Critical Care Casebook, Episode 3: Pulmonary embolism
This episode features a special guest you know and love: Dr. Boris Khodorkovsky, who breaks down a real-time ED case of pulmonary embolism.
The discussion covers early diagnosis, POCUS for RV failure, anticoagulation, thrombolytics, pressor choice, and what to do when there is no ICU, ECMO, or consultant down the hall. Dr. Khodorkovsky brings a critical perspective from a resource-limited, transfer-dependent ED.
High-yield pearls covered
Shortness of breath with clear lungs
When to skip the D-dimer
Lytics in the crashing PE
Pressors that help, and hurt, the RV
When resuscitation takes priority over transport
If this patient rolled in on your shift, would you be ready?
