Critical Care

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome

Neuro Critical Care /

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) is a clinicoradiological syndrome characterized by: Acute neurological symptoms Vasogenic cerebral edema (predominantly posterior circulation territory) Reversible changes on neuroimaging It is not always posterior and not always reversible Frontal lobes may be involved Basal ganglia involvement possible Brainstem and cerebellar involvement possible Can even […]

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome Read More »

VExUS (Venous Excess Ultrasound Score)

POCUS /

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

VExUS (Venous Excess Ultrasound Score) Read More »

Preeclampsia and Eclampsia

Obstetrics critical care /

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

Preeclampsia and Eclampsia Read More »

Ileus in the ICU

Gastro and HepatoBilliary Critical Care​ /

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

Ileus in the ICU Read More »

GASTROPARESIS 

Gastro and HepatoBilliary Critical Care​ /

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

GASTROPARESIS  Read More »

Nutritional Assessment in ICU

General ICU Care /

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

Nutritional Assessment in ICU Read More »

Enteral Nutrition in ICU

General ICU Care /

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

Enteral Nutrition in ICU Read More »

approach to shock

Cardiac Critical care /

SHOCK Definition Shock is acute circulatory failure resulting in inadequate oxygen delivery (DO₂) relative to tissue oxygen demand (VO₂), leading to cellular dysoxia, organ dysfunction, and, if untreated, death. The key concept is inadequate tissue perfusion, not simply low blood pressure. Why Shock Is Difficult to Define Historically, shock was equated with hypotension. But hypotension

approach to shock Read More »

Hypertensive Crisis

Cardiac Critical care /

Hypertensive Crisis Hypertensive crisis is a spectrum of severe blood pressure elevation associated with actual or potential acute target-organ damage. It is broadly classified into: Hypertensive Emergency Hypertensive Urgency (The 2024 AHA Scientific Statement and 2025 AHA/ACC Hypertension Guideline recommend abandoning the term “hypertensive urgency.” Instead, patients are classified as:severe asymptomatic hypertension) Hypertensive Emergency Severe

Hypertensive Crisis Read More »

Acute Pancreatitis in ICU

Gastro and HepatoBilliary Critical Care​ /

Acute Pancreatitis Acute Pancreatitis is an acute inflammatory process of the pancreas caused by premature activation of pancreatic digestive enzymes leading to autodigestion, inflammation, edema, necrosis, and systemic inflammatory response. It ranges from: Mild self-limiting interstitial edema to Severe necrotizing pancreatitis with multiorgan failure. Diagnostic Criteria (Revised Atlanta Classification) Diagnosis requires 2 of 3 criteria:

Acute Pancreatitis in ICU Read More »

Scroll to Top