Education

Olanzapine (Zyprexa) is a second-generation ("atypical") antipsychotic that can be administered as an oral disintegrating tablet (ODT) or intramuscular (IM) injection. Like most antipsychotics, olanzapine works by blocking postsynaptic dopamine (D2) and serotonin (5HT2)...

Aorta-esophageal fistula is an abnormal communication between the aorta and esophagus leading to life-threatening exsanguination via the GI tract. This can be caused by procedures (e.g., weeks following cardiac arrhythmia ablation), malignancy, foreign body,...

As part of a quick point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) examination, ocular ultrasound can help determine increased intracranial pressure (ICP), retinal detachment, lens dislocation, vitreous hemorrhage, etc. in conjunction with the patient’s history and physical exam. For...

As a follow-up to my labeled anatomical heart emoji, I give you the lungs! Also from the Emoji 13.0 list.

The "anatomical heart" was approved with Unicode 13.0 in 2020 and added to Emoji 13.0 the same year. Its appearance varies based on the platform (Apple, Google, Samsung, Facebook, etc), but below, I've labeled...

A patient’s breathing pattern can help guide response to therapies and diagnostics. Normal breathing is regular and comfortable at a rate of 12-20 breaths per minute (bpm). Tachypnea and bradypnea have rates above and below...

Virchow's triad of stasis, vascular damage, and hypercoagulability contribute to thrombosis. Although patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are usually on pharmacologic anticoagulation (i.e., heparin), it's still possible to form clots in areas of...

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has a few basic parts: an inflow ("drainage") cannula, mechanical blood pump, membrane oxygenator, heat exchanger, and an outflow ("return") cannula. In a motor failure, pump flow can be maintained...