Electrical burn continue to be clinically and surgically challenging for surgeons and critical care physicians worldwide. Gross underestimation of the initial injury has repeatedly proven to increase morbidity and detrimental to the overall outcome. To briefly review, electricity is the flow of electrons through a conductor via the force of voltage. Voltage is categorized into
The components of blood are frequently used for transfusion, separately in different medical conditions. Many times whole blood may not be indicated and one component is sufficient for treating the patient. Packed Cell Volume (PCV) Among the components of blood, Packed Cell Volume is the most important and commonly transfused component. These are used when
Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is common with an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 new cases in the United States each year. The mean age of presentation is 31 years and the majority of patients are male. SCI is associated with significant long-term disability and mortality. Etiology Spinal cord injury has traditionally been classified as traumatic
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
Heliox is a mixture of Helium and oxygen being considered for use in asthma patients. Therapeutic strategies for patients with pulmonary medicine often employ bronchodilators or corticosteroids to reduce airway resistance and improve airflow. As an alternative strategy, viscosity and density of the atmosphere manipulated to the same desired effect. Air consists of 21% oxygen, with
Cerebral ischaemia or hypoxia may occur as a consequence of shock, vascular stenosis or occlusion, vasospasm, neurotrauma and cardiac arrest. Strategies to protect the brain i.e Cerebral protection from ischemic/hypoxic insults are based on the understanding of pathophysiological processes that follow ischemia/hypoxia to result in neuronal death. Neurologic morbidity is common in those patients experiencing
A common mistake made by many clinicians is that they confuse cardiac output for Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction. Lets see how Cardiac Output is not Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction . Cardiac output equals the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, whereas stroke volume (SV) is the amount pumped on a single beat. Cardiac output
Cardiac Output is not Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Read More »
The aim of the airway device is to prevent the tongue fail. The tip of airway gets inserted between tongue and posterior pharyngeal wall and thus prevents the tongue failing back on posterior pharyngeal wall. The various usages of the airway device are: As an alternative to intubation where difficult intubation is anticipated. Securing airway in
Virtually all burn patients have elevated core body temperatures and even a leukocytosis. Thus, fever after burn patients is not a reliable indicator of infection. One study in children found that fever had no predictive value for the presence of infection and physical examination was a more reliable source of information about wound infection and
Dural tear is a known complication of spinal surgeries, such as laminectomies, spinal fusions, and disc excisions. It most commonly occurs in the lumbar region. In general, the tear is noted at the time of operation when leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is noted by the surgeon. A tear in the dura results in decompression
