Clozapine-Induced Agranulocytosis
Clozapine-Induced Agranulocytosis in the Emergency Department The case: TR is a 55-year-old African American male who is sent to your emergency department after his primary care physician receives the results of recent routine bloodwork performed earlier that day, revealing a white blood cell count (WBC) of 2700 and an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 1350. He has a past medical history of paranoid schizophrenia, and for this, he is currently taking clozapine 150 mg by [...]
Contrast-Induced Nephropathy and N-acetylcysteine
Contrast-Induced Nephropathy and N-acetylcysteine The risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in cardiac patients undergoing primary cardiac catheterization is approximately 5%.[1] With associated risk factors (Table), that risk can jump to 50%. Pertaining to cardiac cath, administration of high volumes of contrast intra-arterially confers a higher risk compared to patient populations such as trauma patients who require radiologic imaging with contrast.[2] Additionally, while similar risk factors may be present, trauma patients tend to be younger and [...]
Weight-Based Dose Adjustments of Medications
Wait, Which Weight?: Weight-Based Dose Adjustments of Medications Commonly Used in the ED Below is a table of common medications used in the emergency department that require dose adjustments based on the weight in the obese patient: Important notes: ABW = actual body weight (kg) IBW = ideal body weight (kg) Calculation: Males: 50 + (2.3 x number of inches over height of 60") Females: 45.5 + (2.3 x number of inches over height of 60") AdjBW [...]
Calcium Channel Blockers and Beta-Blockers
Calcium Channel Blockers and Beta-Blockers If a patient presents in rapid Afib and is currently taking a beta-blocker, should a beta-blocker be used for rate control? Conversely, if a similar patient presents, but is taking a calcium channel blocker, should a ccb be used for rate control? I was asked this question years ago. Essentially, the concern was that if a ccb and a beta-blocker were combined, additive (if not synergistic) cardiac depression would [...]