Thin-Slicing in the ED
All diseases exist on a spectrum. Although the pathophysiology and relative illness of patients on the spectrum are different, we often apply the concepts of management of one of the spectrum to the other end. This can be extremely deleterious to our patients. For example, we cannot treat CHF exacerbations, acute pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock with the same approach (i.e. no role for loop diuretics early in APE). Thin-slicing disease into a spectrum allows us to tailor our management to our patients and maximize good outcomes.
