Abstract The regulation of small blood vessels (arterioles, venules and capillaries) and the formation of interstitial fluid at the capillary beds is an important process in the understanding of the…
Abstract Blood flow through a vascular bed is usually determined by the pressure gradient across it and the diameter of the precapillary resistance vessels. Special circulations have additional specific features…
Multiple choice questions 1 Strategies to avoid intra-operative blood transfusion Which of the following are true regarding the mechanism of action and pharmacological benefits of tranexamic acid (TXA)? A. Is…
Abstract Blood is made up of plasma and formed elements, which are red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The red blood cells (erythrocytes) make up the vast majority…
Abstract Cardiac output monitoring has become commonplace amongst the standard monitoring in anaesthesia for major surgery and in intensive care. Multiple techniques are used, employing different models to calculate flow,…
Abstract Haemostasis is a complex process that ensures the maintenance of blood flow under normal physiological conditions and prevents major blood loss following vascular injury. The process is tightly regulated…
Abstract A patient’s pregnancy status should be determined prior to undergoing any procedure which has the potential to cause harm to a pregnant mother or fetus. Anaesthesia and surgery, alongside…
Abstract Haemorrhage affects all patient groups. Coagulopathy (an abnormality of the clotting system) is closely interlinked with haemorrhage and can either place patients at risk of future bleeding or can…
Abstract Sickle cell disease is an autosomal recessive multi-systemic blood condition, caused because of a mutation in chromosome 11 resulting in production of abnormal β globin of haemoglobin or HbS….
Abstract Transfusion of donor blood is sometimes unavoidable during the surgical episode. However, it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, whilst interventions that reduce the need for donor transfusions…
