A to Easy – Details, episodes & analysis

Gastro: 10. Harry and Sally discuss small and large bowel obstruction. They discuss the different underlying causes of the two, their symptoms, signs on examination, potential investigations and management plans. They also discuss ileus and pseudo-obstruction and some subtypes of Stomas. This episode was vetted by Miss Alexandra Cope, Consultant General & Colorectal Surgeon at Wexham Park Hospital, Berkshire.

*Also, Harry would like to apologise for any noticable audio issues with his microphone during this episode, will be fixed for next time.

Links:

Picture from Netter's Anatomy showing a Volvulus.

https://www.netterimages.com/volvulus-labeled-hansen-ca-2e-gastroenterology-frank-h-netter-40090.html

Cardio: 6. Harry and Dan talk about SVTs, recognising them clinically and their management. This episode also covers Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. This episode was vetted by a Consultant Cardiologist (who wishes to remain anonymous) at the Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust, London. 

Links:

An example of an ECG showing SVT

SVT example 1a https://litfl.com/supraventricular-tachycardia-svt-ecg-library/

An example of an ECG showing WPW pattern

Example 2 https://litfl.com/pre-excitation-syndromes-ecg-library/   

Modified Valsava technique from the REVERT Trial link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DIRiOA_OsA 

Resus council adult tachycardia algorithim (2021)

https://www.resus.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-04/Tachycardia%20Algorithm%202021.pdf

Key resource used (but frankly, this provides detail far beyond what is expected for medical school):

Brugada J, Katritsis DG, Arbelo E, et al. 2019 ESC Guidelines for the management of patients with supraventricular tachycardia: The Task Force for the management of patients with supraventricular tachycardia of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J. 2020;41(5):655-720. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehz467

Haem: 1. Yvonne talks dan through the causes of microcytic anaemia and the basics of RBC transfusion. This episode was vetted by Dr Nina Salooja, Consultant Haematologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London. 

Cardio: 5. Dan talks Yvonne through the assessment and management of pulmonary oedema and Light's Criteria. This episode was vetted by a Consultant Cardiologist (who wishes to remain anonymous) at the Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust, London. 

Links:

X-ray changes in pulmonary oedema (this website is very useful in general!)

https://www.radiologymasterclass.co.uk/gallery/chest/cardiac_disease/pulmonary_oedema

Nephrology/Urology: 2. Harry and Yvonne talk through the common causes of AKI as well as how to classify, investigate and treat it. aThis episode was vetted by Dr Peter Hill, Consultant Nephrologist and clinical lead for Interventional Nephrology at Hammersmith Hospital, London.

Links:

https://www.thinkkidneys.nhs.uk/

Gastro: 7. Harry and Dan talk through the causes, investigations and management of acute pancreatitis - alongside how to present such information in a clinical exam setting. This episode was vetted by Miss Alexandra Cope, Consultant General & Colorectal surgeon at Wexham Park Hospital, Berkshire.

Cardio: 4. Dan talks Harry through the Chronic side of Heart Failure - including the diagnosis and management of so called "HFrEF" and "HFpEF". Disclaimer: this episode is likely suitable for finals as well as first clinical year students. This episode was vetted by a Consultant Cardiologist (who wished to remain anonymous) at the Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS trust, London. 

Gastro: 6. Yvonne and Harry talk about gastric duodenal ulcers, their common causes and how to treat them. This episode was vetted by Dr. Jonathan Hoare, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Head of Endoscopy at St. Mary's Hospital, London. 

Season 2. Resp 4: Harry and Yvonne talk about COPD, its presentation and management in both primary and secondary care. This episode was vetted by Dr. Georgina Russell, Consultant Respiratory physician at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London. 

Neuro: 2. Sally and Harry talk through Dementia and its main subtypes: Alzheimer's, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Vascular and Frontotemporal. This episode was vetted by Prof. Steve Gentleman, Professor of Neuropathology at Imperial College London. 

AMTS Mnemnonic: ABC (10 questions)

Age.

Birthday.

Count backwards from 20 to 1.

Date - current year.

Estimated time of day/day of week. 

First/Second world war date.

Geography - current location.

Home Address (check recall at end of test).

Identify two people in area by name (or profession).

Jingoism - Who is Prime Minister or on Throne.

Links:

AMTS: https://www.mdcalc.com/abbreviated-mental-test-amt-10

Histopathology of the Substantia Nigra in Parkinson's Disease: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Liviu-Aron/publication/45314202/figure/fig1/AS:669388923482114@1536606164215/Loss-of-substantia-nigra-SN-neurons-causes-Parkinsons-disease-Pathological.jpg