Icu Rounds

This is the third in the series on severe pancreatitis and necrotizing pancreatitis.  This episode reviews the indications for surgery, morbidity and mortality of surgery, and what are the surgical options.  

A brief discussion of the considerations of ICU care of the patient with severe pancreatitis, fluid resuscitation, respiratory, renal, and nutrition.

This is an initial presentation of the causes and diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.  

All the recent emphasis on venous catheter infections has been on central lines.   Those peripheral IVs are also dangerous.  

Acute Colonic Pseudoobstruction (ACPO) is commonly called Ogilvies Syndrome.  ACPO presents massive dilation in critically ill patients, and might result in invasive procedures to avoid ischemia or perforation of the colon.

A brief summary of what are hemoglobin based oxygen carriers (HBOC) and where are they in development.

Discussion of what is the difference between a CVC infection and a catheter-related blood stream infection. They are treated differently so it is important to know the difference.

A discussion on nosocomial infections and VAP.

What horrible things can happen with central lines once they have been inserted.

A discussion of the potential problems encountered while inserting central venous catheters.

This episode discusses the effects and risks of anesthesia on patients with pulmonary disease as well as the effects of anesthesia on pulmonary physiology.

Ingestion of caustic materials can be fatal and difficult to evaluate. These patients are often referred to our burn center.

An introduction to the basic science in fluids used to treat hypovolemia.

This episode is a discussion about how to approach an arterial blood gas result.

Discussion of the technology of the pulse oximeter

This is an interview that I did on www.medtalknetwork.com with Dr. Brian Cotton. Dr. Cotton recently left Vanderbilt to take a new position at UT Houston. He is an excellent teacher and his opinions on fluids resuscitation are cutting edge.

When and how can providing a starving patient nutrition be potentially deadly.

Understanding the root cause of hypoxia will allow for more appropriate treatment.

Evaluation and treatment of elevated serum sodium is presented.

Hyponatremia or a low serum sodium is a common electrolyte problem that is dangerous if ignored or treated improperly.