Antibody Mediated Autoimmune Encephalitis Antibody-mediated autoimmune encephalitis is a category of encephalitides characterized by the subacute onset of CNS inflammation. Each of these neurologic diseases can cause a spectrum of symptoms, including subacute memory loss, changes in cognition, psychosis, seizures, abnormal movements, and depressed level of consciousness, all typically developing within 3 mo. Antibodies directed …
Anticholinergic Toxicity Synopsis Urgent Action Immediately obtain ECG and place all patients on continuous cardiac monitoring Administer sodium bicarbonate to patients with prolonged QRS interval to avoid increased risk of arrhythmia associated with ingestion of certain medications that cause both anticholinergic toxicity and sodium channel blockade (eg, tricyclic antidepressants, diphenhydramine) Administer sodium bicarbonate to patients …
Anticoagulant therapy in atrial fibrillation Anticoagulant terminology Vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant Warfarin Non–vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant The following terms are used interchangeably: Non–vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC) Has also been used for the less precise terminology novel anticoagulant Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOAC) Options include dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxaban, and edoxaban Anticoagulant recommendations are based on classification of …
Coarctation of Aorta Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta that occurs near the ligamentum arteriosum just distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery. The narrowing can be preductal, juxtaductal, or postductal depending on its insertion site relative to the patent ductus arteriosus origin. It causes an outflow obstruction proximal to …
Aortic Regurgitation Aortic regurgitation (AR) is abnormal retrograde blood flow into the left ventricle from the aorta due to an inadequately closing aortic valve (AV). The inadequate closure of the valve can result from either disease of the ascending aorta (ex. Dilation) and aortic root or disease of aortic valve leaflets. In addition, it can …
Aortic Sclerosis Aortic sclerosis is thickening or calcification of the aortic valve in absence of valve obstruction Aortic sclerosis is the precursor to aortic stenosis, in which progressive valve thickening causes obstruction of blood flow through the valve and out the heart Epidemiology Common in elderly people Observed in a quarter of patients older than 65 years …
Aortic Stenosis 6 Interesting Facts of Aortic Stenosis Aortic stenosis is obstruction of left ventricular systolic outflow across the aortic valve at the aortic valve level, due to narrowing of the valve orifice Symptoms usually develop gradually as the severity of outflow tract obstruction slowly increases over 10 to 15 years, resulting in a long …