Overview Acute kidney injury (AKI) (formerly acute renal failure) is the syndrome arising from a rapid fall in GFR (over hours to days). It is characterized by retention of both nitrogenous (including Urea…

Overview Third most common cause of death worldwide and most common cause of neurological disability. It is subdivided into ischaemic stroke (caused by vascular occlusion or stenosis) and haemorrhagic stroke…

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…

Overview Pulmonary embolism occurs most often from a dislodged thrombus from the lower limb (DVT). The embolus travels towards the lung and becomes lodged in the pulmonary artery resulting in infarction of…

Overview Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot in a vein deep under the skin 25-50% of surgical patients and many non-surgical patients. 65% of DVT are below the knee are symptomatic and…

Overview Chronic pancreatitis is characterised by recurrent or persistent abdominal pain arising from the pancreas. The inflammatory process results in irreversible destruction and fibrosis of the pancreas.…

Overview Atrial fibrillation, AF is a chaotic, irregular atrial rhythm at 300-600bpm; the AV node responds intermittently, hence an irregular ventricular rate. AF is the most common sustained…

Overview Goitre refers to an enlarged thyroid gland. Thyroid nodules are common in the general population, especially in women. Goitre results from follicular cell hyperplasia at one or multiple sites within…

75 year old presents to emergency with a 2 day history nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. He has not been tolerating oral fluids and is currently confused with a GCS of 14. He has a past…

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…