Hyponatremia where salt goes, water (also) follows by Adam George Definition Hyponatremia refers to a low blood sodium (Na) concentration. Specifically, it can be classified as a serum sodium level <135 mmol/L, although usually patients with sodium levels >125 mmol/L are asymptomatic. Sodium concentration is dependent […]
By Dr Jessica It is important to interpret arterial blood gases in a systematic manner, taken within the context of the patient’s clinical context. Steps: PaO2 (partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood) pH PaCO2 (partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood) Bicarbonate and base excess Oxygenation: PaO2 Is the patient hypoxaemic? PaO2 = […]
A summary of this fantastic BJA education article: https://www.clinicalkey.com.au/#!/content/playContent/1-s2.0-S2058534922000506 Epidemiology Most common causes of CKD are diabetes and hypertension What is the definition of CKD? CKD definition: abnormality of kidney structure or function > 3 months (Renal Association) Electrolyte abnormalities, proteinuria (ACR > 3), haematuria of renal origin, histological/radiological […]
By Dr Angus Hayes About the author Dr Angus Hayes is an Australian ICU registrar who recently spent time in Norway observing anaesthetic protocols and practices. In this article he examines recently published data, to compare Australian anaesthetic norms against those seen in Norway. I walk into the OT…*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*. The scents and sounds […]
By Dr. Harrison Whiting Have you ever had difficulty trying to ventilate a patient with a BMV or been unable to visualise a patient’s vocal cords prior to intubation? What are some manoeuvres that you can do to try and optimise your ability to ventilate a patient? Sniffing Position The sniffing position is […]
by Adam George Definition Hypernatremia refers to a high blood sodium concentration. Hypernatremia can be classified as follows: Acute (<48 hours) or Chronic (>48 hours) Mild (146-149 mmol/L) Moderate (150-169 mmol/L) Severe (>170 mmol/L) Sodium concentration is dependent not only on sodium levels but also on water levels in vivo. Water in the body exists […]
By Zheng Cheng Zhu Key reference: Gan, T. J., Belani, K. G., Bergese, S., Chung, F., Diemunsch, P., Habib, A. S., Jin, Z., Kovac, A. L., Meyer, T. A., Urman, R. D., Apfel, C. C., Ayad, S., Beagley, L., Candiotti, K., Englesakis, M., Hedrick, T. L., Kranke, P., Lee, S., Lipman, D., Minkowitz, H. S., […]
The ENIGMA-II trial by Dr. Matthew Vella @mjv.igee #Anaesthesia #anaesthetics #anesthesiology #anesthesia #anesthetic #abcsofanaesthesia #medicine #anesthesiologist #anaesthetist #anesthetist #anaesthesiology #nurse #medical #meded #FOAMed #medicalstudent #ENIGMAtrial # ENIGMA2trial #safety #generalanaesthesia #GA #Nitrousoxide #N2O #Gas #MajorSurgery #cardiacriskfactors Title: The safety of addition of nitrous oxide to general anaesthesia in at-risk patients having major non-cardiac surgery (ENIGMA-II): a […]
Definition Hyperkalaemia refers to a state of high serum potassium (K+), typically > 5.5 mmol/L. Potassium is split between intracellular (98%, ~150 mmol/L K+ concentration) and extracellular (2%, ~4-5 mmol/L concentration) compartments. Potassium ions are the main intracellular cation and carry an electrical charge. They establish an electrochemical gradient across the cell membrane known as […]
Imagine you arrive at your morning urology list with 7 cystoscopy cases. Your 1st patient is a 60yo male for a rigid cystoscopy. He has a drug eluting stent from an AMI 5 years ago and has functionally declined since. He is 120kg with the usual collection of diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia with no previous […]