Nick Sawyer, MD, MBA, FACEP @NickSawyerMD
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Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, emergency medicine health policy expert, political junky, executive director of No License for Disinformation https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/tru https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicksaw https://bsky.app/profile/nicksawyer #emergencymedicine #ER #trauma
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This infographic provides a mnemonic tool called “WOBBLER” for assessing an ECG (electrocardiogram) in cases of
This infographic provides a mnemonic tool called “WOBBLER” for assessing an ECG (electrocardiogram) in cases of syncope (temporary loss of consciousness due to reduced blood flow to the brain). It is designed to help clinicians systematically evaluate potential causes of syncope by focusing on specific abnormalities in the ECG. Here’s a breakdown of the mnemonic: WOBBLER: Each letter corresponds to a specific potential ECG abnormality and the section of the ECG to focus on. • W: Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW) • ECG Section: P, PR intervals • WPW is associated with a short PR interval and a delta wave. It indicates an accessory pathway that can cause arrhythmias. • O: Obstructed AV Pathway • ECG Section: PR interval • This refers to conduction delays or blocks in the atrioventricular (AV) node, such as first-degree AV block (prolonged PR interval). • B: Bifascicular Block • ECG Section: QRS complex • A bifascicular block is a conduction abnormality involving two of the three major fascicles of the heart’s conduction system. It may present as a widened QRS complex. • B: Brugada Syndrome • ECG Section: ST segment • This syndrome is characterized by a coved ST-segment elevation in the right precordial leads (V1-V3) and is associated with a high risk of sudden cardiac death. • L: Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) • ECG Section: QRS complex (and sometimes QRST combination) • LVH can indicate underlying structural heart disease like aortic stenosis (AS) or hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). • E: Epsilon Wave • ECG Section: ST segment • Epsilon #clinical #diagnosis waves are small positive deflections at the end of the QRS complex, seen in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). • R: Repolarization Abnormality • ECG Section: QT interval • This includes long QT syndrome or short QT syndrome, both of which predispose individuals to life-threatening arrhythmias. Purpose: The mnemonic is intended for patients who do not have obvious ischemia or dysrhythmia on their ECG and are well-appearing despite their syncope. It helps in detecting subtle yet potentially life-threatening ECG findings that may explain the syncope. Clinical Utility: • Syncope evaluation: Guides the physician to focus on potentially dangerous yet subtle ECG abnormalities. • Risk stratification: Identifies patients at risk for sudden cardiac death or serious arrhythmias. • Efficiency: Provides a systematic approach to quickly screen ECGs without missing critical findings. This tool is especially helpful in emergency and primary care settings for efficient, thorough ECG interpretation. #cardiology #differential #echocardiogram #syncope #emergency
Cullen's sign. Lipase 1,781. Bruising in the skin around the umbilicus. This sign is named after
Cullen's sign. Lipase 1,781. Bruising in the skin around the umbilicus. This sign is named after Dr. Thomas Stephen Cullen, a Canadian gynecologist who first described it in the early 20th century. It is often associated with acute pancreatitis but can also be seen in other conditions that cause bleeding in the abdomen. Appearance: Cullen's sign is characterized by a blue or purple discoloration around the umbilicus. This discoloration results from the seepage of blood from the pancreas or other abdominal organs into the layers of the abdominal wall. Pathophysiology: The sign indicates intra-abdominal bleeding, which might be due to pancreatic necrosis, ectopic pregnancy, or other causes. In the context of acute pancreatitis, the release of pancreatic enzymes can lead to the digestion of blood vessels and subsequent bleeding. Clinical Significance: While it's a rare sign, its presence is a significant clinical finding. It suggests severe intra-abdominal pathology and often indicates a serious condition requiring urgent medical attention. Diagnosis and Context: It's essential to understand that Cullen's sign is not diagnostic on its own but should prompt further investigation. It's typically a late sign in acute pancreatitis and appears several days after the onset of other symptoms. In summary, Cullen's sign is a visual cue that can point towards serious underlying conditions, and its recognition is important in the diagnostic process. #cullensign #em #pancreatitis #cullen #clinical #image #emergencymedicine #peritonitis #IM #FM #ICU #surgery
Tick attached to skin in axilla for approximately 48 hours. #EM #ID #procedures #pathology #tick #tickremoval
Tick attached to skin in axilla for approximately 48 hours. #EM #ID #procedures #pathology #tick #tickremoval #ticks
Tick removed using fine suture looped in a half-hitch around the tick between the skin and
Tick removed using fine suture looped in a half-hitch around the tick between the skin and tick's body. #EM #ID #procedures #pathology #tick #tickremoval #ticks
Removing a taser barb from a patient’s back.

#TaserBarb #removal #clinical #video #foreignbody #forceps #trauma
Removing a taser barb from a patient’s back. #TaserBarb #removal #clinical #video #foreignbody #forceps #trauma
17-year-old male s/p syncopal episode. #Brugada type 3 seen on 12 lead #EKG. Diagnosis confirmed by
17-year-old male s/p syncopal episode. #Brugada type 3 seen on 12 lead #EKG. Diagnosis confirmed by Pediatric #Cardiology. The patient received an AICD. #cardiology #ekg #electrocardiogram #diagnosis #em #peds #pediatrics
Traumatic lingual hematoma after a seizure. #trauma #airway #em #photo #diagnosis
Traumatic lingual hematoma after a seizure. #trauma #airway #em #photo #diagnosis
Aortic dissection. #radiology #ctchest #diagnosis #radiologyassistant #em
Aortic dissection. #radiology #ctchest #diagnosis #radiologyassistant #em
"Eight I's" mnemonic for the main causes of hyperglycemia. #hhs #dka #ketoacidosis #diabetes #diabetic #em #differential
"Eight I's" mnemonic for the main causes of hyperglycemia. #hhs #dka #ketoacidosis #diabetes #diabetic #em #differential #diagnosis
Pneumothorax. #chestxray #diagnosis #radiology #cxr #pulmonary #em #radiologyassistant #trauma
Pneumothorax. #chestxray #diagnosis #radiology #cxr #pulmonary #em #radiologyassistant #trauma