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Emergency And Acute Medicine – Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when thrombi—most commonly originating in the deep veins of the lower extremities or pelvis—travel to and obstruct the pulmonary arterial circulation. Thrombi may also arise from renal or upper extremity veins. The size and location of the embolus determine the severity of clinical manifestations, ranging from mild dyspnea to cardiovascular collapse.
Most patients with PE have identifiable risk factors. Common acquired risks include recent surgery, immobilization, pregnancy, prior DVT or PE, stroke or paraplegia, malignancy, age over 50 years, obesity, smoking, oral contraceptive use, and major trauma. Inherited thrombophilias include Factor V Leiden mutation, protein C or S deficiency, antithrombin III deficiency, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, and lupus anticoagulant. In children, PE is rare and usually associated with central venous catheters, immobility, congenital heart disease, trauma, malignancy, surgery, or infection.
Clinical presentation is variable and often nonspecific. The most common symptoms are dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, and tachypnea. Patients may also report cough or hemoptysis (rarely massive). Cardiovascular findings can include tachycardia, syncope, or hypotension in massive PE. Fever is uncommon and usually low grade. Physical exam may reveal cyanosis, signs of DVT (unilateral leg swelling, tenderness), or evidence of thrombophlebitis. In elderly patients, symptoms may be subtle.
Initial evaluation includes chest radiography and ECG primarily to rule out alternative diagnoses. Chest x-ray is often normal in PE but may show nonspecific findings such as atelectasis or pleural effusion. Classic but uncommon signs include Hampton hump (pleural-based opacity) and Westermark sign (regional oligemia). ECG is usually normal or shows sinus tachycardia. Other possible findings include nonspecific ST–T changes, right bundle branch block, or S1Q3T3 pattern (neither sensitive nor specific).
Risk stratification tools assist in diagnostic decision-making. The modified Wells criteria assign points based on clinical features such as signs of DVT, heart rate >100 bpm, recent surgery or immobilization, prior DVT/PE, hemoptysis, malignancy, and whether PE is the most likely diagnosis. A score <4 combined with a negative d-dimer confers <2% risk of pe. the pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria (perc) may exclude pe in low-risk patients if all are (age <50, hr <100, o₂ saturation ≥95%, no hemoptysis, estrogen use, prior dvt />E, no unilateral leg swelling, no recent surgery/trauma). A PERC-negative patient with low clinical suspicion has <1% risk of pe within 45 days.< />pan>
Laboratory studies are nonspecific. Arterial blood gas may show hypoxemia, hypocapnia, respiratory alkalosis, or elevated alveolar–arterial gradient, but can be normal. CBC may reveal anemia. D-dimer testing (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) has high sensitivity but low specificity; a negative d-dimer in a low-risk patient effectively rules out PE. D-dimer is frequently elevated in malignancy or recent surgery.
Imaging is central to diagnosis. CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is the preferred diagnostic modality and can also detect alternative causes of symptoms. It is highly accurate for proximal emboli, with positive and negative predictive values around 96% in appropriate pretest probability groups. Ventilation–perfusion (V/Q) scanning remains useful, particularly in patients with contraindications to contrast. A normal V/Q scan effectively excludes PE, whereas a high-probability V/Q scan combined with high clinical suspicion confers approximately 96% probability of PE. Lower-extremity duplex ultrasound may identify DVT; a positive study supports anticoagulation, though a negative result does not exclude PE. Echocardiography assesses right ventricular strain and may guide management in unstable patients. Pulmonary angiography remains the gold standard but is reserved for cases where noninvasive imaging is inconclusive.
Management begins with airway, breathing, and circulation. Supplemental oxygen, IV access, and cardiac monitoring are initiated. In hypotensive patients, IV fluids should be administered cautiously, as excessive volume may worsen right ventricular failure. Vasopressors may be required if hypotension persists.
Anticoagulation is the cornerstone of treatment, preventing further clot formation and stabilizing existing thrombus. Unfractionated heparin requires close monitoring with target activated partial thromboplastin time 1.5–2.5 times control. Low-molecular-weight heparin (e.g., enoxaparin 1 mg/kg SC every 12 hours) is at least as effective and easier to administer. Long-term therapy includes warfarin (target INR 2–3) or direct oral anticoagulants such as rivaroxaban (15 mg twice daily for 3 weeks, then 20 mg daily). Rivaroxaban does not require routine monitoring but is not recommended in renal or hepatic insufficiency or pregnancy.
Thrombolysis (e.g., alteplase 100 mg IV over 2 hours) is indicated in hemodynamically unstable patients with confirmed PE and may be considered in selected stable patients with massive PE, severe hypoxemia, or right ventricular dysfunction. Inferior vena cava filters are reserved for patients with contraindications to anticoagulation or recurrent PE despite therapeutic anticoagulation. Surgical or catheter-directed embolectomy may be considered in select unstable patients.
All patients diagnosed with PE require hospital admission for monitoring and anticoagulation. In selected stable patients with high suspicion and no contraindications, empiric anticoagulation may be started while awaiting definitive imaging if diagnostic resources are temporarily unavailable.
The clinical presentation of PE is highly variable and often mimics other conditions such as myocardial infarction, pneumonia, asthma, pneumothorax, or anxiety. Maintaining a high index of suspicion is essential. Patients with malignancy are at increased risk of recurrent PE despite therapeutic anticoagulation. Early risk stratification and prompt treatment significantly reduce morbidity and mortality.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when thrombi—most commonly originating in the deep veins of the lower extremities or pelvis—travel to and obstruct the pulmonary arterial circulation. Thrombi may also arise from renal or upper extremity veins. The size and location of the embolus determine the severity of clinical manifestations, ranging from mild dyspnea to cardiovascular collapse.
Most patients with PE have identifiable risk factors. Common acquired risks include recent surgery, immobilization, pregnancy, prior DVT or PE, stroke or paraplegia, malignancy, age over 50 years, obesity, smoking, oral contraceptive use, and major trauma. Inherited thrombophilias include Factor V Leiden mutation, protein C or S deficiency, antithrombin III deficiency, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, and lupus anticoagulant. In children, PE is rare and usually associated with central venous catheters, immobility, congenital heart disease, trauma, malignancy, surgery, or infection.
Clinical presentation is variable and often nonspecific. The most common symptoms are dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, and tachypnea. Patients may also report cough or hemoptysis (rarely massive). Cardiovascular findings can include tachycardia, syncope, or hypotension in massive PE. Fever is uncommon and usually low grade. Physical exam may reveal cyanosis, signs of DVT (unilateral leg swelling, tenderness), or evidence of thrombophlebitis. In elderly patients, symptoms may be subtle.
Initial evaluation includes chest radiography and ECG primarily to rule out alternative diagnoses. Chest x-ray is often normal in PE but may show nonspecific findings such as atelectasis or pleural effusion. Classic but uncommon signs include Hampton hump (pleural-based opacity) and Westermark sign (regional oligemia). ECG is usually normal or shows sinus tachycardia. Other possible findings include nonspecific ST–T changes, right bundle branch block, or S1Q3T3 pattern (neither sensitive nor specific).
Risk stratification tools assist in diagnostic decision-making. The modified Wells criteria assign points based on clinical features such as signs of DVT, heart rate >100 bpm, recent surgery or immobilization, prior DVT/PE, hemoptysis, malignancy, and whether PE is the most likely diagnosis. A score <4 combined with a negative d-dimer confers <2% risk of pe. the pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria (perc) may exclude pe in low-risk patients if all are (age <50, hr <100, o₂ saturation ≥95%, no hemoptysis, estrogen use, prior dvt />E, no unilateral leg swelling, no recent surgery/trauma). A PERC-negative patient with low clinical suspicion has <1% risk of pe within 45 days.< />pan>
Laboratory studies are nonspecific. Arterial blood gas may show hypoxemia, hypocapnia, respiratory alkalosis, or elevated alveolar–arterial gradient, but can be normal. CBC may reveal anemia. D-dimer testing (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) has high sensitivity but low specificity; a negative d-dimer in a low-risk patient effectively rules out PE. D-dimer is frequently elevated in malignancy or recent surgery.
Imaging is central to diagnosis. CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is the preferred diagnostic modality and can also detect alternative causes of symptoms. It is highly accurate for proximal emboli, with positive and negative predictive values around 96% in appropriate pretest probability groups. Ventilation–perfusion (V/Q) scanning remains useful, particularly in patients with contraindications to contrast. A normal V/Q scan effectively excludes PE, whereas a high-probability V/Q scan combined with high clinical suspicion confers approximately 96% probability of PE. Lower-extremity duplex ultrasound may identify DVT; a positive study supports anticoagulation, though a negative result does not exclude PE. Echocardiography assesses right ventricular strain and may guide management in unstable patients. Pulmonary angiography remains the gold standard but is reserved for cases where noninvasive imaging is inconclusive.
Management begins with airway, breathing, and circulation. Supplemental oxygen, IV access, and cardiac monitoring are initiated. In hypotensive patients, IV fluids should be administered cautiously, as excessive volume may worsen right ventricular failure. Vasopressors may be required if hypotension persists.
Anticoagulation is the cornerstone of treatment, preventing further clot formation and stabilizing existing thrombus. Unfractionated heparin requires close monitoring with target activated partial thromboplastin time 1.5–2.5 times control. Low-molecular-weight heparin (e.g., enoxaparin 1 mg/kg SC every 12 hours) is at least as effective and easier to administer. Long-term therapy includes warfarin (target INR 2–3) or direct oral anticoagulants such as rivaroxaban (15 mg twice daily for 3 weeks, then 20 mg daily). Rivaroxaban does not require routine monitoring but is not recommended in renal or hepatic insufficiency or pregnancy.
Thrombolysis (e.g., alteplase 100 mg IV over 2 hours) is indicated in hemodynamically unstable patients with confirmed PE and may be considered in selected stable patients with massive PE, severe hypoxemia, or right ventricular dysfunction. Inferior vena cava filters are reserved for patients with contraindications to anticoagulation or recurrent PE despite therapeutic anticoagulation. Surgical or catheter-directed embolectomy may be considered in select unstable patients.
All patients diagnosed with PE require hospital admission for monitoring and anticoagulation. In selected stable patients with high suspicion and no contraindications, empiric anticoagulation may be started while awaiting definitive imaging if diagnostic resources are temporarily unavailable.
The clinical presentation of PE is highly variable and often mimics other conditions such as myocardial infarction, pneumonia, asthma, pneumothorax, or anxiety. Maintaining a high index of suspicion is essential. Patients with malignancy are at increased risk of recurrent PE despite therapeutic anticoagulation. Early risk stratification and prompt treatment significantly reduce morbidity and mortality.
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Emergency And Acute Medicine – Pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis is an upper urinary tract infection resulting from bacterial ascent from the lower urinary tract into the renal pelvis and parenchyma. It is primarily a clinical diagnosis. Incidence is lower in males across most age groups, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 1:50 during reproductive years, approaching 1:1 after the fifth decade. Bilateral infection occurs in up to 25% of cases, so lateralizing findings may be absent.
