This case highlights a diagnostic dilemma in the ED regarding the diagnosis and initial management of a patient presenting with non-specific symptoms who rapidly deteriorated into cardiac arrest.
A previously healthy 48-year-old woman presented to a peripheral ED with non-specific signs and symptoms, including vomiting, abdominal cramping, shortness of breath, tachycardia and hypertension. Despite supportive measures the patient rapidly deteriorated, resulting in a cardiac arrest during an interhospital transfer. This required aggressive resuscitation, but without success. The case represents a diagnostic dilemma in the ED regarding the diagnosis and initial management of the patient's presentation.
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Clarke et al. (2007) studied this question.
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