emDocs - September 13, 2021 - By Martin Yang
Reviewed by: Courtney Cassella; Alex Koyfman; Brit Long
Take Home Points:
- 5 Ps = PAIN, pallor, paresthesia, paralysis, pulselessness
- Increasing pain despite analgesia should increase suspicion for ACS.
- Passive stretch of compartment thought to be most sensitive exam finding.
- Compartment pressures: <10 mmHg normal, >30 mmHg concerning for ACS
- Consider use of delta pressure for monitoring in equivocal exams.
- Special consideration with hypotensive patients, lower pressures required to overcome arterial pressures.
- Treat associated rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalemia, and acute kidney injury.