Escherichia coli accounts for 80–95% of cases. Other uropathogens include Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Proteus mirabilis, Serratia, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and increasingly Staphylococcus aureus. Complicated infections should be considered in the presence of predisposing factors such as recent instrumentation (catheterization, cystoscopy), urinary retention, obstruction (stones, strictures, prostatic hypertrophy), anatomic abnormalities, vesicoureteral reflux, neurogenic bladder, recurrent UTIs, recent pyelonephritis, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, and pregnancy.
Typical symptoms include dysuria, urinary frequency and urgency, flank or back pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, malaise, and costovertebral angle tenderness. Patients may appear ill or dehydrated. Occult pyelonephritis should be suspected when a presumed lower UTI fails to respond to standard therapy. Infants may present only with fever, irritability, lethargy, poor feeding, or jaundice. Elderly patients often present atypically, with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or altered mental status rather than classic urinary symptoms.
Urinalysis is essential and should be obtained via clean-catch or catheterized specimen when contamination is suspected. Pyuria (≥5–10 WBCs per high-power field), leukocyte esterase, and nitrites support the diagnosis, although nitrites may be absent with non–nitrate-reducing organisms. White blood cell casts suggest renal involvement. Urine culture and sensitivity should be obtained in suspected pyelonephritis, unclear diagnoses, treatment failures, recurrent infections, males, and high-risk patients. Greater than 100,000 CFU/mL is considered positive, though lower counts (10²–10⁴ CFU/mL) may be significant in appropriate clinical contexts.
CBC may show leukocytosis but does not confirm upper tract infection. Blood cultures are reserved for septic patients. Chemistry panels are indicated in patients with significant vomiting, dehydration, or comorbidities affecting electrolytes or renal function. Imaging is not routinely required but should be obtained when obstruction, calculi, abscess, or emphysematous pyelonephritis is suspected—particularly in diabetic, elderly, or immunocompromised patients. CT is superior for detecting parenchymal inflammation, obstruction, abscess, or gas formation. Ultrasound is useful for identifying hydronephrosis. MRI may be considered in pregnancy or renal failure.
Initial management focuses on stabilization. Ill or septic patients require IV access and fluid resuscitation with 0.9% normal saline (500 mL–1 L in adults; 20 mL/kg in children), while avoiding fluid overload in those with heart or renal failure.
Parenteral antibiotics are indicated for patients unable to tolerate oral therapy, those who are toxic-appearing, pregnant, immunocompromised, obstructed, or failing outpatient therapy. Empiric IV options include ceftriaxone, fluoroquinolones (adults only), aminoglycoside plus ampicillin, or piperacillin–tazobactam. In pregnancy, third-generation cephalosporins, cefazolin, or ampicillin plus gentamicin are preferred.
Stable, nontoxic patients may be treated as outpatients with oral antibiotics for 7–14 days. Options include ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily, ciprofloxacin extended release 1,000 mg daily, levofloxacin 750 mg daily for 5 days, ofloxacin 200 mg twice daily, or amoxicillin/clavulanate 875/125 mg twice daily. Some clinicians administer a single initial IV dose before starting oral therapy. Antiemetics and analgesics should be provided as needed.
Admission is required for sepsis, toxic appearance, inability to tolerate oral intake, pregnancy, urinary obstruction, indwelling catheter, immunosuppression, diabetes with complications, extremes of age, or failure of outpatient therapy. Discharge may be considered for improving, stable patients who can maintain hydration, tolerate oral medications, have controlled pain, normal renal function, and reliable follow-up within 48–72 hours.
Follow-up is important to review culture results and adjust therapy based on sensitivities. Pediatric patients require follow-up imaging to assess for anatomic abnormalities. Pregnant patients need repeat urinalysis to confirm resolution and may require suppressive therapy. Patients with recurrent infections or resistant organisms should be referred to urology or infectious disease specialists.
Pyelonephritis remains primarily a clinical diagnosis requiring minimal laboratory confirmation in straightforward cases. High-risk populations—including young children, elderly patients, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals—require aggressive evaluation and management. Always consider alternative diagnoses such as nephrolithiasis, gynecologic infection, or abdominal aortic aneurysm when presentation is atypical.
Pyelonephritis is an upper urinary tract infection resulting from bacterial ascent from the lower urinary tract into the renal pelvis and parenchyma. It is primarily a clinical diagnosis. Incidence is lower in males across most age groups, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 1:50 during reproductive years, approaching 1:1 after the fifth decade. Bilateral infection occurs in up to 25% of cases, so lateralizing findings may be absent.
Escherichia coli accounts for 80–95% of cases. Other uropathogens include Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Proteus mirabilis, Serratia, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and increasingly Staphylococcus aureus. Complicated infections should be considered in the presence of predisposing factors such as recent instrumentation (catheterization, cystoscopy), urinary retention, obstruction (stones, strictures, prostatic hypertrophy), anatomic abnormalities, vesicoureteral reflux, neurogenic bladder, recurrent UTIs, recent pyelonephritis, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, and pregnancy.
Typical symptoms include dysuria, urinary frequency and urgency, flank or back pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, malaise, and costovertebral angle tenderness. Patients may appear ill or dehydrated. Occult pyelonephritis should be suspected when a presumed lower UTI fails to respond to standard therapy. Infants may present only with fever, irritability, lethargy, poor feeding, or jaundice. Elderly patients often present atypically, with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or altered mental status rather than classic urinary symptoms.
Urinalysis is essential and should be obtained via clean-catch or catheterized specimen when contamination is suspected. Pyuria (≥5–10 WBCs per high-power field), leukocyte esterase, and nitrites support the diagnosis, although nitrites may be absent with non–nitrate-reducing organisms. White blood cell casts suggest renal involvement. Urine culture and sensitivity should be obtained in suspected pyelonephritis, unclear diagnoses, treatment failures, recurrent infections, males, and high-risk patients. Greater than 100,000 CFU/mL is considered positive, though lower counts (10²–10⁴ CFU/mL) may be significant in appropriate clinical contexts.
CBC may show leukocytosis but does not confirm upper tract infection. Blood cultures are reserved for septic patients. Chemistry panels are indicated in patients with significant vomiting, dehydration, or comorbidities affecting electrolytes or renal function. Imaging is not routinely required but should be obtained when obstruction, calculi, abscess, or emphysematous pyelonephritis is suspected—particularly in diabetic, elderly, or immunocompromised patients. CT is superior for detecting parenchymal inflammation, obstruction, abscess, or gas formation. Ultrasound is useful for identifying hydronephrosis. MRI may be considered in pregnancy or renal failure.
Initial management focuses on stabilization. Ill or septic patients require IV access and fluid resuscitation with 0.9% normal saline (500 mL–1 L in adults; 20 mL/kg in children), while avoiding fluid overload in those with heart or renal failure.
Parenteral antibiotics are indicated for patients unable to tolerate oral therapy, those who are toxic-appearing, pregnant, immunocompromised, obstructed, or failing outpatient therapy. Empiric IV options include ceftriaxone, fluoroquinolones (adults only), aminoglycoside plus ampicillin, or piperacillin–tazobactam. In pregnancy, third-generation cephalosporins, cefazolin, or ampicillin plus gentamicin are preferred.
Stable, nontoxic patients may be treated as outpatients with oral antibiotics for 7–14 days. Options include ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily, ciprofloxacin extended release 1,000 mg daily, levofloxacin 750 mg daily for 5 days, ofloxacin 200 mg twice daily, or amoxicillin/clavulanate 875/125 mg twice daily. Some clinicians administer a single initial IV dose before starting oral therapy. Antiemetics and analgesics should be provided as needed.
Admission is required for sepsis, toxic appearance, inability to tolerate oral intake, pregnancy, urinary obstruction, indwelling catheter, immunosuppression, diabetes with complications, extremes of age, or failure of outpatient therapy. Discharge may be considered for improving, stable patients who can maintain hydration, tolerate oral medications, have controlled pain, normal renal function, and reliable follow-up within 48–72 hours.
Follow-up is important to review culture results and adjust therapy based on sensitivities. Pediatric patients require follow-up imaging to assess for anatomic abnormalities. Pregnant patients need repeat urinalysis to confirm resolution and may require suppressive therapy. Patients with recurrent infections or resistant organisms should be referred to urology or infectious disease specialists.
Pyelonephritis remains primarily a clinical diagnosis requiring minimal laboratory confirmation in straightforward cases. High-risk populations—including young children, elderly patients, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals—require aggressive evaluation and management. Always consider alternative diagnoses such as nephrolithiasis, gynecologic infection, or abdominal aortic aneurysm when presentation is atypical.
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Emergency And Acute Medicine – Polycythemia
Polycythemia is defined as an increase in hemoglobin above the normal range, typically hemoglobin >17.5 g/dL or hematocrit >52% in men and hemoglobin >16 g/dL or hematocrit >48% in women. Symptoms are largely related to increased blood viscosity, which rises exponentially when the hematocrit exceeds 60%, predisposing patients to thrombotic and hyperviscosity complications.
Polycythemia may be relative, primary, or secondary. Relative (apparent) polycythemia results from decreased plasma volume rather than true red blood cell mass increase. Acute causes include dehydration, while chronic forms include Gaisbock syndrome, commonly seen in obese, hypertensive, middle-aged smokers. Primary erythrocytosis refers to polycythemia vera, a stem cell disorder characterized by panhyperplasia of bone marrow elements with increased red blood cells, leukocytes, and platelets. Most cases involve a JAK2 mutation, rendering hematopoietic cells hypersensitive to erythropoietin. It typically affects older adults, may progress to myelofibrosis or acute leukemia, and carries a high thrombotic risk. Secondary polycythemia results from increased erythropoietin production, often due to chronic hypoxia (such as chronic lung disease, sleep apnea, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, congenital heart disease, high altitude, or chronic carbon monoxide exposure) or renal and neoplastic causes that stimulate erythropoietin production. Drug-related causes include androgen use, recombinant erythropoietin abuse, and blood doping. Genetic disorders and certain infections may also contribute.
Clinical manifestations reflect hyperviscosity and thrombosis. Patients may report headache, dizziness, fatigue, dyspnea, visual disturbances, and paresthesias. Pruritus, especially after warm bathing, and erythromelalgia characterized by burning pain, redness, and warmth of the extremities are classic features of polycythemia vera. Thrombotic events are common and may involve arterial or venous systems, including stroke, myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and unusual sites such as hepatic or cerebral veins. Hemorrhagic manifestations such as epistaxis and gingival bleeding may occur due to platelet dysfunction. Splenomegaly and hepatomegaly are common in polycythemia vera.
Evaluation begins with a complete blood count and assessment of volume status to distinguish relative from true erythrocytosis. Pulse oximetry, erythropoietin levels, carboxyhemoglobin levels, and appropriate imaging help identify secondary causes. A low erythropoietin level strongly suggests polycythemia vera. Detection of a JAK2 mutation by PCR is diagnostic in most cases. Elevated platelet count, leukocytosis, elevated vitamin B12, and splenomegaly further support the diagnosis.
