Double sequential external defibrillation

Double Sequential External Defibrillation(DSED) is a means of administering sequential shocks to terminate shock resistant ventricular fibrillation. It is a controversial topic, with no robust studies. Resistant ventricular arrhythmias are different to electrical storm(1). Electrical storm is a state characterised by recurrent occurrences of unstable ventricular arrhythmias, over a short period of time. This is…

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Complications of Bariatric Surgery

In this blog we discuss the various complications of Bariatric Surgery. Bariatric surgery is one of the fastest growing areas of surgery. As with all surgical procedures, there is the possibility of postoperative complications. Emergency physicians should be familiar with the common problems encountered, limitations of conventional investigations, and the management of these complications, which…

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Third carpal arch

Gilula’s carpal arcs are used to determine carpal alignment. They can assist in identifying ligamentous injury, dislocations and fractures of the carpus on X-ray. They are of used in the sometimes difficult to interpret x-rays of the carpal bones. As we will see below, the carpal arcs act similarly to the raised fat pad sign(sail…

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pacemaker

A potential complication of a failing pacemaker, is a condition known as ‘Runaway Pacemaker’. Below are two cases from the literature, that demonstrate a runaway pacemaker causing a potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmia. Whenever we look at an ECG, we always look for the pacing spikes. These may not be visible, especially if the patient’s rate is…

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hypertensive emergencies

Hypertensive emergencies are defined as sudden and prolonged increases in the arterial blood pressure, with associated organ damage. The degree of increase above that which the patient normally has, and the degree and duration of the rise are not usually taken into account. No single figure for blood pressure is usually defined, however if a…

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Phenytoin and Levetiracetam: EcLIPSE and ConSEPT

There has been a longstanding discussion over which is the best second-line agent to use in paediatric seizures and more specifically in convulsive status epilepticus. We now have two trials that have tried to answer this question by comparing Phenytoin and Levetiracetam: The EcLIPSE(1) and ConSEPT(2) trials. Phenytoin and Levetiracetam: EcLIPSE and ConSEPT-The Bottom Line…

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