Knowledge
Articles & guides on emergency medicine
ACLS
21 articles
Acute Coronary Syndrome: Initial Management and the MONA Approach
ACS is one of the most common cardiac emergencies. This article covers initial diagnostics (12-lead ECG, troponin), risk stratification, pharmacological first-line treatment, and decision pathways for reperfusion therapy.
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Acute Heart Failure: Emergency Management and Differentiation
From pulmonary edema to cardiogenic shock – acute heart failure requires rapid hemodynamic classification. This article explains the clinical classification and first-line therapy with nitrates, diuretics, and vasopressors.
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Atrial Fibrillation in the Emergency Setting: Rate vs. Rhythm Control
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia encountered in the emergency department. This article explains the decision between rate and rhythm control, medication selection (beta-blockers, amiodarone, flecainide), and anticoagulation considerations in the acute setting.
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Capnography in Emergencies: How to Interpret CO₂ Waveforms Correctly
Capnography confirms tube placement and provides insight into CPR quality and ROSC. This article explains the interpretation of typical capnography waveforms, normal values, and clinical significance in various emergency situations.
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Cardiac Arrest in Pregnancy: Key Differences and Algorithm
Cardiac arrest in pregnancy requires modified resuscitation measures. This article covers left uterine displacement, aortocaval compression, perimortem cesarean delivery indications, and reversible causes specific to pregnant patients.
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Cardioversion vs. Defibrillation: Differences and Indications
Many physicians confuse synchronized cardioversion and defibrillation. This article explains indications, energy levels, device settings, and common pitfalls for both procedures.
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ECG Rhythm Interpretation: The Most Important Emergency Rhythms
From ventricular fibrillation to pulseless electrical activity to third-degree AV block – this article presents typical ECG patterns of the most critical emergency cardiac arrhythmias with recognition criteria and immediate therapy.
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Electrolyte Emergencies on ECG: Hypo- and Hypercalcemia
Beyond potassium, calcium and magnesium disturbances also significantly alter the ECG. This article covers typical ECG patterns in hypo-/hypercalcemia and hypomagnesemia, along with the respective emergency treatments.
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Extracorporeal CPR (eCPR): Indications and Workflows
ECMO for refractory cardiac arrest is a growing field. This article examines patient selection, time windows, cannulation strategy, and the current state of evidence.
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Heart Attack in Women: Recognizing Atypical Symptoms
Women frequently present with atypical symptoms of ACS, leading to delayed diagnosis. This article examines sex-specific differences in symptom presentation, ECG changes, and the implications for emergency care.
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Hyperkalemia in the Emergency Setting: ECG Signs and Stepwise Therapy
Hyperkalemia can rapidly lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. This article describes typical ECG changes (peaked T-waves to sine wave), the stepwise therapy with calcium, insulin/glucose, and salbutamol, as well as indications for dialysis.
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Mechanical CPR Devices: LUCAS and AutoPulse in Action
When are mechanical CPR devices indicated? Evidence, contraindications, correct application, and special situations such as transport CPR and the cardiac catheterization lab.
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Pacemaker Emergencies: Recognizing Malfunctions and Taking Action
Pacing failure, sensing errors, and pacemaker-mediated tachycardias represent diagnostic pitfalls in emergencies. This article explains ECG signs, magnet application, and emergency management.
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Peri-Arrest Arrhythmias: Recognition and Immediate Management
Peri-arrest arrhythmias are rhythm disturbances that can rapidly deteriorate into cardiac arrest. This article covers the systematic recognition of critical warning rhythms, differentiation from benign arrhythmias, and time-critical interventions according to AHA guidelines.
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Post-Resuscitation Phase: ROSC Management Step by Step
After successful resuscitation, the critical post-ROSC phase begins: targeted temperature management, hemodynamics, ventilation, coronary angiography indications, and neuroprognostication. This article explains the AHA Post-Cardiac Arrest Algorithm for continued clinical care.
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Pulmonary Embolism: Risk Stratification and Emergency Management
Pulmonary embolism is a common and frequently missed emergency. This article covers the Wells Score, Geneva Score, D-dimer interpretation, hemodynamically stable vs. unstable presentation, anticoagulation, and indications for thrombolysis.
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Pulseless Electrical Activity: Causes and Treatment
PEA is one of the most common initial rhythms in in-hospital cardiac arrest. This article covers the systematic search for causes, targeted treatment of reversible triggers, and the difference between pseudo-PEA and true PEA.
