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Summary of the Day

Single Ventricle Physiology

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Question of the Day

A 45-year-old man with history of hypertension, tobacco abuse, and peripheral vascular disease presents for evaluation of phantom limb pain following right above-the-knee amputation 4 weeks ago. Which of the following medications is LEAST likely to effectively treat this patient’s pain?

Question of the Day
A 45-year-old man with history of hypertension, tobacco abuse, and peripheral vascular disease presents for evaluation of phantom limb pain following right above-the-knee amputation 4 weeks ago. Which of the following medications is LEAST likely to effectively treat this patient’s pain?
Your Answer
Correct Answer

Explanation

Phantom limb pain is a phenomenon in which pain continues to be experienced in a limb that is no longer present. No clear first-line treatment regimen has been identified for this patient population. Many pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments have been used to treat patients with phantom limb pain. Pharmacologic treatments that are frequently used include opioids, antidepressants (tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline), anticonvulsants, gabapentin and pregabalin. Nonpharmacologic treatments include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy, deep brain stimulation, spinal cord stimulation, acupuncture, sympathetic blockade, and mirror therapies.

References:

Phantom Limb Pain Weeks SR, Anderson-Barnes VC, Tsao JW. Phantom limb pain: theories and therapies. Neurologist. 2010;16(5):277-286. doi:10.1097/NRL.0b013e3181edf128

Weeks SR, Anderson-Barnes VC, Tsao JW. Phantom limb pain: theories and therapies. Neurologist. 2010;16(5):277-286. doi:10.1097/NRL.0b013e3181edf128

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