The LITFL Critical Care Compendium is a comprehensive collection of pages concisely covering the core topics and controversies of critical care.
OVERVIEW Definitions Flow = change in P/resistance Change in P = flow x resistance V = IR Voltage = the tendency of electrons to move through a conductive system (volts)Resistance = tendency of a material to limit flow of electrons…
Musculoskeletal compartment syndrome is a limb threatening condition resulting from increased pressure within a muscular compartment, which causes compression of the nerves, muscles and vessels within the compartment.
CLASS MECHANISM OF ACTION DIRECT:inhibition of Na/K ATPase on the cell surface-> increased intracellular Na+ and increased extracellular K+-> increased intracellular Ca2+ due to Na+/Ca2+ antiporter-> calcium-medated inotropy and increased automaticity, as well as negative dromotropy due to decreased intracellular K+ INDIRECT…
Renal replacement therapy (RRT): Troubleshooting
The work up of patients with sudden severe headache centers on excluding subarachnoid hemorrhage, however there are numerous other causes.
Differential diagnosis of tremor - a rhythmical alternating movement
Ventriculomegaly is due to cerebral atrophy (e.g., Parkinson disease) or increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles.
Blepharospasm is uncontrollable blinking as a result of repeated involuntary orbicularis oculi contraction. It is always bilateral, but may briefly be unilateral at onset. It subsides when asleep.
Communications Viva
Ageing is the process of growing old, and may result in frailty. There is no standard definition for elderly (? age>65y, ?regional life expectancy differs (ie. Africa vs West)). The precise mechanisms underlying ageing are poorly understood
Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome characterized by loss of physiologic and cognitive reserves in vulnerability that predisposes to the accumulation of deficits and adverse outcomes from acute stressors
Main goals of interventional radiology (IR) therapies: stop bleeding without surgery; relieve obstruction; drain collections; and insert therapeutic or prophylactic devices