Laleh Gharahbaghian

Journal Articles

• FOCUSED CARDIAC ULTRASOUND TRAINING: HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH? JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE Chisholm, C. B., Dodge, W. R., Balise, R. R., Williams, S. R., Gharahbaghian, L., Beraud, A. 2013; 44 (4): 818-822

  Abstract

  Focused transthoracic echocardiography (F-TTE) is an important tool to assess hemodynamically unstable patients in the Emergency Department. Although its scope has been defined by the American College of Emergency Physicians, more research is needed to define an optimal F-TTE training program, including assessment of proficiency.The goal of this study was to determine the effectiveness of current standards in post-residency training to reach proficiency in F-TTE.Fourteen staff Emergency Physicians were enrolled in a standardized teaching curriculum specifically designed to meet the 2008 American College of Emergency Physicians' guidelines for general ultrasound training applied to echocardiography. This training program consisted of 6 h of didactics and 6 h of scanning training, followed by independent scanning over a 5-month period. Acquisition of echocardiographic knowledge was assessed by an online pre- and post-test. At the conclusion of the study, a hands-on skills test assessed the trainees' ability to perform and interpret F-TTE.Ninety percent of trainees passed the written post-test. Two views, the parasternal long and short axis, were easily obtainable, regardless of the level of training or the number of ultrasounds completed. Other views were more difficult to master, but strong trends toward increased competency were evident after 10 h of mixed didactic and scanning training and > 45 ultrasounds.A short, 12-h didactic training in F-TTE provided proficiency in image interpretation and in obtaining adequate images from the parasternal window. More extensive training is needed to master the apical and subcostal windows in a timely manner.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jemermed.2012.07.092

  View details for Web of Science ID 000317282000024

  View details for PubMedID 23351569

• USE OF CADAVER MODELS IN POINT-OF-CARE EMERGENCY ULTRASOUND EDUCATION FOR DIAGNOSTIC APPLICATIONS JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE Zaia, B. E., Briese, B., Williams, S. R., Gharahbaghian, L. 2012; 43 (4): 683-691

  Abstract

  As the use of bedside emergency ultrasound (US) increases, so does the need for effective US education.To determine 1) what pathology can be reliably simulated and identified by US in human cadavers, and 2) feasibility of using cadavers to improve the comfort of emergency medicine (EM) residents with specific US applications.This descriptive, cross-sectional survey study assessed utility of cadaver simulation to train EM residents in diagnostic US. First, the following pathologies were simulated in a cadaver: orbital foreign body (FB), retrobulbar (RB) hematoma, bone fracture, joint effusion, and pleural effusion. Second, we assessed residents' change in comfort level with US after using this cadaver model. Residents were surveyed regarding their comfort level with various US applications. After brief didactic sessions on the study's US applications, participants attempted to identify the simulated pathology using US. A post-lab survey assessed for change in comfort level after the training.Orbital FB, RB hematoma, bone fracture, joint effusion, and pleural effusion were readily modeled in a cadaver in ways typical of a live patient. Twenty-two residents completed the pre- and post-lab surveys. After training with cadavers, residents' comfort improved significantly for orbital FB and RB hematoma (mean increase 1.6, p<0.001), bone fracture (mean increase 2.12, p<0.001), and joint effusion (1.6, p<0.001); 100% of residents reported that they found US education using cadavers helpful.Cadavers can simulate orbital FB, RB hematoma, bone fracture, joint effusion, and pleural effusion, and in our center improved the comfort of residents in identifying all but pleural effusion.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jemermed.2012.01.057

  View details for Web of Science ID 000309576700044

  View details for PubMedID 22504086

• Anorexia Nervosa A Case Report of a Teenager Presenting With Bradycardia, General Fatigue, and Weakness PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY CARE Grover, C. A., Robin, J. K., Gharahbaghian, L. 2012; 28 (2): 174-177

