March 2026; papers of the month

Emergency medicine practice evolves through critical analysis of recent literature regarding cardiac arrest and airway management. Distinguishing pseudo-pulseless electrical activity (pseudo-PEA) from true PEA using point-of-care ultrasound identifies a more salvageable patient cohort, shifting the focus from standard arrest algorithms to treating a severe shock state. Hemodynamic monitoring, specifically diastolic blood pressure and coronary perfusion pressure, shows a consistent association with improved return of spontaneous circulation, though specific clinical targets remain exploratory pending further high-quality trials. Meanwhile, mastering hyperangulated video laryngoscopy requires addressing specific performance errors, such as inadequate suctioning and midline positioning failures. Categorizing these micro-skills allows for targeted educational interventions, ultimately reducing intubation duration and enhancing technical proficiency in high-stakes airway management.