In the emergency setting, management focuses on complications of hyperviscosity and thrombosis. Patients with hematocrit greater than 60% or symptoms of hyperviscosity require fluid resuscitation unless contraindicated by heart failure, followed by therapeutic phlebotomy with careful replacement using isotonic saline. The goal is gradual reduction of hematocrit to safer levels, generally around 45%. Aspirin may be administered in thrombocytosis without bleeding risk. Long-term management includes periodic phlebotomy to maintain target hematocrit, low-dose aspirin, and cytoreductive therapy such as hydroxyurea in high-risk patients.
Patients with new diagnosis, hematocrit above 60%, symptoms of hyperviscosity, or unstable comorbid conditions should be admitted. Asymptomatic patients with stable vital signs and controlled hematocrit may be discharged with close hematology follow-up. It is essential to distinguish polycythemia vera from secondary causes because of the significantly higher risk of thrombotic complications associated with the primary disorder.
Polycythemia is defined as an increase in hemoglobin above the normal range, typically hemoglobin >17.5 g/dL or hematocrit >52% in men and hemoglobin >16 g/dL or hematocrit >48% in women. Symptoms are largely related to increased blood viscosity, which rises exponentially when the hematocrit exceeds 60%, predisposing patients to thrombotic and hyperviscosity complications.
Polycythemia may be relative, primary, or secondary. Relative (apparent) polycythemia results from decreased plasma volume rather than true red blood cell mass increase. Acute causes include dehydration, while chronic forms include Gaisbock syndrome, commonly seen in obese, hypertensive, middle-aged smokers. Primary erythrocytosis refers to polycythemia vera, a stem cell disorder characterized by panhyperplasia of bone marrow elements with increased red blood cells, leukocytes, and platelets. Most cases involve a JAK2 mutation, rendering hematopoietic cells hypersensitive to erythropoietin. It typically affects older adults, may progress to myelofibrosis or acute leukemia, and carries a high thrombotic risk. Secondary polycythemia results from increased erythropoietin production, often due to chronic hypoxia (such as chronic lung disease, sleep apnea, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, congenital heart disease, high altitude, or chronic carbon monoxide exposure) or renal and neoplastic causes that stimulate erythropoietin production. Drug-related causes include androgen use, recombinant erythropoietin abuse, and blood doping. Genetic disorders and certain infections may also contribute.
Clinical manifestations reflect hyperviscosity and thrombosis. Patients may report headache, dizziness, fatigue, dyspnea, visual disturbances, and paresthesias. Pruritus, especially after warm bathing, and erythromelalgia characterized by burning pain, redness, and warmth of the extremities are classic features of polycythemia vera. Thrombotic events are common and may involve arterial or venous systems, including stroke, myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and unusual sites such as hepatic or cerebral veins. Hemorrhagic manifestations such as epistaxis and gingival bleeding may occur due to platelet dysfunction. Splenomegaly and hepatomegaly are common in polycythemia vera.
Evaluation begins with a complete blood count and assessment of volume status to distinguish relative from true erythrocytosis. Pulse oximetry, erythropoietin levels, carboxyhemoglobin levels, and appropriate imaging help identify secondary causes. A low erythropoietin level strongly suggests polycythemia vera. Detection of a JAK2 mutation by PCR is diagnostic in most cases. Elevated platelet count, leukocytosis, elevated vitamin B12, and splenomegaly further support the diagnosis.
In the emergency setting, management focuses on complications of hyperviscosity and thrombosis. Patients with hematocrit greater than 60% or symptoms of hyperviscosity require fluid resuscitation unless contraindicated by heart failure, followed by therapeutic phlebotomy with careful replacement using isotonic saline. The goal is gradual reduction of hematocrit to safer levels, generally around 45%. Aspirin may be administered in thrombocytosis without bleeding risk. Long-term management includes periodic phlebotomy to maintain target hematocrit, low-dose aspirin, and cytoreductive therapy such as hydroxyurea in high-risk patients.
Patients with new diagnosis, hematocrit above 60%, symptoms of hyperviscosity, or unstable comorbid conditions should be admitted. Asymptomatic patients with stable vital signs and controlled hematocrit may be discharged with close hematology follow-up. It is essential to distinguish polycythemia vera from secondary causes because of the significantly higher risk of thrombotic complications associated with the primary disorder.
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Emergency And Acute Medicine – Preeclampsia/Eclampsia
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy complicate approximately 1% of all pregnancies and account for 16% of maternal deaths. Gestational hypertension (GH) is defined as new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation that resolves with delivery and occurs in 6–7% of pregnancies. Preeclampsia is gestational hypertension accompanied by proteinuria and affects 2.2–6.3% of pregnancies. Eclampsia is defined as preeclampsia with the occurrence of seizures. Postpartum preeclampsia develops within 6 weeks of delivery, often without prior history of hypertension, and occurs in approximately 5% of patients, most commonly in African American women. HELLP syndrome—characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets—may occur in women with preeclampsia or eclampsia. Superimposed preeclampsia refers to preeclampsia developing in a woman with chronic hypertension and complicates up to 25% of such pregnancies.
Preeclampsia is thought to result from incomplete placental implantation leading to placental underperfusion, decreased angiogenic growth factors, and increased placental debris in the maternal circulation. Eclampsia may develop even in patients without prior documented hypertension; approximately one-third of patients who seize have no preceding hypertensive diagnosis. Risk factors include extremes of reproductive age, nulliparity, multiple gestations, molar pregnancy, obesity, diabetes, collagen vascular disease, chronic hypertension, renal disease, smoking, and prior history of preeclampsia.
Gestational hypertension is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (SBP) exceeds 140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) exceeds 90 mm Hg on two separate measurements after 20 weeks of gestation in a previously normotensive patient. Severe hypertension is defined as SBP greater than 160 mm Hg or DBP greater than 110 mm Hg. Preeclampsia requires the presence of hypertension and proteinuria, defined as ≥300 mg protein on 24-hour urine collection or ≥1+ protein on urinalysis. Mild preeclampsia presents with SBP <160 mm hg and dbp <110 hg, normal platelets liver function tests, absence of neurologic symptoms. severe preeclampsia includes sbp>160 mm Hg or DBP >110 mm Hg, heavy proteinuria, oliguria, thrombocytopenia, right upper quadrant pain, impaired liver function, cerebral symptoms, visual disturbances, pulmonary edema, or evidence of intrauterine growth restriction. HELLP syndrome may present with pulmonary edema, renal or liver failure, sepsis, stroke, or other systemic complications.
Patients commonly report headache, visual disturbances, abdominal pain (especially right upper quadrant), nausea, vomiting, weight gain, edema, shortness of breath, or neurologic symptoms. A history of prior preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, or renal disease increases suspicion. Physical examination should include serial blood pressure measurements, careful abdominal palpation for right upper quadrant tenderness, evaluation for edema, and detailed neurologic assessment including mental status and deep tendon reflexes.
Evaluation requires serial blood pressure monitoring and urinalysis. Laboratory studies include complete blood count, liver function tests, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, lactate dehydrogenase, coagulation studies, fibrinogen, and d-dimer levels. Proteinuria greater than 1+ on dipstick warrants 24-hour urine collection. Obstetric ultrasound assesses gestational age, fetal growth, viability, and amniotic fluid volume. Fetal monitoring and nonstress testing are indicated. Head CT should be performed when neurologic deficits or severe symptoms raise concern for intracranial hemorrhage or mass. Lumbar puncture may be necessary if infection or subarachnoid hemorrhage is suspected. Urine toxicology should be considered to exclude cocaine or methamphetamine use.
Management begins with stabilization of airway, breathing, and circulation. Patients should receive 100% oxygen and be placed in the left lateral decubitus position to reduce inferior vena cava compression and improve cardiac output. Continuous maternal cardiopulmonary and fetal monitoring is essential. Magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) is the first-line agent for seizure prophylaxis and treatment. A typical regimen includes a 4 g IV loading dose (or 10 g IM) followed by a continuous infusion of 1–2 g/hour, with a target serum magnesium level of 4–7 mEq/L. The infusion rate should not exceed 1 g/min during bolus administration. Signs of magnesium toxicity include hypotension, loss of patellar reflexes, respiratory depression, decreased urine output, and elevated creatinine; calcium gluconate 1 g IV is the antidote.
Blood pressure control is achieved with intravenous hydralazine (5–20 mg IV) or labetalol (initial 10 mg IV, followed by incremental dosing). The goal is to reduce blood pressure by approximately 25% initially, then gradually to <160 />00 mm Hg over several hours. If seizures persist despite magnesium, second-line therapy includes diazepam, fosphenytoin, or phenytoin. Intubation is required for airway protection, refractory seizures, or hypoxia.
Delivery is the definitive treatment for preeclampsia and eclampsia. Obstetric consultation is mandatory in all cases. Expectant management may be considered in select patients less than 30 weeks’ gestation with stable disease, but delivery is recommended beyond 30 weeks or in the presence of severe features. Emergent induction or cesarean section is indicated for maternal or fetal instability.
All patients with preeclampsia, eclampsia, or HELLP syndrome require admission, often to intensive care or labor and delivery units. Patients with isolated hypertension who have negative evaluation for preeclampsia and are asymptomatic may be discharged with close obstetric follow-up. Patients should return immediately for headache, visual changes, abdominal pain, dyspnea, leg swelling, or decreased urine output.
Clinicians must remember that preeclampsia and eclampsia can occur up to 30 days postpartum and should be considered in any postpartum patient presenting with edema, headache, shortness of breath, or seizure. Airway management may be challenging due to airway edema and engorgement; smaller-diameter endotracheal tubes and fiberoptic techniques may be required. Early recognition, aggressive stabilization, and timely delivery are critical to reducing maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy complicate approximately 1% of all pregnancies and account for 16% of maternal deaths. Gestational hypertension (GH) is defined as new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation that resolves with delivery and occurs in 6–7% of pregnancies. Preeclampsia is gestational hypertension accompanied by proteinuria and affects 2.2–6.3% of pregnancies. Eclampsia is defined as preeclampsia with the occurrence of seizures. Postpartum preeclampsia develops within 6 weeks of delivery, often without prior history of hypertension, and occurs in approximately 5% of patients, most commonly in African American women. HELLP syndrome—characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets—may occur in women with preeclampsia or eclampsia. Superimposed preeclampsia refers to preeclampsia developing in a woman with chronic hypertension and complicates up to 25% of such pregnancies.
Preeclampsia is thought to result from incomplete placental implantation leading to placental underperfusion, decreased angiogenic growth factors, and increased placental debris in the maternal circulation. Eclampsia may develop even in patients without prior documented hypertension; approximately one-third of patients who seize have no preceding hypertensive diagnosis. Risk factors include extremes of reproductive age, nulliparity, multiple gestations, molar pregnancy, obesity, diabetes, collagen vascular disease, chronic hypertension, renal disease, smoking, and prior history of preeclampsia.