  Abstract

  Anorexia nervosa is a disease with high prevalence in adolescents and carries the highest mortality of any psychiatric disorder.We present a case of a 17-year-old female presenting to the emergency department with bradycardia that was subsequently diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. We also review the clinical features, diagnosis, complications, and emergency department management of this disease.Patients with anorexia may present with multiple medical complaints, and it is imperative that the emergency physician be familiar with the syndrome so as to correctly identify and treat patients with this disease.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000300339500018

  View details for PubMedID 22307188

• Unilateral facial swelling with fever. Parotitis. Annals of emergency medicine Grover, C. A., Gharahbaghian, L. 2011; 58 (6): e5-6

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2011.06.017

  View details for PubMedID 22099003

• Test Characteristics of Focused Assessment of Sonography for Trauma for Clinically Significant Abdominal Free Fluid in Pediatric Blunt Abdominal Trauma ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE Fox, J. C., Boysen, M., Gharahbaghian, L., Cusick, S., Ahmed, S. S., Anderson, C. L., Lekawa, M., Langdorf, M. I. 2011; 18 (5): 476-481

  View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2011.01071.x

  View details for Web of Science ID 000290579700004

• Test characteristics of focused assessment of sonography for trauma for clinically significant abdominal free fluid in pediatric blunt abdominal trauma. Academic emergency medicine Fox, J. C., Boysen, M., Gharahbaghian, L., Cusick, S., Ahmed, S. S., Anderson, C. L., Lekawa, M., Langdorf, M. I. 2011; 18 (5): 477-482

  Abstract

  Focused assessment of sonography in trauma (FAST) has been shown useful to detect clinically significant hemoperitoneum in adults, but not in children. The objectives were to determine test characteristics for clinically important intraperitoneal free fluid (FF) in pediatric blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) using computed tomography (CT) or surgery as criterion reference and, second, to determine the test characteristics of FAST to detect any amount of intraperitoneal FF as detected by CT.This was a prospective observational study of consecutive children (0-17 years) who required trauma team activation for BAT and received either CT or laparotomy between 2004 and 2007. Experienced physicians performed and interpreted FAST. Clinically important FF was defined as moderate or greater amount of intraperitoneal FF per the radiologist CT report or surgery.The study enrolled 431 patients, excluded 74, and analyzed data on 357. For the first objective, 23 patients had significant hemoperitoneum (22 on CT and one at surgery). Twelve of the 23 had true-positive FAST (sensitivity = 52%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 31% to 73%). FAST was true negative in 321 of 334 (specificity = 96%; 95% CI = 93% to 98%). Twelve of 25 patients with positive FAST had significant FF on CT (positive predictive value [PPV] = 48%; 95% CI = 28% to 69%). Of 332 patients with negative FAST, 321 had no significant fluid on CT (negative predictive value [NPV] = 97%; 95% CI = 94% to 98%). Positive likelihood ratio (LR) for FF was 13.4 (95% CI = 6.9 to 26.0) while the negative LR was 0.50 (95% CI = 0.32 to 0.76). Accuracy was 93% (333 of 357, 95% CI = 90% to 96%). For the second objective, test characteristics were as follows: sensitivity = 20% (95% CI = 13% to 30%), specificity = 98% (95% CI = 95% to 99%), PPV = 76% (95% CI = 54% to 90%), NPV = 78% (95% CI = 73% to 82%), positive LR = 9.0 (95% CI = 3.7 to 21.8), negative LR = 0.81 (95% CI = 0.7 to 0.9), and accuracy = 78% (277 of 357, 95% CI = 73% to 82%).In this population of children with BAT, FAST has a low sensitivity for clinically important FF but has high specificity. A positive FAST suggests hemoperitoneum and abdominal injury, while a negative FAST aids little in decision-making.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2011.01071.x

  View details for PubMedID 21569167

• THE EFFECT OF EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OBSERVATIONAL EXPERIENCE ON MEDICAL STUDENT INTEREST IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE Gharahbaghian, L., Hindiyeh, R., Langdorf, M. I., Vaca, F., Anderson, C. L., Kahn, J. A., Wiechmann, W., Lotfipour, S. 2011; 40 (4): 458-461

