Calcium as an Inopressor
Calcium has inotropic and vasopressor effects; direct relationship between ionized calcium levels in the blood and arterial pressure has been found in the critically ill
Category CCC
The LITFL Critical Care Compendium is a comprehensive collection of pages concisely covering the core topics and controversies of critical care.
Potassium
Potassium is the major intracellular cation (sodium is major extracellular). 90% is exchangeable, with an inverse relationship to serum pH
Portal vein thrombosis
Portal vein thrombosis: thrombus formation in the portal vein +/- tributaries (superior mesenteric vein, IMV and splenic vein)
Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis
Stress ulcers are gastric mucosal erosions that can develop in patients with a serious illness or severe injury. The primary goal of therapy related to stress ulcer is to prevent clinically important bleeding
Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis: often occurs in patients with severe hepatic dysfunction -> should lead to transplantation consideration if appropriate
Portal Hypertension
Portal Hypertension = increased resistance to flow through liver -> shunted around the other collateral vascular beds; the most common complication of cirrhotic liver disease
Flexible bronchoscope
Flexible bronchoscope may be fibre optic, video or hybrid systems; diagnose diseases of the tracheobronchial tree (e.g. burns, tumours); obtain lung samples
Hypokalaemic Periodic Paralysis
Hypokalaemic Periodic Paralysis; rare channelopathy; muscle weakness/paralysis with a matching fall in K+ levels; starts in adolescence; weakness may be mild -> full body paralysis
Weakness Hot Case
GENERAL APPROACH Unilateral or bilateral weakness Upper vs Lower motor neuron lesion Brain Spinal cord Peripheral nerves NMJ Muscles INTRODUCTION CUBICLE wheelchair walking aids hand weights INFUSIONS IVIG (GB, MG, vasculitis) VENTILATOR high level of pressure support (global weakness) PEEP…
Subarachnoid Haemorrhage Patient Hot Case
Subarachnoid Haemorrhage Patient Hot Case
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is an infection caused by the spirochaete genus of Leptospira. Severe forms may result in critical illness, including Weil disease and severe pulmonary haemorrhage
Spinal Injury Patient Hot Case
GENERAL APPROACH Phase of injury— Acute: ileus, cardiovascular, ventilation— Sub-acute: recurrent atelectasis and segmental collapse— Chronic: pain, psychological issues, infection (uro, resp, pressure areas), autonomic dysreflexia, spasm. Stability of spine Tracheostomy Other injuries INTRODUCTION CUBICLE Edgerton spinal bed until spine…