Critical Care

Cauda equina syndrome

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 […]

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Delirium tremens

Withdrawal from alcohol is a serious and common complication associated with hospitalization that can result in the condition known as delirium tremens. Many patients who consume alcohol cease drinking on or prior to admission for both voluntary and involuntary reasons. A patient does not need to be an alcoholic by medical definition to be at

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Hyperbaric Oxygen

Hyperbaric Oxygen means delivering the oxygen above atmospheric pressure which is 760 mmHg (or 1 atm). Special hyperbaric chambers are made for providing hyperbaric Oxygen, which are very expensive. Hyperbaric Oxygen Uses A. Poisonings: Carbon monoxide poisoning (half life of CO at 1 atm is 214 minutes which can be reduced to 19 minutes at

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Oxygen Toxicity

Oxygen Toxicity occurs when excessive oxygen inhalation is done as in prolonged ventilation with hundred percent (100%) oxygen. When the inspired oxygen saturation or FiO2 of a patient on oxygen therapy is kept for long time Toxicity of oxygen is bound can take place. FiO2 of 100 % should not be kept for more than 12

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Cyanide Toxicity with sodium nitroprusside

Cyanide Toxicity can occur with sodium nitroprusside. Hypertension is commonly seen in the perioperative setting as well as the intensive care unit (ICU). There are many agents to lower blood pressure with different mechanisms of action. One of the most potent vasodilators is sodium nitroprusside, which causes arteriolar and venous smooth muscle relaxation via nitric oxide-mediated

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Extubation

Extubation is the process of removal of an Endotracheal tube from a patient. A person is usually put on endotracheal tube if he is unconscious so as to protect his airways or to ventilate the person if he is not breathing adequately. Intubation is also the best method to secure an airway even in the

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Hemolytic Reaction

Signs and Symptoms of hemolytic reaction An acute hemolytic reaction occurs when immunologic incompatibility following transfusion, between the donor and the recipient results in lysis of red blood cells. Most hemolytic reactions are due to the transfusion of ABO-incompatible packed red blood cells secondary to clerical or system errors. The severity of the reaction is

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