
Theophylline
Theophylline CCC
The LITFL Critical Care Compendium is a comprehensive collection of pages concisely covering the core topics and controversies of critical care.

Theophylline CCC

Emergency Medicine Critical Care (EMCC) is a brand new monthly publication by EB Medicine, the same folk that bring the monthly updates Emergency Medicine Practice (EMP) and Pediatric Emergency Medicine Practice (PEMP). If you haven’t had a chance to look…

The use of thrombolytics for the treatment of submassive PE is controversial — the limited documented benefit (e.g. improved hemodynamics, potential for less chronic pulmonary hypertension) must be weighed against the increased risk of life-threatening hemorrhage and the availability of other therapies (e.g. catheter-directed thrombolysis or clot retrieval)

Basic template for answering FCICM exam questions on 'clinical management'; may or may not include assessment depending on need to confirm the diagnosis; remember to address the condition, the cause and the complications

Warming blanket; May be indicated if temperature <35°C; warmed air is blown over the patient allowing safe and effective heat distribution

OVERVIEW urinary catheter aka Foley catheter aka IDC or indwelling catheter INDICATIONS Bladder insertion urinary retention urine output measurement clot retention and bladder irrigation bed bound or comatose patients post-operative e.g. prostate surgery therapeutic, e.g. clot removal urinary incontinence urine…

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

Potassium is the major intracellular cation (sodium is major extracellular). 90% is exchangeable, with an inverse relationship to serum pH

Portal vein thrombosis: thrombus formation in the portal vein +/- tributaries (superior mesenteric vein, IMV and splenic vein)

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: often occurs in patients with severe hepatic dysfunction -> should lead to transplantation consideration if appropriate

Portal Hypertension = increased resistance to flow through liver -> shunted around the other collateral vascular beds; the most common complication of cirrhotic liver disease