Gestational hypertension is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (SBP) exceeds 140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) exceeds 90 mm Hg on two separate measurements after 20 weeks of gestation in a previously normotensive patient. Severe hypertension is defined as SBP greater than 160 mm Hg or DBP greater than 110 mm Hg. Preeclampsia requires the presence of hypertension and proteinuria, defined as ≥300 mg protein on 24-hour urine collection or ≥1+ protein on urinalysis. Mild preeclampsia presents with SBP <160 mm hg and dbp <110 hg, normal platelets liver function tests, absence of neurologic symptoms. severe preeclampsia includes sbp>160 mm Hg or DBP >110 mm Hg, heavy proteinuria, oliguria, thrombocytopenia, right upper quadrant pain, impaired liver function, cerebral symptoms, visual disturbances, pulmonary edema, or evidence of intrauterine growth restriction. HELLP syndrome may present with pulmonary edema, renal or liver failure, sepsis, stroke, or other systemic complications.
Patients commonly report headache, visual disturbances, abdominal pain (especially right upper quadrant), nausea, vomiting, weight gain, edema, shortness of breath, or neurologic symptoms. A history of prior preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, or renal disease increases suspicion. Physical examination should include serial blood pressure measurements, careful abdominal palpation for right upper quadrant tenderness, evaluation for edema, and detailed neurologic assessment including mental status and deep tendon reflexes.
Evaluation requires serial blood pressure monitoring and urinalysis. Laboratory studies include complete blood count, liver function tests, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, lactate dehydrogenase, coagulation studies, fibrinogen, and d-dimer levels. Proteinuria greater than 1+ on dipstick warrants 24-hour urine collection. Obstetric ultrasound assesses gestational age, fetal growth, viability, and amniotic fluid volume. Fetal monitoring and nonstress testing are indicated. Head CT should be performed when neurologic deficits or severe symptoms raise concern for intracranial hemorrhage or mass. Lumbar puncture may be necessary if infection or subarachnoid hemorrhage is suspected. Urine toxicology should be considered to exclude cocaine or methamphetamine use.
Management begins with stabilization of airway, breathing, and circulation. Patients should receive 100% oxygen and be placed in the left lateral decubitus position to reduce inferior vena cava compression and improve cardiac output. Continuous maternal cardiopulmonary and fetal monitoring is essential. Magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) is the first-line agent for seizure prophylaxis and treatment. A typical regimen includes a 4 g IV loading dose (or 10 g IM) followed by a continuous infusion of 1–2 g/hour, with a target serum magnesium level of 4–7 mEq/L. The infusion rate should not exceed 1 g/min during bolus administration. Signs of magnesium toxicity include hypotension, loss of patellar reflexes, respiratory depression, decreased urine output, and elevated creatinine; calcium gluconate 1 g IV is the antidote.
Blood pressure control is achieved with intravenous hydralazine (5–20 mg IV) or labetalol (initial 10 mg IV, followed by incremental dosing). The goal is to reduce blood pressure by approximately 25% initially, then gradually to <160 />00 mm Hg over several hours. If seizures persist despite magnesium, second-line therapy includes diazepam, fosphenytoin, or phenytoin. Intubation is required for airway protection, refractory seizures, or hypoxia.
Delivery is the definitive treatment for preeclampsia and eclampsia. Obstetric consultation is mandatory in all cases. Expectant management may be considered in select patients less than 30 weeks’ gestation with stable disease, but delivery is recommended beyond 30 weeks or in the presence of severe features. Emergent induction or cesarean section is indicated for maternal or fetal instability.
All patients with preeclampsia, eclampsia, or HELLP syndrome require admission, often to intensive care or labor and delivery units. Patients with isolated hypertension who have negative evaluation for preeclampsia and are asymptomatic may be discharged with close obstetric follow-up. Patients should return immediately for headache, visual changes, abdominal pain, dyspnea, leg swelling, or decreased urine output.
Clinicians must remember that preeclampsia and eclampsia can occur up to 30 days postpartum and should be considered in any postpartum patient presenting with edema, headache, shortness of breath, or seizure. Airway management may be challenging due to airway edema and engorgement; smaller-diameter endotracheal tubes and fiberoptic techniques may be required. Early recognition, aggressive stabilization, and timely delivery are critical to reducing maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.
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Emergency And Acute Medicine – Pregnancy, Trauma In
Trauma complicates approximately 7% of all pregnancies and is the most common cause of nonobstetric maternal morbidity and mortality. Fetal loss ranges from 3.4–38% depending on injury severity. After the first trimester, trauma increases fetal loss but does not significantly increase maternal mortality. The likelihood of fetal injury rises with the severity of maternal insult. Physiologic hypervolemia in pregnancy may mask blood loss, and clinical shock may not be apparent until 30% of maternal blood volume is lost. Abdominal findings are often subtle in gravid patients. Even minor trauma accounts for at least 50% of fetal losses, and an Injury Severity Score greater than 9 is associated with worse outcomes. Pelvic fractures carry increased maternal and fetal morbidity due to engorged pelvic organs and vasculature.
Fetal and uterine complications include placental abruption, fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH), premature labor, uterine contusion or rupture, premature rupture of membranes, fetal hypoxia, direct fetal injury, and fetal demise. Placental abruption occurs in up to 60% of severe trauma and 1–5% of minor injuries, accounting for up to 50% of fetal losses. It may occur without external bleeding in 20% of cases and is characterized by uterine contractions, abdominal pain, and vaginal bleeding. Uterine rupture, more common in patients with prior cesarean section, carries nearly universal fetal mortality and approximately 10% maternal mortality. FMH occurs in more than 30% of severe trauma and can cause isoimmunization in Rh-negative mothers with as little as 0.03 mL of fetal blood. Falls, which affect one in four pregnant women, significantly increase risks of preterm birth, abruption, fetal distress, and fetal hypoxia. Burns involving more than 40% total body surface area approach 100% maternal and fetal mortality. Domestic violence, electrocution, penetrating trauma, and motor vehicle accidents are major contributors.
Motor vehicle accidents account for 48–84% of traumatic events in pregnancy, followed by domestic violence, falls, direct abdominal trauma, penetrating injuries, burns, and electrical injuries. Trauma occurs more frequently in younger women and is often associated with substance abuse or suicidal behavior.
Evaluation begins with a focused history including mechanism of injury, gestational age, last menstrual period, abdominal pain, uterine contractions, vaginal bleeding, leakage of fluid, prior cesarean sections, and substance use. Examination should follow primary, secondary, and tertiary trauma surveys with the patient positioned in the left lateral recumbent position when feasible. Findings suggestive of placental abruption include uterine tenderness and contractions. Uterine rupture may present with abnormal uterine contour and palpable fetal parts. Gestational age estimation is critical for assessing viability; after 16 weeks, fundal height in centimeters approximates gestational age in weeks.
Initial management prioritizes maternal stabilization with airway management and resuscitation as indicated. Spinal immobilization should be maintained. Oxygen, cardiac monitoring, pulse oximetry, and intravenous access are essential. The patient or backboard should be tilted 15–30 degrees to the left to prevent supine hypotension. Lactated Ringer solution is preferred; blood loss should be replaced in a 3:1 crystalloid-to-blood ratio. If severe hemorrhage occurs, balanced transfusion with packed red blood cells, plasma, and platelets in a 1:1:1 ratio reduces coagulopathy. O-negative blood should be used if type-specific blood is unavailable. Nasogastric decompression reduces aspiration risk, and Foley catheterization monitors urine output. Rapid sequence intubation is safe and preferred when needed.
Fetal assessment includes Doppler fetal heart tones and continuous fetal monitoring for viable fetuses, generally beyond 24 weeks’ gestation. Monitoring should continue for at least 4–6 hours. Absence of contractions during the first 4 hours makes abruption unlikely. More than eight contractions per hour or persistent contractions increase the risk of adverse outcomes. Fetal bradycardia, poor variability, or late decelerations indicate distress. A normal tracing with normal maternal examination has a near 100% negative predictive value for adverse outcomes.
Laboratory evaluation includes complete blood count, blood gas and electrolytes, urinalysis, blood type and Rh status, and Kleihauer–Betke testing to quantify FMH. Rh-negative patients should receive Rho(D) immune globulin within 72 hours: 50 μg before 12 weeks and 300 μg after 12 weeks, with repeat dosing if significant FMH is detected. Imaging studies necessary for maternal evaluation should not be withheld; shielding is recommended when possible. Radiation doses under 1 rad (10 mGy) carry minimal risk, while malformation risk increases at 5–10 rad. FAST ultrasound evaluates hemoperitoneum, fetal viability, gestational age, and amniotic fluid but may miss placental abruption.
Tocolytic therapy may be considered in hemodynamically stable patients with persistent contractions lasting more than 4 hours, typically using magnesium sulfate 4 g IV. Tocolytics are contraindicated with cervical dilation greater than 4 cm or when abruption or FMH is suspected. Perimortem cesarean delivery should be considered within 4–5 minutes of maternal cardiac arrest in viable pregnancies. In minor trauma beyond 20 weeks, monitoring is best conducted in a labor and delivery setting.
Admission is required for vaginal bleeding, amniotic fluid leakage, abdominal pain, uterine contractions, FMH, fetal distress, placental abruption, or evidence of internal injury. Discharge may be considered only after at least 4 hours of monitoring without contractions, bleeding, tenderness, or fetal distress, and only in consultation with obstetrics. Clear return precautions and prompt obstetric follow-up are mandatory.
Minor trauma can result in significant maternal or fetal morbidity and mortality. Stabilization of the mother is always the first priority, as maternal resuscitation optimizes fetal outcome. Clinicians must remember that signs of maternal shock may not appear until 1,500–2,000 mL of blood loss has occurred.
Trauma complicates approximately 7% of all pregnancies and is the most common cause of nonobstetric maternal morbidity and mortality. Fetal loss ranges from 3.4–38% depending on injury severity. After the first trimester, trauma increases fetal loss but does not significantly increase maternal mortality. The likelihood of fetal injury rises with the severity of maternal insult. Physiologic hypervolemia in pregnancy may mask blood loss, and clinical shock may not be apparent until 30% of maternal blood volume is lost. Abdominal findings are often subtle in gravid patients. Even minor trauma accounts for at least 50% of fetal losses, and an Injury Severity Score greater than 9 is associated with worse outcomes. Pelvic fractures carry increased maternal and fetal morbidity due to engorged pelvic organs and vasculature.
Fetal and uterine complications include placental abruption, fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH), premature labor, uterine contusion or rupture, premature rupture of membranes, fetal hypoxia, direct fetal injury, and fetal demise. Placental abruption occurs in up to 60% of severe trauma and 1–5% of minor injuries, accounting for up to 50% of fetal losses. It may occur without external bleeding in 20% of cases and is characterized by uterine contractions, abdominal pain, and vaginal bleeding. Uterine rupture, more common in patients with prior cesarean section, carries nearly universal fetal mortality and approximately 10% maternal mortality. FMH occurs in more than 30% of severe trauma and can cause isoimmunization in Rh-negative mothers with as little as 0.03 mL of fetal blood. Falls, which affect one in four pregnant women, significantly increase risks of preterm birth, abruption, fetal distress, and fetal hypoxia. Burns involving more than 40% total body surface area approach 100% maternal and fetal mortality. Domestic violence, electrocution, penetrating trauma, and motor vehicle accidents are major contributors.
