Thursday 14 July 2011
Wednesday 13 July 2011
Tuesday 12 July 2011
Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR)
Definition
Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is an abnormal movement of urine from the bladder into ureters or kidneys. Urine normally travels from the kidneys via the ureters to the bladder. In vesicoureteral reflux the direction of urine flow is reversed (retrograde).
Causes
· Primary VUR
Insufficient submucosal length of the ureter relative to its diameter causes inadequacy of the valvular mechanism.
· Secondary VUR
Valvular mechanism is intact.
But, overwhelmed by raised vesicular pressures associated with obstruction, which distorts the ureterovesical junction.
Futher divided into:
1. Anatomical: Posterior urethral valves; urethral or meatal stenosis.
These causes are treated surgically when possible.
2. Functional: Bladder instability, neurogenic bladder and non-neurogenic neurogenic bladder urinary tract infections may cause reflux due to the elevated pressures associated with inflammation.
Resolution of functional VUR will usually occur if the precipitating cause is treated and resolved. Medical and/or surgical treatment may be indicated.
Grade I – reflux into non-dilated ureter
Grade II – reflux into the renal pelvis and calyces without dilatation
Grade III – mild/moderate dilatation of the ureter, renal pelvis and calyces with minimal blunting of the fornices
Grade IV – dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces with moderate ureteral tortuosity
Grade V – gross dilatation of the ureter, pelvis and calyces; ureteral tortuosity; loss of papillary impressions
Diagnosis
The following procedures may be used to diagnose VUR:
1. Nuclear cystogram (RNC)
2. Fluoroscopic voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)
4. Abdominal ultrasound
Classification of Venous Diseases
CEAP classification
The elements of the CEAP classification are:
Clinical severity | |
Etiology or cause | |
Anatomy | |
Pathophysiology |
There are seven grades of increasing clinical severity:
Grade | Description |
C 0 | No evidence of venous disease. |
C 1 | Superficial spider veins (reticular veins) only |
C 2 | Simple varicose veins only |
C 3 | Ankle oedema of venous origin (not foot oedema) |
C 4 | Skin pigmentation in the gaiter area (lipodermatosclerosis) |
C 5 | A healed venous ulcer |
C 6 | An open venous ulcer |
Recommendations for new patients with venous disease
Group | Action |
CEAP 1 | No need to refer to NHS clinic, cosmetic problem only |
CEAP 2 | Refer routinely to "Fast Track Varicose Vein Clinic" for photoplethysmography assessment |
CEAP 3 - 5 | Refer soon to "Fast Track Varicose Vein Clinic" for venous duplex ultrasound assessment |
CEAP 6 | Refer urgently to "One Stop Leg Ulcer Clinic" for full leg ulcer assessment |
Acute Limb Ischaemia (ALI)
Rutherford's Classification of Peripheral Arterial Disease
Class | Category | Prognosis | Sensory loss | Muscle weakness | Arterial Doppler | Venous Doppler |
I | Viable | No immediate limb threat | None | None | Audible | Audible |
IIA | Threatened: marginal | Salvageable if treated promptly | Minimal-none | None | +/-Audible | Audible |
IIB | Threatened: Immediate | Salvageable if treated immediately | More than just toes | Mild-moderate | Rare audible | Audible |
III | Irreversible | Limb loss or permanent damage | Profound | Profound | None | None |
-from the Society of Vascular Surgery/International Society of Cardiovascular Surgery (Rutherford et al, 1997)
1. Usually thrombotic occlusions are class I or IIA and are treated with intra-arterial thrombolysis if symptom duration <14 days (especially if bypass graft occlusion) and if patient has significant co-morbidities/high operative risk.
2. Usually embolic occlusions are class IIB or III. They usually require surgery as thrombolytics take effect too slowly.
Thursday 7 July 2011
Tuesday 5 July 2011
Anti-Arrhythmic Agents
Singh Vaughan Williams classification of antiarrhythmic agents
5. Class V agents work by other or unknown mechanisms.
Class | Known as | Examples | Mechanism |
Ia | Na+ channel blockers | ||
Ib | |||
Ic | |||
II | Beta-blockers | beta blocking Propranolol also shows some class I action | |
III | K+ channel blockers | ||
IV | L-type Ca2+ channel blockers | ||
V | Miscellaneous | Work by other or unknown mechanisms (Direct nodal inhibition). |
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