Sedation in ICU
Sedation is the depression of a patient's awareness to the environment and reduction of his or her responsiveness to external stimulation
Intrinsic PEEP
Intrinsic PEEP is also known as autoPEEP or PEEPi. Intrinsic PEEP occurs when the expiratory time is shorter than the time needed to fully deflate the lungs, preventing the lung and chest wall from reaching an elastic equilibrium point
Tramadol
Tramadol: synthetic opioid of the aminocyclohexanol group; centrally acting opioid receptor agonist + more!
Snakebite envenoming
See: Journal articles
Pneumonia in Heart-Lung Transplant
pulmonary infections = most frequent complication with high mortality; requires aggressive, early, broad spectrum antimicrobial therapy; close consultation and even transport to transplant unit may be indicated
Crisis, Crewmanship and CRM
Lessons in CRM from a maritime disaster. And how they are being applied by a bunch of ED folks on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Monro-Kellie doctrine
The Monro-Kellie doctrine or hypothesis states that the sum of volumes of brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and intracerebral blood is constant. An increase in one should cause a reciprocal decrease in either one or both of the remaining two.
Ataxia DDx
Ataxia is impaired coordination in the absence of weakness. Acute ataxia is a neurological emergency, and vascular lesions of the cerebellum (infarction, hemorrhage) must be considered/ excluded.
Unresolved sepsis
When a 'septic' patient fails to improve despite initial therapy, it is important to 'stop and think' and systematically consider the multiple possible reasons why 'the antibiotic is not working'
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Mitochondria are the intracellular organelles that produce the bulk of the body’s energy currency (ATP). they are derived from endosymbiotic prokaryotes around the time of the origin of eukaryotic cells
Large bowel obstruction DDx
In an adult, large bowel obstruction is cancer until proven otherwise. Key radiological features are dilated bowel loops that are peripheral, contain haustra and contain faeces.
Dysphagia DDx
Differential diagnosis of dysphagia - difficulty swallowing.