Motor vehicle accidents account for 48–84% of traumatic events in pregnancy, followed by domestic violence, falls, direct abdominal trauma, penetrating injuries, burns, and electrical injuries. Trauma occurs more frequently in younger women and is often associated with substance abuse or suicidal behavior.
Evaluation begins with a focused history including mechanism of injury, gestational age, last menstrual period, abdominal pain, uterine contractions, vaginal bleeding, leakage of fluid, prior cesarean sections, and substance use. Examination should follow primary, secondary, and tertiary trauma surveys with the patient positioned in the left lateral recumbent position when feasible. Findings suggestive of placental abruption include uterine tenderness and contractions. Uterine rupture may present with abnormal uterine contour and palpable fetal parts. Gestational age estimation is critical for assessing viability; after 16 weeks, fundal height in centimeters approximates gestational age in weeks.
Initial management prioritizes maternal stabilization with airway management and resuscitation as indicated. Spinal immobilization should be maintained. Oxygen, cardiac monitoring, pulse oximetry, and intravenous access are essential. The patient or backboard should be tilted 15–30 degrees to the left to prevent supine hypotension. Lactated Ringer solution is preferred; blood loss should be replaced in a 3:1 crystalloid-to-blood ratio. If severe hemorrhage occurs, balanced transfusion with packed red blood cells, plasma, and platelets in a 1:1:1 ratio reduces coagulopathy. O-negative blood should be used if type-specific blood is unavailable. Nasogastric decompression reduces aspiration risk, and Foley catheterization monitors urine output. Rapid sequence intubation is safe and preferred when needed.
Fetal assessment includes Doppler fetal heart tones and continuous fetal monitoring for viable fetuses, generally beyond 24 weeks’ gestation. Monitoring should continue for at least 4–6 hours. Absence of contractions during the first 4 hours makes abruption unlikely. More than eight contractions per hour or persistent contractions increase the risk of adverse outcomes. Fetal bradycardia, poor variability, or late decelerations indicate distress. A normal tracing with normal maternal examination has a near 100% negative predictive value for adverse outcomes.
Laboratory evaluation includes complete blood count, blood gas and electrolytes, urinalysis, blood type and Rh status, and Kleihauer–Betke testing to quantify FMH. Rh-negative patients should receive Rho(D) immune globulin within 72 hours: 50 μg before 12 weeks and 300 μg after 12 weeks, with repeat dosing if significant FMH is detected. Imaging studies necessary for maternal evaluation should not be withheld; shielding is recommended when possible. Radiation doses under 1 rad (10 mGy) carry minimal risk, while malformation risk increases at 5–10 rad. FAST ultrasound evaluates hemoperitoneum, fetal viability, gestational age, and amniotic fluid but may miss placental abruption.
Tocolytic therapy may be considered in hemodynamically stable patients with persistent contractions lasting more than 4 hours, typically using magnesium sulfate 4 g IV. Tocolytics are contraindicated with cervical dilation greater than 4 cm or when abruption or FMH is suspected. Perimortem cesarean delivery should be considered within 4–5 minutes of maternal cardiac arrest in viable pregnancies. In minor trauma beyond 20 weeks, monitoring is best conducted in a labor and delivery setting.
Admission is required for vaginal bleeding, amniotic fluid leakage, abdominal pain, uterine contractions, FMH, fetal distress, placental abruption, or evidence of internal injury. Discharge may be considered only after at least 4 hours of monitoring without contractions, bleeding, tenderness, or fetal distress, and only in consultation with obstetrics. Clear return precautions and prompt obstetric follow-up are mandatory.
Minor trauma can result in significant maternal or fetal morbidity and mortality. Stabilization of the mother is always the first priority, as maternal resuscitation optimizes fetal outcome. Clinicians must remember that signs of maternal shock may not appear until 1,500–2,000 mL of blood loss has occurred.
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Emergency And Acute Medicine – Postpartum Infection
Postpartum infection most commonly presents as postpartum endometritis (PPE), which may occur early (within 48 hours) or late (3 days to 6 weeks after delivery). Early PPE is more frequently associated with cesarean section and occurs in 1–3% of uncomplicated vaginal deliveries. The classic triad consists of fever, lower abdominal pain with uterine tenderness, and foul-smelling lochia. Late PPE usually follows vaginal delivery. The risk of PPE may be as high as 85–95% in high-risk nonelective cesarean sections. Complications, which are more common after cesarean delivery, include pelvic thrombophlebitis, pelvic abscess, and bacteremia.
Septic pelvic thrombophlebitis is a diagnosis of exclusion and may present as acute thrombosis, most commonly involving the right ovarian vein within the first 48 hours, characterized by progressive lower abdominal pain and persistent spiking (“picket fence”) fevers with tachycardia. Septic abortion is an ascending polymicrobial infection through an open cervical os, often associated with retained products of conception or nonsterile techniques. Mastitis ranges from mild localized breast inflammation to systemic illness and abscess formation, occurring in 1–30% of postpartum patients, most commonly within the first 3 months and peaking at 2–3 weeks. Urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis, along with mastitis, account for the majority of postpartum infections.
Postpartum endometritis is typically polymicrobial due to ascending infection from the lower genital tract, involving both anaerobic and aerobic organisms. Common pathogens include group A and B streptococci, enterococci, Gardnerella vaginalis, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, Bacteroides, and Peptostreptococcus. Late infections may involve Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, and Chlamydia trachomatis. Septic abortion is usually polymicrobial and may include E. coli, Bacteroides, anaerobic gram-negative rods, group B streptococci, Staphylococcus species, and sexually transmitted organisms such as gonorrhea and Chlamydia. Mastitis is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, followed by streptococci and gram-negative organisms.
Patients typically present with fever and chills, abdominal or uterine tenderness, and foul-smelling lochia in cases of endometritis. Septic abortion may resemble endometritis but can progress to shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or disseminated intravascular coagulation. Mastitis presents with fever, unilateral breast pain, engorgement, erythema, and tenderness. Other infection sources include wound infections with redness and swelling, and urinary tract infections with dysuria, frequency, flank pain, and costovertebral angle tenderness. A careful birth history should assess mode of delivery, duration of labor, rupture of membranes, instrumentation, exposure to sexually transmitted infections, and immunocompromised status.
Evaluation includes abdominal and pelvic examination, cervical cultures for Chlamydia, and endometrial cultures when indicated. Laboratory testing should include complete blood count, urinalysis and urine culture, and blood cultures. Imaging with CT or MRI is useful for suspected ovarian vein thrombosis, while ultrasound can identify abscess or retained products of conception. Plain radiographs may reveal retained foreign bodies or free air in septic abortion.
Management begins with airway, breathing, and circulation stabilization, particularly in patients with signs of sepsis or shock. Intravenous access, crystalloid resuscitation, supplemental oxygen, and cardiac monitoring are essential. Broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics should be initiated promptly. Endometritis is commonly treated with regimens such as cefoxitin, cefotetan, piperacillin–tazobactam, ampicillin–sulbactam, or clindamycin plus gentamicin. Septic abortion requires broad triple antibiotic coverage targeting gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic organisms, along with prompt dilation and curettage to remove retained tissue. Mastitis is treated with oral antibiotics such as dicloxacillin, cephalexin, clindamycin, or erythromycin, with vancomycin reserved for suspected or confirmed MRSA. Inpatient urinary tract infections or pyelonephritis may be treated with intravenous ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, or piperacillin–tazobactam.
Septic pelvic thrombophlebitis may require anticoagulation with heparin in addition to antibiotics. Infected wounds or abscesses require drainage, and necrotizing fasciitis mandates urgent surgical debridement with broad-spectrum antibiotics and possible adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Continuous monitoring for hemodynamic instability, respiratory compromise, and progression to sepsis is critical.
Patients with endometritis, septic abortion, or suspected septic pelvic thrombophlebitis require hospital admission. Mild, nontoxic patients may be considered for outpatient management only with close obstetric consultation and follow-up. All patients should receive close follow-up with obstetrics or primary care to ensure clinical resolution and to monitor for complications. Early recognition, prompt antimicrobial therapy, and aggressive supportive care are essential to prevent morbidity and mortality in postpartum infections.
Postpartum infection most commonly presents as postpartum endometritis (PPE), which may occur early (within 48 hours) or late (3 days to 6 weeks after delivery). Early PPE is more frequently associated with cesarean section and occurs in 1–3% of uncomplicated vaginal deliveries. The classic triad consists of fever, lower abdominal pain with uterine tenderness, and foul-smelling lochia. Late PPE usually follows vaginal delivery. The risk of PPE may be as high as 85–95% in high-risk nonelective cesarean sections. Complications, which are more common after cesarean delivery, include pelvic thrombophlebitis, pelvic abscess, and bacteremia.
Septic pelvic thrombophlebitis is a diagnosis of exclusion and may present as acute thrombosis, most commonly involving the right ovarian vein within the first 48 hours, characterized by progressive lower abdominal pain and persistent spiking (“picket fence”) fevers with tachycardia. Septic abortion is an ascending polymicrobial infection through an open cervical os, often associated with retained products of conception or nonsterile techniques. Mastitis ranges from mild localized breast inflammation to systemic illness and abscess formation, occurring in 1–30% of postpartum patients, most commonly within the first 3 months and peaking at 2–3 weeks. Urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis, along with mastitis, account for the majority of postpartum infections.
Postpartum endometritis is typically polymicrobial due to ascending infection from the lower genital tract, involving both anaerobic and aerobic organisms. Common pathogens include group A and B streptococci, enterococci, Gardnerella vaginalis, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, Bacteroides, and Peptostreptococcus. Late infections may involve Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, and Chlamydia trachomatis. Septic abortion is usually polymicrobial and may include E. coli, Bacteroides, anaerobic gram-negative rods, group B streptococci, Staphylococcus species, and sexually transmitted organisms such as gonorrhea and Chlamydia. Mastitis is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, followed by streptococci and gram-negative organisms.
Patients typically present with fever and chills, abdominal or uterine tenderness, and foul-smelling lochia in cases of endometritis. Septic abortion may resemble endometritis but can progress to shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or disseminated intravascular coagulation. Mastitis presents with fever, unilateral breast pain, engorgement, erythema, and tenderness. Other infection sources include wound infections with redness and swelling, and urinary tract infections with dysuria, frequency, flank pain, and costovertebral angle tenderness. A careful birth history should assess mode of delivery, duration of labor, rupture of membranes, instrumentation, exposure to sexually transmitted infections, and immunocompromised status.
