Acute Coronary Syndromes
Often described as "elephant on the chest," this is the primary symptom of an acute myocardial infarction.
What is chest pain?
This life-threatening dysrhythmia requires immediate defibrillation.
What is ventricular fibrillation (VFib)?
Jugular venous distention, crackles, and peripheral edema are classic signs of this cardiac condition.
What is heart failure?
A sudden, severe "tearing" or "ripping" chest or back pain, often radiating to the back, is a classic symptom of this emergent condition.
What is aortic dissection?
Chest pain that worsens with inspiration and lying flat, and improves with sitting up and leaning forward, suggests this emergency.
What is pericarditis?
This initial and critical diagnostic test must be performed within 10 minutes of a STEMI patient's arrival in the ED.
What is a 12-lead ECG?
In an unstable patient with symptomatic bradycardia, this medication is the primary first-line pharmacologic intervention.
What is atropine?
This life-threatening type of shock results from severe impairment of the heart's ability to pump blood, most commonly due to a large MI.
What is cardiogenic shock?
This life-threatening condition involves severe hypertension WITH evidence of acute end-organ damage.
What is a hypertensive emergency?
Muffled heart sounds, hypotension, and elevated JVP (Beck's Triad) are classic signs of this life-threatening condition.
What is cardiac tamponade?
The "MONA" acronym for ACS management stands for Morphine, Oxygen, Nitroglycerin, and this medication crucial for platelet inhibition.
What is Aspirin?
This rhythm is when the heart shows electrical activity but produces no pulse, requiring immediate CPR and epinephrine.
What is Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)?
This initial medication, often given as a diuretic, helps to reduce preload in patients with acute decompensated heart failure and pulmonary edema.
What is furosemide (Lasix)?
The most important initial management goal for an aortic dissection is rigid control of this vital sign.
What is blood pressure (and heart rate)?
This life-threatening pulmonary condition can present with chest pain that mimics an MI, often with associated dyspnea and tachycardia.
What is a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
An ECG showing ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF indicates an infarct in this specific coronary artery territory.
What is an inferior wall myocardial infarction (often right coronary artery)?
The "H's and T's" mnemonic helps recall reversible causes of this ultimate cardiac emergency.
What is cardiac arrest?
A patient in cardiogenic shock with a low blood pressure and signs of poor perfusion might benefit from this class of medications to increase cardiac contractility.
What are inotropes (ex. dobutamine)?
This bedside imaging study is often the quickest way to assess for a significant pericardial effusion in the setting of trauma or suspected aortic rupture.
What is bedside echocardiography (FAST exam)?
This specific physical exam finding is an early and sensitive indicator of cardiac tamponade.
What is pulsus paradoxus?
During an NSTEMI, these cardiac biomarkers are typically elevated, distinguishing it from unstable angina.
What are troponins and/or CK-MB?
In stable wide-complex tachycardia, this antiarrhythmic medication is often the drug of choice for chemical cardioversion.
What is amiodarone?
Aside from medication, this non-pharmacological therapy is crucial for patients with acute pulmonary edema to improve oxygenation and reduce work of breathing.
What is NIV (Non-Invasive Ventilation) such as CPAP or BiPAP?
For a hypertensive emergency with cerebral edema, this medication can be used to rapidly reduce blood pressure while preserving cerebral perfusion.
What is nicardipine or labetalol?
A patient presenting with "pounding in the chest," palpitations, and sudden onset of difficulty breathing, but with no signs of ischemia, might be experiencing this common supraventricular dysrhythmia.
What is paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)?