Nitazenes: a deep(ish) dive on a growing problem
6 min read
In this emergency medicine toxicology blog, Gregory Yates takes us through a few recent papers on nitazenes, a group of (potent) synthetic opioids with high overdose potential.
JC: Illicit Drug Induced Hyperthermia: A Time-Critical Toxicological Emergency
11 min read
Illicit drug-induced hyperthermia presents difficult decisions under time pressure. This review discusses recognition, heat production, cooling and supportive care, drawing on clinical cases and examining the practical pitfalls of managing these uncommon emergencies.
JC: Salbutamol for Analgesia in Renal Colic – Worth a Puff or a Painful Disappointment?
9 min read
Can salbutamol relieve pain in renal colic? We review a phase II randomised controlled trial exploring intravenous salbutamol as an adjunct analgesic in the emergency department.
When things get exciting: Thoughts on the recent EMCRIT episode on serotonin syndromes.
7 min read
Gregory Yates responds to an EMCRIT discussion of serotonin syndrome and related hyperthermic drug reactions. He examines why both drug histories and neurological signs can be difficult to interpret, and why diagnostic uncertainty matters when these syndromes overlap.
Top 10 trauma/resus papers for IFEM 2025
21 min read
A collection of trauma and resuscitation papers discussed at ICEM 2025 in Montreal, with summaries and critical appraisal. Topics include transfusion, oxygen strategies, paediatric cervical spine assessment, regional analgesia and emergency airway management.
Emergency Centre Thoracotomy in South Africa.
11 min read
A retrospective study describes emergency thoracotomy for penetrating trauma in two Cape Town district hospitals. We examine the reported outcomes, the constraints of these settings and why patient selection, timing and incomplete records matter when interpreting the results.
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