Organophosphate Poisoning
Organophosphate Poisoning: common cause of poisoning in the developing world; covalent bonding with inactivation of acetylcholinesterase; results in cholinergic crisis
Polonium
the radioactive isotope polonium-210 was implicated in the death of former KGB/ FSB operative Alexander Litvenko;
also has potential for use in nuclear terrorism as a 'dirty bomb'
Transfusion Literature Summaries
Transfusion Literature Summaries
AXR Interpretation
Indications for plain AXR differ depending on the availability of CT or USS, which give considerably more information. Abdominal X-rays are only useful for certain defined pathology such as abnormal ‘gases, masses, bones and stones’.
Vasopressin
Vasopressin: bioactive neuroendocrine nonapeptide; endogenously produced by the magnocellular neurone cell bodies of the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the posterior hypothalamus
Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs)
New oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are recently introduced medications that provide anticoagulation via the oral route by inhibiting specific clotting factors
Hypermagnesaemia
Hypermagnesaemia: Serum Mg above normal range of 1.3-2.2 mEq/L; Rare and usually iatrogenic; ↑Magnesium is closely associated with ↑K and ↓Ca
Haemoptysis
Haemoptysis is the symptom of coughing up blood. Massive haemoptysis is life-threatening emergency - patients do not usually bleed to death, they asphyxiate
Pneumothorax CCC
Spontaneous – primary (no disease) and secondary (underlying lung disease)
Traumatic - non-iatrogenic and iatrogenic (barotrauma and procedure related)
Routine Daily Chest X-ray
Routine Daily Chest X-ray: controversial issue; viewed as an essential tool but is subject to overuse and misinterpretation; no evidence of harm from a more restrictive strategy
Sleep and ICU
Sleep is a naturally occurring periodic, reversible state of cognitive and sensory disengagement from the external environment, from which a person can be aroused by sensory stimulation
Sepsis and Pregnancy
Pregnancy results in increased susceptibility to endotoxin, metabolic acidosis and cardiovascular collapse