Cardiovascular Emergencies: Beyond A-B-C and ACLS

Day 1

Advanced ECG Workshop: Classic, Confusing, and Confounding Patterns (4 Hour Workshop)

Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

• Identify subtle ECG findings in the ACS patient that predict an increased risk of morbidity and mortality.
• Distinguish between some common mimics of ACS vs findings of true ACS on the ECG.
• Identify findings in bundle branch block that help in diagnosis of ACS.

Day 2

ECG Mimics of Cardiac Ischemia

Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

• Describe a simple method of distinguishing between STEMI vs. acute pericarditis.
• Distinguish between hyperkalemia and STEMI based on axis changes.
• Describe a T-wave finding in PE that mimics cardiac ischemia.

Cases That Went Bad: Learn From Our Mistakes!

Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

• Identify an ECG abnormality that predicts intracranial hemorrhage.
• Identify a dangerous condition based on voltage which is often misdiagnosed as ACS or PE.
• Identify an electrocardiographic T-wave abnormality that predicts significant coronary artery disease.

Electrocardiography of Syncope

Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

• List the deadly conditions which must be identified on ECG in the post-syncope patient.
• Describe two congenital conditions that predict deadly arrhythmias in the post-syncope patient.
• Identify two conditions that predict deadly arrhythmias based on assessment of the ECG intervals.

Day 3

Advanced ECG Workshop: Tough Dysrhythmias Made Easy! (4 Hour Workshop)

Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

• Describe a simple series of steps to make the diagnosis of tachydysrhythmias.
• Distinguish between the various types of bradydysrhythmias and AV blocks.
• Describe the treatment protocols for stable and unstable dysrhythmias.

Day 4

Wide-Complex Tachycardias: Myths and Pitfalls

Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

• Identify difficulties in distinguishing amongst various types of wide complex tachycardias.
• Describe pitfalls in the diagnosis and treatment of WPW-related tachydysrhythmias.
• List the shortcomings associated with the use of amiodarone in managing patients with wide complex tachycardias.

Low-Risk Chest Pain: A 2018 Approach

Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

• Describe some common pearls and pitfalls that occur in the diagnosis of ACS.
• Review the most common accelerated diagnostic protocols for evaluating patients with suspected ACS.
• Describe a rational approach to the modern-day evaluation of low risk chest pain

STEMI and NSTE-ACS: Recent Literature Updates

Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

• List newer ECG criteria that warrant acute reperfusion therapy.
• Describe the newest diagnostic strategies for ACS.
• Describe the updated treatment protocols ACS.

“Remember That Patient You Saw Last Night?” Case Reviews in Missed ACS.

Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

• List high risk groups that are associated with missed ACS.
• Discuss the shortcomings of stress testing and cardiac catheterization.
• Discuss the limitations of current troponin testing.

Day 5

Winning at Failure: Optimal Management of Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema

Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

• Describe the limitations of morphine and furosemide in the management of cardiogenic pulmonary edema.
• Identify medications available for rapid preload reduction and afterload reduction.
• Discuss the use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation.

Cooling the Fire: Modern Management of Cardiac Arrest

Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

• List newest updates in Basic Life Support guidelines.
• List the newest recommendations in Advanced Life Support guidelines.
• Describe current and future trends in the management of cardiac arrest and post-arrest care.

Syncope: Simplifying a High-Risk Condition

Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

• List the high-risk features in the history and physical examination that predict poor short-term outcomes.
• Describe a cost-effective workup for patients presenting after syncope.
• Distinguish between syncope and seizures.

10 Things You Must Consider in the Crashing Patient: Beyond A-B-C and ACLS

Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

• Describe some pitfalls associated with commonly-used resuscitation techniques.
• Identify how basic bedside ultrasonography can help in the diagnosis and treatment of “crashing” patients.
• Discuss some of the new concepts in the recent AHA guidelines that can help…and hinder the chance of survival in “crashing” patients.