Critical Care
Browse 381 topics in critical care, including presentations, diagnoses, procedures, tools, and exam links.
Specialty map
Use the filters below to move between emergency clusters, core pathways, exam topics, procedures, and the most relevant clinical atlas pages.
Abdominal Anatomy
Define/Describe - Overview of abdominal regions and divisions... CICM First Part Written SAQ, CICM First Part Written MCQ exam preparation.
Abdominal Trauma
The management of abdominal trauma has undergone a paradigm shift over the last three decades, moving away from "mandatory laparotomy" for all penetrating wounds toward a sophisticated approach of Selective...
Abdominal Trauma
Answer: Quick Answer : Abdominal trauma evaluation requires systematic assessment combining clinical examination, imaging (FAST and CT), and laboratory investigations. Blunt injuries are managed non-operatively in...
Acalculous Cholecystitis in Critical Care
Post-cardiac surgery patient with unexplained sepsis and RUQ tenderness... CICM Second Part Written, CICM Second Part Hot Case exam preparation.
Acid-Base Disorders
Systematic Approach: pH → Primary disorder → Anion gap → Compensation → Delta ratio... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
Acid-Base Physiology
Answer: Acid-base physiology describes the mechanisms that maintain arterial pH within the narrow range of 7.35-7.45. This regulation occurs through three integrated systems: chemical buffers (immediate), respiratory...
Acute Coronary Syndromes
Classification based on ECG and troponin: STEMI (ST elevation + troponin rise), NSTEMI (no ST elevation + troponin ri... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
Acute Epiglottitis in Adults
Acute epiglottitis is a life-threatening inflammatory condition affecting the epiglottis and surrounding supraglottic structures, capable of progressing rapidly to complete airway obstruction. Following widespread...
Acute Heart Failure
Key Facts The "Flash" Phenomenon : In hypertensive AHF, symptoms arise from fluid redistribution (sympathetic-mediated vasoconstriction) rather than total body volume overload. Time is Myocardium : Every hour of delay...
Acute Heart Failure in ICU
Nohria-Stevenson classification divides AHF into four profiles based on congestion (wet/dry) and perfusion (warm/cold... CICM Second Part Written, CICM Secon
Acute Kidney Injury (Adult)
KDIGO 2012 Classification: Three-stage system based on creatinine and urine output... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
The diagnosis is established using the KDIGO (2012) criteria , which defines AKI as a rise in serum creatinine of ≥26.5 µmol/L within 48 hours or a 1.5-fold increase from baseline. Management is focused on identifying...
Acute Kidney Injury in Children
Acute kidney injury (AKI) in children represents a sudden decline in kidney function characterised by rising serum creat... MRCPCH exam preparation.
Acute Kidney Injury Pathology
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is classified by KDIGO into Stages 1-3 based on creatinine rise and urine output. Pathophysiologically, AKI is divided into pre-renal (hypoperfusion), intrinsic (tubular, glomerular,...
Acute Liver Failure
Key Facts The Definition Triad : 1. Acute onset (less than 26 weeks), 2. Coagulopathy (INR ≥1.5), 3. Encephalopathy. The "Killer" Mechanism : Cerebral oedema leading to brainstem herniation is the most common cause of...
Acute Liver Failure
Acute Liver Failure is a high-yield topic for CICM examinations, testing core ICU competencies:... CICM Second Part, FCICM exam preparation.
Acute Mesenteric Ischemia
Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a life-threatening surgical emergency caused by inadequate blood flow to the intestin... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
Acute Pancreatitis
Diagnostic criteria: 2 of 3 (pain, lipase greater than 3× ULN, imaging)... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) - Adult
Comprehensive critical care guide to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome covering Berlin criteria, pathophysiology, lung-protective ventilation, prone positioning, ECMO, and evidence-based management for postgraduate...
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) - Adult
Comprehensive critical care guide to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome covering Berlin criteria, pathophysiology, lung-protective ventilation, prone positioning, ECMO, and evidence-based management for postgraduate...
Acute Sepsis - Paediatric
Sepsis in children is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection.... MRCPCH exam preparation.
Acute Severe Asthma in Adults
Acute severe asthma is a medical emergency characterised by progressive bronchospasm, airway inflammation, and mucus hyp... MRCP exam preparation.
Acute Soft Tissue Infection
Acute soft tissue infections (SSTIs) represent a spectrum of bacterial infections affecting the skin, subcutaneous tissu... MRCS exam preparation.
Acute Valvular Dysfunction
Acute valvular dysfunction represents sudden failure or severe deterioration of heart valve function, causing either reg... MRCP exam preparation.
Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF)
Key Facts Incidence : Occurs in 25–35% of patients hospitalized for acute decompensation of cirrhosis. Mortality : 28-day mortality ranges from 23% (Grade 1) to 75% (Grade 3). Pathophysiology : Massive systemic...
