Below is a table of common medications used in the emergency department that require dose adjustments based on weight in the obese patient: Important notes: ABW = actual body weight (kg) IBW = ideal body weight (kg) Calculation: Males: 50 + (2.3 x number of inches over height of 60") Females: 45.5 + (2.3 x number of inches over height of 60") AdjBW = adjusted body weight (kg) To be used if ABW is at least 120% [...]

If a patient presents in rapid Afib and is currently taking a beta-blocker, should a beta-blocker be used for rate control? Conversely, if a similar patient presents, but is taking a calcium channel blocker, should a ccb be used for rate control?  I was asked this question years ago.  Essentially, the concern was that if a ccb and a beta-blocker were combined, additive (if not synergistic) cardiac depression would occur. The specific concern was a [...]

Gonococcal infection is a growing public health problem that continues to remain of concern in the United States. Infection can occur in a number of anatomical sites, including the urethra, rectum, oropharynx, eye, and endocervical canal. Complications of untreated infection may lead to damage of reproductive organs, which may include pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy in females, as well as disseminated gonococcal infection and conjunctivitis in neonates. With all of these potential complications, [...]

There is much discussion lately regarding new reversal strategies of oral anticoagulants that are rapidly growing in popularity.  While the data to support the use of agents like PCC and aPCCs are limited, our clinical experience is also lacking.  So-called ‘old school’ reversal agents, though infrequently used, still have a place for patients who receive parenteral anticoagulation.  Protamine sulfate, our favorite salmon sperm derived drug, was (and still is) our go to reversal drug for [...]

The case: TR is a one-year-old infant who presents to your emergency department with a tonic-clonic seizure. According to the paramedics, the seizure has lasted for approximately 10 minutes. She has no known past medical history. Vital signs are relatively stable, and a bedside blood glucose is performed, revealing a level of 105 mg/dL. She has a weight of 10 kg. IV access is established and 1 mg of lorazepam IV push is administered. The [...]

The case: TR is a one-year-old infant who presents to your emergency department with a tonic-clonic seizure. According to the paramedics, the seizure has lasted for approximately 10 minutes. She has no known past medical history. Vital signs are relatively stable, and a bedside blood glucose is performed, revealing a level of 105 mg/dL. She has a weight of 10 kg. IV access is established and 1 mg of lorazepam IV push is administered. The [...]

Unfortunately not every ED has a pharmacist (yet), and most of the graduating EM residents will be leaving for institutions without pharmacists in the ED.  To make sure that the residents will be prepared,  I was asked to compile a list of medications and doses that the they must know without looking at a reference or asking a pharmacist.  While trying to stick to 25-30 meds, below is what I came up with. I would [...]

An 18-year-old female patient presents to your emergency department with complaints of having "the worst migraine headache ever." She states that the migraine headache with associated photophobia started about three days ago, and symptoms have gotten progressively worse ever since. She has a history of migraine headaches, and as an outpatient, she is on sumatriptan at home, which she states she has not used in the past year. Prior to her arrival, she took ibuprofen [...]

3 factor vs 4 factors...Aside from the excitement of the recently FDA approved four-factor PCC product in the USA, a somewhat obvious, yet important question exists: is why are four factor PCCs better than three factor PCCs?1 Unfortunately in the literature, there is no direct head-to-head data to compare these two classes of PCC. From this broad of a view, it would appear that there is no difference. However, upon further investigation, there are important [...]

Here are some fast facts clinicians should be aware of regarding Kcentra: Kcentra is marketed in over 25 countries around the world by CSL Behring as Beriplex® or Confidex®. It is four-factor PCC, containing factors II, VII, IX, and X, in varying amounts, based on the size of the vial. It also contains Proteins C and S as well as heparin and antithrombin III. The table below provides a breakdown of the contents per 500 [...]