Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 25, 2023

No pericardial effusion on ultrasound." First, many on Twitter said "Pericarditis". This is NOT pericarditis, which virtually NEVER has ST depression any where except aVR. ECG diffuse ST elevation, but lacking pericarditis features, and very concerning for acute injury." What do you think?

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Pericarditis Blog Cardiomyopathy 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

You can easily imagine this patient getting one of several diagnoses -- vasospasm, MINOCA , pericarditis, or maybe even no diagnosis at all beyond "non-obstructive coronary artery disease." Fortunately, this operator used intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). An angiogram is a " lumenogram " and does not "see" the extraluminal plaque.

Plaque 70

Plaque Stents Stent Chest Pain 70

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 18, 2022

It was notable for a normal cardiac ultrasound with no pericardial fluid, normal LV and RV function (though the quality was not sufficient to evaluate for wall motion abnormalities) and normal IVC dynamics. Bedside ultrasound is another very important piece. Ultrasound can be very helpful to distinguish causes of hypotension.

Chest Pain 40

Chest Pain Ischemia Aortic Aortic valve 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 10, 2022

Dyspnea, Chest pain, Tachypneic, Ill appearing: Bedside Cardiac Echo gives the Diagnosis 31 Year Old Male with RUQ Pain and a History of Pericarditis. Cardiac Ultrasound may be a surprisingly easy way to help make the diagnosis Answer: pulmonary embolism. Now another, with ultrasound. What is the Diagnosis? This is a quiz.

Cardiac Arrest 52

Cardiac Arrest Chest Pain Embolism Pulmonary 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

A bedside cardiac ultrasound was performed with a parasternal long axis view demonstrated below: There is a large pericardial effusion with collapse of the right ventricle during systole. The second most common cause of medical cardiac tamponade is acute idiopathic pericarditis. This patient is only pseudo-stable. Her pulse is 125.

Pericarditis 40

Pericarditis Tachycardia Ultrasound Blood Pressure 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 15, 2024

A bedside ultrasound should be done to assess volume and other etiologies of tachycardia, but if no cause of type 2 MI is found, the cath lab should be activated NOW. The "flu-like" illness suggests myo- or pericarditis, but that would be a diagnosis of exclusion. The October 21, 2022 post — for " artifactual VT".

Chest Pain 67

Chest Pain Blog Critical Care Arrhythmia 67