Evaluation of Pseudocoma VS Coma

Evaluation of Pseudocoma

Difference Pseudocoma VS Coma

Here is a short table to quickly differentiate a patient with pseudocoma from true coma

How to approach an unconscious patient in Emergency Department

How to approach an unconscious patient in Emergency Department:

One of the most challenging approach is to an unconscious patient presenting to emergency department. An emergency physician needs to keep him/herself gathered to approach a patient like this; in order not to miss a life threatening condition in a silent patient.

The 4 core components of care, history, examination, investigation and treatment should go in parallel. A systematic & structured approach should be employed by teams caring an unconscious patient i.e. ABCDE (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure), Vital signs, CPR, Intubation or Oxygen?, Blood samples, To give Glucose and/or Thiamine, History, Examination & Observation, etc

All steps should be followed simultaneously giving importance to TIME.

Time Constrained Approach:

'Time is Brain, Time is Heart'

What can kill the patient first?
Initial thought is 'How to make the patient survive next few minutes' then 'Further Minutes of survival' and then 'Hours' and 'To survive this event'.

Within First Minute:

First thing first:

Simultaneously Assess for:

1. Cardiac Arrest: Check Pulse
2. Airway: While checking pulse, assess airway patency and look for any Foreign body if obvious
3. Breathing: Pattern of breathing

All these things will be ongoing while the nurses are doing the vital signs and connecting to the cardiac monitor/defibrillator. Also accessing 2 IV lines and extracting blood.

Lets take it here: 

1. If cardiac arrest>>>> Proceed to Basic life support and start CPR

2. Airway & abnormal breathing>>>Assisted ventilation / Intubation (Intubate if necessary to protect airway)

What next to do:: 

Very Important part of Vital sign is:

Blood Sugar>>>> check for hypoglycemia, it should never be overlooked

If Hypoglycemia: treat hypoglycemia with:

-Inj D50% 50ml 1-2 Ampoules IV 

Patient of hypoglycemia be:

1. Low blood sugar 2.8 to 3.0 Mmol/dl or 50 to 54 mg/dl
2. Return to usual state after Dextrose bolus
3. No residual deficit

The above 3 point should be there to determine if all the symptoms of patient were due to Hypoglycemia

What else can Kill patient in next few Minutes:

-Drug overdose

-Intracranial Hypertension

While assessing these, simultaneous quick survey is important.

Assess for:

• Signs of Shock: Capillary Refil/Cold or Warm Skin
• Neuro: Check Pupils, Eye movements, Corneal reflex, moving all 4 extremities, any asymmetry?
• Toxidrome: Pupils, Vital Signs, Skin
• Breathing Pattern: Regular, Irregular
• Abdomen: Any signs of Pulsating masses, Pain?
• Chest: Any sign of tension Pneumothorax, deformity?
• Trauma: Any obvious deformity or trauma?

Toxidromes: 

• In case of Opioid toxicity: Inj Nalaxone 0.2-0.4mg IV, start at lower doses if patient is stable to avoid precipitating rapid opioid withdrawal.
• Wernicke's ncephalopathy: Inj Thiamine 100mg IV

Signs of impending herniation: Intubate; provide analgesia and sedation; elevated the head of the bed; respirate to a target pCO2 of 35mmHg; Mannitol 0.5-1gram IV or 3% hypertonic saline 2-3ml/kg IV bolus.

What else should be done simultaneously:

Always remember H & T's of ACLS

H(HYPOGLYCEMIA, HYPERKALEMIA, HYPOTHERMIA, HYPOXIA, HYPOVOLEMIA, HYDROGEN ION(Acidosis)

T(Toxins, Tamponade(cardiac),Tension pneumothorax, Thrombosis (coronary and pulmonary), and Trauma)

• ECG: check rate, abnormal rhythm, look for Ischemia, Hyperkalemia (Confirm by STAT VBG) (be prepared for Pacing/Defibrillation)
• Portable Chest X ray: Hemo/Pneumothorax
• Bedside U/S: RUSH Exam

What Can threat patient's Life here:

