Heart Burn Case Studies

A 68 year old male presented to the emergency department at 0800 hours via ambulance after experiencing chest discomfort and intermittent palpitations since 0500 hours. Prior to presentation, the patient stated he

Mr. XXXX is a 44 years old Caucasian male, a general construction worker who works on a nearby highway for the bridge project, and checked in this urgent care center for complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath (SOB). The chest pain is constant dull and pressure like pain, and started 3 hours ago. The pain is located on the center of chest. He rates the pain 4 out of 10 on a pain scale 0 to 10 while resting. The pain gets worse and increases after eating. He experienced increased chest pain and SOB with simple walking from the parking lot to this office. The pain was not resolved with taking PO 365mg of Aspirin 2 hours ago and resting. He was diagnosed with hyperlipedemia 10 years ago. He is taking medication to manage his high cholesterol level. He denies past history of chest pain, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. He denies any history of heart surgery or cardio artery bypass surgery. He is anxious and fearful for his first chest and SOB. He smokes a half pack a day for past 20 years. He drinks one bottle of bear every evening with meals. He denies taking any herbal medication or illicit drugs. He has been a good appetite. He reported 20 lbs weight gain since his retirement from military. He has an irregular meal time and does not exercise as much as he used to do in the military.

Physical Examination: General: The patient is an alert, oriented male appearing his stated age. He appears to be in moderate distress. Vital signs: blood pressure 132/78 and pulse 68 and regular. Temperature is 38.56 oC (101.4 oF). HEENT:Normocephalic, atraumatic. Pupils were equal, round, and reactive to light. Ears are clear. Throat is normal. Neck: The neck is supple with no carotid bruits. Lungs: The lungs are clear to auscultation and percussion. Heart: Regular rate and rhythm. Abdomen:Bowel sounds are normal. There is rebound tenderness with maximal discomfort on palpation in the right lower quadrant. Extremities: No clubbing, cyanosis, or edema.

The Blocker Burn Unit is a six bed Burn Intensive Care Unit located at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. It has a long and storied history of providing innovative burn care to its patients. The Burn unit was initially founded after a massive explosion in Texas City Harbor that injured hundreds of people in 1944. Since inception, the unit has dealt with disaster both fabricated and natural. In 2008, the BBU was one of only a handful of services to remain open and operational after Hurricane Ike landed and dealt massive injury to UTMB. The BBU not only sustained operations but also briefly expanded to provide pediatric burn care when Shriners Burns Hospital was subsequently unable to reopen post hurricane. This paper will detail the realities confronted by the BBU both currently, and in the future, with an exploration as to those implications on fiscal outlook and provision of care.

Anna Stork is a 72-year-old white female who was diagnosed with congestive heart failure 2 years ago. She has periodic exacerbations of CHF requiring numerous hospital admissions in the last six months. She has been followed by the Medical Center of Trinity Hospital cardiologist, Dr. D. Patel since the diagnosis. Anna’s past medical history is significant for anterior MI approx. 5 years ago, stent implanted, atrial fibrillation, arthritis, IAD and pacemaker implanted, and CHF. Her surgical history includes; stent, IAD, and pacemaker implanted. She denies any allergy history.

Mr. Howard, a 57-year-old man, had a 3-month history of progressive typical anginal chest pain. He reported that the symptoms first occurred with heavy exertion and involved what he described as“heaviness” in his chest. The symptoms were promptly relieved with rest. Over the past weeks, he had been experiencing increasingly frequent episodes of chest pain and diaphoresis. The episodes had become more prolonged, and he had experienced one episode of pain occurring at rest after a heavy meal. Mr. Howard was moderately obese and had a 20-year history of hypertension, which was being treated. Other risk factors in Mr. Howard’s history include hypercholesterolemia (350 mg/dL), which he was attempting to treat with dietary modifications, and a 30-year two-pack-a-day smoking history which continued up to the present time. Mr. Howard previously had surgery for a bilateral inguinal hernia repair, cholecystectomy, and arthroscopic surgery on his left knew. He also gave a history of problems with gastric reflux and was currently taking cimetidine (Tagamet).