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Resuscitation in the Opioid Crisis: Key Differences in Management
Opioid-associated respiratory failure requires adapted algorithms with a focus on ventilation. This article explains when naloxone alone is sufficient and when full CPR is necessary.
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Supraventricular Tachycardia: How to Correctly Perform Vagal Maneuvers
Modified Valsalva, carotid sinus massage, and ice water technique in children – step-by-step instructions with contraindications and success rates. A practical overview for everyday clinical practice.
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Synchronized Cardioversion: Procedure, Joules, and Sedation
Many physicians feel uncertain about the practical execution of synchronized cardioversion. This article explains the step-by-step procedure from patient preparation and sedation to energy selection by rhythm, and common mistakes to avoid.
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Targeted Temperature Management After Resuscitation
Targeted temperature management after ROSC significantly influences neurological outcome. This article examines target temperatures, cooling methods, duration of hypothermia, and rewarming strategies according to current guidelines.
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Algorithms
7 articles
ABCDE Approach: Structured Primary Assessment in Emergencies
The ABCDE approach is the universal framework of emergency care. This article explains each step with concrete assessment techniques, re-evaluation loops, and common pitfalls in application.
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ACLS Cardiac Arrest Algorithm: Sequence and Medications
The complete ACLS cardiac arrest algorithm according to AHA guidelines, including defibrillation scheme, epinephrine timing, and antiarrhythmic administration. One of the most searched algorithms in emergency medicine, relevant for exam preparation and clinical practice.
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Asthma Exacerbation: Step-by-Step Emergency Therapy
Acute asthma exacerbation requires rapid severity assessment and escalated therapy. This article covers the stepwise treatment approach from salbutamol through ipratropium to magnesium and epinephrine, including dosages for adults.
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Bradycardia Algorithm: Atropine, Pacing, Epinephrine
When does bradycardia require treatment? The ACLS bradycardia algorithm step by step, including atropine dosing, transcutaneous pacing, and differential diagnoses for symptomatic bradycardia.
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Cardiac Arrest in Trauma: Algorithm and Key Differences
Traumatic cardiac arrest requires a different approach than cardiac arrest of cardiac origin. This article covers reversible causes, thoracotomy indications, and the modified resuscitation strategy according to current guidelines.
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Electrical Therapy for Cardiac Arrhythmias: Energy Selection
Monophasic or biphasic, 50 J or 200 J? This article provides a practical overview of correct energy selection for atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, SVT, and ventricular tachycardias, including differences between device manufacturers.
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Tachycardia Algorithm: Recognizing Stable vs. Unstable
A systematic approach to tachycardias based on the ACLS tachycardia algorithm. This article explains the differentiation between stable and unstable patients, indications for cardioversion, and pharmacological options for narrow and wide complex tachycardias.
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Emergency Medicine
52 articles
Acute Adrenal Insufficiency: Addisonian Crisis in the Emergency Setting
Adrenal crisis is frequently misdiagnosed and can be fatal. This article describes at-risk patients, clinical signs, immediate hydrocortisone administration, and the management of accompanying hypoglycemia and hyperkalemia.
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Acute Back Pain: Red Flags and Emergency Differentiation
Acute back pain is a common presenting complaint that may conceal aortic dissection, cauda equina syndrome, or retroperitoneal hemorrhage. This article systematizes red flag assessment and immediate management of vascular and neurological causes.
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Acute Dyspnea: Differential Diagnosis and Immediate Management
Dyspnea has numerous causes ranging from asthma to heart failure to pulmonary embolism. This article presents a systematic approach to differentiation based on history, clinical examination, auscultation, and point-of-care diagnostics.
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Acute Hypoglycemia: Emergency Management in Adults and Children
Threshold values, symptom recognition, oral glucose vs. IV dextrose vs. glucagon – with separate dosing for adult and pediatric patients. A common emergency presentation systematically reviewed.
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Allergic Reactions: Stages According to Ring and Messmer
Classifying allergic reactions by severity is critical for appropriate therapy escalation. This article explains the four stages, associated symptoms, and stage-appropriate treatment from antihistamines to epinephrine.
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Altered Mental Status: Systematic Assessment Using the ABCDE Approach
The structured initial assessment of patients with altered consciousness is essential in both prehospital and in-hospital settings. This article describes the ABCDE approach, GCS assessment, important differential diagnoses (stroke, hypoglycemia, intoxication), and immediate interventions.
