The major complications of transfusion of blood are the following: 1. Transfusion Reactions : These reactions may be allergic or haemolytic: Haemolytic Reactions These are again divided in to Delayed Hemolytic reactions and Acute Hemolytic reactions. Allergic Reactions These are usually mild, manifesting as urticaria and are mainly due to plasma proteins. Treatment: Antihistamines (Avil)
Cauda equina syndrome arises from compression of the lumbosacral nerve roots. Large herniated lumbar intervertebral discs are the most common culprit. Other sources of compression include spinal or sacral fractures or surgery common in ICU trauma patients, lumbosacral neoplasms, spinal stenosis, nonneoplastic masses such as cysts, peripheral neuropathy, and infectious processes. Low back pain is
Unfractionated heparin is a mixture of different weights of heparin (5 to 30k) that have varying effects on factors IIa, IXa, and Xa. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is a subset of heparin (weight ~5k) that has activity on factor Xa, but not on IIa. LMWH has the advantage of less binding to protein and dose-independent clearance.
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Although mannitol remains the mainstay of hyperosmolar therapy, Hypertonic Saline Infusion is an alternative to mannitol. The main theoretical justification for using Hypertonic Saline Infusion stems from the fact that an intact BBB is less permeable to saline than to mannitol. In clinical reports of intracranial hypertension from various causes, HS has been shown to
Unstable tachycardias can be manifested by chest pain, shortness of breath, decreased urine output, mental status changes, or hypotension. The assessment of a patient with a tachycardia requires a systematic approach. First, the physician must determine whether the patient is experiencing evidence of hemodynamic compromise as a result of the tachycardia, which is generally not
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In the atmosphere it is present in the concentration of 0.003%. It is stored as high pressure gas in the cylinders. There are several effects of helium Inhalation . The medical diagnostic utility is secondary to its low density, insolubility and thermal conductivity. • Molecular weight is 4. • Specific gravity is 176. • It
The astute clinician will recognize that although a common cause of fever in the ICU is infection, many cases are of noninfectious fever. Fever in the intensive care unit (ICU) patient is a common problem that results in the performance of many diagnostics tests. This increases both the costs of medical care and the exposure
Synthetic oxygen carriers are also called as artificial blood or substitute blood. The Synthetic oxygen carriers are substances that can be used as alternatives to blood, when blood is required to be transfused to a patient. These Synthetic oxygen carriers or artificial blood is especially useful if due to some reason compatible blood is not
Dextrans are a type of colloids and are used for intravenous transfusion. The Dextran Injection is aavailable as Dextran 70 (mol. wt. 70,000 Daltons), Dextran 150 (mol. wt. 1,50,000 Daltons) and Dextran 40 (mol. wt. 40,000 Daltons). Dextrans are polysaccharides. These solutions can be stored for 10 years. Half life of dextrans is 2 to
Hemolytic Reactions Hemolytic reactions can be: Acute Hemolytic reactions Delayed Hemolytic reactions: The Delayed Hemolytic reactions are seen after a few days of blood transfusion. Acute hemolytic reactions It is usually due to ABO incompatibility (mismatch reaction). The most common cause of these transfusion reactions is clerical error. There is intravascular hemolysis. Incidence is
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