FOAMcast - An Emergency Medicine Podcast

This Emergency Medicine Podcast is a mixture of core content Emergency Medicine (EM) and critical appraisal of recent, cutting edge EM-relevant literature. Thanks for listening, Jeremy Faust and Lauren Westafer

ACEP Thoracic Aortic Dissection Clinical Policy Update 08/01/2025

ACEP Thoracic Aortic Dissection Clinical Policy Update In this episode, we review a from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) on the use of risk stratification tools and D-dimer to exclude non-traumatic thoracic aortic dissection. Shownotes: /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/37640970

RhD Immunoglobulin (RhoGAM) After First Trimester Abortion 03/21/2025

RhD Immunoglobulin (RhoGAM) After First Trimester Abortion Historically, RhD immunoglobulin was recommended in Rh-negative patients presenting after spontaneous or induced abortion. However, guideline recommendations around the world have largely changed, and now recommend forgoing prophylaxis in most of these cases. We review the evidence and guidelines. Show notes and references: Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/35813975

Inhaled Corticosteroids for Asthma 03/19/2025

Inhaled Corticosteroids for Asthma This episode discusses asthma guidelines and a systemic review and network meta-analysis on the use of inhaled corticosteroids for asthma. Show notes and references: Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/35779335

Acute Ischemic Priapism 08/05/2024

Acute Ischemic Priapism In this episode, we discuss treatment of acute ischemic priapism, including some updates from the . Show notes and references: /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/32441007

Topical Anesthetics in Corneal Abrasions - A Consensus Guideline from ACEP 02/16/2024

Topical Anesthetics in Corneal Abrasions - A Consensus Guideline from ACEP In this episode, we review on the use of topical anesthetics in corneal abrasions. Show notes and references: Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust and Lauren WEstafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/29987268

Atrial Fibrillation Guideline Update from the AHA 12/13/2023

Atrial Fibrillation Guideline Update from the AHA This episode covers emergency medicine-related recommendations from the American Heart Association's (AHA) clinical guideline on atrial fibrillation: Show notes and references: Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/29059743

Tranfusion Thresholds in Myocardial Infarction 12/05/2023

Tranfusion Thresholds in Myocardial Infarction The AABB recently published for blood transfusion thresholds. This podcast reviews these recommendations and a recent study, the , in which patients with anemia and a myocardial infarction were randomized to a restrictive strategy or liberal transfusion strategy. Show notes / references: Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/28955038

ACEP Clinical Policy: Sedation of the Agitated Patient 12/01/2023

ACEP Clinical Policy: Sedation of the Agitated Patient This epsiode reviews the new from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) on medication for acutely agitated patients needing parenteral sedation. Show notes / references: Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/28887823

REBOA: Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta 10/17/2023

REBOA: Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta In this episode, we review Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA), notably dissecting the recent trial in JAMA. Shownotes / References: Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust & Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/28346114

Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder 09/06/2023

Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is commonly encountered in the ED and visits related to alcohol are estimated to be ~4% of all ED visits in the US. Despite this, most EDs offer little support and harm reduction for patients with AUD. In this podcast, we review naltrexone, the first-line medication for patients with AUD, which is starting to be initiated in US EDs by emergency clinicians. References and show notes: Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/27956277

Steroids for Severe Community Acquired Pneumonia 03/27/2023

Steroids for Severe Community Acquired Pneumonia Recommendations for the use of steroids in community-acquired pneumonia have been mixed. This episode reviews a large multicenter randomized trial in the New England Journal of Medicine by on hydrocortisone for severe community-acquired pneumonia. References/show notes: Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/26354043

CLOVERS Trial: Restricted vs Liberal Fluids in Sepsis-Induced Hypotension 02/15/2023

CLOVERS Trial: Restricted vs Liberal Fluids in Sepsis-Induced Hypotension In this episode we review the , a randomized trial of early (first 24 hours) restrictive versus liberal fluids. Show notes/references: FOAMcast.org Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust + Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/25938432

Management of Acute, Uncomplicated Diverticulitis 02/03/2023

Management of Acute, Uncomplicated Diverticulitis This episode reviews guideline recommendations and literature on the management of acute, uncomplicated diverticulitis - highlighting the recommendations to only prescribe antibiotics to select patients. References/Show Notes: Thanks for listening! Lauren WEstafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/25824408

The "Diamond of Death" in Trauma - Hypocalcemia 01/25/2023

The "Diamond of Death" in Trauma - Hypocalcemia This episode reviews a shift from the "lethal triad" in trauma to the "diamond of death," exploring the role of calcium in hemostasis and critically ill patients. We review the literature that is available on hypocalcemia and trauma patients References/show notes: Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/25723683

A Cardiac Arrest Story: Patient Interview 01/24/2023

A Cardiac Arrest Story: Patient Interview This episode is a departure from the typical FOAMcast clinical content, we will be back with strictly clinical content soon. In May 2022, I came across a fellow passenger and stranger in cardiac arrest in the airport. A small team of strangers, including an emergency medicine resident, Dr. Jason Tanner, and an emergency department technician, Angel, assembled to treat this passenger. Billy Frolick, a writer and our patient that day, shares his perspective on his case with us. In addition, we highlight important clinical pearls, notably the importance of continuous chest compressions and early defibrillation. For more on not doing pulse checks, see this podcast: . /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/25715598