• STEMI: Stabilize patient, Cath Lab activation
• Pulmonary Embolism: Tachycardic, Hypotensive, Sob, Arrested> Thrombolysis, Deteriorating patient>thrombectomy
• AAA: Stabilize and early involvement of Vascular / Cardiology/ Critical Care specialist
• Tension Pneumothorax: Needle decompression via large bore in 2nd intercostal space midclavicular line
• Hypotension: Start IV fluids/ blood products according to context
• Anaphylaxis: Inj Epinephrine 1:1000 (each ml contains 1mg of 1:1000) intramuscular should be given with following dosage
• Age More than 12 years/ Adults:  0.5mg (500mcg) IM (0.5ml of 1:1000 solution)
• Age 6-12 years: 0.3mg I/M (0.3ml of 1:1000 solution)
• Age 6 Months to 6 years: 0.15mg IM (0.15ml of 1:1000 solution)
• Less than 6 Months: 0.01mg/kg IM (0.01ml/kg of 1:1000 solution)
• Hyperkalemia: Inj Ca-Gluconate 10% of 10ml over 10min (equal to 1gm of calcium gluconate), Prefer Inj Calcium chloride in patients with cardiac arrest instead of calcium gluconate because the chloride formulation has approximately 3 times the amount of elemental calcium compared with the gluconate formulation.
• Treat Seizures with anticonvulsants
• Consider Encephalitis if altered LOC with fever history and start Acyclovoir

What else?

After initial approach so far which an emergency physician completes within 10-15min simultaneously managing appropriately, there are wide differentials to get lost in.

Stay systematic and think of further differentials which can pose risk at patient's life:

• Hypertensive emergencies/ Intracranial hemorrhage 
• Delirium Tremens/ withdrawl
• Infection like Necrotizing fasciitis: Look for sites of infection
• Metabolic disorders like DKA, HHS, severe hyponatremia
• Addisonian's Crisis
• Myasthenic Crisis

Stablize, Stabilize, Stabilize

Before shifting patient to Radiology department for CT Brain

Look for further differentials :

Mnemonic which is easy to remember

AEIOU TIPS

GCS

Evaluation of Pseudocoma Table can be seen here

How to approach a patient with headache in ED

How to approach a patient with headache in ED

A 30 year old patient comes to the emergency department with history of headache.

How to approach this patient in ED & what important points needs to be evaluated in this patient.

Approach:

-Place the patient on automated BP monitoring ,ECGmonitoring& pulse oximetry
-Vital signs: temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and 02 saturation

Detailed History:

High risk patients:

o Age >50 years, with a new or worsening headache
o Sudden onset of worse severe headache in the life (raises concern for subarachnoid
hemorrhage).
o History of head trauma (even in the last 2 weeks)
o Associated symptoms as:
o Fever, neck stiffness, vomiting and photophobia (raises concern for meningitis)
o Fever and behavior changes (raise concern for encephalitis).
o Confusion, Convulsion or Neurological deficit (raise concern for: stroke or, brain
tumor)
o Vertigo or ataxic gait o Visual changes: Specify _
o Change in headache quality, or progressive headache worsening over
weeks/months
o Medication History (warfarin, and antiplatelet agents) (increase the risk for
intracranial hemorrhage)
o Medication history (chronic steroids or immunosuppressants drugs) (increase risk
of CNSinfections)
o Medication history of oral contraceptive pills (increase risk of venous sinus
thrombosis)
o Pregnant Women: Preeclampsia should be considered in pregnant women after
20th week
o Venous sinus thrombosis should be considered as a cause of headache during
pregnancy, the postpartum state, and hypercoagulation state as (SLE,vasculitis)

Low risk patients:

o Facial pain (raise concern of sinusitis or dental infection)
o Temporal area pain increase with jaw movement (raise concern of temporal
arteritis)
o Medical history as uncontrolled hypertension associated with hypertensive
urgency
o Medication history of nitroglycerin or carbon monoxide poisoning
o History Use of cocaine, amphetamine, and alcohol
o Prior Headache History suggestive of migraine, tension, or cluster-type headaches,
and response to specific therapy
o Family History of aneurysm or sudden death in first-degree relatives (raises the
suspicion for intracranial aneurysm)

DETAILED EXAMINATION:

o Complete Neurologic Examination includes:
o Mental status assessment
o Speech
o Gait
o Pupillary examination (for asymmetry or ptosis)
o Cranial nerve examination
o Motor examination to detect extremity weakness
o Deep tendon reflex examination
o Coordination testing (to detect cerebellar lesions)
o Examination of the Eye: to exclude angle-closure glaucoma or 3rd cranial nerve palsy
o Examine the ears, nose, and throat to identify otitis media and sinusitis
o Examination of the Head and Neck: Meningismus is an important clinical clue to
Meningitis.
o Palpate for tenderness over the temporal arteries to assess for possible temporal
arteritis

