Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): non-specific marker of inflammation; slower to respond than CRP
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
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
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!
Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
Total parental nutrition (TPN) is the complete provision of nutrition intravenously, bypassing the GI tract.
Vitamin D in Critical illness
OVERVIEW Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin with dermal synthesis being the major natural source Main clinically significant role is in maintaining calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism There is an increasing appreciation for its pleiotropic effects, including immunomodulatory and…
Thiamine Deficiency
OVERVIEW ACTIONS CAUSES CLINICAL FEATURES Dry Beri-Beri Wernicke encephalopathy Korsakoff encephalopathy Wet Beri-Beri INVESTIGATIONS MANAGEMENT Prevention and treatment of thiamine deficiency Prevention and treatment of thiamine deficiency in severe alcoholics Treatment of Wernicke encephalopathy Supportive care monitoring SHOULD THIAMINE BE…
Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy
Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy: hepatic dysfunction + microvesicular infiltration of hepatocytes; thought to be a variant of PET; fetal and maternal mortality = 20%
Acute Respiratory Failure and Obstetrics
Acute Respiratory Failure and Obstetrics
Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE)
Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE): diagnosis of exclusion; amniotic in maternal circulation not always pathognomonic; 1:25,000 live births
Burns and Pregnancy
Burns and Pregnancy: at risk of premature labour due to high levels of circulating prostaglandins; fluid replacement must cater for increased circulating volume
Cardiogenic Shock and Late Pregnancy
Cardiogenic Shock and Late Pregnancy: Two patients; High mortality; Planned delivery; Diagnose and treat cause