Methadone Initiation in the Emergency Department for Opioid Use Disorder.

Introduction: Overdose deaths from high-potency synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and its analogs, continue to rise along with emergency department (ED) visits for complications of opioid use disorder (OUD). Fentanyl accumulates in adipose tissue; although rare, this increases the risk of precipitated withdrawal in patients upon buprenorphine initiation. Many EDs have implemented medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) programs using buprenorphine.

Pathophysiology and treatment of adults with arrhythmias in the emergency department, part 2: Ventricular and bradyarrhythmias.

Purpose: This is the second article in a 2-part series reviewing the pathophysiology and treatment considerations for arrhythmias. Part 1 of the series discussed aspects related to treating atrial arrhythmias. Here in part 2, the pathophysiology of ventricular arrhythmias and bradyarrhythmias and current evidence on treatment approaches are reviewed.

Emergency Neuropharmacology.

Management of acute neurologic disorders in the emergency department is multimodal and may require the use of medications to decrease morbidity and mortality secondary to neurologic injury. Clinicians should form an individualized treatment approach with regard to various patient specific factors. This review article focuses on the pharmacotherapy for common neurologic emergencies that present to the emergency department, including traumatic brain injury, central nervous system infections, status epilepticus, hypertensive emergencies, spinal cord injury, and neurogenic shock.

What is the Role of Sugammadex in the Emergency Department?

Background: Sugammadex is a medication newly available to many emergency physicians. It effectively, and within minutes, reverses neuromuscular blockade in patients who have received rocuronium or vecuronium. The role of sugammadex for the reversal of neuromuscular blockade after rapid sequence intubation in the emergency department (ED) is evolving, and limited emergency medicine-specific literature exists.

High-dose nitroglycerin infusion for the management of sympathetic crashing acute pulmonary edema (SCAPE): A case series.

Sympathetic crashing acute pulmonary edema (SCAPE) describes the most severe presentation of acute heart failure (AHF). Immediate intervention is required to prevent hemodynamic decompensation and endotracheal intubation. Although high-dose nitroglycerin (>100 μg/min) has been described for this clinical scenario in limited case reports, the concern for adverse effects such as hypotension and syncope limit providers comfortability in initiating nitroglycerin at these doses.

Intracranial Hemorrhage and Intracranial Hypertension.

Central nervous system hemorrhage has multiple pathophysiologic etiologies, including intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Given the nuances intrinsic to each of these etiologies and pathophysiologic processes, optimal blood pressure varies significantly and depends on type of hemorrhage and individual characteristics. This article reviews the most current evidence regarding blood pressure targets and provides guidance on reversal of anticoagulation for TBI, ICH, and SAH.

Impact of an emergency medicine pharmacist on antibiotic dosing adjustment.

Objective: Overall medication-related errors in the emergency department (ED) are 13.5 times more likely to occur in the absence of an emergency medicine pharmacist (EMP). Although the effectiveness of pharmacist-driven renal dosing adjustment has been studied in the intensive care unit, data are lacking in the ED setting.