Medical Concepts

 PORTAL HYPERTENSION Definition: "Portal Hyperension is present when the hepatic venous pressure gradient exceeds 10mmHg and risk of variceal bleeding increases beyond a gradient of 12mmHg." Classification: According to The Site of Action: 1. Pre-Hepatic, Pre-Sinusoidal:     Caused by;          Portal vein thrombosis due to sepsis          Abdominal trauma including surgery. 2. Intra-hepatic pre-sinusoidal:    Caused by;          Schistosomiasis         Congenital hepatic fibrosis         Drugs         Sarcoidosis 3. Sinusoidal:     Caused by;          Cirrhosis         Polycystic liver disease        Nodular regenerative hyperplasia        Metastatic malignant disease 4. Intrahepatic Post-sinusoidal:     Caused by;        Veno-occlusive disease 5. Post-hepatic post-sinusoidal:   Caused by;       Budd-Chiari syndrome Etiology: Cirrhosis Schistosomiasis Portal vein thrombosis Drugs Fibrosis Clinical Features: Variceal bleeding Congestive gastropathy Renal failure Iron deficien

MEDICAL EMERGENCY- POISONING Management of the poisoned patient involves procedures designed to prevent the absorption, minimize the toxicity, and hasten the elimination to the suspected toxin. The prompt employment of appropriate emergency management procedures often can prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality. A Regional Poison Center is a practitioner's best source of definitive treatment information and should be consulted in all poisonings, regardless of the apparent simplicity of the case. In all cases, every attempt should be made to accurately identify the toxin, estimate the quantity involved, and determine the time that has passed since the exposure. These data, plus patient-specific parameters such as age, weight, sex, and underlying medical condition or drug-use will assist the person and the Regional Poison Center in designing an appropriate therapeutic plan for the patient. POISONING BY TOPICAL EXPOSURES: Immediately irrigate affected areas with a copious amount

  MEDICAL EMERGENCY- ANAPHYLAXIS Definition: " Anaphylaxis is a systemic response to exposure to an allergen caused by rapid, IgE-mediatd release of histamine and other mediators from tissue mast cells and circulating basophils". Symptoms: Symptoms usually occur within a few seconds or minutes of exposure but can be delayed or recur many hours after apparent resolution (exposure). Causes: Upper airway obstruction Cardiovascular collapse are the most common causes of death in anaphylaxis. Treatment: The treatment of anaphylaxis is directed towards its three Major Presentations : Skin Manifestations: Angioedema, Urticaria Respiratory distress: Wheezing, Stridor, Dyspnea from laryngeal edema, laryngospasm and bronchospasm Hypotension All specific treatment measures should be accompanied by basic resuscitative measures including clear airway, supplemented oxygen and IV access. General Therapy and Skin Manifestations: 1. Epinephrine HCl, IM or SC, 0.3-0.5mg ; may repeat q(every)

MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION Definition: Myocardial Infarction is defined as " a diseased condition which is caused by reduced blood flow to the coronary artery due to atherosclerosis and occlusion of artery by embolus or thrombus." Myocardial Infarction (or Heart attack) is the irreversible damage of myocardial tissue due to prolonged ischemia or hypoxia. Universally accepted definition of MI:  Evidence of myocardial necrosis in consistent with the myocardial ischemia, in which case any of the following meets the diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction. Evidence rises and/or fall of cardiac biomarkers (preferably troponin). ECG changes indicative of new ischemia (new ST-T changes or new left bundle branch block) Development of pathological Q waves. Imaging evidence of new loss of viable myocardium or new regional wall motion abnormality. Etiology: Tobacco smoking Diabetes Mellitus Age Hypertension Obesity Gender Stress Drug abuse Alcohol consumption Family history of ischemic heart dise