The Pulmonary System
The Pulmonary System PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY The lung primarily accomplishes two life-sustaining processes: addition of oxygen to and removal of carbon dioxide from the blood (gas exchange). Approximately 300 million…
The Critical Surgical Abdomen
The Critical Surgical Abdomen DEFINITION For this manual, the critical surgical abdomen is defined as abdominal insults and/or pathophysiological sequelae that result in an open abdomen in the intensive care…
Inflammation
Inflammation LOCAL PROCESS Inflammation presumably evolved as a process to achieve two principle benefits—wound healing and defense against microbiologic invasion. When insults are relatively small (i.e., elective groin hernia wound,…
The Circulation
The Circulation OXYGEN DELIVERY Oxygen delivery to cells is vital for cell metabolic activity and constitutes the principle function of the cardiopulmonary organ system. Before discussing the cardiovascular component of…
The Critical Care Surgeon
The Critical Care Surgeon While the designation of a specialized hospital site for immediate postoperative care dates back to the early 1940s, the creation of surgical intensive care units with…
Be Alert for Lupus Flares
Be Alert for Lupus Flares Anthony D. Slonim MD, DrPH Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease caused by autoantibodies and the deposition of immune complexes. The disease…
Know the Difference Between mmHg and cm H2O
Know the Difference Between mmHg and cm H2O Anthony D. Slonim MD, DrPH Pressure is defined as the force per unit area. It can be applied either to a solid…
Be Concerned About Chest Pain Even if it is Found to be Noncardiac in Nature
Be Concerned About Chest Pain Even if it is Found to be Noncardiac in Nature Laith Altaweel MD Chest pain in the intensive care unit (ICU) is a common and…
Cardiovert Unstable Tachycardias (Both Narrow and Wide Complex)
Cardiovert Unstable Tachycardias (Both Narrow and Wide Complex) Laith Altaweel MD The assessment of a patient with a tachycardia requires a systematic approach. First, the physician must determine whether the…
