One may ask what is methylene blue ? Methylene blue is a water-soluble blue thiazine dye used most commonly as a treatment for methemoglobinemia or as an indicator dye. Its utility as an indicator dye has been applied to several clinical situations including identification of aspiration or placement of nasogastric tubes in critically ill patients; […]
IV lasix or Furosemide is a loop diuretic that acts by inhibiting the reabsorption of sodium and chloride (via the Na/K/2Cl cotransporter) in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. IV lasix enhances the excretion of sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, and water. IV lasix is used frequently in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting
Lasix is known to cause Sulfa allergy. The decrease in sodium and chloride reabsorption seems to come from the fact that furosemide competes for the chloride position on the carrier. Furosemide (Lasix) is a member of the general class of loop diuretics that inhibit the Na+/K+/2Cl–cotransport carrier within the ascending limb of the loop of
The most commonly used barbiturate is pentobarbital. Induced coma with use of barbiturates like thiopentone sodium or pentothal is called barbiturate coma or pentobarbital coma . High-dose barbiturates have been used for more than 60 years in critically ill neurologic patients. The most common application has been to lower elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients
While very effective as an antiarrhythmic, amiodarone therapy is also associated with a wide array of adverse side effects involving the cornea, lungs, liver, skin, and thyroid. Although the majority of amiodarone therapy ‘s adverse effects on these organs result from deposition of the drug in the parenchyma, its effect on the thyroid gland is
Neo-Synephrine is the trade name for phenylephrine. It is a pure alpha receptor agonist and has both venous and arterial constrictive effects. Because Alpha1 receptors have been discovered in the myocardium, it is also possible that it has positive inotropic effects. In our current culture of patient safety, it is important to avoid commonly used medical
The ideal neuromuscular blocker drugs (NMB) would be rapid in onset, have a predictable offset, be nontoxic, lack deleterious cardiovascular or autonomic effects, undergo a defined means of metabolism and excretion preferably independent of end-organ function, and be inexpensive. Many of these characteristics are found in clinically available drugs like cisatracurium. To briefly review, neuromuscular
Succinylcholine hyperkalemia is hyperkalemia seen after the usage of succinylcholine. Succinylcholine is a depolarizing muscle relaxant used for urgent endotracheal intubation in the operating room, intensive care unit (ICU), and emergency department. The intravenous (IV) dose is 0.5 to 1.5 mg/kg. Time to effect is 1 minute and duration of action in patients with normal
Perioperative steroids are steroids that are used before, during or after a surgery. Human steroids are produced by the adrenal gland and are under the direct or indirect control of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands. The two major classes of steroids that have significant clinical metabolic effects are the glucocorticoids (mainly cortisol), which regulate
Glucocorticoid therapy are most commonly used to mitigate an inflammatory response. They are used in a wide variety of patient populations seen in the intensive care unit (ICU). Unfortunately, these agents have many side effects, which often limit their use. In the ICU setting, the functions most commonly affected are endocrine regulation, immune response, and