Evaluation includes abdominal and pelvic examination, cervical cultures for Chlamydia, and endometrial cultures when indicated. Laboratory testing should include complete blood count, urinalysis and urine culture, and blood cultures. Imaging with CT or MRI is useful for suspected ovarian vein thrombosis, while ultrasound can identify abscess or retained products of conception. Plain radiographs may reveal retained foreign bodies or free air in septic abortion.
Management begins with airway, breathing, and circulation stabilization, particularly in patients with signs of sepsis or shock. Intravenous access, crystalloid resuscitation, supplemental oxygen, and cardiac monitoring are essential. Broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics should be initiated promptly. Endometritis is commonly treated with regimens such as cefoxitin, cefotetan, piperacillin–tazobactam, ampicillin–sulbactam, or clindamycin plus gentamicin. Septic abortion requires broad triple antibiotic coverage targeting gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic organisms, along with prompt dilation and curettage to remove retained tissue. Mastitis is treated with oral antibiotics such as dicloxacillin, cephalexin, clindamycin, or erythromycin, with vancomycin reserved for suspected or confirmed MRSA. Inpatient urinary tract infections or pyelonephritis may be treated with intravenous ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, or piperacillin–tazobactam.
Septic pelvic thrombophlebitis may require anticoagulation with heparin in addition to antibiotics. Infected wounds or abscesses require drainage, and necrotizing fasciitis mandates urgent surgical debridement with broad-spectrum antibiotics and possible adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Continuous monitoring for hemodynamic instability, respiratory compromise, and progression to sepsis is critical.
Patients with endometritis, septic abortion, or suspected septic pelvic thrombophlebitis require hospital admission. Mild, nontoxic patients may be considered for outpatient management only with close obstetric consultation and follow-up. All patients should receive close follow-up with obstetrics or primary care to ensure clinical resolution and to monitor for complications. Early recognition, prompt antimicrobial therapy, and aggressive supportive care are essential to prevent morbidity and mortality in postpartum infections.
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Emergency And Acute Medicine – Postpartum Hemorrhage
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is defined as excessive bleeding after 20 weeks of gestation and is categorized as primary (occurring within 24 hours of delivery) or secondary (occurring more than 24 hours but within 12 weeks postpartum). It is defined quantitatively as blood loss greater than 500 mL after vaginal delivery or greater than 1,000 mL after cesarean section. PPH occurs in approximately 4% of vaginal deliveries and 6% of cesarean sections. It is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide, accounting for about 25% of pregnancy-related deaths, with nearly half of postpartum deaths attributed to hemorrhage. The majority of cases are caused by uterine atony (50–60%), retained placenta (20–30%), or cervical and vaginal lacerations (10%). Serious complications include hypovolemic shock, need for blood transfusion, acute respiratory distress syndrome, renal or hepatic failure, Sheehan syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), infertility, and death.
The causes of PPH are commonly remembered as the “4 Ts”: Tone (uterine atony), Tissue (retained placental tissue), Trauma (lacerations or uterine rupture), and Thrombin (coagulopathies). Immediate causes include uterine atony, genital tract lacerations, retained placental tissue, placenta accreta, uterine rupture or inversion, puerperal hematoma, and coagulation disorders. Delayed PPH is often due to retained products of conception, postpartum endometritis, withdrawal of exogenous estrogen, hematoma, or underlying coagulopathies such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, von Willebrand disease, or DIC. Risk factors include prior PPH, advanced maternal age, multiple gestations, prolonged labor, polyhydramnios, instrumental delivery, fetal demise, anticoagulation therapy, placental abruption, fibroids, prolonged oxytocin use, cesarean section, placenta previa or accreta, chorioamnionitis, and general anesthesia.
Clinically, patients present with ongoing vaginal bleeding that is often painless. Signs of hypovolemia include tachycardia, tachypnea, narrow pulse pressure, decreased urine output, cool clammy skin, poor capillary refill, and altered mental status. Notably, hypotension may not occur until blood loss exceeds 1,500 mL. Delayed PPH typically presents with copious vaginal bleeding days to weeks after delivery. History should focus on delivery complications, episiotomy, prior clotting disorders, and symptoms of hypovolemia such as dizziness, syncope, pallor, and decreased urine output. Physical examination requires thorough inspection of the perineum, vagina, cervix, and uterus, including external inspection, speculum examination, and bimanual examination.
Evaluation includes rapid assessment of uterine tone, retained products, and genital tract trauma. Laboratory studies should include complete blood count, platelet count, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen level, and type and cross-match for blood products. Hemoglobin should be rapidly determined. Ultrasound may help identify retained products in delayed PPH or intrauterine or intra-abdominal fluid collections, though manual examination is often more sensitive and may be both diagnostic and therapeutic. Puerperal hematomas should be considered when pain accompanies tachycardia and hypotension.
Management requires simultaneous hemorrhage control and aggressive resuscitation. Immediate priorities include airway support, supplemental oxygen, cardiac monitoring, establishment of large-bore IV access, rapid crystalloid infusion, blood product resuscitation as needed, and Foley catheter placement to monitor urine output. Uterine atony is treated first with bimanual uterine massage and administration of uterotonics. Oxytocin is first-line therapy, followed by methylergonovine (avoided in hypertensive patients) and 15-methyl prostaglandin F2α (used cautiously in asthma). Genital tract lacerations must be identified and repaired promptly with absorbable sutures. Uterine inversion requires immediate manual repositioning using the Johnson maneuver; if unsuccessful, tocolytic agents such as terbutaline or magnesium sulfate may be administered to facilitate reduction. Surgical intervention is required if medical therapy fails, and hysterectomy is necessary in approximately 1 in 1,000 deliveries. Radiologic embolization may also be considered.
Uterine tamponade with balloon devices such as a Foley catheter, Rusch catheter, Sengstaken–Blakemore tube, or Bakri balloon may serve as temporizing measures for continued bleeding. Coagulopathies require targeted treatment with fresh-frozen plasma, platelets, or cryoprecipitate. Active management of the third stage of labor—including prompt uterotonic administration, cord traction with uterine countertraction, and uterine massage—reduces PPH risk.
All patients with immediate PPH require admission to a monitored setting, with early obstetric consultation and ICU care if hemodynamic instability or DIC is present. Patients with endometritis require admission for intravenous antibiotics. Selected cases of delayed PPH that are easily controlled and hemodynamically stable may be managed outpatient with close obstetric follow-up and oral methylergonovine when appropriate. Close follow-up is essential, and patients should seek immediate care if bleeding recurs.
Early recognition, rapid resuscitation, aggressive use of uterotonics, and timely obstetric intervention are critical. Most maternal deaths from PPH result from delayed diagnosis or inadequate resuscitation. Prompt action and multidisciplinary coordination are essential to prevent morbidity and mortality.
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is defined as excessive bleeding after 20 weeks of gestation and is categorized as primary (occurring within 24 hours of delivery) or secondary (occurring more than 24 hours but within 12 weeks postpartum). It is defined quantitatively as blood loss greater than 500 mL after vaginal delivery or greater than 1,000 mL after cesarean section. PPH occurs in approximately 4% of vaginal deliveries and 6% of cesarean sections. It is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide, accounting for about 25% of pregnancy-related deaths, with nearly half of postpartum deaths attributed to hemorrhage. The majority of cases are caused by uterine atony (50–60%), retained placenta (20–30%), or cervical and vaginal lacerations (10%). Serious complications include hypovolemic shock, need for blood transfusion, acute respiratory distress syndrome, renal or hepatic failure, Sheehan syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), infertility, and death.
The causes of PPH are commonly remembered as the “4 Ts”: Tone (uterine atony), Tissue (retained placental tissue), Trauma (lacerations or uterine rupture), and Thrombin (coagulopathies). Immediate causes include uterine atony, genital tract lacerations, retained placental tissue, placenta accreta, uterine rupture or inversion, puerperal hematoma, and coagulation disorders. Delayed PPH is often due to retained products of conception, postpartum endometritis, withdrawal of exogenous estrogen, hematoma, or underlying coagulopathies such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, von Willebrand disease, or DIC. Risk factors include prior PPH, advanced maternal age, multiple gestations, prolonged labor, polyhydramnios, instrumental delivery, fetal demise, anticoagulation therapy, placental abruption, fibroids, prolonged oxytocin use, cesarean section, placenta previa or accreta, chorioamnionitis, and general anesthesia.
Clinically, patients present with ongoing vaginal bleeding that is often painless. Signs of hypovolemia include tachycardia, tachypnea, narrow pulse pressure, decreased urine output, cool clammy skin, poor capillary refill, and altered mental status. Notably, hypotension may not occur until blood loss exceeds 1,500 mL. Delayed PPH typically presents with copious vaginal bleeding days to weeks after delivery. History should focus on delivery complications, episiotomy, prior clotting disorders, and symptoms of hypovolemia such as dizziness, syncope, pallor, and decreased urine output. Physical examination requires thorough inspection of the perineum, vagina, cervix, and uterus, including external inspection, speculum examination, and bimanual examination.
Evaluation includes rapid assessment of uterine tone, retained products, and genital tract trauma. Laboratory studies should include complete blood count, platelet count, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen level, and type and cross-match for blood products. Hemoglobin should be rapidly determined. Ultrasound may help identify retained products in delayed PPH or intrauterine or intra-abdominal fluid collections, though manual examination is often more sensitive and may be both diagnostic and therapeutic. Puerperal hematomas should be considered when pain accompanies tachycardia and hypotension.
Management requires simultaneous hemorrhage control and aggressive resuscitation. Immediate priorities include airway support, supplemental oxygen, cardiac monitoring, establishment of large-bore IV access, rapid crystalloid infusion, blood product resuscitation as needed, and Foley catheter placement to monitor urine output. Uterine atony is treated first with bimanual uterine massage and administration of uterotonics. Oxytocin is first-line therapy, followed by methylergonovine (avoided in hypertensive patients) and 15-methyl prostaglandin F2α (used cautiously in asthma). Genital tract lacerations must be identified and repaired promptly with absorbable sutures. Uterine inversion requires immediate manual repositioning using the Johnson maneuver; if unsuccessful, tocolytic agents such as terbutaline or magnesium sulfate may be administered to facilitate reduction. Surgical intervention is required if medical therapy fails, and hysterectomy is necessary in approximately 1 in 1,000 deliveries. Radiologic embolization may also be considered.
Uterine tamponade with balloon devices such as a Foley catheter, Rusch catheter, Sengstaken–Blakemore tube, or Bakri balloon may serve as temporizing measures for continued bleeding. Coagulopathies require targeted treatment with fresh-frozen plasma, platelets, or cryoprecipitate. Active management of the third stage of labor—including prompt uterotonic administration, cord traction with uterine countertraction, and uterine massage—reduces PPH risk.
All patients with immediate PPH require admission to a monitored setting, with early obstetric consultation and ICU care if hemodynamic instability or DIC is present. Patients with endometritis require admission for intravenous antibiotics. Selected cases of delayed PPH that are easily controlled and hemodynamically stable may be managed outpatient with close obstetric follow-up and oral methylergonovine when appropriate. Close follow-up is essential, and patients should seek immediate care if bleeding recurs.
