The EMCREG-International Hypertension Consensus Panel: Management of Hypertensive Emergencies

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The EMCREG-International Hypertension Consensus Panel: Management of Hypertensive Emergencies

This EMCREG-International Newsletter describe historical and physical examination findings crucial for the evaluation of end organ damage. Also provided are descriptions of hypertension associated with the following disease processes: Asymptomatic Hypertension, Acute Coronary Syndrome, Acute Heart Failure Syndromes, Neurological Emergencies, Cocaine or Amphetamine Induced Hypertension, and Aortic Dissection are provided with treatment recommendations. Through collaboration with colleagues from a variety of specialties, patients with hypertension can receive optimal therapy when presenting to any acute care setting.

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Advancing the Standard of Care - Cardiovascular and Neurovascular Emergencies (2007)

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Advancing the Standard of Care - Cardiovascular and Neurovascular Emergencies (2007)

A number of important topics are covered in this monograph including acute coronary syndrome, the diagnosis of transient ischemic attack and stroke, the treatment of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, the management of hypertension in acute neurovascular emergencies, the management of hypertensive urgencies and emergencies, markers for severe bacterial infections, the treatment of sepsis, risk stratification of possible acute coronary syndrome, the optimal management of NSTEMI and STEMI, treatment of acute heart failure syndrome, and the diagnosis and treatment of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

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Drug Treatment for Hypertensive Emergencies

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Drug Treatment for Hypertensive Emergencies

Hypertensive emergencies represent one of the most common presentations to the emergency department, as many as 3% of visits in one study. For emergency physicians, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for minimizing injury due to elevated blood pressure. In some cases, this management of hypertension can be life saving. This Newsletter focuses on the drug treatment of hypertensive emergencies, primarily parenteral therapy. The drugs of choice for the treatment of each diagnostic category are discussed with the evidence supporting these recommendations.

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Sick or Not Sick? Evolving Biomarkers for Severe Bacterial Infection

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Sick or Not Sick? Evolving Biomarkers for Severe Bacterial Infection

In the United States, sepsis accounts for over 751,000 cases, 215,000 deaths, and 16.7 billion dollars in health care costs annually. Severe sepsis kills more individuals than breast, colon, rectal, pancreatic, and prostate cancer combined. With the difficulties associated with access to primary care and more aggressive emphasis on rapid hospital discharge and outpatient surgeries, sepsis ranks as one of the highest prevalence, highest mortality, and most expensive conditions that an emergency physician will encounter.

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Risk Stratification for Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes in the Emergency Department

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Risk Stratification for Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes in the Emergency Department

Unstable angina (UA) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) accounted for 1,295,000 hospital admissions in the US in 2001, almost 60% of those patients were 65 years of age or older, and 41% were women. The National Center for Health Statistics recently reported 5,637,000 US emergency department (ED) chest-pain syndrome visits, accounting for approximately 5% of total visits. Accurate diagnosis and risk stratification of the UA/NSTEMI patient is essential to identify patients at risk and to initiate appropriate treatment.

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Use of Direct Thrombin Inhibitors for Treating Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes In Special Patient Groups: Women, Diabetics, the Elderly, and Chronic Renal Insufficiency

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Use of Direct Thrombin Inhibitors for Treating Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes In Special Patient Groups: Women, Diabetics, the Elderly, and Chronic Renal Insufficiency

This complimentary newsletter provides a targeted review of the results of the ACUITY trial with particular emphasis on the high risk populations - women, elderly, diabetics, and patients with chronic renal insufficiency. In addition, he describes the findings of ACUITY in relation to therapy "switch", when patients were initially treated with heparins prior to randomization. Emergency physicians are increasingly becoming exposed to a greater variety of therapies for patients with acute coronary syndrome. It is our hope to provide you, the practicing clinician, with the educational tools to continue to give outstanding care to your patients.

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