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Related Concept Videos

Diabetic Ketoacidosis ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Diabetic Ketoacidosis ll: Pathophysiology

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a metabolic emergency characterized by hyperglycemia, ketonemia, and metabolic acidosis. It results from severe insulin deficiency and an excess of counterregulatory hormones, leading to uncontrolled lipolysis, ketogenesis, and widespread electrolyte and fluid disturbances.Pathophysiology The central event in DKA is a profound loss of insulin action. Without insulin, glucose uptake in insulin-dependent tissues is impaired, while hepatic glucose production...
Diabetic Ketoacidosis l: Introduction01:25

Diabetic Ketoacidosis l: Introduction

DefinitionDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute, life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus, characterized by a triad of hyperglycemia (blood glucose >250 mg/dL), ketonemia or ketonuria, and metabolic acidosis (arterial pH <7.30 and serum bicarbonate <18 mEq/L). It results from insulin deficiency combined with elevated levels of counterregulatory hormones—glucagon, catecholamines, cortisol, and growth hormone—leading to increased lipolysis, hepatic ketone production, and...
Depolarizing Blockers: Pharmocokinetics01:19

Depolarizing Blockers: Pharmocokinetics

Depolarizing blockers are administered through intravenous injection. Succinylcholine is the most common choice of depolarizing blockers in emergency clinical practices. Although they have a rapid onset, they readily diffuse away from the motor end plate into the extracellular fluid. They are metabolized by enzymes such as liver butyrylcholinesterase and plasma pseudocholinesterases. This produces a short duration of action, typically 5-10 minutes long, unlike nondepolarizing blockers, which...
Depolarizing Blockers: Mechanism of Action01:28

Depolarizing Blockers: Mechanism of Action

Depolarizing blockers act on skeletal muscle fibers' membranes and induce their depolarization. Most depolarizing blockers have two quaternary N+ atoms that bind the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and cause neuromuscular blockade within minutes.
Succinylcholine is the most commonly used depolarizing blocker. Chemically, it constitutes two molecules of acetylcholine joined together by an acetate methyl group. They act on the receptors in the same way as acetylcholine. Because succinylcholine...
Cytotoxic Edema: Pathophysiology01:21

Cytotoxic Edema: Pathophysiology

Cytotoxic edema is a form of cerebral edema characterized by intracellular swelling of neurons, astrocytes, and other glial cells. It develops when the mechanisms responsible for maintaining ionic gradients across the cell membrane become impaired. Under normal physiological conditions, the sodium–potassium ATPase actively transports sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, preserving osmotic balance and enabling electrical signaling. This pump requires a continuous supply...
Peritoneal Dialysis II: Peritoneal Dialysis Systems and Complications01:25

Peritoneal Dialysis II: Peritoneal Dialysis Systems and Complications

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a medical process that removes waste products and excess fluid from the body using the peritoneal membrane as a natural filter.Peritoneal Dialysis MethodsSeveral methods can be used for peritoneal dialysis, including Acute Intermittent Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis, and Automated Peritoneal Dialysis, also known as Continuous Cyclic Peritoneal Dialysis.Acute Intermittent Peritoneal Dialysis (AIPD) is used for patients with uremic...

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Updated: May 10, 2026

Subtype-selective Electroporation of Cortical Interneurons
06:42

Subtype-selective Electroporation of Cortical Interneurons

Published on: August 18, 2014

Hyperkalemic paralysis: an elective abortion gone wrong.

Manish Garg1, Nadia Markovchick

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Temple University Hospital, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|June 6, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Emergency physicians must recognize digoxin as a potential abortifacient. Accidental maternal injection can lead to severe digoxin toxicity and hyperkalemic paralysis, requiring prompt medical attention.

Keywords:
abortifacientdigoxin toxicityelective abortionextraplacental injectionhyperkalemic paralysis

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Mouse Model of Surgical Uterine Injury and Subsequent Pregnancy Outcomes
04:08

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Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Elective abortion procedures utilize various agents with potential maternal risks.
  • Digoxin, when used as an abortifacient, is typically administered via intrafetal or intraplacental injection.
  • Awareness of these agents is crucial for emergency physicians managing potential complications.

Observation:

  • A 28-year-old woman at 20 weeks gestation presented with severe muscular weakness and respiratory failure.
  • The patient required intubation due to respiratory compromise.
  • Diagnosis revealed hyperkalemic paralysis secondary to digoxin toxicity from an extraplacental injection during an attempted abortion.

Findings:

  • Extraplacental injection of digoxin during abortion can result in systemic maternal toxicity.
  • Digoxin toxicity can manifest as severe weakness and respiratory distress.
  • Hyperkalemia is a significant complication of systemic digoxin exposure.

Implications:

  • Emergency physicians should consider digoxin toxicity and hyperkalemia in patients presenting with unexplained weakness and respiratory distress post-abortion.
  • Knowledge of abortifacient agents and their risks is vital for effective patient management.
  • Prompt recognition and treatment of digoxin toxicity can prevent severe morbidity and mortality.