Note: If the referrer feels the presentation of a patient is not within the inclusion/exclusion criteria they can still contact the SDEC co-ordinator and check for acceptance into SDEC.
LVADs (Left Ventricular Assist Device) are becoming more common and there are patients in our region with them as a bridge to transplant or recovery and in some cases a destination therapy.
The patient and their family will likely know more about this device than you and should have brought spare parts. Our local LVAD centre is Wythenshaw however, there are other units around the country the patient may direct you to.
The patient may not have a palpable pulse, the blood pressure will be low and the heart pump sounds like a buzz when you listen.
If patient is unresponsive or has a history of collapse its important to troubleshoot the device and resusitation may be required
Mind the Gap is a handbook of clinical signs in black and brown skins
You need to be a bit more suspicious and have a lower threshold for investigation than in patients without Known, Suspected OR Previous Malignancy Read more
COPD patients vary widely, due to their comorbidities, social circumstances, and wishes. So choosing the best treatment pathway for the patient can be complex. Involve senior decision makers.
Questions
Severity – Severe or Life threatening – think RESUSThe prevalence of diseases transmitted by tick bite have increased in recent years, within the UK. And it is now recognised that there are 3 main infections
Unfortunately the the normal pathway for investigation of PE performs poorly in pregnancy RCOG have the following pathway
90% of hypercalcaemia is due to either malignancy or hyperparathyroid.
Severity: Adjusted Calcium (Ca)
Bell’s Plays is a lower motor neurone (LMN) lesion of the facial nerve (CN VII), which causes one side of the face to “droop” [1% of cases are bilateral], and patients are often concerned that it is a stroke.
However, unlike in stroke the whole face is affected, in stroke and other upper motor neurone (UMN) lesions the upper portion of the face is unaffected due to input from both sides of the brain. Read more
