Can J Emerg Med
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We describe the successful use and complications of bolus-dose alteplase to treat strongly suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) with cardiac arrest in a patient initially presenting as ST-elevation myocardial infarcation (MI). Case description is followed by a review of the indications, safety, and dosing of systemic thrombolytic therapy for high-risk PE in the emergency department (ED). Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to PE in critically ill patients is also considered, including the potential utility of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) in the ED.
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Eslicarbazepine is a novel anti-epileptic agent indicated for the treatment of partial-onset seizures. We present the case of an 18 year old female that presented to the Emergency Department four hours after a reported intentional ingestion of an estimated 5600 mg of eslicarbazepine. Although initially hemodynamically stable and neurologically normal, shortly after arrival she developed confusion, rigidity and clonus, followed by recurrent seizures, hypoxemia and cardiac arrest which responded to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and wide complex tachycardia requiring defibrillation. ⋯ Cardiac toxicity responded to sodium bicarbonate. In addition, empiric hemodialysis was performed. In this case report, we discuss the successful management of the first reported overdose of eslicarbazepine using supportive care and hemodialysis.
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Case Reports
Priapism as the Presenting Complaint in Fatal Group A Streptococcal Induced Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation.
A 60-year-old male presented to an emergency department (ED) with priapism following a sore throat illness. He did not have typical findings of sepsis. ⋯ Autopsy showed group A streptococcal (GAS) sepsis, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and a septic thrombosis to the penile vein. This is the first known case of priapism being the presenting symptom of DIC.
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ABSTRACTSustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) can result in hypoperfusion or devolve into more dangerous rhythms such as ventricular fibrillation. In an unstable patient with VT and a pulse, synchronized cardioversion is the first-line treatment. ⋯ Here we describe a case of double sequential synchronized cardioversion of a patient with unstable VT refractory to standard direct current cardioversion, resulting in a rapid conversion to sinus rhythm and return to hemodynamic stability. The benefit of this technique is that it may obviate the need for rapid infusion of medications, such as amiodarone, in the acute setting that may worsen hypotension in the already unstable patient.
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Post-cardiac arrest hypotension is associated with worse outcomes. However, a significant proportion of patients may not be responsive to intravenous (IV) fluids, and vasopressor infusions require significant time to initiate. This case series describes the successful use of a bolus dose of epinephrine to rapidly treat IV fluid refractory hypotension among three patients in the post-arrest period. A bolus dose of epinephrine may be considered as a treatment for post-arrest hypotension that does not respond to IV fluids, but further studies should be performed prior to routine use.