Important Differential Diagnosis to consider in ED

1. SUBARACHANOID HEMORRHAGE (SAH)
Following are strongly and reliably associated with SAH

• Sudden onset of headache
• Maximal at onset
• Hx of recent similar headache (Sentinel bleed)
• Age >40
• Neck Stiffness or pain
• Onset of headache on exertion
• Vomiting
• Witnessed loss of consciousness
• Elevated Bp of > 160/100

Also consider the following symptoms

• Stroke like symptoms
• Seizure
• 3rd Cranial Nerve palsy from mass effect
• 6th Cranial Nerve Palsy with diplopa
• Subhyaloid Hemorrhage (Terson Syndrome: Dense red on fundoscopy)
• Meningismus

Risk factors:

• Family history of Cerebral bleed
• History of SAH
• Family history of Polycystic kidney disease
• Collagen vascular disease
• Hypertension
• Binge Drinking
• Use of cocaine or smoking
• Onset of headache during exertion
• Presyncope or syncope with headache

Workup of SAH:

ECG::

• Changes occur in 50-100% of patients due to neurogenic myocardial stunning or coronary vasospasm.
• 
Deep,
wide 
precordial 
T‐wave 
inversion,
 bradycardia,
 and
 prolonged
 QT
• Imp::; don't anticoagulate these patients considering the above findings as ACS

CT Brain:

• Sensitive 95% within 12 hours
• Sensitive 85 % after 1 day
• Sensitive 50% after 1 week

Lumber Puncture:

• Lumber puncture is still standard. However 25% are at increased risk of Post LP headache, Infection and neurological damage.
• Important points to consider for LP here as per recommendations:
• Don't wait till 12 hours after onset for Xanthochromia to be reliably present as then the patient will also be at risk of fatal bleed.
• True positive tap may be hidden in Traumatic tap, so if you wanna say it a true negative tap only if RBC are <5 in tube 4 or a decrease in 25% of RBC from tube 1 to 4.
• Opening pressure should be done as it may be elevated in SAH but will not rise in Traumatic tap, can rise in BIH, CVT
• Post LP headache classically occurs day 3 and are worse when not suppine, are result of CSF leaking from dura or it can be called post dural puncture headache PDPH, which is not shown to be helped with bed rest or caffeine intake but only by Blood patch of patient's own blood. Post LP headache can be minimised by use of smaller needle like 25G and using non cutting needles. (By Dr. Anton)
• If unsuccessful LP or refused by patient then do CT angio to find out if any aneurysm identifiable

Management of SAH:

• Involve Neurosurgeon to consider the target BP if MAP is more than 100-110
• To prevent rebleed treat hypertention if MAP is more than 100 to 110 for few hours and can use IV labetolol 20mg iv bolus then 1-2mg/min infusion not to exceed 300mg or 40-80mg iv q10min with blood pressure monitoring every 5-10min. No dosage alteration in renal or hepatic impaired patients been recommended.
• Oral Nimodipine 60mg p/o or Per NG to prevent vasospasm and subsequent cerebral infarct, every 4-6 hours , should be started within 24hours of presentation. It comes in 30mg gel capsules or 30mg/10ml or 60mg/20ml oral solution. Dosage should be decreased to 30mg in hepatic impairment, closely monitor BP (decreases BP) and HR(arrhythmia).
• Consider starting anti-epileptic which can occur in SAH patients

2. MIGRAINE:

Beware of self diagnosis brought in by patient.

To diagnose as a case of Migraine patient should be diagnosed by physician with history of recurrent similar symptoms with similar intensity and character.

Classical Migraine history will be as follows and can be remembered by Mnemonic of POUND

• Pulsatile quality headache, 4-72Hours duration onset, Unilateral pain, Nausea and Disabling intensity of headache. Can be associated with phono and photophobia. 4 out of 5 features are usually present in POUND Mnemonic.
• Can also present with bilateral colored tunnel vision instead of unilateral flashes and floaters white in color and like a black curtain falling down in cases of vitreous and retinal detachment respectively.
• SSNOOP 
mnemonic
 for 
red 
flags:
 Systemic
 signs
 (fever,
 weight
loss),
 Secondary 
risk
 factors
(immuno‐ compromised 
status,
 HIV),
 Neurological
 signs 
(speech 
deficit,
 cranial 
nerve 
abnormalities),
Onset
–
abrupt,
 Older
age
(>40yo),
Progression
 of 
symptoms (By Dr. Lucas)

Management::

• Inj Metoclopramide 10mg IVI slow infusion over 15-20min or inj prochlorperazine over 15min IVI
• Inj Diphenhydramine 50mg IVI in case of development of extrapyramidal symptoms
• Inj Dexamethasone 10-15mg IV or P/O on discharge (to prevent rebound 72 hrs headache) 
by
decreasing 
the 
inflammation 
of
 the 
blood 
vessels 
in 
the 
brain.
• Naproxen 500mg on discharge shown to be equal effect of Triptans (reported to cause chest tightness), give to people who don't have CVS disease.

