How the blood gas analyser measures ABG variables Question 9.1 from the second paper of 2008 asks of the bewildered candidates: "Outline  how pH, PCO2 and PO2  are measured in a blood gas analyser and briefly state the underlying principle behind  each of those measurements." The pass rate of 47% was pleasantly surprising, suggesting that many (if not all) of the candidates arose from an intellectually robust anaesthetic background. Judgi...

ICU Management & Practice, Volume 18 - Issue 1, 2018 Understanding LVAD & artificial hearts Regarding the growing number of patients with long-term mechanical assist devices, intensivists need to understand the physiology of the devices, their functioning, potential complications and their management. Long-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is being used increasingly for patients at risk of dying from heart failure and cardiogenic shock (Ponik...

Drugs & Diseases > Medscape > Fast Five Quizzes Fast Five Quiz: Venous Thromboembolism Zab Mosenifar, MD December 13, 2018 Venous thromboembolism (VTE) encompasses two interrelated conditions that are part of the same spectrum: deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). PE and DVT can occur in the setting of disease processes, after hospitalization for serious illness, or after major surgery. Th...