Hepatorenal Syndrome ATACH-II trial: What is the optimal blood pressure control for ICH patients? Status Epilepticus Lung Cancer Immunology Therapy: Anti-PD-1 Antibodies Acetaminophen Hepatotoxicity Hepatorenal Syndrome Type 1 HRS is characterized by rapid and progressive renal impairment and is most commonly precipitated by spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Type 1 HRS occurs in approximately 25% of patients with SBP, despite rapid resolution of the infection with antibiotics. Without treatment, the median survival of patients with type 1 HRS is < 2 … Continue reading “Weekly Tidbits 8/26-27”
Malaria Prophylaxis
Falciparum Ovale Vivax Malarie Age of RBCs infected All Young Young Old Size of cell NL Big Big NL % of Parasitemia >5% <5% <5% <5% Liver stage no yes yes no Common prophylaxis drugs (eg, chloroquine, mefloquine and doxycycline) target blood stage of parasite (blood schizonticides). Malaria with liver stage (Ovale, Vivax) should treated with tissue schizoticides (eg, atovaquone/proguanil). If one person travel to chloroquine-resistant P falciparum (Sub-Saharan Africa, Southern & Southeast Asia), prophylaxis with Atorvaquone-proguanil, Doxycycline, … Continue reading “Malaria Prophylaxis”
Neurological emergency
Hydrocephalus: if you see hydrocephalus in a patient with consistent severe headaches, this could be a sign of impending herniation. Patient will need emergent relief of intracranial pressure. Botulism: Rapidly progressive paralysis with blurry vision, sluggish pupils and diplopia. This condition is caused by an irreversible toxin and the antitoxin should be given as soon as possible, so needs high clinical suspicion. The diagnosis is by injecting patient’s serum in mice to see if it causes paralysis (takes a … Continue reading “Neurological emergency”
hyponatremia
Pathophysiology: Hyponatremia means excess of body water compared to total body sodium and potassium. Also likely to involve ADH (vasopressin), the hormone involved in water balance. Total osmolality: concentration of all solutes in a given weight of water (mOsm/kg) regardless of whether or not osmoles move across biological membranes Effective osmolality: number of osmoles that contribute to water movement between intracellular and extracellular compartments Most hyponatremia is from low effective osmolality (hypo-osmotic/hypotonic hyponatremia), but occasionally, hyponatremia occurs in isotonic … Continue reading “hyponatremia”
Syncope
1: Reflex syncope Neuro-cardiogenic (vaso-vagal), carotid sinus syndrome, situational (micturition) 2: Cardiogenic Arrhythmias – Tachyarrhythmia: WPW (especially with Afib), Brugada, Long QT syndrome, – Bradyarrhythmia: Second degree AV Block Mobitz II, Third degree AV block, Sick sinus syndrome – Structural heart disease (HOCM, LVOT obstruction, Aortic stenosis, Intracardiac tumor: Myxoma 3: Orthostatic
NOACs
Antidote: Dabigatran = Idarucizumab (Praxabind) Idarucizumab for Dabigatran Reversal N Engl J Med 2015; 373:511-520 Factor Xa (Apixaban, Rivaroxaban) are POTENTIALLY reversible by Andexanet alfa (study was done in healthy human subjects, Andexanet reverses effect while infusion is running but rebounds on completion, further data will be available later) ANNEXA-4 trial N Engl J Med 2016;375:1131-41. Aripazine (PER977) is a medication currently on trial and can potentially reverse Factor Xa, dabigatran AND heparin, LMWH Use of PER977 to Reverse the Anticoagulant Effect of Edoxaban N Engl J … Continue reading “NOACs”
Pressors
Highlights from Sepsis surviving Campaign 2016: Base on ProCESS, ProMISe and ARISE trials, all 3 trials confirmed that there was no survival benefit of EGDT compared to usual resuscitation. However, in all three studies patients had early antibiotics, >30ml/kg of IVF prior to randomization. We need therefore to keep in mind that the practice has changed. Source control: empiric broad-spectrum therapy Abx to cover all likely pathogens within 1hr Initial resuscitation: 30ml/kg of IV crystalloid fluid in first 3 hours … Continue reading “Pressors”
May-Thurner Syndrome
May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) is an anatomically and pathologically variable condition leading to venous outflow obstruction as a result of extrinsic venous compression in the iliocaval venous territory. With partial venous obstruction, the condition can be asymptomatic, but progression with symptoms related to chronic venous hypertension or venous occlusion can occur, with or without venous thrombosis. It is important to keep this condition in mind whenever a patient presents acutely with lower extremity swelling or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), particularly young … Continue reading “May-Thurner Syndrome”
Ischemic stroke management
As soon as you identify a stroke — Call Stroke code directly by Dialing: 3-CVAT (3-2828) Goal of BP is ischemic stroke: 180/110, medications to use: Labetalol, Nicardipine TPA can be given up to 4.5 hours after the initiation of symptoms, but the benefit decreases as time passes, so if a patient is a TPA candidate try to move things as quickly as possible For patients who have contraindications to TPA, mechanical thrombectomy is another option, which is available to us … Continue reading “Ischemic stroke management”
Cause of Death for Certificatation
Notify medical examiner in cases of: Accident (including traffic) This includes accidents that happened years prior to death but that contributed to cause of death. Example: Patient who had an MVA years ago leading to quadriplegia and chronic need for mechanical ventilation who dies 2/2 ventilator associated pneumonia. Suicide Homicide Complication of medical procedure/intervention Suspected injury Unknown sequence of events leading to death When stating cause of death you can give the immediate cause of death but should also include … Continue reading “Cause of Death for Certificatation”