Category CCC

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

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

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.

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

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…

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

Blood Film

Peripheral blood film can provide useful information in diagnosing haematological conditions

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

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)

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

Co-trimoxazole

Co-trimoxazole: 2 antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) -> blocks two consecutive steps in the biosythesis of nucleic acids and proteins essential to bacteria.

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

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.

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

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…

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

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

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

COX II Inhibitors

Selective COX-2 inhibitors developed to try and inhibit prostacyclin synthesis by the COX-2 isoenzyme induced at sites of inflammation without affecting the action of the constitutively active COX-1 isoenzyme found in gastic mucosa, platelets & kidney.