Category Archives: Cardiology

SAM

Posted on April 15, 2013 by K

Until recently I didn´t really know what SAM was. I do now. Boy am I happy. SAM stands for Systolic Anterior Motion of the Mitral valve and is a not too uncommon complication of hypertrophic cardiomyopathies (HCM), myocardial infarction and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Ultrasound | 1 Comment

ULTRASOUND AND PROGNOSIS IN CARDIAC ARREST

Posted on December 12, 2012 by K

Point of care- and portable ultrasound is a silent revolution in emergency care. An article in Academic Emergency Medicine helps me understand what to expect when applying an echo probe in cardiac arrest, and what that means for the patient’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Prehospital Medicine | 2 Comments

CODE BROWN: PERICARDIOCENTESIS

Posted on November 19, 2012 by K

This summer a patient was admitted to our mid-tier hospital semi-unconcious with severe hypotension and tachycardia. He had a massive history of heart disease and had been complaining of recurring chest pains for three days before suddenly collapsing at home.

Posted in Cardiology, Cases, Code Brown, Emergency Medicine, Ultrasound | 4 Comments

SGAS HARM IN OHCA?

Posted on October 2, 2012 by K

A secondary study using data from the ROC PRIMED study suggests there could be something to the warnings about using supraglottic airways (LMAs) for airways in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Supraglottic airways were associated with increased mortality.

Posted in Airway management, Cardiology, CPR, Emergency Medicine, Prehospital Medicine | 5 Comments

WHERE’S WALDO?

Posted on September 22, 2012 by K

Don’t know who to credit for this amazing image. It could be from that travelling ‘Human Body’ exhibition? Got it on facebook.

Posted in Cardiology, Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

SHOCK II – IABPS NOT THAT GREAT

Posted on September 18, 2012 by K

Recently NEJM published the results from the german SHOCK II trial. The study suggests intraaortic balloon pumps (IABP) don’t work as well as we think. It has been interesting following the e-mail correspondance between our hospital cardiac intensivists and cardiologists. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiology, Emergency Medicine | 1 Comment

COMPARING PRESSORS FOR SEPTIC SHOCK

Posted on May 15, 2012 by K

A study in Anesthesiology looks at how common pressors could affect hemodynamics in septis. It is a small animal study but confirms current research and thinking.  Importantly, it reminds us to think before using pure α-agonists. A lot of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Intensive Care | 2 Comments

SUPRAGLOTTIC AIRWAY DEVICES IN THE CRITICALLY ILL

Posted on April 27, 2012 by K

The last five or so years there has been a shift in airway management in cardiac arrest. Endotracheal intubation in CPR used to be the gold standard, but recently supraglottic airway devices (SAD) have been gaining ground. SADs can be … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiology, CPR, Emergency Medicine, Prehospital Medicine | 8 Comments

WHAT IS THE OPTIMAL COMPRESSION DEPTH?

Posted on April 24, 2012 by K

Since 2005 guidelines have made statements on CPR compression depth. Those first recommendations recommended a compression depth of 3,8 to 5 cm. In 2010 the recommended depth was increased to >5 cm. This was based on mostly animal data and, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiology, CPR, Emergency Medicine, Prehospital Medicine, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

IMMEDIATE

Posted on April 18, 2012 by K

The IMMEDIATE-trial is out. A randomised, blinded and controlled study testing early infusion of intravenous glucose-insulin-potassium(GIK) on patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The theory is that a GIK-infusion will reduce the frequency with which ACS progresses to myocardial infarction … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiology, Prehospital Medicine | Leave a comment