3. SPONTANEOUS CERVICAL ARTERY DISSECTION:

Cervical artery dissection is a tear in cervical artery (carotid or vertebral artery) with development of intramural hematoma resulting in stenosis, occlusion or aneurysmal dilation.

Cervical artery dissection usually occurs with minor trauma such as hyperextension of neck during shaving, while driving checking upon blind spot, roller coaster ride, boxing or even coughing in case of connective tissue disease.

Evaluation:

Classic Triad of Carotid Artery Dissection: although only 1/3 of patient present with all 3

• Unilateral pain of head, neck or face
• Partial Horner Syndrome (ptosis, miosis)
• Cerebral or retinal ischemia or TIA symptoms

Dissection of Vertebral artery:

• May present with posterior neck pain
• Headache
• Vertigo
• Ataxia
• Swallowing difficulty

Diagnosis is by:

• CT angiography
• Duplex Scan
• MRA

Management:

• Antithrombotic therapy for at least 3-6 months for a patient with ischemic stroke or TIA
• Endovascular stenting
• Surgical Repair

4. Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis:

Can present in young patients, women more than men.
Symptoms can range from:

• Headache (thunderclap to subacute)
• Seizure
• Stroke like symptoms
• Papilledema, orbital chemosis, proptosis

Risk Factors:

• Thrombophilias
• OCP Use
• Pregnancy
• Malignancy
• Sinusitis 

Evaluation:

• CBC with coagulation profile
• D Dimer (not reliable)
• MRV or CTV(empty delta sign)
• Plain CT (Delta sign, Hemorrhagic infarct  grey white matter junction, hyperdense cervical vein or dural sinus)
• LP may show increased opening pressure

Management:

-Despite risk of hemorrhagic transformation treatment with LMWH or unfractionated heparin shown to reduce Death and dependency.

5. IIH:

Same spectrum of CVT with LP showing increased opening pressure with papilledema and usually young patients, more in females on OCP, but management differs in use of diuretics instead of anticoagulation

6. Carbon monomoxide poisoning:

Multiple patients
Wood burning stove gathering

CT may show bilateral hypodensities

7. Glaucoma: Photophobia, Eye exam mandatory

8: Temporal Arteritis: Other systemic sign and symptoms of disease, PMR, jaw claudication, Blurring of vision, retinal ischemia, check ESR)

9.
Hypertensive encephalopathy ( Altered LOC, Papilledema)

Others::

• Meningitis, encephalitis
• Tumor
• Pre-eclampsia
• Drugs
• Toxins
• Substance abuse, etc

Disclaimer: This don't replace guidelines, follow local protocols.

How to approach a patient with suspected TIA/ Stroke in ED

How to approach a patient with suspected TIA/ Stroke in ED

We know that 10-15% of patient with TIA end up having stroke with up to 50% of these occurring within 48 hours of presentation. 

Time constraint approach

Within 10-15 minutes or less:

• Give Triage Priority with suspected symptoms
• Check vital signs including Bedside glucose determination to rapidly rule out and treat hypoglycemia « 2.8mmoI/L

• Two large caliber(16 gauge or larger) I.V Cannula
• ECG and Cardiac monitoring (look for:::
• A fib (ask about TIA symptoms before thinking to cardiovert patient)
• Crochetage sign (notch in apex of R wave) seen in II, III, aVF is highly specific sign of the presence of a PFO or ASD
• Complete history taking and document time patient last known well 
• Complete neurological examination to exclude other differential
• Complete lab works including CBC, coagulation profile, LFT, U/E & cardiac markers
• NPO

Diagnosis of TIA/Stroke pearls::

• TIA may present with negative symptoms (lack of function), loss of sensory, motor, vision, speech. Common Differentials like Migraine may present with positive symptoms like pain, scotomas, etc.
• Examination of eyes is very important, give regard ti visual field deficits, look for retinal pathology, patients having retinal TIAs need to be worked up same as stroke
• Early signs of stroke on plain CT head (not contraindications to lytic): blurring in basal ganglia, internal capsule or insula; loss of the grey-white junction clarity, sulcal effacement (gyri edema), hyperdense MCA sign has a large differential so exercise caution in ruling in stroke based solely on hyperdense MCA sign 