Early recognition, rapid resuscitation, aggressive use of uterotonics, and timely obstetric intervention are critical. Most maternal deaths from PPH result from delayed diagnosis or inadequate resuscitation. Prompt action and multidisciplinary coordination are essential to prevent morbidity and mortality.
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Emergency And Acute Medicine – Polyneuropathy
Polyneuropathy is a peripheral nerve disorder in which multiple nerves throughout the body malfunction simultaneously. It may present acutely or chronically and may involve sensory, motor, autonomic, or mixed dysfunction. Acute causes include infections (such as toxin-producing bacteria and viruses), autoimmune conditions like Guillain–Barré syndrome, toxic exposures including heavy metals such as lead and mercury, medications such as phenytoin, chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin, sulfonamides, vincristine, vinblastine, and certain sedatives, as well as malignancies like multiple myeloma. Chronic polyneuropathy is most commonly caused by diabetes mellitus, but may also result from chronic alcohol use, nutritional deficiencies (particularly thiamine and vitamin B12), hypothyroidism, liver failure, kidney failure, lung cancer, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).
Polyneuropathy affects approximately 2% of the general U.S. population and up to 8% of individuals over age 55. Diabetes is the most common cause in the United States and occurs in roughly half of insulin-dependent diabetics. Pathophysiologically, polyneuropathy may result from myelin dysfunction, vascular compromise to the vasa nervorum, or primary axonal injury. Myelin dysfunction is often immune-mediated, triggered by infections such as Campylobacter, diphtheria, influenza, or HIV, and may follow vaccination. Guillain–Barré syndrome presents acutely with rapidly progressive weakness and may lead to respiratory failure, whereas CIDP follows a more chronic or relapsing course. Vascular compromise from atherosclerosis, vasculitis, infection, or hypercoagulable states may cause ischemic nerve injury. Axonal injury is most commonly due to toxic-metabolic conditions such as diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, or drug and chemical exposure.
Clinically, polyneuropathy usually begins distally in the lower extremities and progresses proximally in a symmetrical “stocking-glove” distribution. Patients often report numbness, burning, tingling, weakness, and difficulty walking. Autonomic symptoms may include constipation, urinary retention or incontinence, sexual dysfunction, orthostatic dizziness, dry skin, and decreased sweating. On examination, findings are typically bilateral and symmetrical, including decreased sensation, impaired vibration and position sense, diminished motor strength, reduced reflexes, muscle atrophy, and sometimes fasciculations or paralysis. In demyelinating disorders such as Guillain–Barré syndrome and CIDP, weakness may be disproportionate to atrophy and reflexes are markedly diminished. Ischemic neuropathies often cause painful burning sensations with preserved reflexes and distal involvement. Toxic-metabolic axonopathies are typically painful and distally symmetric.
Evaluation begins with a thorough history and physical examination. Initial laboratory testing should include complete blood count, electrolytes, glucose, renal and liver function tests, thyroid-stimulating hormone, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, antinuclear antibody, vitamin B12, folate, rapid plasma reagin, HIV, hepatitis B and C serologies, Lyme testing, creatine phosphokinase, and serum protein electrophoresis. Additional tests such as heavy metal levels, genetic studies, or immune-mediated antibody testing are guided by clinical suspicion. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies are essential diagnostic tools. Lumbar puncture demonstrating elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein with normal cell count supports Guillain–Barré syndrome or CIDP. Nerve or skin biopsy may be considered in selected cases.
Emergency management focuses on airway, breathing, and circulation. Respiratory compromise is a critical concern in acute demyelinating neuropathies; measurement of negative inspiratory force (normal approximately −60 cm H₂O) helps assess impending respiratory failure. Patients with respiratory weakness require prompt ventilatory support. Pain management may include narcotics, tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, and anticonvulsants such as gabapentin. Plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulin is indicated for acute demyelinating neuropathies, while corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents are used in chronic demyelinating conditions. Supportive care, including intravenous fluids and vasopressors, may be necessary for autonomic instability.
Admission is warranted for patients with respiratory failure, blood pressure instability, inability to ambulate or care for themselves, inadequate pain control, rapidly progressive symptoms, or poorly controlled underlying disease. Stable patients without respiratory or autonomic compromise who can manage self-care and have adequate outpatient follow-up may be discharged. All patients require referral to primary care and neurology for ongoing evaluation and management, and many benefit from physical therapy. Recognizing potentially reversible causes and identifying patients at risk for respiratory failure or autonomic instability are essential priorities in emergency and acute care.
Polyneuropathy is a peripheral nerve disorder in which multiple nerves throughout the body malfunction simultaneously. It may present acutely or chronically and may involve sensory, motor, autonomic, or mixed dysfunction. Acute causes include infections (such as toxin-producing bacteria and viruses), autoimmune conditions like Guillain–Barré syndrome, toxic exposures including heavy metals such as lead and mercury, medications such as phenytoin, chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin, sulfonamides, vincristine, vinblastine, and certain sedatives, as well as malignancies like multiple myeloma. Chronic polyneuropathy is most commonly caused by diabetes mellitus, but may also result from chronic alcohol use, nutritional deficiencies (particularly thiamine and vitamin B12), hypothyroidism, liver failure, kidney failure, lung cancer, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).
Polyneuropathy affects approximately 2% of the general U.S. population and up to 8% of individuals over age 55. Diabetes is the most common cause in the United States and occurs in roughly half of insulin-dependent diabetics. Pathophysiologically, polyneuropathy may result from myelin dysfunction, vascular compromise to the vasa nervorum, or primary axonal injury. Myelin dysfunction is often immune-mediated, triggered by infections such as Campylobacter, diphtheria, influenza, or HIV, and may follow vaccination. Guillain–Barré syndrome presents acutely with rapidly progressive weakness and may lead to respiratory failure, whereas CIDP follows a more chronic or relapsing course. Vascular compromise from atherosclerosis, vasculitis, infection, or hypercoagulable states may cause ischemic nerve injury. Axonal injury is most commonly due to toxic-metabolic conditions such as diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, or drug and chemical exposure.
Clinically, polyneuropathy usually begins distally in the lower extremities and progresses proximally in a symmetrical “stocking-glove” distribution. Patients often report numbness, burning, tingling, weakness, and difficulty walking. Autonomic symptoms may include constipation, urinary retention or incontinence, sexual dysfunction, orthostatic dizziness, dry skin, and decreased sweating. On examination, findings are typically bilateral and symmetrical, including decreased sensation, impaired vibration and position sense, diminished motor strength, reduced reflexes, muscle atrophy, and sometimes fasciculations or paralysis. In demyelinating disorders such as Guillain–Barré syndrome and CIDP, weakness may be disproportionate to atrophy and reflexes are markedly diminished. Ischemic neuropathies often cause painful burning sensations with preserved reflexes and distal involvement. Toxic-metabolic axonopathies are typically painful and distally symmetric.
Evaluation begins with a thorough history and physical examination. Initial laboratory testing should include complete blood count, electrolytes, glucose, renal and liver function tests, thyroid-stimulating hormone, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, antinuclear antibody, vitamin B12, folate, rapid plasma reagin, HIV, hepatitis B and C serologies, Lyme testing, creatine phosphokinase, and serum protein electrophoresis. Additional tests such as heavy metal levels, genetic studies, or immune-mediated antibody testing are guided by clinical suspicion. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies are essential diagnostic tools. Lumbar puncture demonstrating elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein with normal cell count supports Guillain–Barré syndrome or CIDP. Nerve or skin biopsy may be considered in selected cases.
Emergency management focuses on airway, breathing, and circulation. Respiratory compromise is a critical concern in acute demyelinating neuropathies; measurement of negative inspiratory force (normal approximately −60 cm H₂O) helps assess impending respiratory failure. Patients with respiratory weakness require prompt ventilatory support. Pain management may include narcotics, tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, and anticonvulsants such as gabapentin. Plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulin is indicated for acute demyelinating neuropathies, while corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents are used in chronic demyelinating conditions. Supportive care, including intravenous fluids and vasopressors, may be necessary for autonomic instability.
Admission is warranted for patients with respiratory failure, blood pressure instability, inability to ambulate or care for themselves, inadequate pain control, rapidly progressive symptoms, or poorly controlled underlying disease. Stable patients without respiratory or autonomic compromise who can manage self-care and have adequate outpatient follow-up may be discharged. All patients require referral to primary care and neurology for ongoing evaluation and management, and many benefit from physical therapy. Recognizing potentially reversible causes and identifying patients at risk for respiratory failure or autonomic instability are essential priorities in emergency and acute care.
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Emergency And Acute Medicine – Polio
Polio is caused by infection with poliovirus. The incubation period is typically 7–14 days, and the duration of acute illness is usually less than 1 week. Clinical manifestations vary widely. Approximately 90–95% of infections are subclinical and not clinically apparent. Abortive poliomyelitis accounts for 4–8% of cases and presents as a nonspecific viral illness with fever, myalgias, and malaise; it is often recognized as polio only during outbreaks. Nonparalytic poliomyelitis occurs in 1–2% of cases and resembles aseptic meningitis, with meningeal irritation and a similar clinical course. Paralytic poliomyelitis occurs in about 0.1% of infections and is subdivided into spinal, bulbar, and mixed bulbospinal forms. Spinal paralytic poliomyelitis causes asymmetric flaccid paralysis, more prominent in the lower extremities. Bulbar involvement, seen in about 10% of paralytic cases, affects cranial nerve–innervated muscles and may compromise respiratory and circulatory centers, resulting in high mortality. Postpoliomyelitis syndrome is characterized by new-onset weakness, pain, and atrophy occurring 8–70 years after the initial illness, usually in previously affected limbs, and progresses gradually.
Poliovirus is a small, nonenveloped RNA virus in the enterovirus genus of the Picornavirus family. There are three subtypes (1, 2, and 3). Transmission occurs via the fecal–oral route. The virus enters through the oral cavity and replicates in the pharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and lymphatic tissue. Humans are the only natural host and reservoir. The virus selectively destroys motor and autonomic neurons. Wild-type poliovirus has been eliminated in the United States since 1979. In the United States, prior cases were associated with the oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV), which could rarely undergo neurovirulent conversion, resulting in vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAP). With the widespread use of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), VAP has markedly decreased. OPV remains in use in some regions as part of global eradication efforts.
Most infections are asymptomatic. Symptomatic cases may present with fever, headache, malaise, sore throat, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Nonparalytic disease manifests with stiff neck and back pain consistent with aseptic meningitis. Paralytic disease is characterized by progressive weakness lasting less than one week, sometimes accompanied by dysphagia and dysarthria in bulbar involvement. In children, a biphasic course is more common, with an initial viral prodrome lasting 1–2 days, followed by a symptom-free interval of 2–5 days, and then abrupt onset of major neurologic illness.
