Category: Emergency Medicine
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Book Review: Toxicology Handbook (2011) by Lindsay Murray
Toxicology Handbook (2011) by Lindsay Murray, Frank Daly, Mark Little, and Mike Cadogan is a straightforward guide to the management of numerous common and rare overdoses and toxidromes. Each toxin in described in terms of risk assessment, clinical features, investigations, management, disposition and follow-up, handy tips, pitfalls and controversies. The “controversies” section is particularly welcome. As Dr. Otis Brawley once said (paraphrased):…
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Back Pain: a “Worst First” Approach
When it comes to back pain, think of the worst, i.e. the most dangerous ones, first. That way you won’t miss anything critical, either in real life or on the Boards. Cardiovascular Upper back pain: consider acute coronary syndrome or thoracic aortic dissection Lower back pain: consider abdominal aortic aneurism or rupture (older smoker) and retroperitoneal hematoma.…
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Bradycardia and Sinus Node Dysfunction: an Internal Medicine Approach
Definitions Sinus node dysfunction may include sinus bradycardia, sinus pauses, sinus exit block, sinus arrest, tachy-brady syndrome, persistent atrial standstill and chronotropic incompetence. Symptoms, when present, are usually related to cerebral hypoperfusion. These include dizziness, presyncope, and syncope. Other symptoms include congestive heart failure, fatigue, decrease exercise capacity, recurrent falls, confusion, memory loss, and palpitations or stroke (if…
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ECG Pocket Brain (2011) by Ken Grauer MD
There are many hundreds of EKG books in existence, but I can probably count on one or two hands those that I would consider exceptionally good. ECG Pocket Brain by (2011) by Ken Grauer MD is one of the best. You can download a generously-sized excerpt for free here. The book is concise, relevant and very easy to…
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Syncope: Differential Diagnosis and Workup
Introduction Syncope is an abrupt, transient, spontaneously-resolving loss of consciousness and postural tone caused by a transient drop in cerebral perfusion. It is a descriptive and an interim diagnosis which requires further clarification. The first step Syncope should be distinguished from alternative causes of loss of consciousness and postural tone. Syncope mimics include seizures, concussions, sleep (both normal…
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Toxic and Drug-Induced Changes of the Electrocardiogram by Catalina Lionte, et al.
Toxic and Drug-Induced Changes of the Electrocardiogram by Catalina Lionte, et al. is an excellent chapter about the role of electrocardiography in toxicological diagnosis. It comes from the book Advances in Electrocardiograms – Clinical Applications (2012). The chapter can be accessed online free here or here. The book can be accessed free here. Some of the electrocardiogram are really…
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Book Review: 2011 EMRA Antibiotic Guide by Brian J. Levine MD
I’ve been looking for a book like this for years before I finally stumbled upon this one. 2011 EMRA Antibiotic Guide (2010), by Brian J. Levine MD is a simple, straightforward 128-page guide to antibiotic therapy. For almost any infectious disease, the text advises you about which antibiotic to use, along with the appropriate dose, route, frequency…