Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a life-threatening condition (hence the popular alternative definition of “death is coming”) affecting the coagulation cascade. Typically, clot formation…
Lactic acid fermentation is generally thought of as a process related to anaerobic metabolism in the context of tissue hypoxia from inadequate oxygen delivery…
The concept of a denervated heart is a significant consideration in patients receiving orthotopic heart transplants. When these donor hearts are procured, there’s no…
The lethal triad in trauma – acidosis, hypothermia, and coagulopathy – defines much of what I do in the ICU and cardiothoracic ORs. It’s…
There are four classic disturbances in traditional acid-base equilibria: respiratory acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis, and metabolic alkalosis. The body tries to compensate for a primary…
Oh bicarbonate… how you’ve become the drug which elicits the majority of my soap box lessons on ICU rounds and in the operating room.…