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

MRI Head

MRI Head: T2 (transverse relaxation time constant) = water/CSF is white. T1 (longitudinal relaxation time constant) = water/CSF is black

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

CK-MB

CK-MB: creatine kinase dimer of M and B chains; found mainly in myocardial cytosol (also in skeletal muscle); one of three isoenzymes of creatine kinase (CK)

  • creatine kinase dimer of M and B chains
  • found mainly in myocardial cytosol (also in skeletal muscle)
  • one of three isoenzymes of creatine kinase (CK)

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

CRP

CRP = C-reactive protein OVERVIEW discovered in 1930 by studying Streptococcus pneumoniae infection -> named for its ability to bind to the somatic C-polysaccharide of such bacterial belongs to the family of pentraxins (calcium dependent ligand-binding plasma proteins) Normal range…

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

CSF analysis

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colorless body fluid found in the brain and spinal cord.

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

CT Chest

CT Chest: contrast used to highlight mediastinal structures; entire thorax imaged with no skip areas; slices are 5-10mm thick

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

Evoked Potentials in Critical Care

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) consist of a series of waves that reflect sequential activation of neural structures along the somatosensory pathways. SSEP of particular interest in critical care, due to their role in neuroprognostication

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

MRI and the Critically Ill

MRI and the Critically Ill: Restricted access to patients; Remote monitoring; MR compatible equipment; Safety of patients and staff; Getting the highest quality scan possible

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

Osmolar Gap

Osmolar Gap: Osmolar gap = Osmolality (measured) - Osmolarity (calculated): NOTE: is a pragmatic clinical aid - the units are different (osmolality =mOsm/kg and osmolarity = mOsm/L) so it doesn't make mathematical sense!