AIR Series: Cardiology – CHF, PVD, and Others (part 2)

As mentioned last module, the FOAMsphere contains a phenomenal amount of cardiology content. Accordingly, the CORD testing schedule and our cardiology module has been divided into two parts. Below we have listed our selection of the 12 highest quality blog posts within the past 12 months (as of August 2015) related to acute coronary syndromes, curated and approved for residency training by the AIR Series Board. In this module we have 6 AIRs and 6 Honorable Mentions. We strive for comprehensiveness by selecting from a broad spectrum of blogs from the top 50 listing per the Social Media Index.

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By Andrew Grock, MD|2017-03-05T14:14:16-08:00Oct 12, 2015|Approved Instructional Resources (AIR series), Cardiovascular|

AIR-Pro Series: Cardiovascular (2015)

Below we have listed our selection of the 8 highest quality blog posts related to 3 advanced level questions on cardiovascular topics posed, curated, and approved for residency training by the AIR-Pro Series Board. The blogs relate to the following questions:

Advanced concepts about Sgarbossa’s Criteria
Troubleshooting pacemaker’s and automated implantable cardioverter defibrillators (AICD’s)
Troubleshooting left ventricular assist devices (LVAD’s)

In this module, we have 5 AIR-Pro’s and 3 Honorable Mentions. To strive for comprehensiveness, we selected from a broad spectrum of blogs identified through FOAMSearch.net.

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By Fareen Zaver, MD|2026-06-16T16:07:55-07:00Sep 21, 2015|Approved Instructional Resources PRO (AIR-Pro Series), Cardiovascular|

60-Second Soapbox: Abernethy (Pain Medications), Bellew (Posttest Probability), Bouthillet (Wide Complex Tachycardia)

Welcome to the second bolus of 60-Second Soapbox! Each episode, one lucky individual gets exactly 1 whole minute to present their rant-of-choice to the world. Any topic is on the table – clinical, academic, economic, or whatever else may interest an EM-centric audience. We carefully remix your audio to add an extra splash of drama and excitement. Even more exciting, participants get to challenge 3 of their peers to stand on a soapbox of their own!

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By Sam Shaikh, DO|2026-06-16T16:07:59-07:00Sep 9, 2015|60-Second Soapbox, Cardiovascular, Statistics & Epidemiology, Tox & Medications|

AIR Series: Cardiology Module, Part 1 (2015)

There is a phenomenal amount of cardiology content in the FOAMsphere. Accordingly, the CORD testing schedule and our cardiology module has been divided into two parts – Part 1 (ACS) and Part 2 (CHF, Vascular Dissection, and Other). Below we have listed our selection of the 14 highest quality blog posts within the past 12 months (as of July 2015) related to acute coronary syndromes, curated and approved for residency training by the AIR Series Board. In this module we have 6 AIRs and 8 Honorable Mentions. We strive for comprehensiveness by selecting from a broad spectrum of blogs from the top 50 listing per the Social Media Index.

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By Andrew Grock, MD|2026-06-16T16:07:51-07:00Sep 7, 2015|Approved Instructional Resources (AIR series), Cardiovascular|

Trick of the Trade: Squeeze test for confirmation of IO placement

Venipuncture is the most common invasive procedure performed in the emergency department ¹ , likely due to the fact that the vast majority of our laboratory evaluations require blood and many of our life saving interventions require access to the patient’s systemic circulation. Most of the time emergency department staff are able to perform this procedure easily, but occasionally you find that your patient is the dreaded “difficult stick”. Literature suggests that the landmark technique is successful on the initial venipuncture 74-77% of the time. ^2–5 Success rates rise after multiple attempts, but what happens when you don’t have the luxury of time? What happens when your patient will die if you don’t get life saving medications into their circulation promptly? There are a few options when you can’t get IV access through traditional means, among them external jugular vein cannulation, central line, ultrasound-guided IV, and the intraosseous lines (IO).⁶ However, when managing the crashing patient, a wise decision is to use the quickest option, which is often the IO.

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By Jailyn Avila, MD, RDMS (She/Her)|2020-01-15T23:56:42-08:00Jul 22, 2015|Cardiovascular, Critical Care/ Resus, Tricks of the Trade|

Ultrasound For The Win! Case – 101M with Altered Mental Status #US4TW

Welcome to another ultrasound-based case, part of the “Ultrasound For The Win” (#US4TW) Case Series. In this peer-reviewed case series, we focus on real clinical cases where bedside ultrasound changed management or aided in diagnoses. In this case, a 101-year-old man presents after being found down with altered mental status.

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By Jeffrey Shih, MD, RDMS|2017-07-19T00:07:20-07:00May 20, 2015|Cardiovascular, Expert Peer Reviewed (Clinical), Ultrasound, Ultrasound for the Win|

PV Card: Focused Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Ultrasound

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is always a consideration when patients with asymmetric lower extremity swelling. Why is one leg. Two-point focused DVT ultrasonography of the femoral and popliteal veins can be incredibly useful in the Emergency Department when trying to narrow the differential diagnosis. Drs. Margaret Greenwood-Ericksen, Joshua Rempell, and Mike Stone provide a clear, image-based clinical reference tool on this ultrasound technique.

PV Card: Focused DVT Ultrasound Assessment

Adapted from [1, 2]

References

Kline J, O’Malley P, Tayal V, Snead G, Mitchell A. Emergency clinician-performed compression ultrasonography for deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity. Ann Emerg Med. 2008;52(4):437-445. [PubMed]
Bernardi E, Camporese G, Büller H, et al. Serial 2-point ultrasonography plus D-dimer vs whole-leg color-coded Doppler ultrasonography for diagnosing suspected symptomatic deep vein thrombosis: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2008;300(14):1653-1659. [PubMed]

By Scott Kobner|2021-10-05T12:54:30-07:00Mar 11, 2015|ALiEM Cards, Cardiovascular, Ultrasound|