Dr Harshit Aggarwal, Author at ICUNOTES

VExUS (Venous Excess Ultrasound Score)

POCUS / Dr Harshit Aggarwal / July 26, 2026

VExUS (Venous Excess Ultrasound Score) VExUS is a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS)-based scoring system used to quantify systemic venous congestionand predict organ dysfunction (especially congestive nephropathy) in critically ill patients. It integrates: IVC size (macro congestion) Doppler patterns in venous systems (micro congestion transmission) Why VExUS? (Core Concept) Traditional markers (CVP, edema, weight gain) are: Late […]

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Preeclampsia and Eclampsia

Obstetrics critical care / Dr Harshit Aggarwal / July 26, 2026

Preeclampsia and Eclampsia Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy Classification Disorder Features Chronic hypertension Hypertension before pregnancy or before 20 weeks gestation Gestational hypertension/Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH) New HTN after 20 weeks, no proteinuria/end-organ dysfunction Preeclampsia HTN after 20 weeks with proteinuria and/or end-organ dysfunction Eclampsia Preeclampsia with seizures Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia Chronic HTN plus new

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FAT EMBOLISM SYNDROME

Uncategorized / Dr Harshit Aggarwal / July 24, 2026

FAT EMBOLISM SYNDROME (FES) Fat embolism Presence of fat globules within the circulation. Very common after trauma. Usually asymptomatic. Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES) Clinical syndrome resulting from systemic fat embolization producing: Respiratory failure Neurological dysfunction Petechial rash Multiorgan dysfunction Remember Fat embolism ≠ Fat embolism syndrome. Only about 1–10% of patients with fat emboli develop

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Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome

Uncategorized / Dr Harshit Aggarwal / July 24, 2026

Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome (DDS) Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome (DDS) is an acute neurological syndrome that occurs during or shortly after hemodialysis, caused by rapid reduction in plasma osmolality, leading to movement of water into brain cells, resulting in cerebral edema and raised intracranial pressure (ICP). it is a diagnosis of exclusion. Pathophysiology Mechanism Pathophysiology / Effect

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Ileus in the ICU

Gastro and HepatoBilliary Critical Care / Dr Harshit Aggarwal / July 23, 2026

Ileus in the ICU Ileus is a functional, non-mechanical inhibition of intestinal propulsion resulting in impaired transit of gas, fluids, and enteral contents through the gastrointestinal tract without an anatomical obstruction. . Pathophysiology ICU ileus is multifactorial. Cause Mechanism Neurogenic mechanisms Critical illness causes ↑ sympathetic activity and ↓ parasympathetic (vagal) activity, resulting in reduced

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GASTROPARESIS

Gastro and HepatoBilliary Critical Care / Dr Harshit Aggarwal / July 22, 2026

GASTROPARESIS Delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical gastric outlet obstruction. Epidemiology 40–70% mechanically ventilated patients Up to 60% septic shock patients Common after major surgery More common in: Head injury Stroke Burns Trauma Pancreatitis Multiple organ dysfunction Delayed gastric emptying contributes significantly to Underfeeding Aspiration pneumonia Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) Increased ICU stay Pathophysiology

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Nutritional Assessment in ICU

General ICU Care / Dr Harshit Aggarwal / July 22, 2026

Nutritional Assessment in ICU A common pitfall in nutritional assessment is misinterpreting the effects of acute illness (e.g., albumin shifts in septic shock) as indicators of underlying malnutrition. History Acute disease effects: Conditions like sepsis, trauma, or inflammation can cause fluid shifts, hypoalbuminemia, and weight fluctuations, which may not reflect true nutritional status. Oral intake

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Enteral Nutrition in ICU

General ICU Care / Dr Harshit Aggarwal / July 22, 2026

Enteral Nutrition in ICU Every critically ill patient staying for more than 48 h in the ICU should be considered at risk for malnutrition. Initiation of Nutrition Therapy in Critically Ill Patients (ESPEN 2023) Recommendation Practical ICU Points Start medical nutrition therapy (MNT) Consider nutrition support for all ICU patients, especially if ICU stay is

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ICU Delirium

Uncategorized / Dr Harshit Aggarwal / July 20, 2026

ICU Delirium Definition(DSM-5) ICU delirium is an acute, fluctuating disturbance of consciousness and cognition, characterized by: Impaired attention Altered level of awareness Disorganized thinking ± perceptual disturbances It develops over hours to days and is a manifestation of acute brain dysfunction.ICU psychosis’ is an outdated misnomer. DSM-5 criteria explicitly state that these new changes in

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Acalculous Cholecystitis

Uncategorized / Dr Harshit Aggarwal / July 20, 2026

Acalculous Cholecystitis (AAC) Acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is acute inflammation of the gallbladder in the absence of gallstones. It primarily occurs in critically ill or postoperative patients, often those with sepsis, trauma, burns, or prolonged fasting/parenteral nutrition. AAC represents about 5–10% of all cases of acute cholecystitis, but it carries a much higher morbidity and mortality

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