Imipenem
carbapenem (imipenem + cilastatin); inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis; cilastatin reduces renal metabolism -> increases effective concentration and decreases nephrotoxicity
Ketamine
Ketamine: phencyclidine derivative hypnotic and analgesic. NMDA receptor antagonist resulting in dissociative anaesthesia (profound analgesia with superficial sleep); interacts with opioid receptors - mu, delta and kappa
Levosimendan vs Dobutamine
COMPARISON EVIDENCE Mebazza, (2007) SURVIVE – Levosimendan vs Dobutamine in patients with acute decompensated heart failure, JAMA References and Links
Levosimendan
Levosimendan: Calcium sensitizer (novel inotrope, also considered an inodilator like milrinone)
Lignocaine
Lignocaine: local anaesthetic and membrane stabilising anti-arrhythmic; binds selectively to refractory Na+ channels -> preferentially when cells are depolarised (ie. in ischaemia)
Linezolid
Linezolid: oxazolidinone; blocks ribosomal function required for translation
Lithium
Lithium: mood stabiliser; element of the alkali metal group; exact mechanism of action in mania is unknown
Low Molecular Weight Heparin
Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH): anticoagulant; potentiates the action of antithrombin III on Xa
Pseudocoma
Pseudocoma is the term used for a patient feigning a comatose state, however it is sometimes also used for conditions like locked-in syndrome where patients may involuntarily appear unconscious but are actually self aware
Pupillary Abnormalities
References and Links
Spinal cord syndromes
Spinal cord syndromes
Status Epilepticus
Status epilepticus: continuous seizure activity for 5 minutes or more without return of consciousness, or recurrent seizures (2 or more) without an intervening period of neurological recovery