Anesthesia Key

Metabolic Inhibitors Lauren K. Shawn and Lewis S. Nelson BACKGROUND The complicated metabolic pathways of the human body present multiple opportunities for poisoning. Toxins can inhibit essential pathways in many…

Pancreatitis Susan Y. Quan and Walter G. Park BACKGROUND The pancreas is approximately 6 to 10 inches long, is located directly behind the stomach, and has distinct endocrine and exocrine…

Biomarkers in Sepsis David M. Maslove BACKGROUND According to the Biomarkers Definition Working Group, a biomarker is any “…characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal…

Rhabdomyolysis Audrey K. Wagner and Deborah M. Stein BACKGROUND Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome characterized by the necrosis of striated muscle and the subsequent release of intracellular contents—including myoglobin, electrolytes, creatine…

Palliative Care in the Emergency Department Lawrence A. Ho and J. Randall Curtis BACKGROUND Emergency medicine is typically characterized as a fast-paced, procedure-based specialty that focuses on the evaluation and…

Adrenal Insufficiency Thomas B. Perera BACKGROUND The adrenal glands are two small, irregularly shaped bodies located superior to each renal pole. Each gland contains two distinct structures, the outer adrenal…

Cardiotoxins Nicholas J. Connors and Silas W. Smith BACKGROUND Numerous therapeutic options exist for medical management of dysrhythmia, heart failure, and hypertension. In 2011, more than 42.4 million patients received…

Noninvasive Hemodynamic Monitoring Chad M. Meyers BACKGROUND The provision of optimal medical care presents a dilemma in emergency medicine. As the importance of early resuscitation continues to be reinforced, the…

Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock Daniel Sedehi and Venu Menon Background Acute heart failure syndrome (AHFS) is a term intended to capture pathologic changes in cardiac function that are new…