History should include vaccination status, prior polio infection, recent exposure to individuals vaccinated with OPV, recent travel to endemic areas such as Nigeria, Pakistan, India, or Afghanistan, and comorbid immunocompromising conditions, particularly B-cell disorders. On physical examination, patients may have low-grade fever, headache, photophobia, and nuchal rigidity. Neurologic findings include severe muscle soreness progressing to flaccid weakness and asymmetric paralysis, typically greater in the lower extremities. Reflexes may be initially hyperactive and later absent. Sensory function remains intact. Urinary retention occurs in approximately half of paralytic cases. Patients may appear apprehensive and irritable.
Diagnosis is primarily clinical and requires differentiation from other causes of acute flaccid paralysis. Public health authorities must be notified when polio is suspected. Laboratory findings may show normal or mildly elevated white blood cell count. Confirmation is achieved by demonstrating a rise in antibody titers between acute and convalescent sera or by isolating the virus from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, stool, or throat secretions during the first week of infection. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis typically shows findings consistent with aseptic meningitis, including lymphocytic pleocytosis and elevated protein, although the virus is rarely isolated from CSF. Electrodiagnostic studies demonstrate motor involvement with preserved sensory function.
The differential diagnosis depends on the clinical form. Abortive disease resembles other viral illnesses. Nonparalytic disease is indistinguishable from other causes of aseptic meningitis. Paralytic disease must be differentiated from Guillain–Barré syndrome, acute transverse myelitis, spinal cord compression or infarction, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, rhabdomyolysis, acute intermittent porphyria, West Nile virus infection, diphtheria, botulism, tick paralysis, and encephalitis.
Management is supportive. Fatal cases are usually due to respiratory insufficiency, which requires prompt recognition and ventilatory support. Aggressive pulmonary toilet and early intubation are indicated when respiratory compromise develops. Treatment includes bed rest to reduce risk of worsening paralysis and analgesics for severe muscle pain and spasm. Unnecessary intramuscular injections or tissue injury should be avoided, as paralysis may localize to recently traumatized limbs. There are no effective antiviral agents.
Prevention is achieved through vaccination. Inactivated poliovirus vaccine is currently used in the United States and does not cause vaccine-associated disease. Oral poliovirus vaccine, though no longer used in the United States, remains part of global eradication programs because of its ability to confer community immunity through fecal–oral spread.
All patients with acute-phase paralytic poliomyelitis require hospital admission for strict bed rest and close monitoring for respiratory involvement. Isolation from unvaccinated individuals is necessary. Patients without nervous system involvement and without risk of contact transmission may be discharged. Physical therapy is essential during recovery, although only about one-third of patients with acute flaccid paralysis regain full strength. Postpolio syndrome may occur decades later with progressive neuromuscular symptoms.
Key clinical points include the wide spectrum of presentation from asymptomatic infection to acute flaccid paralysis, the importance of vaccination history and travel exposure, the need for early respiratory monitoring in paralytic cases, and the primarily supportive nature of treatment.
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Emergency And Acute Medicine – Poisoning, Gastric Decontamination
Gastric decontamination refers to techniques used to reduce gastrointestinal absorption of ingested toxins. The role of these interventions has decreased over time, and most poisoned patients are managed with supportive care and selected use of activated charcoal.
Ipecac is contraindicated in the prehospital ambulance setting and is not recommended for routine home use. In extremely rare circumstances, such as prolonged transit time with a protected airway, ipecac should only be considered after consultation with a regional poison control center. In general, it has no role in emergency department management.
Initial stabilization follows standard airway, breathing, and circulation principles. The airway must be secured in patients with decreased mental status or inability to protect their airway. Intravenous access and cardiac monitoring should be established. In patients with altered mental status due to suspected overdose, administer naloxone, thiamine, and dextrose as indicated.
Activated charcoal is the mainstay of gastric decontamination. It is produced from treated wood pulp, creating a large surface area that binds many toxins. It is most effective when administered within one hour of ingestion of a charcoal-adsorbable toxin in a patient with a protected airway. The recommended dose is 1–2 g/kg (or a charcoal-to-drug ratio of approximately 10:1), given orally or via nasogastric tube. Adverse effects include vomiting, constipation, and risk of aspiration with subsequent pneumonitis. It is contraindicated in caustic ingestions, unprotected airway, bowel obstruction, or ileus. Substances poorly adsorbed by charcoal include metals (iron, lithium, bromide, borates), alcohols, potassium, hydrocarbons, caustics, and potassium cyanide. In children, charcoal may be mixed with a palatable beverage or administered via gastric tube. Randomized trials suggest limited benefit in asymptomatic patients and a small increased risk of complications.
Multiple-dose activated charcoal may be used for toxins that undergo enterohepatic circulation or prolonged absorption. Typical dosing is 1 g/kg initially, followed by 0.5 g/kg every 2–6 hours. It is considered for salicylate and theophylline poisoning and may reduce serum concentrations of phenobarbital, phenytoin, and carbamazepine, though outcome benefit is unproven. Cathartics must never be used with multiple-dose charcoal.
Cathartics such as sorbitol, magnesium citrate, or magnesium sulfate have been used with charcoal to enhance gastrointestinal transit. Evidence does not demonstrate improved toxin elimination, and harm has been reported. Cathartics alone have no proven benefit and should be avoided. Sorbitol may be added only to the first charcoal dose. Adverse effects include dehydration, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and hypermagnesemia. They are contraindicated in dehydration, renal disease, and in children.
Whole-bowel irrigation involves administration of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution to flush the gastrointestinal tract. It is indicated for toxins not well adsorbed by charcoal (such as iron or lithium), ingestion of sustained-release products, and body packers without signs of perforation. Adults receive approximately 2 L/hour and children 0.5 L/hour via nasogastric tube until rectal effluent is clear. Adverse effects include bloating, rectal irritation, and frequent bowel movements. It is contraindicated in bowel obstruction, ileus, hypotension, intestinal perforation, and unprotected airway.
Orogastric lavage involves placement of a large-bore gastric tube (32F–36F) to remove stomach contents. Its effectiveness depends on time from ingestion and the substance involved. A protected airway is mandatory prior to the procedure. Indications are rare and limited to patients presenting within one hour of a potentially lethal ingestion without a known antidote, particularly if intubated. Complications include aspiration, esophageal or gastric perforation, and patient discomfort. It is contraindicated in caustic or hydrocarbon ingestion, ingestion of large pills that cannot pass through the tube, rapidly sedating agents, or unprotected airway. In children, lavage is generally avoided due to low efficacy and increased aspiration risk. Randomized trials have shown no benefit when lavage plus charcoal is compared with charcoal alone.
Ipecac syrup, derived from Cephaelis acuminata, induces vomiting through gastric irritation and central stimulation. It delays charcoal administration and provides no benefit over charcoal alone when both are potentially effective. It has no role in emergency department care. It is contraindicated in caustic or hydrocarbon ingestion, rapidly sedating agents, and actively vomiting patients.
Key clinical considerations include avoiding ipecac in the emergency department, administering activated charcoal early in appropriate patients with a protected airway, and never combining repeated cathartics with multiple-dose activated charcoal.
Gastric decontamination refers to techniques used to reduce gastrointestinal absorption of ingested toxins. The role of these interventions has decreased over time, and most poisoned patients are managed with supportive care and selected use of activated charcoal.
Ipecac is contraindicated in the prehospital ambulance setting and is not recommended for routine home use. In extremely rare circumstances, such as prolonged transit time with a protected airway, ipecac should only be considered after consultation with a regional poison control center. In general, it has no role in emergency department management.
Initial stabilization follows standard airway, breathing, and circulation principles. The airway must be secured in patients with decreased mental status or inability to protect their airway. Intravenous access and cardiac monitoring should be established. In patients with altered mental status due to suspected overdose, administer naloxone, thiamine, and dextrose as indicated.
Activated charcoal is the mainstay of gastric decontamination. It is produced from treated wood pulp, creating a large surface area that binds many toxins. It is most effective when administered within one hour of ingestion of a charcoal-adsorbable toxin in a patient with a protected airway. The recommended dose is 1–2 g/kg (or a charcoal-to-drug ratio of approximately 10:1), given orally or via nasogastric tube. Adverse effects include vomiting, constipation, and risk of aspiration with subsequent pneumonitis. It is contraindicated in caustic ingestions, unprotected airway, bowel obstruction, or ileus. Substances poorly adsorbed by charcoal include metals (iron, lithium, bromide, borates), alcohols, potassium, hydrocarbons, caustics, and potassium cyanide. In children, charcoal may be mixed with a palatable beverage or administered via gastric tube. Randomized trials suggest limited benefit in asymptomatic patients and a small increased risk of complications.
Multiple-dose activated charcoal may be used for toxins that undergo enterohepatic circulation or prolonged absorption. Typical dosing is 1 g/kg initially, followed by 0.5 g/kg every 2–6 hours. It is considered for salicylate and theophylline poisoning and may reduce serum concentrations of phenobarbital, phenytoin, and carbamazepine, though outcome benefit is unproven. Cathartics must never be used with multiple-dose charcoal.
Cathartics such as sorbitol, magnesium citrate, or magnesium sulfate have been used with charcoal to enhance gastrointestinal transit. Evidence does not demonstrate improved toxin elimination, and harm has been reported. Cathartics alone have no proven benefit and should be avoided. Sorbitol may be added only to the first charcoal dose. Adverse effects include dehydration, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and hypermagnesemia. They are contraindicated in dehydration, renal disease, and in children.
Whole-bowel irrigation involves administration of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution to flush the gastrointestinal tract. It is indicated for toxins not well adsorbed by charcoal (such as iron or lithium), ingestion of sustained-release products, and body packers without signs of perforation. Adults receive approximately 2 L/hour and children 0.5 L/hour via nasogastric tube until rectal effluent is clear. Adverse effects include bloating, rectal irritation, and frequent bowel movements. It is contraindicated in bowel obstruction, ileus, hypotension, intestinal perforation, and unprotected airway.
Orogastric lavage involves placement of a large-bore gastric tube (32F–36F) to remove stomach contents. Its effectiveness depends on time from ingestion and the substance involved. A protected airway is mandatory prior to the procedure. Indications are rare and limited to patients presenting within one hour of a potentially lethal ingestion without a known antidote, particularly if intubated. Complications include aspiration, esophageal or gastric perforation, and patient discomfort. It is contraindicated in caustic or hydrocarbon ingestion, ingestion of large pills that cannot pass through the tube, rapidly sedating agents, or unprotected airway. In children, lavage is generally avoided due to low efficacy and increased aspiration risk. Randomized trials have shown no benefit when lavage plus charcoal is compared with charcoal alone.
Ipecac syrup, derived from Cephaelis acuminata, induces vomiting through gastric irritation and central stimulation. It delays charcoal administration and provides no benefit over charcoal alone when both are potentially effective. It has no role in emergency department care. It is contraindicated in caustic or hydrocarbon ingestion, rapidly sedating agents, and actively vomiting patients.
Key clinical considerations include avoiding ipecac in the emergency department, administering activated charcoal early in appropriate patients with a protected airway, and never combining repeated cathartics with multiple-dose activated charcoal.
