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You are working a shift at Clerkship General Hospital when you go see your next patient, a 70 year old male presenting with chest pain.

Initial Vitals

  • Temp 98.7
  • HR 140
  • RR 20
  • BP 125/85
  • O2 99%

Critical Actions

  • Obtain EKG
  • Treat AFib RVR via rate control (and not cardioversion)
  • Diagnose Acute Arterial Occlusion
  • Treat with Heparin
  • Consult Vascular Surgery for further management (possible thrombectomy, bypass, etc)

Further Reading:

EMDocs – Acute Limb Ischemia

EMDocs – Systematic Approach to the Peripheral Vascular Exam