Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an environmental global emerging Gram-negative MDRO that is most commonly associated with respiratory infections in humans
Month January 2019
Spinal epidural abscess
Spinal epidural abscess is considered a neurosurgical emergency; morbidity and mortality is worse with delayed diagnosis, and the worse the neurological deficit at the time of surgery the worse the outcome
Abdominal X-ray and CT
Abdominal X-ray: AXR; Bowel obstruction; Sigmoid volvulus; Caecal volvulus; Bowel perforation
Arterial blood gas (ABG)
Arterial blood gas (ABG) is used to determine the adequacy of oxygenation and ventilation, assess respiratory function and determine the acid–base balance.
Ascitic Fluid
OVERVIEW classified according to serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) CAUSES High SAAG (“transudate”) cirrhosis, hepatic failure, hepatic venous occlusion, constrictive pericarditis, kwashiorkor, cardiac failure, alcoholic hepatitis, liver metastasis Low SSAG (“exudate”) malignancy, infection (bacterial, fungal, Tb), pancreatitis, nephrotic syndrome, bowel obstruction…
Autoimmune Markers
numerous autoimmune markers will overlap between conditions and varying specificity and sensitivity
Blood Film
Peripheral blood film can provide useful information in diagnosing haematological conditions
Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP): released from ventricular myocytes in response to ventricular distension; role in regulation of salt and water excretion and BP management (ADH antagonist)
Co-trimoxazole
Co-trimoxazole: 2 antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) -> blocks two consecutive steps in the biosythesis of nucleic acids and proteins essential to bacteria.
Carotid Endarterectomy
Carotid Endarterectomy = removal of atheromatous plaque from the ICA. Artery clamped, open, plaque stripped and then closed directly or with a Gore-Tex vein patch.
AAA Repair Patient Hot Case
GENERAL APPROACH Emergency or Elective End-organ damage Complications– brain injury– spinal cord ischaemia– ileus– MI– lower limb ischaemia– compartment syndromes– renal injury INTRODUCTION CUBICLE dialysis INFUSIONS vasoactives fluid boluses sedation analgesia transpyloric feeding: ileus, ischaemia TPN VENTILATOR mode level of…
Clopidogrel
Clopidogrel: anti-platelet agent; inhibition of the ADP platelet receptor and subsequent ADP-mediated activation of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex -> inhibits platelet aggregation