Overview Acute limb ischaemia refers to any sudden decrease in limb perfusion that causes a potential threat to viability. It is associated with pain, motor and sensory loss, and cold sensation. It affects one in about 6000 of the population1 and is more common in the lower limb, with less than 17% of cases affecting […]

Overview Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an acute, immune-mediated polyneuropathy typically triggered by a preceding gastrointestinal or respiratory infection. It is characterised by an autoimmune attack on the peripheral nerves, leading to mainly demyelination but also axonal degeneration, which impairs nerve conduction and causes muscle weakness and paralysis. GBS affects about 1–2 per 100,000 people annually. […]

Overview Paracetamol overdose is a common cause of hospital presentation. Paracetamol is an analgesic and antipyretic drug used in both children and adults. Its mechanism of action is yet to be fully determined, and is likely to involve a number of pain pathways. When taken in excess it can cause signs such as vomiting, right […]

Overview ARDS is an acute, diffuse, inflammatory lung injury that leads to increased pulmonary vascular permeability, increased lung weight, and a loss of aerated tissue. Clinical hallmarks of ARDS are hypoxemia and bilateral radiographic opacities, while the pathological hallmark is diffuse alveolar damage. Pathophysiology Aetiology Pathophysiology Clinical Manifestation Clinical Presentation Clinical Course Investigations and Diagnosis Diagnostic […]

Overview Heart failure is a condition in which the heart does not pump enough blood to meet all the needs of the body. It is caused by heart muscle damage or dysfunction, valve problems, heart rhythm disturbances and other rarer causes. Acute heart failure can present as new-onset heart failure in people without known cardiac […]

Overview Cardiac arrest is a state of circulatory failure due to a loss of cardiac systolic function. It is the result of 4 specific cardiac rhythm disturbances: Epidemiology Initial Assessment and Management PRIMARY SURVEY   Assessment Management Airway Patency Look – swelling, injury or object around mouth/face Jaw thrust, chin lift, positioning, clear debrisGuedel, nasopharyngeal […]

Introduction Most asthma deaths occur outside hospital and are: Asthma Assessment Mild-Moderate (maybe admitted to hospital or more likely may improve and go home) Severe (admitted to hospital) Life-Threatening (Admitted to hospital possible transferred to a higher level faculty) Mild/Moderate Asthma Mild (maybe admitted to hospital or more likely may improve and go home) Management: Discharge Acute […]

Overview The muscle groups of the human limbs are divided into section or compartments. Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) occurs when increased pressure within a compartment compromises circulation and function of tissues within that area. common sites of ACS is the leg and forearm. Aetiology and Risk Factors Aetiology Clinical Manifestation Clinical Presentation Pain is the most […]

Diabetic Ketoacidosis Overview Diabetic Ketoacidosis may be the presenting feature in a patient not previously recognised as having diabetes. In a patient with known diabetes, it may be precipitated by omitting insulin doses, or by the insulin. Diabetic ketoacidosis has a mortality rate of 8- to 50% in the elderly. Clinical Presentation Aetiology (5I’s) + Initial Diagnosis […]

Overview Infective endocarditis is a condition which occurs in the setting of bacteraemia whereby endothelial surfaces of the heart, such as valvular structures, become infected. It can present acutely or subacutely, and is often associated with fevers, new heart murmurs, constitutional symptoms and embolic phenomena. The classical organism associated is Staphylcoccus aureus, however there are […]