Episodes
In this episode, we review a consensus guideline from the American College of Emergency Physicians on the use of topical anesthetics in corneal abrasions.  Show notes and references: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust and Lauren WEstafer
Published 02/16/24
This episode covers emergency medicine-related recommendations from the American Heart Association's (AHA) clinical guideline on atrial fibrillation: 2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation Circulation. 2023 Show notes and references: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer
Published 12/13/23
The AABB recently published updated recommendations for blood transfusion thresholds. This podcast reviews these recommendations and a recent study, the MINT trial, in which patients with anemia and a myocardial infarction were randomized to a restrictive strategy or liberal transfusion strategy. Show notes / references: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer
Published 12/05/23
This epsiode reviews the new clinical policy from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) on medication for acutely agitated patients needing parenteral sedation. Show notes / references: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer
Published 12/01/23
In this episode, we review Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA), notably dissecting the recent Jansen et al trial in JAMA. Shownotes / References:  FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust & Lauren Westafer
Published 10/17/23
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is commonly encountered in the ED and visits related to alcohol are estimated to be ~4% of all ED visits in the US. Despite this, most EDs offer little support and harm reduction for patients with AUD. In this podcast, we review naltrexone, the first-line medication for patients with AUD, which is starting to be initiated in US EDs by emergency clinicians.  AAEM position paper References and show notes: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer
Published 09/06/23
Recommendations for the use of steroids in community-acquired pneumonia have been mixed. This episode reviews a large multicenter randomized trial in the New England Journal of Medicine by Dequin et al on hydrocortisone for severe community-acquired pneumonia.  References/show notes: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer
Published 03/27/23
In this episode we review the CLOVERS trial, a randomized trial of early (first 24 hours) restrictive versus liberal fluids.  Show notes/references: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust + Lauren Westafer
Published 02/15/23
This episode reviews guideline recommendations and literature on the management of acute, uncomplicated diverticulitis - highlighting the recommendations to only prescribe antibiotics to select patients. References/Show Notes: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Lauren WEstafer
Published 02/03/23
This episode reviews a shift from the "lethal triad" in trauma to the "diamond of death," exploring the role of calcium in hemostasis and critically ill patients. We review the literature that is available on hypocalcemia and trauma patients References/show notes: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer
Published 01/25/23
This episode is a departure from the typical FOAMcast clinical content, we will be back with strictly clinical content soon. In May 2022, I came across a fellow passenger and stranger in cardiac arrest in the airport. A small team of strangers, including an emergency medicine resident, Dr. Jason Tanner, and an emergency department technician, Angel, assembled to treat this passenger. Billy Frolick, a writer and our patient that day, shares his perspective on his case with us.  In addition,...
Published 01/24/23
This episode covers the 2022 American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) clinical policy on acute heart failure syndromes with a special focus on high dose nitrates References and Show Notes: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer
Published 01/20/23
In this episode, we review the largest trial of double sequential external defibrillation (DSED) and vector change (VC) defibrillation for refractory ventricular fibrillation (VFib): Cheskes S, Verbeek PR, Drennan IR, et al. Defibrillation Strategies for Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(21):1947-1956. Show notes, references, & infographics: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust & Lauren Westafer
Published 12/03/22
The American College of Cardiology released a new consensus statement endorsing several signs on the electrocardiogram (ECG) as "STEMI Equivalents." In this podcast, we review these signs. Show notes / graphics / references: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer
Published 10/18/22
Since 2010, the American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) have de-emphasized pulse checks - such that they recommend against routine pulse checks. Despite this recommendation, may individuals and institutions continue to perform pulse checks. This episode reviews the recommendations and the literature. References/show notes: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer
Published 09/03/22
There is a global outbreak of human monkeypox virus cases. In this episode we provide a quick summary of monkeypox to date. Check out our two more in-depth episodes on the topic.  References/Show notes: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust & Lauren Westafer
Published 07/29/22
There is a global outbreak of human monkeypox virus cases. In this episode (the second of a 2 part series), we summarize clinical manifestations, complications, and vaccination.  References/Show notes: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust & Lauren Westafer
Published 07/29/22
There is a global outbreak of human monkeypox virus cases. In this episode (the first of a 2 part series), we summarize some brief virology, epidemiology, and review the transmission of this virus.  References/Show notes: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust & Lauren Westafer
Published 07/29/22
We review the Anorectal emergencies: WSES-AAST guidelines on complicated hemorrhoids that include some practice-changers References: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer
Published 07/23/22
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and other first-generation antihistamines are commonly used, despite decades of data that there are safer and effective alternatives.  In this podcast, we review the guidelines / data behind common indications. References at FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer
Published 06/08/22
In this episode we review acute urticaria and new guidelines related to the treatment of urticaria. We review additional relevant trials Palungwachira et al and Barniol et al.  References/Show notes: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust and Lauren Westafer
Published 03/11/22
In this podcast we discuss onset of action of various intramuscular agents for chemical sedation for severely agitated patients. This includes a study by Barbic et al on ketamine, the onset of action of midazolam (and association with length of stay), and is droperidol really magic? (Cole et al)  Shownotes/References: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust and Lauren Westafer
Published 01/23/22
Outpatient management of pulmonary embolism for low-risk patients has been encouraged for several years. However, little is known about pulmonary embolism diagnosed and managed exclusively in the outpatient setting. In this study, Vinson et al describe the course of patients diagnosed with PE and managed in the outpatient setting in an integrated healthcare delivery system. Shownotes/References: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer
Published 01/15/22
The diagnostic algorithm for pulmonary embolism (PE) has evolved over the past few years to include probability or risk-adjusted D-dimer. The YEARS algorithm includes an elevated D-dimer threshold for some risk groups and has been found to be safe and reduce imaging in several studies, including in pregnant patients. Now, this multicenter trial by Freund et al evaluates use of YEARS and age-adjusted D-dimer compared with an age-adjusted approach alone. Shownotes/References: FOAMcast.org ...
Published 01/15/22