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Anaphylaxis Emergency Treatment: Epinephrine Dosing and Algorithm
Anaphylaxis is a time-critical emergency in both clinical and office settings. This article covers severity grading, epinephrine doses (intramuscular vs. intravenous) for adults and children, and monitoring for biphasic reactions.
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Anesthesia Emergencies: Malignant Hyperthermia and Bronchospasm
Intraoperative emergencies such as malignant hyperthermia or severe bronchospasm require immediate algorithmic action. This article covers early signs, dantrolene dosing, differential diagnoses, and team management in the OR.
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Aortic Dissection: Emergency Diagnosis and Immediate Management
Acute aortic dissection is a time-critical emergency with high mortality that is frequently misdiagnosed as myocardial infarction. This article covers key symptoms, the Stanford classification, blood pressure management, and the critical distinction from ACS.
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Applying a Pelvic Binder: Technique and Common Errors
Pelvic stabilization is one of the time-critical immediate interventions in polytrauma. This article demonstrates the correct application of commercial and improvised pelvic binders, proper positioning height, and typical application errors.
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Cricothyrotomy: Indications, Technique, and the Surgical Airway
Cricothyrotomy is the last resort in a cannot-intubate-cannot-oxygenate scenario. This article covers indications, surgical vs. needle technique, anatomical landmarks, and pediatric considerations.
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Crush Syndrome: Pathophysiology and Field Emergency Management
After extrication from entrapment, life-threatening reperfusion injury looms. This article explains the pathomechanisms, volume therapy before extrication, and hyperkalemia prophylaxis.
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Cuff Pressure Measurement on the Endotracheal Tube: Target Values and Technique
Excessively high or low cuff pressure carries risks ranging from aspiration to tracheal ischemia. This article explains measurement methods, target values, and special considerations for cuffed pediatric tubes.
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Debriefing After Resuscitation: Methods and Practical Guide
Structured debriefing improves team performance and reduces psychological burden. An overview of hot debriefing, the PEARLS model, and practical tips for everyday clinical practice.
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Difficult Airway: Cannot Intubate Cannot Oxygenate
The CICO scenario is the most feared situation in airway management. This article describes how to recognize the CICO situation, the decision-making logic between front-of-neck access techniques, and the structured approach according to the DAS guidelines.
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Drowning: Resuscitation and Therapy in Drowning Emergencies
Drowning emergencies require a modified resuscitation algorithm with a focus on oxygenation and hypothermia management. This article covers the chain of survival, ventilation priority, and prognostic assessment.
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Drug Administration via Endotracheal Tube: Still Relevant?
Which drugs can be administered endobronchially, what dosing is required, and why do current guidelines recommend the i.o. route? A critical appraisal of the evidence.
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Eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome: Emergency Management
Pregnancy-specific emergencies require rapid action. Magnesium sulfate protocol, blood pressure management, delivery indications, and differentiation of eclampsia and HELLP.
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Electrical Injury and Lightning Strike: Emergency Management and ECG Monitoring
Electrical injuries cause cardiac arrhythmias, burns, and occult organ damage. This article covers initial management, risk stratification, ECG monitoring duration, and differences between low-voltage, high-voltage, and lightning injuries.
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Emergency Airway Management: Algorithm and Techniques
From head-tilt chin-lift to laryngeal mask to emergency cricothyrotomy – this article provides a structured overview of the airway algorithm including videolaryngoscopy, bougie technique, and the cannot-intubate-cannot-oxygenate scenario.
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Emergency Echocardiography: Recognizing Cardiac Tamponade
Focused echocardiography for cardiac tamponade is a life-saving point-of-care diagnostic tool. This article explains the subxiphoid view, sonographic tamponade signs, and indications for pericardiocentesis.
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Emergency Physician Refresher §40: Requirements and Process in Austria
Many emergency physicians in Austria are looking for concrete information on the continuing education requirements under §40 of the Austrian Medical Act. This article explains deadlines, required hours, eligible course formats, and how AHA-certified courses count as a §40 refresher.
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Emergency Ultrasound: FAST and Focused Echo Overview
Point-of-care ultrasound is fundamentally changing emergency diagnostics. This article explains the FAST protocol (free fluid), focused echo (pericardial effusion, RV dilatation), and their integration into resuscitation algorithms.
