Malignant hyperthermia is a severe reaction to medications used during general anesthesia. This reaction is an autosomal dominant disorder that only affects those that are susceptible. These people carry mutations that result in abnormal RYR1 or DHP receptors. When these patients are exposed to triggering...
An ECG is a graph that shows the electrical activity of the heart. To understand this graph, it is key to understand the way the electrical activity travels through the heart. It starts in the sinus node, which contains cells that are able to initiate...
PetCO2 stands for partial pressure of end tidal CO2, and it is directly influenced by cardiac output. An increase in cardiac output creates an increase in pulmonary blood flow. This means better perfusion of the alveoli; as a result, more blood flows through the lungs...
Glaucoma encompasses a group of diseases in which the optic nerve is damaged, which can cause vision loss. The different types of glaucoma are: Open angle glaucoma: the most common type of glaucoma. It develops slowly over time and is painless. Closed angle glaucoma: is...
A capnography is used to monitor the concentration of partial pressure of CO2 in the respiratory gases. It is most often used for monitoring patients in the intensive care unit and during anesthesia. The graph presents the amount of CO2 that is exhaled in mmHg,...
Ventricular fibrillation is a situation in which the ventricles of the heart beat in an abnormal rhythm because of disorganized electrical activity. This is a dangerous condition because it can quickly result in a cardiac arrest and death, if left untreated. Under normal circumstances, the...