The most common misdiagnoses of Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia are atrial fibrillation (Afib) and sinus tachycardia. Since the treatment of each of these dysrhythmias is different, it is imperative for the emergency provider to correctly diagnose MAT.
Activation of platelets, e.g., upon contact with collagen of the extracellular matrix after injury to the vascular wall, constitutes the immediate and decisive step in initiating the process of primary hemostasis, i.e., cessation of bleeding. However, in the absence of vascular injury, platelets can be activated as a result of damage to the endothelial cell lining of blood vessels. Among the multiple functions of the endothelium, the production of NO and prostacyclin plays an important role.
A head CT is indicated in head trauma patients with loss of consciousness or posttraumatic amnesia only if one or more of the following is present (Level A Recommendation)
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…