Stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place: Navigating Renal Colic Treatment

Stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place: Navigating Renal Colic Treatment

Renal colic is a common presenting symptom in the ED, with an estimated prevalence as high as 10-15% in the US. (1) It accounts for approximately 1% of all ED visits per year. (27) Most patients will pass these calculi spontaneously and do not require surgical intervention, therefore focus on pain relief is of utmost importance in the emergency department. (1) NSAIDs have shown to be as effective, if not more effective than opioids, making them a reliable first line agent. (4,5) Opioids still provide a viable option in those with kidney disease or gastric ulcer disease, however they may be best utilized as combination agents to decrease the need for rescue analgesia. There is weak evidence to support the use of IV acetaminophen, with high cost burden, limiting its utility. Additional agents such as ketamine, lidocaine and magnesium carry with them limited evidence and inconsistencies in the literature, limiting their use, with further studies required. Alpha blockers seem to provide a shorter duration to expulsion, fewer pain episodes, and less hospital admissions with surgical intervention, specifically with larger stones (>5mm).

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A Fix for a Stinging Heart - Pericarditis Treatment in the ED

A Fix for a Stinging Heart - Pericarditis Treatment in the ED

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardial sac. Classically, pericarditis presents with sharp and pleuritic chest pain which is relieved by sitting up and forward. Pericarditis has multiple etiologies, but is most commonly idiopathic, assumed to be viral, in developed countries (1). Treatment of pericarditis should be targeted to the underlying etiology if possible (1). For presumed viral, idiopathic causes, most patients are treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and colchicine (1).

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Back to Basics: Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain in the ED

Back to Basics: Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain in the ED

How do you treat acute low back pain that comes into the ED. Do you have a ‘cocktail’? Do you have any injections / stretching that you recommend? Is there data behind any of that?? Join Dr. Gillespie on an evidence-based look at the therapeutics of low back pain in the ED.

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Grand Rounds Recap 7.25.18

Grand Rounds Recap 7.25.18

This week started with our monthly Morbidity and Mortality conference where we discussed posterior MIs, tough dissections and more tough cases. We then heard a debate on the use of D-Dimer in the diagnosis of aortic dissection. Finally, we were led through a simulation of a sick GI bleed requiring Minnesota tube placement, and we discussed optimal management of these challenging patients.

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NSAIDs in a Patient with Fractures?!

NSAIDs in a Patient with Fractures?!

The Issue

NSAIDs are excellent analgesics that can decrease the use of opiatess for pain, but might lead to poor healing from orthopedic injuries.

Prior Evidence

In vitro studies and rat models since the early 80s showed delayed fracture healing with NSAIDs, and the effects appeared to be dose-related. These findings have been re-demonstrated in future in vitro and rat studies as well.   In humans however, the data has been, to say the least, mixed...

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