Adrenal Crisis
Adrenal crisis is an acute, life-threatening state of cortisol deficiency that requires immediate recognition and treatm... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
Advanced Life Support - Adult
Adult Advanced Life Support provides the framework for managing cardiac arrest beyond basic CPR and AED use. ALS incorpo... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Alcohol Withdrawal in ICU
Compare symptom-triggered vs fixed-schedule benzodiazepine protocols (evidence, dosing, advantages)... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
Amniotic Fluid Embolism
Hypoxia - Acute respiratory failure, cyanosis, pulmonary edema... CICM Fellowship Written, CICM Fellowship Viva exam preparation.
Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE)
Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) is a catastrophic, unpredictable obstetric emergency characterised by the sudden onset of ... MRCOG exam preparation.
Anaesthesia for the Septic Patient
Sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by dysregulated host response to infection, with septic shock defined as sepsis with persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors despite adequate fluid...
Analgesia in ICU
Pain Assessment: "I would use the BPS or CPOT score, validated in non-communicative ICU patients, with a threshold of... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
Anaphylactic Shock
Adrenaline is the ONLY first-line medication - IM 0.5 mg (1:1,000) into anterolateral thigh... CICM Second Part, ACEM Fellowship exam preparation.
Anticoagulation Reversal
Warfarin reversal: 4F-PCC 25-50 U/kg achieves INR below 1.5 in 10-30 minutes; vitamin K 5-10 mg IV for sustained reve... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
Antimicrobial Pharmacology in Critical Care
Time-dependent killing (beta-lactams): efficacy depends on duration above MIC (%T MIC). Target 50-100% of dosing inte... CICM First Part Written, CICM First
Aortic Dissection
Beta-blockade FIRST: Esmolol or labetalol to target HR below 60 bpm (reduces dP/dt)... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
ARDS Pathology
Define/Describe - Berlin Definition, DAD as histopathological correlate... CICM First Part Written SAQ, CICM First Part Written MCQ exam preparation.
Arterial Line Monitoring
An arterial line (arterial catheter) provides continuous invasive blood pressure monitoring and allows frequent arterial... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
Ascites and Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
Ascites is the pathological accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, occurring in 50% of patients with compensated cirrhosis within 10 years of diagnosis. It represents a critical transition from compensated to...
Ascites Management in Critical Care
Ascites and its complications are high-yield CICM Second Part topics appearing regularly in:... CICM Second Part Written, CICM Second Part Hot Case exam prepara
Aspiration Pneumonia
Key Facts Incidence : Accounts for 5-15% of community-acquired pneumonia; up to 30% in nursing home residents Pathogenesis : Failure of airway protective mechanisms → aspiration of colonised oropharyngeal/gastric...
Asthma in ICU (Status Asthmaticus)
Comprehensive CICM Second Part clinical guide to Status Asthmaticus (acute severe asthma) in the ICU, covering pathophysiology, dynamic hyperinflation, auto-PEEP, mechanical ventilation strategies, permissive...
Atrial Fibrillation in ICU
Incidence 20–40% in ICU patients; new-onset AF (NOAF) associated with 2–4× increased mortality and prolonged ICU stay... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
Australian Marine Envenomation
Immediate vinegar (4-6% acetic acid) for ALL jellyfish stings - inactivates undischarged nematocysts... CICM Second Part Written, CICM Second Part Hot Case e
Australian Snake Envenomation
Pressure Immobilisation Bandage (PIB) - DO NOT REMOVE until antivenom ready... CICM Second Part Written, CICM Second Part Hot Case exam preparation.
Australian Spider Envenomation
Funnel-web: Pressure Immobilisation Bandaging (PIB) immediately, CSL Funnel-Web Spider Antivenom, ICU admission... CICM Second Part Written, CICM Second Part
Autonomic Nervous System Anatomy
Define/Overview - Division of autonomic nervous system, general organization... CICM First Part Written SAQ, CICM First Part Written MCQ exam preparation.
Benzodiazepine Overdose
Understanding the pharmacological basis of benzodiazepine toxicity, recognition of high-risk scenarios (particularly opioid co-ingestion), and appreciation of the risks associated with antidote administration are...
Benzodiazepine Overdose
Benzodiazepine overdose causes CNS depression ranging from mild sedation to coma, typically described as "coma with stab... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Beta-Blocker and Calcium Channel Blocker Overdose
ABCDE, high-flow O₂, secure large-bore IV access (2 x 14G)... CICM Primary Written, CICM Fellowship Written exam preparation.
Beta-Blocker Overdose
Beta-blocker overdose represents a life-threatening cardiovascular emergency characterized by profound bradycardia, hypo... MRCP, FRACP exam preparation.
Blood Component Therapy
Restrictive transfusion (Hb 70 g/L): TRICC, TRISS, and TRICS-III trials support restrictive thresholds in most ICU po... CICM Second Part Written, CICM Secon
Blood Gas Analyzers in ICU
Comprehensive guide to blood gas analyzer technology, measurement principles (pH electrode, Severinghaus CO2 electrode, Clark O2 electrode), co-oximetry, electrolyte measurement, lactate, pre-analytical errors, quality...
Bowel Obstruction
SBO vs LBO: Small bowel (60-70% adhesions) vs large bowel (50-60% cancer)... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
Brachial Plexus and Regional Anaesthesia
Formation - Roots from ventral rami, contributions from C5-T1... CICM First Part Written SAQ, CICM First Part Written MCQ exam preparation.
