A Patient with Vertigo
This patient presented with vertigo and had an ECG recordedWhat do you think?I saw this and was worried about inferior OMI due to some subtle STE in III with very worrisome reciprocal findings in aVL.  But the well-formed Q-wave and the presence of a normal T-wave in inferior leads led me to believe this was Old Inferior MI with persistent ST Elevation, otherwise known as inferior LV aneurysm.Anterior LV aneurysm is much easier to recognize because the Q-wave is usually a QS-wave (no R-wave at all), in at least one lead.  Or at least only a very tiny r-wave (1 mm or so).Thus, acute inferior OMI and inferior LV an...
Source: Dr. Smith's ECG Blog - July 26, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Steve Smith Source Type: blogs

The persecution of pain management doctors
The call came in during a busy workday. My comprehensive primary care clinic had been built over a decade of hard work and had a general practice clinic staffed by a very capable former surgeon and several nurse practitioners, as well as a pain management program and an addiction treatment clinic. We also had several Read more… The persecution of pain management doctors originally appeared in KevinMD.com. (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog)
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - July 25, 2023 Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Physician Pain Management Primary Care Source Type: blogs

Help Desk Updates: Your Super Weapon to Boost Clinician Productivity
The following is a guest article by Bill Lewkowski, Vice President, Strategic Client Services at HCTec Clinicians Remain Overwhelmed, Overworked, and Burned Out. Improved EHR Help Desk Support Mitigates these Issues while Making a Positive Impact on Clinician Workflow and Patient Care. Among many well-documented pain points for clinicians is the complexity of dealing with electronic health record (EHR) systems. While EHRs deliver valuable benefits to patient outcomes and the healthcare industry, they are often cited as a drag on clinician productivity. This is especially true for the clinical documentation function where 5...
Source: EMR and HIPAA - July 24, 2023 Category: Information Technology Authors: Guest Author Tags: Ambulatory C-Suite Leadership Clinical EMR-EHR Health IT Company Healthcare IT Hospital - Health System Application Management Bill Lewkowski Care Settings Clinician Productivity Clinician Requests Clinician Workflow EHR Help Des Source Type: blogs

Beta-Blockers For High Blood Pressure: Types, Side Effects, Drug Interactions
Conclusion In conclusion, beta-blockers serve as an indispensable tool in the realm of modern medical treatment, particularly in managing a broad range of cardiovascular conditions. Their unique mechanism of action, which includes decreasing heart rate and blood pressure, confers a significant cardio-protective effect. This, combined with their versatility and the extensive clinical experience with their use, has cemented beta-blockers as a first-line treatment for various conditions, from hypertension and heart failure to anxiety and migraines. Although beta-blockers present unique benefits, it’s crucial...
Source: The EMT Spot - July 24, 2023 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD Tags: Blood Pressure Source Type: blogs

Thinking on Your Feet Well: Building Adaptive Expertise in Learners Using Simulation
On this episode of the Academic Medicine Podcast, Sam Clarke, MD, MAS, and Jon Ilgen, MD, PhD, join host Toni Gallo to discuss the importance of teaching adaptive expertise to prepare learners for the types of complex cases they will encounter in clinical practice. This conversation also covers what adaptive expertise is, how simulation can be used to foster this skill in learners, and the complementary relationship between performance-oriented cases and adaptive cases in health professions education. This episode is now available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere else podcasts are available. ...
Source: Academic Medicine Blog - July 24, 2023 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: amrounds Tags: AM Podcast AM Podcast Transcript Academic Medicine podcast adaptive expertise medical education medical students residents simulation Source Type: blogs

A man in his 70s with weakness and syncope
DiscussionBrugada Type 1 ECG changes are associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD) and the occurrence of ventricular dysrhythmias. Patients that develop a Type 1 pattern without any precipitating or provoking factors have a risk of SCD of 0.5-0.8% per year. In patients that only have this pattern induced by a sodium channel blocking agent have a lower rate of SCD (0 - 0.35% per year)[1]. Drugs that have been associated with Brugada ECG patterns include tricyclic antidepressants, anesthetics, cocaine, methadone, antihistamines, electrolyte derangements, and even tramadol. [2]. Our patient had a Brugada Type ...
Source: Dr. Smith's ECG Blog - July 22, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Pendell Source Type: blogs

Blood Pressure Meds vs Blood Thinners: What ’ s The Difference?
Conclusion In conclusion, while blood pressure medicines and blood thinners are both crucial to heart health, their roles and mechanisms of action are notably distinct. Blood pressure medication works primarily on the vascular system, aiding in reducing blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels or altering the heart’s function. On the other hand, blood thinners target the blood itself, working to prevent the formation of potentially dangerous blood clots. Throughout this article, one thing becomes undeniably clear: the importance of regular consultations with your healthcare provider. When it comes to managing m...
Source: The EMT Spot - July 20, 2023 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD Tags: Blood Pressure Source Type: blogs