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Glasgow Coma Scale: Correct Assessment and Pitfalls
The GCS is frequently assessed incorrectly, leading to misjudgment of the level of consciousness. This article explains the systematic evaluation of each component, the pediatric modification, and common documentation errors.
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Hypertensive Emergency: Recognizing and Treating End-Organ Damage
The distinction between hypertensive urgency and hypertensive emergency determines the therapeutic approach. This article describes end-organ damage (brain, heart, kidney, eye), blood pressure targets, and medication selection (urapidil, nitroglycerin, esmolol).
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Hyponatremia in the Emergency Setting: Symptoms, Diagnostics, and Correction
Severe hyponatremia can cause seizures and cerebral edema. This article explains the classification by severity and time course, the safe correction rate with hypertonic saline, and the prevention of osmotic demyelination.
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Hypothermia in Emergency Medicine: Stages, Rescue, and Resuscitation
Accidental hypothermia requires adapted resuscitation algorithms and specialized rescue techniques. This article covers the Swiss staging system, the afterdrop phenomenon, rewarming methods, and the specifics of drug administration in hypothermia.
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Intraosseous Access: Indications, Insertion Sites, and Technique
When intravenous access fails, IO access can be lifesaving. This article covers insertion sites in adults and children, available systems, contraindications, and drug administration via the intraosseous route.
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Laryngeal Mask vs. Endotracheal Tube in Emergencies
Supraglottic airway devices have gained importance in emergency medicine. This article compares the laryngeal mask and endotracheal tube regarding indications, success rates, complications, and guideline recommendations.
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Magill Forceps: Foreign Body Removal Under Direct Vision
Magill forceps are an essential instrument for foreign body removal from the hypopharynx. This article covers indications, correct handling, size selection for adults and children, and common application errors.
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Metabolic Acidosis in Emergency Medicine: Causes and Treatment
Metabolic acidosis is a common finding in critically ill patients. This article covers anion gap differentiation (MUDPILES), bicarbonate indications, buffering, and causal therapy in the emergency setting.
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Myasthenic Crisis: Recognition and Emergency Management
The myasthenic crisis is a life-threatening neuromuscular emergency with impending respiratory failure. This article covers trigger factors, differentiation from cholinergic crisis, indications for mechanical ventilation, and the role of immunoglobulins and plasmapheresis.
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Needle Decompression of the Thorax: Technique and Common Pitfalls
Needle decompression is a life-saving emergency intervention that frequently fails in practice. This article covers puncture sites (Monaldi vs. Bülau), needle selection, signs of success, and the most common reasons for failure.
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Non-Invasive Ventilation in Emergencies: How to Apply NIV Correctly
NIV is a crucial tool in acute respiratory failure. This article explains indications (COPD exacerbation, pulmonary edema), contraindications, device settings (CPAP vs. BiPAP), monitoring, and criteria for discontinuation.
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Perimortem Cesarean Section: Indications, Time Window, and Procedure
Emergency cesarean section within 5 minutes of maternal cardiac arrest can save two lives. This article covers indications, surgical technique, and the most common errors in decision-making.
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Point-of-Care Blood Gas Analysis: Interpretation in Emergencies
Arterial and venous blood gas analysis provides information on pH, lactate, electrolytes, and hemoglobin within minutes. Systematic interpretation using an acid-base framework and clinical consequences.
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Preventing Medication Mix-Ups: LASA and Safety Strategies
Medication mix-ups are among the most common preventable errors in emergency medicine. This article covers Look-Alike-Sound-Alike issues, standardized syringe labels (ISO 26825), read-back technique, and Tall-Man-Lettering.
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Rapid Sequence Induction: Procedure, Medications, and Pitfalls
RSI is the gold standard for emergency anesthesia induction. This article covers indications, drug selection (ketamine, propofol, rocuronium), dosages, pre-oxygenation, and difficult airway management during induction.
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Recognizing Sepsis: qSOFA, Lactate, and Immediate Interventions
Sepsis is frequently recognized too late. This article describes early signs, screening tools (qSOFA, NEWS), the importance of lactate measurement, initial therapy according to the Hour-1 Bundle, and common pitfalls in the initial phase.
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Recognizing Stroke: The FAST Test and Prehospital Time Management
Time lost during stroke means brain tissue lost. This article explains the FAST test, extended screening scales such as BE-FAST, the prehospital chain of care, and the importance of time documentation for the thrombolysis decision.
