This podcast episode focuses on the nuances of diagnosing and treating common respiratory emergencies, particularly in the emergency department. The discussion emphasizes a systematic approach to dyspnea, highlighting often-missed causes like metabolic acidosis, anemia, and pericardial effusion, alongside respiratory and cardiac issues. Medically unexplained dyspnea (MUD) is explored, cautioning against premature diagnosis while underscoring the importance of thorough workups. The conversation tackles the challenge of diagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE), especially in COPD patients, reviewing risk factors, clinical presentation, and the utility of tools like the PERC rule and D-dimer testing, including their limitations in specific populations such as the elderly and pregnant women.
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