Acute aortic dissection (AD) is defined as a tear through the intima, which results in the flow of arterial blood between the layers of the aorta. This intimal tear is…
Structurally related to vitamin K, 4-hydroxycoumarins act as “false” vitamin K and prevent regeneration of reduced (active) vitamin K from vitamin K epoxide, hence the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. Coumarins are well absorbed after oral administration. Their duration of action varies considerably. Synthesis of clotting factors depends on the intrahepatocytic concentration ratio of coumarins to vitamin K.
Mild hypothermia → tachypnea, tachycardia, hyperventilation, ataxia, shivering, impaired judgment, “cold diuresis” Moderate → bradycardia, hypoventilation, CNS depression, loss of shivering, slow A-fib + other arrhythmias Severe → pulmonary edema,…
In Aortic Dissection, a defect in the aortic intima allows entry of blood into the tunica media. A false lumen develops and can propagate in an anterograde or retrograde direction. Aortic Dissections that involve the ascending aorta (Stanford type A) can cause coronary insufficiency by several mechanisms.
Anemia denotes a reduction in red blood cell count, hemoglobin content, or both. Oxygen (O2) transport capacity is decreased. Erythropoiesis Blood corpuscles develop from stem cells through several cell divisions.…
Presentation - 3Ps - Polyuria, Polydipsia, Polyphagia. Non-specific symptoms: weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain, blurry vision. Physical Exam: Acetone smell; Dehydration / tachycardia / hypotension / shock; Kussmaul's respiration (deep/labored breathing secondary to acidosis)
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is defined as pneumonia that occurs in a mechanically ventilated patient more than 48 hours after endotracheal intubation. VAP can occur in up to 27% of all…
Diverse plants are sources of sugarcontaining compounds (glycosides) that also contain a steroid ring and augment the contractile force of heart muscle : cardiotonic glycosides / cardiosteroids, or “digitalis”. If…
Excess free H2O relative to Na → serum Na < 135 mEq/L. Neurologic spectrum 2/2 water shift in cells: Fatigue → lethargy → AMS (altered mental status) (usually starting <120 mEq/L) → seizure → coma
While it is not the only state that defines a critically ill patient, shock is considered by many to be the prototypical derangement of the critically ill. With our bedside…