Your Paramedic crew is called to the home of a 58 year old male, “possible heart” Upon arrival to the home, you are greeted by the gentleman’s wife, who directs you to your patient. You find him sitting in a chair in the living room, appearing concerned, but in no serious distress. He tells […]

Here is the discussion for “71 year old male: chest discomfort” let’s review the prehospital 12 lead:     Here are the precordial leads blown up:   There is slight ST elevation in V1,  ST elevation in V2 (saddleback morphology), as well as slight ST elevation in V3 and V4. The STE in V3 and V4 […]

  This very interesting case comes from Bryan F, a Paramedic from Long Island. A 71 year old male is cooking breakfast when he experiences sudden onset of 10/10 chest discomfort. He waits 20 minutes or so for it to subside, but it does not and he calls 911. EMS arrives to find him lying […]

82 year old male, in good physical shape, stops at a cafe for lunch after cycling for an hour. Witnesses report a syncopal episode lasting approximately 30 seconds. Patient history significant for prior MI requiring 3 stents. No other significant history. Patient denies any CP, SOB, N/V, lightheadedness. In fact, he denies any complaints at […]

It is a beautiful summer afternoon when you and your partner are called to the beach for a “swimmer in distress”. Upon your arrival, you find a 48 year old male sitting on a beach towel, appearing to be in some distress. You are told that he was swimming in the ocean when he began […]

  It is a beautiful September morning when the tones go off for a 86 year old female, “altered mental status”. “Guess breakfast will have to wait”, as you and your partner head towards the residence. As you enter the one level home, you are directed to a back bedroom where you find your patient […]

  It is a bright Sunday morning when you and your partner are dispatched for an “adult male-chest pain”. You arrive at a well kept residence, noting a ladder and paint cans as you enter. You find your patient, a 57 year old male, sitting on the sofa in mild distress. “I was doing some […]

This is the discussion for “70 Year Old Male: Short of Breath“. Tough case. Lots of excellent comments and observations from our readers. Right off the bat, the patient’s presentation offered a major distraction: the recent eye surgery resulting in the old “eye patch presentation”. Confounding the situation further was the lack of any cardiac […]

Good morning sports fans! You are dispatched to the residence of a 70 year old male, complaining of “shortness of breath”. You pull up to a well kept home, and are met at the front door by the patient’s wife. She tells you that her husband came home from the hospital yesterday after cosmetic eye […]

“Push Hard, Push Fast” We all know the mantra. It’s catchy. Compressions not deep enough? Push hard. Not fast enough? Push fast. Great. Except… One thing many of us have learned as professional rescuers is that the bigger issue is not pushing too slow, but pushing too fast. “But…push FAST!” I mean, faster has to be better […]