Cardiac: Mrs. Elliot states she has experienced chest pain 5-6 times starting three weeks ago when she is Short of breath. The pain she said is on the left side of chest and describes is as sore and uncomfortable. Additionally, the patient has experienced palpitations the past few weeks and is positive for peripheral edema. Denies redness, cyanosis, jaundice, flushing.

Mr. P, a 27-year-old African American man, was brought to the emergency department (ED) by his wife. The patient reported polyuria for the past three days, few episodes of vomiting prior to arrival and polydipsia. On assessment, the patient appears flushed, and his lips and mucous membranes are dry and cracked. His skin turgor is very poor. He has deep, rapid respirations and there is an acetone smell to his breath. He is alert and oriented X 2 and is having trouble focusing on the questions.

Ashante has no known medical condition but she has complained that her chest is hurting on a frequent basis. She was recently seen at Florida Hospital and was prescribed ibuprofen for her chest pain, they indicated it is a muscle inflammation. Ashante has no mental health

Jim presented to Camberra Hospital almost one months ago with symptoms of right-sided anterolateral chest pain lasting a couple of days, a dry cough and breathlessness.

After reviewing the case of Cameron Todd Willingham and the suspected murder of his three children, Mr. Willingham was beyond a doubt innocent. There are multiple articles and facts that point to the wrongful conviction and execution of Mr. Willingham on Feb. 17, 2004.

----- Clinic presents a black male 68 years old. Currently experiencing dyspnea and lethargy. For the past week he has been having a increase of difficulty breathing. Complains of alternating periods of sweating and chills. Other symptoms he has been experiencing is a productive cough with expectoration of thick yellow sputum. Patient is a ex- smoker, he was a 40 pack year history, denies smoking, stopped over 10 years ago. Medical history includes chronic bronchitis, hypertension, MI five years ago, has had a angioplasty, and denies chest pain since having angioplasty. Current medication combined albuterol/ipratropium MDI, nebulized albuterol prn, captopril, and hydrochlorothiazide.

A: Janie is a 60 year old Female with PMH of A-Fib, COPD, Hypothyroidism, HTN, Lung Cancer and recently diagnosed Pulmonary Embolism. Janie presents to ER for evaluation on SOB, cough with greenish sputum, sore thoart, hoarseness and generalized weakness. Janie lives at home with her husband, use to smoke ½ pack per week, but quit many years ago, denies alcohol or drugs. Family history is non-contributory. Allergies: NKDA. Differential diagnosis includes worsening Lung Ca, PE, COPD and CHF. Janie uses home O2 at 4 L/NC. V/S: T=98.7, HR=89, R=16, B/P=132/56, O2 sats=100% on 4L/NC, Pain=6/10. Labs: WBC=7.6, H&H=8.5/27, Na=141, Troponin=0.08/0.06, BNP=495, INR=4.2, UA=3+ protein, 1+ blood and 6-10 RBC. CXR: Impression:1). COPD with nonspecific coarsening of the basilar interstitium. 2). Mild cardiomegaly with borderline cardiac compensation. 3). Right

Patient is a 45 yo male; 5’7”, 221 lbs who entered the emergency room at 6:30 am on 9/7/14 with severe chest pain (onset at 6:00 am) radiating to his arm, L arm numbness and nausea and vomiting. Past medical history reported by wife includes peptic ulcer, tobacco use (1-2ppd for 27 years), elevated blood pressure (controlled by lopressor). Wife did not know of any family history but reports patient’s father is deceased, died at 42 in his sleep. Mother alive and with high blood pressure.

History of Present Illness: Mr. A. O. a 66 year-old-African American male came in the clinic for a monthly routine follow up visit complaining of severe cluster frontal headaches that radiates to his left eye, pain level eight out of ten, on and off for three days lasting for 30 to 45 minutes. He stated that he takes Tylenol 1000mg orally every eight hours with mild relieve, and will like his blood pressure medications increased. Also, he complained of edema to the upper and lower extremities, and right hand pain when he tries to make a fist. However, he denied shortness of breath,