Bradyarrhythmias & Heart Block in ICU
Atropine 0.5-1 mg IV (max 3 mg) - first-line for symptomatic bradycardia... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
Brain Death and Organ Donation
Brain death and organ donation appear in multiple CICM exam formats:... CICM Second Part, FCICM exam preparation.
Brain Injury Pathology - Primary and Secondary Injury Mechanisms
Define Primary vs Secondary Injury - Temporal and mechanistic distinction... CICM First Part Written SAQ, CICM First Part Written MCQ exam preparation.
Breaking Bad News in Intensive Care
Breaking bad news is one of the most challenging and frequent tasks in intensive care practice. Studies indicate ICU cli... CICM Fellowship Written, CICM Fellow
Bronchiolitis
Key Clinical Features : Coryza prodrome (1-3 days) followed by cough, tachypnoea, wheeze, crackles Work of breathing: subcostal and intercostal recession, nasal flaring, grunting Hypoxia (SpO2 <92%) indicating need...
Bronchoscopy Equipment
Bronchoscope Types: Flexible video (standard adult OD 5.0-5.5mm, slim 3.5-4.2mm, therapeutic 6.0-6.4mm), rigid (stain... CICM Second Part Written, CICM Secon
Burnout and Wellbeing in ICU
Organizational/Structural (most effective): Workload modification, adequate staffing, rostering... CICM Second Part Written, CICM Second Part Hot Case exam p
Burns Assessment and Management
Burns are tissue injuries caused by heat (thermal), chemicals, electricity, radiation, or friction, representing one of ... MRCS, FRACS exam preparation.
Burns in ICU
Burns in ICU require systematic assessment of total body surface area (TBSA) and burn depth, aggressive fluid resuscitat... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
Burns Pathology
Define/Describe - Jackson zones, burn depth classification... CICM First Part Written SAQ, CICM First Part Written MCQ exam preparation.
Calcium Channel Blocker Overdose
Calcium channel blocker (CCB) overdose is a potentially lethal cardiovascular poisoning characterized by profound bradycardia, hypotension, cardiogenic shock, and metabolic derangements including hyperglycaemia....
Calcium Disorders: Hypocalcemia and Hypercalcemia
Calcium gluconate 10% 10-20 mL IV over 10-20 minutes (0.9-1.8 mmol Ca2+)... CICM Second Part Written, CICM Second Part Hot Case exam preparation.
Can't Intubate Can't Oxygenate (CICO)
What is it? Can't Intubate Can't Oxygenate (CICO) is a life-threatening airway emergency where tracheal intubation has failed AND oxygenation cannot be achieved via facemask or supraglottic airway (SGA). This...
Carbon Dioxide Transport & Elimination
Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is transported in blood via three mechanisms: dissolved CO2 (7-10%) , bicarbonate (70-80%) , and carbamino compounds (20-23%) . The enzyme carbonic anhydrase catalyzes the reversible...
Carbon Monoxide and Cyanide Poisoning
100% oxygen via non-rebreather or intubation (reduces CO half-life from 4-5 hours to 60-90 minutes)... CICM Second Part Written, CICM Second Part Hot Case ex
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a leading cause of fatal poisoning worldwide, resulting from inhalation of CO gas which binds haemoglobin with 200-250 times greater affinity than oxygen, forming carboxyhaemoglobin...
Cardiac Anatomy & Coronary Circulation
Define/Describe - Overview of cardiac chambers, orientation in thorax... CICM First Part Written SAQ, CICM First Part Written MCQ exam preparation.
Cardiac Arrest - Adult
Cardiac arrest is the cessation of mechanical cardiac activity confirmed by the absence of a palpable central pulse, unr... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Cardiac Arrhythmias in ICU
Cardiac arrhythmias are common in ICU patients (10-20% incidence) and require systematic assessment of hemodynamic stabi... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
Cardiac Monitors and Telemetry in ICU
Comprehensive guide to cardiac monitoring in the intensive care unit including ECG acquisition, lead placement, continuous monitoring parameters, alarm management, derived indices (HRV, QTc), arrhythmia detection,...
Cardiac Tamponade
Cardiac tamponade is life-threatening compression of the heart by fluid (blood, effusion) in the pericardial space impairing diastolic filling and reducing cardiac output. Pathophysiology: Pericardial pressure...
Cardiac Tamponade in Adults
Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening cardiovascular emergency characterized by accumulation of fluid within the pericardial space, resulting in elevated intrapericardial pressure and impaired ventricular filling....
Cardiogenic Shock
Cardiogenic shock is cardiac pump failure causing inadequate tissue perfusion despite adequate or elevated filling press... CICM Second Part exam preparation.
Cardiogenic Shock
Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart fails to pump sufficient blood to meet metabolic demands, resulting in systemic ... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Fellowshi
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) - Adult
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique combining chest compressions and rescue ventilations to maintain circulatory flow and oxygenation during cardiac arrest. High-quality CPR is the...