Tamingthesru
Grand Rounds Recap 9.20.23
Another excellent week for UCEM Grand Rounds! We started the day with an introduction to universal HCV screening in the ED from our pharmacy colleagues. We then transitioned to a great discussion on concussions sports medicine faculty Dr. Gawron. Next, Dr. Guillaume led us through diagnostics and therapeutics for nonconvulsive status epilepticus. Then, Dr. Shaw presented two cases of PRES and the importance of recognizing this diagnosis. Finally, R4s led the way through a simulation on adrenal insufficiency as well as structured oral boards case practice.
Has Video Finally Killed DL?
More than 1.5 million adults undergo tracheal intubation outside of the operating room each year in the United States. Traditionally, this has been performed with direct laryngoscopy, where a clinician displaces the patient’s tongue and epiglottis with a laryngoscope blade to visualize the vocal cords through the mouth, allowing for direct visualization of the passage of an endotracheal tube. An alternative method for tracheal intubation is video laryngoscopy, where a camera on the distal half of the blade transmits an image to a screen allowing for indirect visualization of the vocal cords and passage of an endotracheal tube without direct line of site.
Induction Reduction?
Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is frequently performed under emergent conditions in acutely ill patients. RSI is a technique for managing the emergency airway that induces immediate unresponsiveness (induction agent) and muscular relaxation (neuromuscular blocking agent). In properly selected patients, it is a quick, safe, and effective approach that results in optimal intubating conditions. However, one of the feared complications of RSI is post-intubation hypotension leading to cardiovascular collapse. Although there are multiple possible reasons for hypotension post-intubation, the choice and dosing of induction agents has been implicated.