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You are working at Clerkship General when the base command phone rings –

“Hey doc just wanted to give you a heads up on this stroke alert we’re bringing you – we have a 70yo M with sudden onset left arm numbness and weakness, last known well 2 hours ago, we’ll be there in about 5 minutes”

Initial Vital Signs:

HR 120

BP 180/90

RR 22

O2 97%

Temp 97.7F

Critical Actions:

1. Check a blood glucose

2. Diagnose Aortic Dissection

3. Give Esmolol first, titrate to HR<60

4. Give Nicardipine/Clevidipine second, titrate for SBP 100-120

5.   Consult cardiothoracic surgery for type A dissection

Further Reading:

EMCrit – Aortic Dissection