Alpha-Beta-Blockers For High Blood Pressure: Types, Side Effects, Drug Interactions
Conclusion In conclusion, the advent of alpha-beta-blockers has marked a significant advancement in cardiovascular treatment. These medications, combining the properties of both alpha and beta blockers, have demonstrated superiority in managing various cardiovascular conditions. They offer the potential for enhanced blood pressure control, cardiovascular protection, and versatility in the management of several cardiovascular conditions. The choice of using alpha-beta-blockers, however, must be tailored to the individual patient. Considerations such as past medical records, present health conditions, concurrent ...
Source: The EMT Spot - July 20, 2023 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD Tags: Blood Pressure Source Type: blogs

AI-Powered Pain Relief: Interview with Claire Smith, VP at Nevro
Nevro, a medtech company based in California, has developed the HFX iQ spinal cord stimulation system, which is intended to treat chronic pain. While spinal cord stimulators can be very useful in controlling certain types of chronic pain, at present, patients must attend with their clinician to obtain adjustments to their stimulator. This is inconvenient for both patient and clinician alike. Another common difficulty is the need for frequent adjustments. Pain is subjective, and a patient’s needs can vary from day to day, but such frequent changes in spinal cord stimulator settings are not typically possible. To addres...
Source: Medgadget - July 19, 2023 Category: Medical Devices Authors: Conn Hastings Tags: Exclusive Neurology Neurosurgery Orthopedic Surgery Pain Management Rehab back pain neurostimulation Nevro_HF10 Nevro_HFX Source Type: blogs

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Unraveling Its Impact On Heart And Lungs
Conclusion Navigating the complexities of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) might seem daunting. However, with the right knowledge and proactive approach, it’s possible to manage the condition and maintain a good quality of life. PAH, a unique type of high blood pressure affecting the arteries in the lungs, can put extra strain on the heart. Over time, this can lead to heart failure. The condition’s root cause may vary, from genetic factors to other health issues like heart defects, liver disease, or autoimmune diseases. Remember, sometimes the cause remains unknown, resulting in idiopathic pulmonary ...
Source: The EMT Spot - July 19, 2023 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD Tags: Blood Pressure Source Type: blogs

A young man with tachycardia. Should We Try Adenosine?
A young man presented with weakness and fever.  His pulse was 186.  An ECG was recorded:What do you think?There is a regular narrow complex tachycardia. Thus, it is supraventricular tachycardia.  It is important to remember thatSVT includes Sinus Tachycardia!  That is why I like to call re-entrant SVT " Paroxysmal " SVT, or PSVT).  The sinus node is " supraventricular " and in young people it can beat VERY fast.  Especially when there is fever.You must look closely for P-waves, and if you do, the P-waves are obvious (if you look at the leads most likely to reveal P-waves: leads II and V1)...
Source: Dr. Smith's ECG Blog - July 19, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Steve Smith Source Type: blogs

Alpha-Blockers For High Blood Pressure: Types, Side Effects, Drug Interactions
Conclusion To summarize, the treatment of hypertension is a critical aspect of healthcare due to its significant impact on cardiovascular health. While natural supplements and lifestyle modifications are important for overall well-being, the use of chemical drugs in managing hypertension remains necessary. Chemical drugs for hypertension have undergone extensive research and have been proven effective in lowering blood pressure levels. Alpha-blockers offer a targeted approach to address the specific mechanisms involved in hypertension, allowing for precise blood pressure control. They work by inhibiting the ...
Source: The EMT Spot - July 17, 2023 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD Tags: Blood Pressure Source Type: blogs

How legal liabilities and skewed decision-making plague clinical encounters
The opioid crisis continues to ravage communities, and everyone, including politicians and federal agents, has a plan. However, no one has an actual solution. It’s time to examine the crisis from a more detailed perspective: the clinical perceptions that form during a clinical encounter between a physician and a patient. It is here that we Read more… How legal liabilities and skewed decision-making plague clinical encounters originally appeared in KevinMD.com. (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog)
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - July 15, 2023 Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Physician Pain Management Source Type: blogs

Demand Grows for Advancements in Healthcare ’s Digital Front Door
The following is a guest article by Clarissa Riggins, Chief Product Officer at Experian Health Patients have increasingly high expectations for easy and efficient tech-enabled solutions when it comes to accessing healthcare services. They seek convenient self-scheduling options, accurate cost estimates, and the ability to pre-register through their smartphones, among other modern services. Experian Health’s recent report, “The State of Patient Access: The Digital Front Door,” explores the overall digital experience from both the patient and provider perspectives. It’s no surprise that a significant 76% of patie...
Source: EMR and HIPAA - July 13, 2023 Category: Information Technology Authors: Guest Author Tags: Administration Ambulatory C-Suite Leadership Communication and Patient Experience Health IT Company Healthcare IT Hospital - Health System Revenue Cycle Management Appointment Scheduling Clarissa Riggins Digital Front Door Experian H Source Type: blogs

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) For High Blood Pressure: Types, Side Effects, Drug Interactions
Conclusion Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become a leading cause of death globally, necessitating the adoption of preventive measures, early detection, and effective management strategies. Hypertension, a significant risk factor for CVD, requires active management to mitigate associated risks. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) have emerged as a favored choice among healthcare professionals due to their effectiveness and unique benefits. ARBs offer several advantages compared to other blood pressure medications. They effectively control blood pressure, protect vital organs such as the heart and kidneys, ...
Source: The EMT Spot - July 11, 2023 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD Tags: Blood Pressure Source Type: blogs