II.Asthma A. Introduction 1. Asthma presentation and symptoms. Asthma causes episodic partially reversible airway obstruction resulting from bronchoconstriction, inflammation, hyperresponsiveness, and mucous plugging. Symptoms include wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and…
I. Introduction II. Focused cardiac ultrasound A. Introduction B. Techniques C. Clinical applications D. FoCUS training, certification, and program maintenance III. Pulmonary ultrasound A. Introduction B. Technique C. Applications IV….
3. Left heart obstruction (mitral valve area <2 cm2, aortic valve area <1.5 cm2, or peak left ventricular outflow tract gradient >30 mm Hg by echocardiography) 4. Reduced left ventricular function (ejection…
2. Despite the very low incidence of neurologic injury, it represents a significant contributor to malpractice litigation. Davies et al.11 performed an obstetric anesthesia closed claims analysis of 426 claims from…
2. Fetal lung development takes place throughout pregnancy, and lung maturation continues well into the neonatal period. The pulmonary transition that occurs in the fetus is initiated before labor begins. Cortisol…
Vascular spasm, mediated by vasoconstrictor substances released from platelets, reduces blood flow and occurs in the first stages of hemostasis. Damaged endothelium attracts platelets, which adhere to it, forming a…
C. Assessment of renal function during pregnancy 1. Renal function is commonly assessed by two techniques. The first measures serum levels of creatinine and BUN. However, these serum values will not…
6. Individualized risk assessment determines choice of modality. The risk of iatrogenic premature delivery, prompted by false-positive testing results, must be considered. B. Screening ultrasound survey 1. A screening ultrasound exam is commonly…
B. Factors contributing to the difficult airway. Difficult mask ventilation, difficult laryngoscopy, and difficult intubation are factors that contribute to a difficult airway. 1. Difficult mask ventilation and difficult laryngoscopy occurs…
B. First stage of labor. Pain during the first stage of labor is essentially visceral in nature and occurs due to a combination of both uterine contractions and endocervical dilation. Although…
