Emergency Medicine Journal: Hot!

Meanwhile, the nurse recorded a blood pressure of 205/110. James recalled the 2024 EMJ guidelines: BP >185/110 is a relative contraindication to IV alteplase unless rapidly controlled. He ordered IV labetalol 10 mg push. As the labetalol took effect (BP 168/94), Mr. Patel suddenly became agitated. His left arm began jerking rhythmically. The monitor showed tachycardia to 120. Junior doctor Sarah shouted, “Seizure?” James shook his head – the movements were focal, but the patient’s eyes were deviated to the left, and he was unresponsive.

James calculated: Door-to-needle time would be 82 minutes if they gave alteplase now. But giving thrombolysis before transfer to thrombectomy carries bleeding risk if the clot doesn’t move. emergency medicine journal

Emergency Medicine Journal – Narrative Case Series Presentation It was a Tuesday afternoon in a busy UK district general hospital. The department was in its usual post-lunch chaos when triage flagged a 58-year-old man, Mr. Patel, as “priority 2 – possible stroke.” The paramedic handover was clipped: “Found by his wife at home, last known well 45 minutes ago. Sudden right-sided weakness, slurred speech, and facial droop. GCS 14. BP 185/100, HR 88, SpO₂ 97% on air. Blood glucose 6.2 mmol/L.” Meanwhile, the nurse recorded a blood pressure of 205/110

“Status epilepticus? Or stroke progression?” James murmured. He gave 2 mg IV lorazepam. The jerking stopped, but the aphasia and hemiparesis remained unchanged. As the labetalol took effect (BP 168/94), Mr

The clock started. Dr. James Cooper, the emergency medicine registrar, met the patient in Resus 4. Mr. Patel was awake but unable to raise his right arm or leg. His speech was dense, global aphasia – not just slurred, but absent. He followed left-sided commands with his eyes. The face showed a pronounced right lower facial droop.

Just then, the trauma patient was moved. The CT slot opened. CT head was performed at 67 minutes from onset: No haemorrhage. No early ischaemic changes on ASPECTS. CT angiography showed a proximal left middle cerebral artery (M1) occlusion with good collaterals.

The decision was shared with Mr. Patel’s wife, who tearfully agreed to both – “Do everything.”