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Paucis Verbis: D-Dimer test

LabD-Dimer: To order or not to order?

That’s the question when it comes to risk stratifying a patient for a pulmonary embolism with a low pretest probability. One should consider confounding conditions which may cause an elevated D-Dimer level. There’s always confusion about what may cause an elevated D-Dimer besides venous thromboemboli. So I thought I would make a pocket card as a reminder.

PV Card: D-Dimer Test


Adapted from 1
Go to the ALiEM Cards site for more resources.

1.
Wakai A, Gleeson A, Winter D. Role of fibrin D-dimer testing in emergency medicine. Emerg Med J. 2003;20(4):319-325. [PubMed]
2019-01-28T22:17:31-07:00
July 27th, 2012 | ALiEM Cards, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary
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Paucis Verbis: Ventilator settings for obstructive lung disease

Ventilator

Following up with last week’s Paucis Verbis card on Ventilator Settings for Acute Lung Injury and ARDS, here is the card on Ventilator Settings for Obstructive Lung Disease. This is for patients who present with acute asthma or COPD exacerbation who require endotracheal intubation.

What initial ventilator settings should you set for these patients?

 


Go to the ALiEM Cards site for more resources.

Thanks to Dr. Jenny Wilson for the card and Dr. Scott Weingart for the original stellar podcast from which this card was derived.

2017-08-03T00:15:44-07:00
October 21st, 2011 | ALiEM Cards, Pulmonary
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Paucis Verbis: Legionella pneumonia

LegionellaInfectionDid you know that there was an unexplained spike in Legionnaire’s disease (pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila) during the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic?

Since the flu season is rapidly approaching, I thought I would review what Legionnaire’s disease looks like. Yes, they will have a fever, cough, and pneumonia on CXR. These patients are generally pretty sick and almost always need hospitalization. What makes it unique? The trick is to look for extrapulmonary findings, which help to distinguish it from other atypical pneumonias. Relative bradycardia is a sure tip.

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2017-08-01T23:52:53-07:00
September 16th, 2011 | ALiEM Cards, Pulmonary
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Paucis Verbis: Fibrinolytics for PE

Pulmonaryembolism

When would you give fibrinolytics for a Pulmonary Embolism?

This Paucis Verbis card summarizes recommendations found in Circulation’s recently published Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association. Although it is rare to give fibrinolytics for a pulmonary embolism (PE) in the Emergency Department, it is important to remember when lytics are indicated.

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2017-08-03T00:46:18-07:00
July 29th, 2011 | ALiEM Cards, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary
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Paucis Verbis: Pulmonary Embolism Clinical Prediction Rules

Pulmonaryembolism“Should I get a D-Dimer test or CT chest angiogram on my patient with atypical chest pain to rule-out a pulmonary embolism?” This is a common question asked by emergency physicians on a routine basis.

Here are 3 clinical prediction rules: PERC, Wells, and Simplified Geneva Score. Personally, I’ve never used the Geneva Score, but it’s worth looking at.

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2019-01-28T22:48:10-07:00
June 3rd, 2011 | ALiEM Cards, Pulmonary
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Paucis Verbis: Asthma classification

asthma classification MDI
Emergency physicians have the opportunity to educate patients and prescribe chronic inhaled corticosteroids to patients who should be on these medications chronically. Patients may be more receptive to education and advice given immediately after an asthma exacerbation, managed in the ED.  Using the National Institute of Health/ National Asthma Education and Prevention Program classification system, physicians can quickly determine if the patient is a candidate for inhaled corticosteroids and initiate therapy accordingly.

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2019-01-28T22:40:22-07:00
April 29th, 2011 | ALiEM Cards, Pulmonary
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