Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) is a cardiac arrythmia that is more commonly encountered in patients with myocardial infarction and heart failure. It is classified as a Broad Complex Tachycardia (BCT) i.e. the heart rate is greater than 100 beats per minute and the QRS complexes on the ECG are prolonged in duration. However, while VT is […]
Acute pericarditis is defined as an 'inflammatory pericardial syndrome with or without pericardial effusion' It is the most common pathological condition affecting the pericardium. (the bag in which the heart sits) Pericarditis is seen predominantly in males with the average age of hospitalised patients in the 40’s. Pericarditis can mimic a myocardial infarction both in terms […]
As Winter approaches healthcare professionals will unfortunately encounter more patients with life threatening hypothermia. Hypothermia is defined as a drop in body temperature below 35oC and occurs when the body releases more heat than it absorbs or generates. The mortality rate of people with moderate to severe hypothermia is around 50% even with supportive in-hospital care. […]
