LITFL Update 058
Sending you free open-access medical (FOAM) content from around the globe. We keep an eye on all the trends and best articles and share them with you so that you stay on top of your field.
Airway Case 001: Active emesis during video laryngoscopy intubation, suction-assisted decontamination (SALAD), bougie troubleshooting, and clinical learning points for aspiration.
Pharmacology of etomidate (Critical Care Compendium): General anaesthetic/induction agent and carboxylated imidazole derivative. Review the mechanism of action, pharmaceutics, dosing, controversies, and practical tips.
Cope’s Sign, more accurately the cardio-biliary reflex, refers to reflex sinus bradycardia or atrioventricular block triggered by acute gallbladder disease, often mimicking primary cardiac pathology. We review presentation, historical context, modern case reports, and more.
Latest updates from the #FOAMed world
This RECAPEM guide translates the complexity of anticoagulant therapy into a clear, practical roadmap for the emergency department. It covers rapid drug identification, managing major bleeds with reversal strategies, safe initiation of anticoagulation for thrombosis, and structured disposition planning – plus special considerations for renal, hepatic or frail patients. A must-read for confident, evidence-based anticoagulant care.
This EchoMasters piece cuts past the jargon to define what critical care echocardiography really is – and what it isn’t. It’s a fast, decision-focused bedside echo used in shock, tamponade, RV failure and peri-arrest scenarios to sharpen life-saving choices – not a full comprehensive study for perfection. It also lays out levels of competence, key indications, common pitfalls, and how to stay safe and effective when using echo under pressure.
Struggling with a cough this season? In his latest St Emlyn’s blog post, Dr Gregory Yates cuts through the noise to reveal which cough remedies are effective – and which are not. Drawing on current evidence, he finds that many common over-the-counter options like codeine, antihistamines and dextromethorphan offer little benefit, while certain herbal options show mixed results. The standout? Honey – delicious, natural, and backed by good evidence for reducing cough severity and frequency in upper respiratory infections. If you’re looking for practical, evidence-based advice to share with patients or colleagues, this read delivers.
This ALiEM blog explores how mini C-arm fluoroscopy can bring real-time imaging to the bedside, speeding up fracture reductions, dislocations, and tricky procedures without a trip to radiology. Compact, fast, and potentially practice-changing – but with important limitations and governance considerations.
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Emergency nurse with ultra-keen interest in the realms of toxicology, sepsis, eLearning and the management of critical care in the Emergency Department | LinkedIn |
BA MA (Oxon) MBChB (Edin) FACEM FFSEM. Emergency physician, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Passion for rugby; medical history; medical education; and asynchronous learning #FOAMed evangelist. Co-founder and CTO of Life in the Fast lane | On Call: Principles and Protocol 4e| Eponyms | Books |