ACEP Heart Failure Clinical Policy & High Dose Nitrates 01/20/2023

ACEP Heart Failure Clinical Policy & High Dose Nitrates This episode covers the 2022 American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) clinical policy on acute heart failure syndromes with a special focus on high dose nitrates References and Show Notes: Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/25670052

Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation & Double Sequential Defibrillation 12/03/2022

Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation & Double Sequential Defibrillation In this episode, we review the largest trial of double sequential external defibrillation (DSED) and vector change (VC) defibrillation for refractory ventricular fibrillation (VFib): Cheskes S, Verbeek PR, Drennan IR, et al. . N Engl J Med. 2022;387(21):1947-1956. Show notes, references, & infographics: Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust & Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/25203153

STEMI Equivalent Update - 2022 ACC Consensus Statement 10/18/2022

STEMI Equivalent Update - 2022 ACC Consensus Statement The American College of Cardiology released endorsing several signs on the electrocardiogram (ECG) as "STEMI Equivalents." In this podcast, we review these signs. Show notes / graphics / references: Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/24725433

Pulse Checks During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation 09/03/2022

Pulse Checks During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Since 2010, the American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) have de-emphasized pulse checks - such that they recommend against routine pulse checks. Despite this recommendation, may individuals and institutions continue to perform pulse checks. This episode reviews the recommendations and the literature. References/show notes: Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/24263790

Monkeypox Quick Summary 07/29/2022

Monkeypox Quick Summary There is a global outbreak of human monkeypox virus cases. In this episode we provide a quick summary of monkeypox to date. Check out our two more in-depth episodes on the topic. References/Show notes: Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust & Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/23901522

Monkeypox - Clinical Manifestations, Treatments, & Vaccination 07/29/2022

Monkeypox - Clinical Manifestations, Treatments, & Vaccination There is a global outbreak of human monkeypox virus cases. In this episode (the second of a 2 part series), we summarize clinical manifestations, complications, and vaccination. References/Show notes: Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust & Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/23901369

Monkeypox - Virology, Epidemiology, and Transmission 07/29/2022

Monkeypox - Virology, Epidemiology, and Transmission There is a global outbreak of human monkeypox virus cases. In this episode (the first of a 2 part series), we summarize some brief virology, epidemiology, and review the transmission of this virus. References/Show notes: Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust & Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/23901036

Management of Hemmorhoids 07/23/2022

Management of Hemmorhoids We review the on complicated hemorrhoids that include some practice-changers References: Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/23834267

The End of Diphenhydramine 06/08/2022

The End of Diphenhydramine Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and other first-generation antihistamines are commonly used, despite decades of data that there are safer and effective alternatives. In this podcast, we review the guidelines / data behind common indications. References at Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/23367725

Urticaria 03/11/2022

Urticaria In this episode we review acute urticaria and related to the treatment of urticaria. We review additional relevant trials and . References/Show notes: Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust and Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/22420217

Intramuscular Agents for Severe Agitation 01/23/2022

Intramuscular Agents for Severe Agitation In this podcast we discuss onset of action of various intramuscular agents for chemical sedation for severely agitated patients. This includes a study by on ketamine, the onset of action of midazolam (and association with length of stay), and is droperidol really magic? () Shownotes/References: Thanks for listening! Jeremy Faust and Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/21863702

Primary Care Management of Pulmonary Embolism 01/15/2022

Primary Care Management of Pulmonary Embolism Outpatient management of pulmonary embolism for low-risk patients has been encouraged for several years. However, little is known about pulmonary embolism diagnosed and managed exclusively in the outpatient setting. In this study, describe the course of patients diagnosed with PE and managed in the outpatient setting in an integrated healthcare delivery system. Shownotes/References: Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/21785336

Lit Update: Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis Update 01/15/2022

Lit Update: Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis Update The diagnostic algorithm for pulmonary embolism (PE) has evolved over the past few years to include probability or risk-adjusted D-dimer. The YEARS algorithm includes an elevated D-dimer threshold for some risk groups and has been found to be safe and reduce imaging in several studies, including in pregnant patients. Now, this multicenter trial by evaluates use of YEARS and age-adjusted D-dimer compared with an age-adjusted approach alone. Shownotes/References: Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/21783965

Lit Update: Bougie vs Stylet for Endotracheal Intubation 01/15/2022

Lit Update: Bougie vs Stylet for Endotracheal Intubation A seminal single-center study in 2018 by Driver et al found a 98% first-pass success in patients undergoing endotracheal intubation in the Emergency Department. This multi-center randomized control trial examines bougie vs stylet in a wider array of settings Show notes/references: Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/21783896

Subsegmental Pulmonary Embolism 12/09/2021

Subsegmental Pulmonary Embolism Subsegmental pulmonary embolism (SSPE) is a controversial entity as they have uncertain clinical significance. As a result, the and state that a very select group of patients with isolated SSPE and no deep vein thrombosis may be managed with surveillance rather than anticoagulation. In this podcast we review SSPE and a new prospective study by . Show notes and references: Thanks for listening! Lauren Westafer /episode/index/show/foamcast/id/21434837

FOAMcast - An Emergency Medicine Podcast

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