Intravenous (IV) fluids are ubiquitous in medicine. Crystalloid fluids consist of electrolytes and/or dextrose. They are traditionally used to replace ongoing fluid losses, hydrate patients who cannot tolerate enteral intake, reconstitute medications, etc. Colloids...

One of the unfortunate aspects of physician training is that although we spend countless years and dollars learning how to become competent clinical decision-makers, there aren't many lessons on financial management. As new attendings,...

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...

Patients with suspected diaphragm paralysis (e.g., elevated hemidiaphragm on chest x-ray, a surgery that is high risk for compromising the phrenic nerve, etc.) can be evaluated using motion mode ("M-mode") ultrasonography at the bedside....

The Cabrol shunt is a technique for controlling bleeding around the aortic root following aortic valve or root manipulation. When conventional methods like additional suturing, correction of any coagulopathy, and localized hemostatic agents have...

As a cardiothoracic (CT) intensive care unit (ICU) physician, knowing how to balance resuscitation with inotrope and vasopressor support is a large part of my job. For patients on post-operative days (POD) 0 or...

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