Revised European emergency medicine core curriculum 

Cardiovascular Emergencies 

• Arrhythmias and congenital heart disorders 

• Contractility disorders: cardiomyopathies, CHF, acute pulmonary edema, tamponade, valvular emergencies 

• Inflammatory conditions: endocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis 

• Ischemic heart disease: acute coronary syndromes, stable angina 

• Vascular disorders: aortic dissection/aneurysm rupture, DVT, hypertensive emergencies, PE, pulmonary hypertension 

Pulmonary Emergencies 

• Inflammatory/Infectious: asthma, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, empyema, COPD exacerbation, TB, pulmonary fibrosis, pleural effusion 

• Traumatic: foreign body inhalation, hemothorax, tension pneumothorax 

• Vascular: pulmonary embolism 

• Other: ARDS, spontaneous pneumothorax, acute lung injury 

Neurological Emergencies 

• Inflammatory/Infectious: meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess, Guillain-Barré syndrome 

• Traumatic: TBI, spinal cord syndromes 

• Vascular: stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural/extradural hematoma, TIA 

• Other: seizures, status epilepticus, acute complications of chronic neurological conditions 

Renal and Genitourinary Emergencies 

• Inflammatory/Infectious: UTIs, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, epididymitis, orchitis 

• Metabolic: acute renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, nephrolithiasis, uremia 

• Traumatic: urinary retention, testicular torsion, paraphimosis 

Gastrointestinal Emergencies 

• Inflammatory/Infectious: appendicitis, cholecystitis, cholangitis, diverticulitis, IBD complications, pancreatitis, peritonitis 

• Mechanical: intestinal obstruction, hernia strangulation 

• Vascular: GI bleeding (upper/lower), mesenteric ischemia, ischemic colitis 

• Metabolic: hepatic disorders, hepatic failure 

Endocrine and Metabolic Emergencies 

• Adrenal: Addison crisis, adrenal insufficiency 

• Glucose disorders: DKA, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, hypoglycemia 

• Thyroid: thyroid storm, myxedema coma, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism 

• Fluid/Electrolyte: acid-base disorders, electrolyte imbalances, volume status disorders 

Musculoskeletal Emergencies 

• Inflammatory/Infectious: arthritis, osteomyelitis, necrotizing fasciitis, cellulitis 

• Traumatic: fractures, dislocations, compartment syndromes, crush syndrome 

• Other: complications of osteoporosis, pathological fractures 

Hematology and Oncology Emergencies 

• Bleeding disorders: coagulopathies, DIC, drug-induced bleeding, ITP, TTP 

• Infectious complications: neutropenic fever, immunocompromised infections 

• Metabolic: hypercalcemia, tumor lysis syndrome, SIADH 

• Neurological: spinal cord compression, brain metastases 

• Cardiovascular: malignant pericardial effusion, SVC syndrome 

Infectious Diseases and Sepsis 

• Common infections: viral/bacterial, HIV/AIDS, STDs 

• Tropical diseases, parasitosis, rabies 

• Sepsis and septic shock 

• Outbreak diseases: MERS, TB, measles, influenza 

Psychiatric and Behavioral Disorders 

• Behavior disorders: affective disorders, confusion, psychomotor disturbances 

• Common emergencies: acute psychosis, anxiety/panic, deliberate self-harm, substance abuse 

• Crisis situations: anorexia/bulimia complications, conversion disorders 

Ophthalmologic Emergencies 

• Inflammatory/Infectious: conjunctivitis, iritis, keratitis, orbital cellulitis 

• Traumatic: foreign body, ocular injuries, globe perforation 

• Vascular: retinal artery/vein occlusion, vitreous hemorrhage 

• Other: acute glaucoma, retinal detachment 

ENT Emergencies 

• Inflammatory/Infectious: epiglottitis, peritonsillar abscess, mastoiditis 

• Traumatic: foreign bodies 

• Vascular: bleeding 

• Obstructive: airway obstruction 

Dermatological Emergencies 

• Inflammatory/Infectious disorders 

• Systemic manifestations: immunological, toxic, systemic disorders 

Gynecological and Obstetric Emergencies 

• Inflammatory/Infectious: PID, mastitis, STDs, toxic shock syndrome 

• Obstetric: ectopic pregnancy, preeclampsia/eclampsia, placental emergencies, postpartum hemorrhage 

• Other: ovarian torsion, vaginal bleeding 

Immunological Emergencies 

• Allergic reactions: anaphylaxis, angioedema 

• Vasculitis complications 

Toxicology and Poisoning 

• General principles: toxicology management, drug interactions, toxidromes 

• Specific drug poisoning:  

• Paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose 

• Amphetamines and stimulants 

• Anticholinergics and anticonvulsants 

• Antidepressants and antihypertensives 

• Benzodiazepines and digitalis 

• Industrial/Chemical poisoning: heavy metals, organophosphates 

• Natural toxins: plants, mushrooms, seafood toxins 

• Alcohol-related:  

• Alcohol abuse and alcohol poisoning 

• Alcohol withdrawal syndrome 

• Methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning 

• Drugs of abuse: cocaine, opioids, hallucinogens 

• Carbon monoxide and cyanide poisoning 

• Organization: poison control centers, databases, antidotes 

Environmental and Trauma Emergencies 

• Temperature-related: heat stroke, hypothermia, hyperthermia 

• Water-related: near-drowning, dysbarism, diving complications 

• Burns: thermal, chemical, radiation 

• Trauma by anatomical location: head/neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, spine, extremities 

Special populations: pediatric, elderly, pregnant trauma patients