Updates to the LITFL Critical Care Compendium are coming thick and fast at the moment. Here’s a quick summary as these entries don’t appear in the LITFL blog feed, and you otherwise need to search for them using search keywords in the CCC table, by googling “litfl ccc searchterm” or by searching GoogleFOAM. Remember, constructive feedback is the fuel that LITFL runs on, hit us with it!
Here’s what is new in the CCC since CCC Update 010:
Cerebral venous thrombosis
This condition reared its head in the last round of FCICM exam vivas I believe — and it wouldn’t surprise me if it turned up in the written exam in the (very) near future. The presentation is variable (headache +/- anything else) and diagnosis can be tricky. Diagnosing CVT requires a high index of suspicion — ensure your antennae are especially pricked up in those with risk factors (such as thrombophilia, oestrogen excess or local factors predisposing to thrombosis like head and neck infections). Remember that the presence of haemorrhages (which are common) are not a contra-indication to therapeutic anticoagulation.
This condition reared its head in the last round of FCICM exam vivas I believe — and it wouldn’t surprise me if it turned up in the written exam in the (very) near future. The presentation is variable (headache +/- anything else) and diagnosis can be tricky. Diagnosing CVT requires a high index of suspicion — ensure your antennae are especially pricked up in those with risk factors (such as thrombophilia, oestrogen excess or local factors predisposing to thrombosis like head and neck infections). Remember that the presence of haemorrhages (which are common) are not a contra-indication to therapeutic anticoagulation.
Coroner’s clot
A CCC Update without a new airway entry just doesn’t cut the mustard, so here you go… The feared ‘coroner’s clot’ was the cause of one death in the famous NAP4 study: “In one case, an inhaled blood clot after tonsillectomy produced total tracheal obstruction which was initially attributed to asthma and led to fatal cardiac arrest.” Know about it then face your fears.
A CCC Update without a new airway entry just doesn’t cut the mustard, so here you go… The feared ‘coroner’s clot’ was the cause of one death in the famous NAP4 study: “In one case, an inhaled blood clot after tonsillectomy produced total tracheal obstruction which was initially attributed to asthma and led to fatal cardiac arrest.” Know about it then face your fears.
The Elderly and Critical Care
This page centers on defining the physiological and pathological changes seen in the elderly that are of relevance to the critical care physician. I expect it will continue to evolve as this is a really important topic IMO. The benefits and harms of ICU admission for the elderly is a complex topic, and an increasingly important one. I’ve taken frailty out and given it its own page.
This page centers on defining the physiological and pathological changes seen in the elderly that are of relevance to the critical care physician. I expect it will continue to evolve as this is a really important topic IMO. The benefits and harms of ICU admission for the elderly is a complex topic, and an increasingly important one. I’ve taken frailty out and given it its own page.
Extremity injuries
Extremity injuries are sometimes under appreciated when faced with the maelstrom of the critically ill multi-trauma patient. However, there are a host of life and limb threats to be found when extremities are traumatised. This page gives you an approach and includes life-threatening haemorrhage, crush, compartment syndromes, neurological injuries, degloving and open fractures. Extremity arterial injury is dealt with in more detail on it’s own page.
Extremity arterial injury
Direct pressure goes along way, but there is more to it than that. An approach is provided covering the hard and soft signs of arterial injury, including the role of the arterial pressure index (API) and CT angiography. Management goes beyond direct pressure, and includes resuscitation, tourniquet use and both surgical and IR interventions.
Direct pressure goes along way, but there is more to it than that. An approach is provided covering the hard and soft signs of arterial injury, including the role of the arterial pressure index (API) and CT angiography. Management goes beyond direct pressure, and includes resuscitation, tourniquet use and both surgical and IR interventions.
Fluid balance
Having added a critical appraisal of fluid bolus therapy and exciting topic of de-resuscitation and postive fluid balance and last time round, it seemed necessary to have a page on the humble concept of fluid balance, with a focus on the pros and cons of the equally humble fluid balance chart. You can’t join the intensivist club unless you develop a nagging urge to eradicate positive fluid balances from your ICU… just remember that the fluid balance chart usually lies.
Having added a critical appraisal of fluid bolus therapy and exciting topic of de-resuscitation and postive fluid balance and last time round, it seemed necessary to have a page on the humble concept of fluid balance, with a focus on the pros and cons of the equally humble fluid balance chart. You can’t join the intensivist club unless you develop a nagging urge to eradicate positive fluid balances from your ICU… just remember that the fluid balance chart usually lies.
Frailty syndrome
“Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome characterized by loss of physiologic and cognitive reserves that confers vulnerability that predisposes to the accumulation of deficits as well as adverse outcomes from acute stressors”. Assessment of frailty and poor physiological reserve is becoming increasingly important for intensivists because it portends poor outcomes despite the mobilsation of an armada of intensive care therapies, equipment and interventions — which come with a hefty price tag. Frailty accounts for much of the badness associated with the critical care of the elderly — yet though they are associated, not all elderly are frail, and not all frail are elderly.
“Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome characterized by loss of physiologic and cognitive reserves that confers vulnerability that predisposes to the accumulation of deficits as well as adverse outcomes from acute stressors”. Assessment of frailty and poor physiological reserve is becoming increasingly important for intensivists because it portends poor outcomes despite the mobilsation of an armada of intensive care therapies, equipment and interventions — which come with a hefty price tag. Frailty accounts for much of the badness associated with the critical care of the elderly — yet though they are associated, not all elderly are frail, and not all frail are elderly.
ICU-acquired weakness
This is a potentially crippling sequela of critical illness / critical care that can really undo a lot of good critical care leave the patient with persistent disability. ICUAW is a common issue that probably doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Part of the answer to the problem may (or may not) be early mobilisation (see below).
This is a potentially crippling sequela of critical illness / critical care that can really undo a lot of good critical care leave the patient with persistent disability. ICUAW is a common issue that probably doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Part of the answer to the problem may (or may not) be early mobilisation (see below).
Mobilisation in ICU
This page considers the physiological benefits of patient positioning and mobilisation in the ICU, as well as the pros and cons of mobilisation and the barriers to performing it. Early mobilisation in particular is a hot topic, with the results of the TEAM study pilot trial hopefully being released soon…. Early mobilisation may help attenuate the impact of ICU acquired weakness on the longterm outcomes of critically ill patients. The evidence to date is reviewed, but the story is far from over.
This page considers the physiological benefits of patient positioning and mobilisation in the ICU, as well as the pros and cons of mobilisation and the barriers to performing it. Early mobilisation in particular is a hot topic, with the results of the TEAM study pilot trial hopefully being released soon…. Early mobilisation may help attenuate the impact of ICU acquired weakness on the longterm outcomes of critically ill patients. The evidence to date is reviewed, but the story is far from over.
Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS)
We all know it when we see it, as it is the sine qua non of full-blooded critical illness. Yet, it remains unclear what triggers MODS, or why it only seems to occur in certain patients or whether it could even be an adaptive process.
We all know it when we see it, as it is the sine qua non of full-blooded critical illness. Yet, it remains unclear what triggers MODS, or why it only seems to occur in certain patients or whether it could even be an adaptive process.
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