Infectious Diseases Literature Summaries
Infectious Diseases Literature Summaries
Category Medical Specialty
Influenza
OVERVIEW caused by influenza A and B viruses CLINICAL FEATURES fever (>38 C)+/- one systemic symptoms (myalgia)+/- one respiratory symptoms-> 70% chance of having influenza INVESTIGATIONS nasopharyneal viral swab MANAGEMENT Active Treatment neuraminidase inhibitors are of no benefit unless started…
Liver Failure Definitions and Scoring Systems
Liver Failure Definitions and Scoring Systems
Gastrointestinal Literature Summaries
Gastrointestinal Literature Summaries
Coagulopathy in Liver Dysfunction
Coagulopathy in Liver Dysfunction; defined as INR >1.5 due to liver dysfunction; patients are not 'auto-anticoagulated' - they are often in a procoagulant state!
Abnormal LFTs Post Vascular Surgery
CAUSES pre-existing liver disease (+/- exacerbation) drug induced (paracetamol, statins, amiodarone, antibiotics, NSAIDs, beta-blockers, ranitidine, volatiles) ischaemic (post clamping above hepatic artery, thrombosis, embolic, hypotension) surgical injury nutrition (TPN, EN) acalculous cholecystitis transfusion related hepatitis ASSESSMENT History pre-operative liver function…
Military Anti-Shock Trousers (MAST)
Military Anti-Shock Trousers (MAST): inflatable trousers once recommended for exsanguinating pelvic injury, now considered obsolete; aka "pneumatic anti-shock garments" (PASG)
Transcutaneous Pacing
Transcutaneous Pacing: temporary cardiac pacing using pads or paddles applied externally to the chest
Temporary Transvenous Cardiac Pacing
Temporary Transvenous Cardiac Pacing: emergency pacing via an intravenous device; life-threatening or unstable bradyarrhythmia
Temporary Epicardial Cardiac Pacing
Epicardial Cardiac Pacing: the usual means of cardiac pacing following cardiac surgery
Leukodepleted Blood
RBCs used for transfusion in Australia and New Zealand are now universally leukodepleted; leukodepletion filters were previously used at the bedside
Blood Transfusion in ICU
OVERVIEW anaemia common in ICU tendency to more restrictive strategy c/o increased morbidity associated with transfusion general attempts to minimize the requirement for blood transfusion should be pursued STRATEGIES TO MINIMISE BLOOD TRANSFUSION REQUIREMENTS stopping bleeding early stop unnecessary anticoagulation…