealed ANA titer of 1:630 and anti-DS DNA antibody level of 256IU/mL consistent with SLE. This case highlights cardiac tamponade as a rare but life-threatening presentation for SLE and raises the need to keep it in the differential when assessing patients presenting with pertinent exam findings.
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Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a frequent cause of hospitalization and a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Early diagnosis and the initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy are essential to reduce pneumonia-related morbidity and mortality. CRP is a well-established biomarker in many clinical settings, but has been traditionally considered not specific enough to be a useful guide in the diagnostic process of pneumonia. There is still a need for more specific and practical markers in CAP for diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels in the diagnosis of CAP in the Emergency Department. ⋯ Blood IMA levels significantly increase in adult patients presenting with CAP. IMA may be considered as a novel biomarker in the diagnosis of CAP.
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Although tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC) due to atrial fibrillation occurs frequently, it is under-recognized in clinical settings. TIC has a wide range of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic tachycardia to cardiomyopathy leading to end stage heart failure. ⋯ She was rescued by extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) for refractory cardiac arrest in the ED, and received concomitant intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) support for severe left ventricular failure. Cardiogenic shock can present as an initial manifestation of TIC, and E-CPR and subsequent IABP support can be a valuable rescue therapy for severe TIC.