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Recognizing Toxidromes: Key Symptoms in Poisoning
Systematically distinguishing cholinergic, anticholinergic, sympathomimetic, and opioid syndromes. This article provides a practical overview of clinical patterns, antidotes, and immediate management.
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Recognizing Types of Shock: Differential Diagnosis in the Emergency Setting
Hypovolemic, cardiogenic, obstructive, or distributive – rapidly distinguishing between types of shock determines the correct therapy. This article provides clinical signs, diagnostics, and initial management for each type of shock.
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Reversible Causes of Cardiac Arrest: The 5 H's and 5 T's
The systematic search for reversible causes (hypoxia, hypovolemia, hypothermia, hypo-/hyperkalemia, cardiac tamponade, thrombosis, etc.) is crucial for outcomes during resuscitation. This article provides a practical checklist with specific treatment measures.
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Severe Burns: Initial Management and Fluid Therapy
Initial burn management requires a structured approach. This article covers the Rule of Nines, cooling guidelines, the Parkland formula, airway management in inhalation injury, and pain management.
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Status Epilepticus: Step-by-Step Therapy and Emergency Management
Status epilepticus is a time-critical emergency with high mortality. This article covers the definition, stepwise pharmacological therapy (benzodiazepines, levetiracetam, valproate), and differentiation from non-epileptic seizures.
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Strangulation and Hanging: Emergency Management and Pitfalls
Strangulation injuries require special attention to the airway, cervical spine, and cerebral hypoxia. This article describes initial management, indications for intubation, typical injury patterns, and advanced diagnostics.
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Team Communication in Emergencies: CRM and Closed-Loop
Communication errors are one of the most common causes of preventable adverse events. This article explains Crew Resource Management, the 10-for-10 principle, closed-loop communication, and structured handover formats such as SBAR and ABCDE.
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Team-Based Emergency Training: How to Design Effective Simulation Scenarios
How do you plan a hands-on emergency training for the hospital or outpatient clinic? This article covers scenario design, moulage tips, learning objective definition, and the role of the facilitator.
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Tension Pneumothorax: Recognition and Immediate Management
Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening diagnosis that must be made clinically. This article describes the pathophysiology, clinical signs, differentiation from simple pneumothorax, needle decompression, and chest tube insertion technique.
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Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Rupture: Emergency Signs and Immediate Management
Differentiation from aortic dissection, typical clinical presentation, shock management, and transport decisions. A time-critical emergency that must be well known in emergency physician services.
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Triage Systems in Emergencies: START, mSTaRT, and JumpSTART
Structured triage in mass casualty incidents: This article compares common triage algorithms for adults and children, explains color categories, and their application under time pressure.
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Video Laryngoscopy in Emergencies: Technique and Device Selection
Video laryngoscopes improve first-pass intubation success rates. Comparison of common systems (C-MAC, GlideScope, McGrath), indications, and tips for use under time pressure.
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First Aid
11 articles
Automated External Defibrillator: A Guide for First Responders
AEDs are widely available, but many laypeople hesitate to use them. This article explains how they work, correct pad placement, common mistakes, and provides practical tips for training first responders in the workplace.
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Childproof Home Medicine Cabinet: Avoiding Poisoning Risks
Many pediatric emergencies result from accidental ingestion of medications or household products. Prevention tips, dangerous substances, and first response measures when poisoning is suspected.
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Choking Emergency in Children: Foreign Body Airway Obstruction Algorithm
Foreign body aspiration is one of the most common preventable causes of death in childhood. This article describes age-dependent interventions (back blows, Heimlich maneuver), differentiation of mild vs. severe obstruction, and handover to the emergency team.
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Common Errors in Chest Compressions: Evidence and Practice
Compression depth, rate, recoil, and interruptions – the quality of chest compressions is a major determinant of outcome. This article analyzes the most common errors, feedback devices, and training concepts for improvement.
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Emergencies in the Medical Practice: Preparation and Initial Management
Whether anaphylaxis, cardiac arrest, or seizures – emergencies in the medical practice are rare but time-critical. This article describes minimum equipment, emergency medications, team roles, and regular training concepts.
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Emergency Equipment in the Medical Practice: Checklist and Maintenance
Many practices are inadequately prepared for emergencies. This article provides an evidence-based checklist for emergency kits, medications, and devices, including maintenance intervals, expiration date management, and legal requirements in Austria.