Within 25 to 30 Min:

• Activate Stoke Team (if available in hospital) and document the time
• Urgent Non Contrast CT Brain
• Chest X ray
• Within 24 hours CT or MRI and vascular imaging (CTA or MRA) from aortic arch to vertex

Within 60min or less:

• Aspirin 324 mg PO (if no hemorrhage in CT brain)
• Labetalol 20mg I.V. 
• If blood pressure above 220/120
• Blood pressure above 185/110 & the patient is eligible for IV tPA (see down)
• Hypertensive Encephalopathy
• Aortic Dissection or MI


• If Hemorrhagic Stroke:
• ED MD secondary survey 
• BP control
• Consider PT/PTT reversal
• Consult Neurosurgery
• NIHSS

• If Ischemic Stroke & within the eligibility: (4.5 hours window) 
• IV tPA (within 60 min) from ERarrival if:
• No contraindications of tPA and within tPA window (4.5 hours) from last well known
• Obtain pre and post tPA NIHSS
• Admit to ICU for 24 hours after tPA infusion.

RISK STRATIFICATION SCORING::

Risk 
stratification 
is 
essential:
 CHADS 
Score 
(CHF,
HTN,
Age>75,
DM,
previous
Stroke)
≥2
 should
 get
 warfarin 
given 
the 
benefits
–
70% 
risk 
reduction 
in 
embolic 
events
–
and 
the 
risks
–
moderate
 bleeds
(10‐12%),
or 
severe
 bleeds
(2‐3%) 
requiring 
hospitalization, 
transfusion, 
or
 causing 
ICH.

Remember
 that 
older 
age 
means 
higher 
risk 
for 
embolic 
event, So older patient will actually get more benefit from warfarin.

INCLUSION & EXCLUSION CRITERIA FOR THROMBOLYTIC THERAPY: 

Administration of Thrombolytic Therapy

Inclusion Criteria: 
Patients presenting within 3 hours of symptoms onset or last seen normal

• Diagnosis of an ischemic stroke causing measurable neurological deficit
• Onset of symptoms is known and is within (3 - 4.5 hours) of the beginning of treatment
• The patient is 18 years age or older

Exclusion Criteria:
Patients presenting within 3 hours

• Significant head trauma or prior stroke within past 3 months
• Symptoms suggest subarachnoid hemorrhage
• Arterial puncture at a non-compressible site in the previous 7 days
• History of previous intracranial hemorrhage
• Intracranial neoplasm, arteriovenous malformation or aneurysm
• Recent intracranial or intraspinal surgery
• Elevated blood pressure that remains higher than 185 mm HG systolic or above 110 diastolic
• Active internal bleeding
• Acute bleeding diathesis, including:
- Platelet count below 100,000/mm3
- Heparin received within last 48 hours that leads to an elevated aPIT
- Current use of Warfarin with INR above 1.7 or PT longer than 15 seconds
- Current use of direct thrombin inhibitors or direct factor with elevated sensitive laboratory tests (such as aPIT)
- INR, platelet count and ecarin clotting time; IT or approximate factor Xa activity assays)
• Blood glucose less than 50 mg/dL
• CT-proven area of multilobar infarct larger than 1/3 total cerebral hemisphere

Relative Exclusion Criteria:
Patients presenting within 3 hours

• Minor or rapidly improving stroke symptoms
• Pregnancy
• Seizure at the onset with postictal residual neurologic impairments
• Major surgery or serious trauma within previous 14 days
• Recent gastrointestinal or urinary tract bleeding in the past 21 days
• Acute MI in the past 3 months.

Inclusion Criteria:
Patients presenting 3 to 4.5 hours from symptoms onset or last seen normal

• Diagnosis of an ischemic stroke causing a measurable neurologic deficit

Relative Exclusion Criteria:
Patients presenting 3 to 4.5 hours from symptoms onset or last seen normal

• Age above 80 years
• Severe stroke with NIHSS score of more than 25
• Patients taking an oral anticoagulant regardless of INR
• Patients with history of both diabetes and prior ischemic stroke

NIH STROKE SCALE SCORING

Disclaimer::
This approach doesn't replace the medical guidelines in any way. Please follow your local guidelines accordingly.