  Abstract

  In many different health care educational models, shadowing, or observational experience, is accepted as integral to introducing students to the specifics of medical specialties.We investigated whether emergency department (ED) observational experiences (EDOs) affect medical students' (MSs') interest in emergency medicine (EM). Additionally, we examined how the subjective quality of clinical exposures influences this interest and the decision to recommend EDOs to other students.This is a survey of MSs at a Level 1 tertiary care university hospital during a 2-year period. The study focused on assessing perception of ED exposure, post-EDO change in EM interest, and decision to recommend EDOs to others.The majority of MSs had a change in EM interest post-EDO and recommended EDOs. Both variables correlated to ED exposure ratings.The EDO significantly influenced MS interest in EM by providing exposure to various aspects of the ED.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jemermed.2010.02.020

  View details for Web of Science ID 000289828600024

  View details for PubMedID 20381989

• Patellar tendonitis. The western journal of emergency medicine Zaia, B., Gharahbaghian, L. 2011; 12 (1): 139-140

  View details for PubMedID 21691492

• Methemoglobinemia and sulfhemoglobinemia in two pediatric patients after ingestion of hydroxylamine sulfate. The western journal of emergency medicine Gharahbaghian, L., Massoudian, B., DiMassa, G. 2009; 10 (3): 197-201

  Abstract

  This case report describes two pediatric cases of immediate oxygen desaturation from methemoglobinemia and sulfhemoglobinemia after one sip from a plastic water bottle containing hydroxylamine sulfate used by a relative to clean shoes. Supplemental oxygen and two separate doses of methylene blue given to one of the patients had no effect on clinical symptoms or pulse oximetry. The patients were admitted to the pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with subsequent improvement after exchange transfusion. Endoscopy showed ulcer formation in one case and sucralafate was initiated; both patients were discharged after a one-week hospital stay.

  View details for PubMedID 19718385

• Clitoral priapism with no known risk factors. The western journal of emergency medicine Gharahbaghian, L. 2008; 9 (4): 235-237

  Abstract

  Clitoral priapism is a rare condition that is associated with an extended duration of clitoral erection due to local engorgement of clitoral tissue resulting in pain. Although the pathophysiology is not completely understood, it has been associated with specific classes of medications, diseases that alter clitoral blood flow or others associated with small to large vessel disease. We present a case report of a 26-year-old patient who developed clitoral priapism without a clear medication or disease related etiology. The patient was treated with opiates, imipramine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, and local ice packs. She recovered uneventfully.

  View details for PubMedID 19561754

• Welcome to the Resident/Student/Fellow Section of WestJEM! The western journal of emergency medicine Gharahbaghian, L. 2008; 9 (1): 46-?

  View details for PubMedID 19561703

• Welcome to the Resident/Fellow/Student Section. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine Gharahbaghian, L. 2008; 9 (4)
• . Central Diabetes Insipidus Misdiagnosed as Acute Gastroenteritis in a Pediatric Patient: a Case Report. Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine Gharahbaghian, L., McCoy, C., Lotfipour, S., Langdorf, M. 2008; April
• New Onset Thyrotoxicosis Presenting as Vomiting, Abdominal Pain and Transaminitis in the Emergency Department: a Case Report. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine Gharahbaghian, L., Brosnan, D., Fox JC., Stratton, S., Langdorf, M. 2007; 8 (3)
• Sarin and Other Nerve Agents of the Organophosphate Class: Properties, Medical Effects and Management. International Journal of Disaster Medicine Gharahbaghian, L., Bey, T. 2003; 2: 103-108
• Survival After Ethylene Glycol Poisoning in a Patient With an Arterial pH of 6.58 Veterinary and Human Toxicology Bey, T., Walter, F., Gilby, R., James, S.T., Gharahbaghian, L. 2002