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Emergency Medicine for Medical Assistants: What Practice Staff Need to Know
Medical assistants are often the first to respond to a patient in crisis. This article covers recognition of critical conditions, BLS measures, crash cart management, and the legal framework.
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Emergency Wound Management: Sutures, Tissue Adhesives, and Steri-Strips
Physicians in clinics and emergency departments manage traumatic wounds on a daily basis. This article compares closure techniques by location and contamination, describes suturing methods, and provides clear criteria for antibiotic prophylaxis.
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First Aid for Seizures: Positioning, Protection, and Calling Emergency Services
Laypeople and first responders often look for concrete instructions on how to handle epileptic seizures. This article debunks common myths and provides a clear step-by-step guide.
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How to Apply a Tourniquet Correctly: Indications and Technique
The tourniquet has evolved from a last-resort instrument to a first-line measure for life-threatening extremity hemorrhage. This article covers indications, correct application technique, time documentation, and common errors.
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Recovery Position and Basic First Aid: How to Apply First Aid Correctly
Fundamental first aid measures for workplace first aiders: recovery position, emergency call, basic life support, shock management, and common mistakes. Ideal as a refresher for workplace first aiders and as a foundation for workplace first aid training.
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Infant Resuscitation
11 articles
Airway Obstruction in Infants: Back Blows and Chest Thrusts
Detailed lay-rescuer guide for choking emergencies in babies under 1 year: positioning, blow technique, alternating measures, and when to call emergency services.
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Baby Choking: First Aid Step by Step
What should you do when an infant chokes on food or small objects? This article explains back blows and chest thrusts for babies in clear, easy-to-understand language for parents and caregivers – with step-by-step instructions and guidance on when to call emergency services.
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Baby Not Breathing: Infant CPR for Laypeople
A clear, easy-to-understand guide to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for babies under one year of age. This article explains how to check breathing, perform rescue breaths, and give chest compressions with the correct hand position – specifically designed for parents and grandparents with no medical background.
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Baby Resuscitation: How to Correctly Use a Bag-Valve-Mask
Bag-valve-mask ventilation in newborns and infants is often prone to errors. This article explains the CE grip, mask sizing, ventilation rate, and common pitfalls – for parents and healthcare professionals.
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Baby Turning Blue: Causes and Immediate Actions for Parents
Cyanosis in infants can be harmless or life-threatening. This article explains the most common causes (airway obstruction, heart defects, seizures) and when you need to call emergency services immediately.
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Chest Compressions for Babies: The Two-Thumb Technique Explained
Parents and healthcare professionals learn the correct technique for chest compressions in infants – compression depth, rate, hand position, and common mistakes with the two-thumb vs. two-finger technique.
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Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Newborns: Causes and Initial Management
Transient tachypnea, meconium aspiration, and surfactant deficiency – how healthcare professionals and parents can distinguish the most common causes of neonatal respiratory distress and which immediate measures can be lifesaving.
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Safe Sleep Environment: How to Keep Your Baby Safe While Sleeping
Back sleeping, sleep sack instead of blankets, room temperature, and co-sleeping – evidence-based recommendations for a sleep environment that has been proven to reduce the risk of breathing emergencies and SIDS.
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Scalds and Burns in Toddlers: First Aid at Home
A practical guide for parents on first aid for scalds in babies and toddlers: cooling, bandaging, recognizing severity, and when to go to the hospital immediately – a common concern for young parents.
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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Risk Factors and Prevention
SIDS is one of the most common causes of death in infancy. This article summarizes evidence-based prevention measures such as sleep position, room temperature, and pacifier use, and explains why CPR skills can be lifesaving for parents.
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Swallowed Foreign Object in Babies: Batteries, Coins, Magnets
Parents often search online for what to do when their baby swallows a small object. This article explains the dangers of button batteries, magnets, and other foreign bodies, when to call emergency services immediately, and what first aid measures parents can take.
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PALS
19 articles
Broselow Tape and Weight Estimation in Pediatric Emergencies
In pediatric emergencies, medications must be dosed based on weight. This article explains the use of the Broselow Tape, alternative estimation formulas, and dosing aids for the most common emergency medications in pediatrics.
