Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis Susan Y. Quan and Walter G. Park BACKGROUND The pancreas is approximately 6 to 10 inches long, is located directly behind the stomach, and has distinct endocrine and exocrine…
Biomarkers in Sepsis
Biomarkers in Sepsis David M. Maslove BACKGROUND According to the Biomarkers Definition Working Group, a biomarker is any “…characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal…
Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis Audrey K. Wagner and Deborah M. Stein BACKGROUND Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome characterized by the necrosis of striated muscle and the subsequent release of intracellular contents—including myoglobin, electrolytes, creatine…
Palliative Care in the Emergency Department
Palliative Care in the Emergency Department Lawrence A. Ho and J. Randall Curtis BACKGROUND Emergency medicine is typically characterized as a fast-paced, procedure-based specialty that focuses on the evaluation and…
Adrenal Insufficiency
Adrenal Insufficiency Thomas B. Perera BACKGROUND The adrenal glands are two small, irregularly shaped bodies located superior to each renal pole. Each gland contains two distinct structures, the outer adrenal…
Cardiotoxins
Cardiotoxins Nicholas J. Connors and Silas W. Smith BACKGROUND Numerous therapeutic options exist for medical management of dysrhythmia, heart failure, and hypertension. In 2011, more than 42.4 million patients received…
Noninvasive Hemodynamic Monitoring
Noninvasive Hemodynamic Monitoring Chad M. Meyers BACKGROUND The provision of optimal medical care presents a dilemma in emergency medicine. As the importance of early resuscitation continues to be reinforced, the…
Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock
Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock Daniel Sedehi and Venu Menon Background Acute heart failure syndrome (AHFS) is a term intended to capture pathologic changes in cardiac function that are new…
The Central Venous and Pulmonary Artery Catheter
The Central Venous and Pulmonary Artery Catheter Carlos Brun and Geoffrey K. Lighthall BACKGROUND Since their inception, both central venous and pulmonary artery catheters (PACs) have been influential in the…
The Geriatric Patient
The Geriatric Patient Mary R. Mulcare, Alexis Halpern, and Michael E. Stern BACKGROUND Geriatric patients, or “older adults,” are defined chronologically as 65 years and older. They represent a growing…
