Pulmonary Embolus versus Right Ventricular Infarction
Features that distinguish Pulmonary Embolus from Right Ventricular Infarction
Pericardial disease
Pericardial disease
Syncope
Syncope is transient, self-limited loss of consciousness with an inability to maintain postural tone that is followed by spontaneous recovery. Such an event without loss of consciousness is often termed “presyncope”. Underlying cause is often not found in the emergency department (~50%)
pCO2 gap
pCO2 gap is a surrogate for cardiac output; pCO2 gap = PcvCO2 - PaCO2; pCO2 gap >6 mmHg suggests a persistent shock state that may be amenable to fluid resuscitation +/- intrope support; a “ScvO2-cvaCO2gap-guided protocol” has been proposed to guide the management of septic shock
Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
Lung volume reduction surgery is performed on a high risk population with an associated mortality of 5-10%. The goal of the operation is to eliminate the most diseased areas of lung to reduce overall lung volume and improve respiratory mechanics
Chylothorax
Chylothorax occurs when chyle from the thoracic duct empties into the pleural space. Chyle is a milky white fluid with a high concentration of triglycerides, chylomicrons, and white blood cells. Pseudochylothorax is pleural fluid that mimics true chylous pleural effusion in appearance but lacks the biochemical criteria for chylothorax; usually due to a longstanding pleural effusion
Vasoplegia Post Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Vasoplegia Post Cardiopulmonary Bypass. Common; results from a bypass-induced SIRS response, but other causes of vasodilation (e.g. drugs, sepsis) can also contribute
Funtabulously Frivolous Friday Five 107
Funtabulously Frivolous Friday Five 107 - Just when you thought your brain could unwind on a Friday, some medical trivia FFFF.
Post-Pericardotomy Syndrome
Post-Pericardotomy Syndrome = febrile illness secondary to an inflammatory reaction involving the pleura + pericardium.
Pneumonectomy
Pneumonectomy is the surgical removal of an entire lung, performed via thoracotomy
Phrenic Nerve Palsy Post-Cardiac Surgery
Phrenic nerve palsy post-cardiac surgery can result from multiple mechanisms and can lead to significant morbidity
Oesophageal Perforation
Oesophageal Perforation. Mechanism: spontaneous (Boerhaave syndrome, deceleration injury); penetrating (intra and extraluminal)