Month January 2019
CCC Critical Care compendium 340

Methaemoglobinaemia

Reviewed and revised 14 September 2014 OVERVIEW Methaemoglobinaemia is the state of excessive methaemoglobin in the blood CAUSES Congenital Acquired (toxin/drugs) CLINICAL FEATURES INVESTIGATIONS MANAGEMENT Resuscitation Specific therapy Supportive care and monitoring REASONS FOR FAILURE OF METHYLENE BLUE Consider the…

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

Sympatholytic toxidrome

True sympatholytic agents (e.g. alpha-blockers like phentolamine, and vasodilatory agents such as GTN, SNP, etc)≥ Also beta-blocker; ca2+ blocker;
clonidine; digoxin

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

Theophylline toxicity

Theophylline and caffeine are the most commonly encountered methylxanthines. Theophylline = water soluble aminophylline derivative; cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors

CCC Critical Care Compendium 680

Diabetes Insipidus DDx

Cause Central (Failed ADH secretion) Nephrogenic (No response to ADH) (Failed concentrating ability) Drugs References and Links

CCC Critical Care Compendium 680

High airway pressure DDx

High airway pressures in the intubated patient can signify the presence of a life-threatening emergency. The underlying cause is either with the 'man or the machine' (patient versus equipment). A structured approach to this problem is essential.

CCC Critical Care Compendium 680

Massive haemoptysis DDx

Haemoptysis is the symptom of coughing up blood. Massive haemoptysis has no generally accepted definition. Suggested volumes range from 100 mL to more than 1000 mL. A more relevant definition of massive haemoptysis is the volume that is life threatening by virtue of airway obstruction or blood loss (anatomical dead space is only 100-200 mL)

CCC Critical Care Compendium 680

Pulmonary fibrosis DDx

Causes of pulmonary fibrosis can be divided into those that affect the upper lobes and those predominantly affecting the lower lobes