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Cardiac Arrhythmias in Children: Recognition and Management
SVT is the most common arrhythmia requiring treatment in childhood. This article covers diagnosis, vagal maneuvers, adenosine dosing, and escalation to electrical cardioversion in pediatric patients.
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Dehydration in Children: Severity Grading and Rehydration
Assessing the degree of dehydration in infants and young children is an essential pediatric emergency skill. This article covers clinical signs, oral vs. intravenous rehydration, bolus administration, and electrolyte monitoring.
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Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Children: Emergency Management
DKA is the most common endocrine emergency in childhood, carrying a risk of cerebral edema with overly aggressive fluid therapy. This article covers diagnostics, insulin protocols, fluid calculations, and monitoring.
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Drowning in Children: Prevention and Emergency Algorithm
Drowning is one of the most common causes of death in young children. This article covers the pediatric specifics of resuscitation after submersion, hypothermia management, and the decision to provide in-hospital monitoring even for asymptomatic children.
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Ductus-Dependent Heart Defects: Prostaglandin E1 in the Emergency Setting
Neonates with ductus-dependent cardiac lesions can deteriorate acutely. This article explains the clinical signs, indications for prostaglandin E1, dosing, side effects, and stabilization until pediatric cardiology care.
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Emergency Management of Croup: Corticosteroids, Epinephrine, Approach
Properly assess croup episodes in young children: Westley Score, dexamethasone and nebulized epinephrine dosing, indications for hospital admission, and parent counseling.
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Emergency Vascular Access in Children: Peripheral IV vs. Intraosseous
When is an IO access indicated in a pediatric emergency, which puncture sites are appropriate depending on age, and what are common pitfalls? A practical guide for emergency teams.
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Febrile Seizures in Children: Initial Management and Differential Diagnosis
Febrile seizures are one of the most common pediatric emergencies and cause uncertainty among both medical professionals and parents. This article covers acute management with benzodiazepine dosing, differentiation between simple and complex febrile seizures, and red flags for other underlying causes.
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Neonatal Resuscitation: Algorithm for the First Minutes
Newborn care in the delivery room follows a specific algorithm involving thermal management, stimulation, and ventilation. This article explains the structured approach step by step, including oxygen administration and chest compressions in the neonate.
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Neonatal Resuscitation: APGAR and the First Minutes
Every professional in obstetrics must master structured neonatal resuscitation. This article describes the systematic assessment using the APGAR score, initial stabilization measures, and criteria for escalation.
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Pediatric Airway Emergencies: Croup, Epiglottitis, Foreign Body Aspiration
Upper airway obstructions in children require rapid differentiation. This article compares croup, epiglottitis, and foreign body aspiration regarding clinical presentation, age distribution, diagnostics, and immediate management.
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Pediatric Dosing in Emergencies: Calculation and Common Errors
Medication errors in children are among the most common preventable incidents. This article covers weight-based dose calculation, common emergency medications (epinephrine, midazolam, atropine), and strategies for error prevention.
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Pediatric Resuscitation: Guideline Algorithm for Children
The PALS resuscitation algorithm for infants and children with age-appropriate compression point, compression depth, ventilation ratio, and weight-based medication dosing. A highly relevant topic frequently referenced by physicians and nurses.
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Pediatric Shock: Recognition and Fluid Therapy
Children compensate for shock for a long time before suddenly decompensating. This article explains early signs, differentiation of hypovolemic, distributive, and cardiogenic shock, as well as bolus therapy and vasopressor use.
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Pediatric Tachycardia: Recognizing and Treating SVT
Supraventricular tachycardia is the most common symptomatic arrhythmia in childhood. This article explains the differentiation from sinus tachycardia, vagal maneuvers in children, weight-based adenosine dosing, and the indications for cardioversion.
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Recognizing Child Abuse: Red Flags for Emergency Services
Non-accidental injuries in children are frequently missed in emergency departments. This article describes suspicious injury patterns, age-atypical fractures and soft tissue injuries, proper documentation, and mandatory reporting obligations in Austria.
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Stridor in Children: Differential Diagnosis and Initial Management
Inspiratory stridor in children requires rapid differentiation between viral croup, bacterial tracheitis, and rare causes such as angioedema. This article provides a clinical decision tree with scoring and inhaled therapy.
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Supraglottic Airways in Children: Selection and Sizes
Selecting the correct supraglottic airway in pediatric patients is error-prone. This article compares i-gel, laryngeal mask airway, and laryngeal tube with size charts, insertion techniques, and contraindications.
