A 28-year-old male is brought to the emergency department due to acute, severe dyspnea and lightheadedness that began one hour ago. The patient has a history of a "heart murmur" diagnosed in childhood and "asthma." He reports developing a mild upper respiratory tract infection three days ago. Over the past 24 hours, he has been using his albuterol metered-dose inhaler every 1 to 2 hours for perceived wheezing and chest tightness. Despite this, his breathing progressively worsened, culminating in a near-syncopal episode just prior to arrival.
Vital signs include a temperature of 37.2°C (99.0°F), blood pressure of 82/50 mm Hg, heart rate of 138/min, and a respiratory rate of 28/min. Pulse oximetry shows an oxygen saturation of 87% on room air.
Physical examination reveals a diaphoretic, pale patient in severe respiratory distress, utilizing accessory muscles of respiration. The jugular venous pressure is estimated at 9 cm . Palpation of the carotid arteries reveals brisk, bifid upstrokes. Lung auscultation demonstrates diffuse bilateral expiratory wheezes and basilar crackles. Cardiac auscultation reveals a regular tachycardia and a grade 4/6 harsh, crescendo-decrescendo systolic murmur heard best at the left lower sternal border that radiates to the apex but not to the carotids.
An electrocardiogram shows sinus tachycardia, left axis deviation, marked voltage criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy, and deep, narrow Q waves in leads I, aVL, V5, and V6. A portable chest radiograph demonstrates bilateral interstitial infiltrates, prominent pulmonary vasculature, and a normal cardiac silhouette.
Which of the following is the most appropriate initial management for this patient's current condition?
- Intravenous phenylephrine and rapid crystalloid infusionCevap
- BIntravenous furosemide and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation
- CIntravenous methylprednisolone and continuous nebulized albuterol
- DIntravenous dobutamine and norepinephrine
- EIntravenous nitroprusside and endotracheal intubation