Dr. Margaret Thompson & Dr. Lisa Thurgur discuss several cases of stimulant drugs of abuse such as cocaine, MDMA & bath salts, as well as the pearls and pitfalls of managing opiate toxicity.

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In this episode we go through seven cases that display the breadth of presentations of limb or life threatening causes of low back pain with Dr. Walter Himmel and Dr. Brian Steinhart. We cover everything from spinal epidural abscess to cauda equina syndrome to retroperitoneal bleeds, elucidating the key historical, physical exam, lab, imaging and treatment pearls for all of these diagnoses. We then go on to review the best management for the most common cause of back pain presentation, lumbosacral strain and debate the various medication options.

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In this episode, Dr. Eric Letovksy & Dr. Anna Jarvis run through the key clinical pearls of the history, the physical, interpretation of the ECG and the value of clinical decision rules such as the ROSE rule and the San Franciso Syncope Rule in working up these patients. We discuss how to differentiate syncope from seizure, cardiac causes of syncope such as Arrhthmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopthy & Prolonged QT Syndrome, and the indications for Holter monitoring, Echocardiograms and stress testing in patients with Syncope.

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In this episode we have the continuation of our discussion on Respiratory Emergencies with Dr. Anil Chopra and Dr. John Foote. We discuss key clinical decisions in COPD assessment and management – how to assess for impending respiratory failure, how best to oxygenate the COPD patient, medication pearls and how best to approach intubating the COPD patient. We then review an approach to hemoptysis as well as tricks of the trade for managing massive hemoptysis. Many pearls of pneumonia work-up and management are detailed as well as how to make important disposition decisions.

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In this episode Dr. David Dushenski & Dr. Ross Claybo run through the key clinical pearls of the history, the physical, interpretation of the BhCG and the value of serum progesterone in working up these patients. The newest on bedside emergency department ultrasound is discussed. The various types of spontaneous abortion including septic abortion are reviewed as well as the management of the unstable patient with massive vaginal hemorrhage. Ectopic pregnancy, in all it’s various presentations is reviewed with particular attention to the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

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In this bonus episode, our second instalment of the highlights from the 25th Annual Update in Emergency Medicine from Whistler B.C., we have Dr. David Carr updating us on infectious diseases, Dr. Dennis Scolnick giving us the low down on pediatric urological emergencies, Dr. Anil Chopra reviewing the pearls and pitfalls of managing shock states, and much more. Listen to or download this episode »