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Pharmacology
12 articles
Adenosine for SVT: Dosing, Technique, and Pitfalls
Supraventricular tachycardia is one of the most common emergency rhythms. This article describes the correct administration of adenosine using the rapid-flush technique, contraindications in WPW, and documentation of the diagnostic window.
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Amiodarone vs. Lidocaine in Ventricular Fibrillation
Comparison of the two antiarrhythmics in shock-refractory ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia: dosing, evidence, and recommendations from current AHA guidelines.
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Beta-Blocker and Calcium Channel Blocker Toxicity: Management
Overdoses of beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers cause severe bradycardia and shock. Stepwise management with high-dose insulin, lipid emulsion, and catecholamines explained in detail.
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Emergency Medications via Syringe Pump: Calculation and Infusion Rates
Norepinephrine, epinephrine, amiodarone maintenance – many emergency medications are administered as continuous infusions. This article explains standard dilutions, infusion rate calculations (µg/kg/min), common calculation errors, and pediatric considerations.
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Emergency Sedation and Analgesia: Agents and Dosing
From ketamine to midazolam to fentanyl – this article provides a structured overview of common emergency analgesics and sedatives with dosing tables, onset times, antagonists, and special considerations in pediatric patients.
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Ketamine in Emergency Medicine: Dosing and Clinical Applications
Ketamine is one of the most versatile emergency medications for analgesia, anesthesia induction, and bronchospasm. This article covers dosing for various indications, contraindications, and management of common side effects.
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Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity: Recognizing and Treating LAST
Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST) is a rare but potentially fatal complication. This article covers early symptoms (CNS, cardiovascular), Lipid Rescue Therapy (Intralipid dosing), and preventive measures.
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Magnesium Sulfate in Emergencies: Indications Beyond Eclampsia
From Torsade de Pointes to severe asthma and hypomagnesemia – an overview of dosing, infusion rates, and monitoring for emergency magnesium administration.
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Medications During Resuscitation: Dosages and Timing
Overview of the most important resuscitation medications – epinephrine, amiodarone, atropine, sodium bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium – with exact dosages, routes of administration, and timing according to AHA guidelines for adults and children.
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Opioid Overdose: Naloxone Dosing and Post-Treatment Monitoring
With rising opioid prescriptions, the number of intoxications is increasing. This article covers recognition of the opioid triad, naloxone dosing (i.v., i.m., nasal), titration, rebound risk, and the required monitoring duration.
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Tranexamic Acid in Emergencies: Indications and Dosing
Tranexamic acid has established itself as a life-saving antifibrinolytic in trauma and postpartum hemorrhage. This article examines its mechanism of action, time window, dosing, and contraindications based on current evidence.
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Vasopressors in Emergencies: Norepinephrine, Epinephrine, Vasopressin
Choosing the right vasopressor depends on the type of shock and the hemodynamic profile. This article compares mechanisms of action, indications, dose ranges, and typical side effects of commonly used catecholamines and vasopressors.
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Smoking Cessation
5 articles
Motivational Interviewing for Smoking Cessation: A Technique for Physicians
How can physicians boost motivation to quit smoking in just a few minutes of conversation? This article presents the MI method, the 5 A's, and the 5 R's in a practical, hands-on way.
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Nicotine Replacement Therapy Compared: Patch, Gum, Spray
Overview of available nicotine replacement products including pharmacological profiles, advantages and disadvantages, and evidence-based recommendations for selection. Helps patients and healthcare professionals find the right therapy for a successful smoking cessation.
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Relapse Prevention After Smoking Cessation: Strategies and Evidence
Around 60–80% of smoking cessation attempts fail within the first few months. This article examines evidence-based relapse prevention strategies – from cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques to the role of brief interventions by physicians and nurses.
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Smoking Cessation and Weight Gain: Evidence and Counterstrategies
Many smokers avoid quitting due to anticipated weight gain. This article examines the physiological causes, average weight gain according to studies, and evidence-based strategies to counteract it.
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Varenicline for Smoking Cessation: Mechanism of Action and Side Effects
Varenicline (Champix/Chantix) is considered the most effective single medication for smoking cessation. This article explains its mechanism of action at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, dosing schedule, common side effects, contraindications, and the current evidence on safety – relevant for prescribing physicians and informed patients.
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