The goals of the curriculum were to establish an asynchronous ECG curriculum to help improve standardization of EM resident education, expose EM residents to a more comprehensive ECG curriculum, increase active learning in this arena, and decrease the administrative burden while not dedicating further conference time towards ECG education.
The initial ECG obtained from the patient shows subtle ST-segment elevation noted in leads I, aVL, and V2-V5, suggestive of pathology of the left anterior descending artery. The results of the catheterization revealed a spontaneous coronary artery dissection of the distal portion of the left anterior descending coronary artery, which can be seen in the image of the angiogram, with the diseased portion notated between the brackets.
This image shows a large edema bulla on the patient’s right shin. The bulla is 10 x 10 cm, filled with serous fluid, has a spontaneously occurring defect in the skin of the superior portion of the bulla, and is non-erythematous. The bulla is much larger than the 1-5 cm edema bullae described in the literature. As edema bulla is primarily a clinical diagnosis, taking the full history and physical exam into account is essential to recognize these bullae.
By the end of the case, the learner should will be able to: 1) demonstrate competency with the new ABEM Certifying Exam Reassessment case format, 2) demonstrate the ability to evaluate new information and integrate it into an existing care plan, 3) recognize signs and symptoms of pulmonary edema, 4) review possible etiologies of acute respiratory distress and the evaluation/work up to differentiate and diagnose those causes, and 5) manage pulmonary edema including implementing afterload reduction, positive pressure ventilation, and diuresis.
By the end of the session, learners will be able to: 1) obtain and interpret the parasternal short-axis view of the heart to assess right ventricular size and function, 2) identify ultrasound findings suggestive of pulmonary embolism (PE) on cardiac short-axis view, including right ventricular dilation and septal bowing, 3) demonstrate appropriate probe selection and positioning to obtain optimal images of the heart and inferior vena cava (IVC), 4) evaluate the IVC using a subxiphoid or longitudinal view to assess distension and lack of respiratory collapse as supportive findings for elevated right heart pressures, 5) identify the anatomy of the neck vasculature, differentiate between the internal jugular vein and carotid artery, and select the appropriate puncture site, 6) describe ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization via the right internal jugular vein, using a sterile technique and real-time guidance
By the end of the clinical decision-making case, the learner will: 1) gain familiarity with clinical decision-making (CDM) case format to be used in the new American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) certification examination starting in 2026, 2) demonstrate the ability to obtain a focused history and physical examination and develop appropriate differential diagnoses for chest pain and dyspnea, 3) demonstrate understanding of clinical decisions rules to estimate the pre-test probability for pulmonary embolism and the application of rules to guide appropriate diagnostic testing, 4) recognize high clinical suspicion for pulmonary embolism and indication for empirical treatment, 5) recognize the unstable patient and provide appropriate hemodynamic and respiratory support, 6) understand indications for thrombolytic therapy or embolectomy in unstable pulmonary embolism, 7) demonstrate communication skills with patients and specialists across the health care spectrum, and 8) arrange appropriate disposition for the unstable patient with a pulmonary embolism.
By the end of this case learners will be able to: 1) Become familiar with format of a prioritization case (a component of the ABEM Certifying Exam), 2) Practice their ability to prioritize multiple patients and provide stabilizing care, 3) Consider changes in status/patient acuity/new cases as presented, 4) Understand how to utilize team resources appropriately.
At the end of this oral board session, learners will be able to: 1) Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and treat a somnolent and hypoxic patient, 2) Identify a critical airway situation and manage it with a holistic approach, 3) Interpret the history, physical examination, ECG, and chest x-ray findings and discuss the list of differential diagnoses, 4) Identify a state of cardiogenic shock induced by myopericarditis and treat it appropriately, 5) Assess the presence of pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade utilizing bedside echocardiography.