So, just because a smoker is not coughing, it doesn't mean that he or she is healthy
Its a snapshot of chaos frozen in time, a constant reminder of the transient nature of reality itself
Octreotide is first-line because: Causes splanchnic vasoconstriction Portal venous pressure & blood flow to varices Rapid onset effective hemostasis Safer than vasopressin (fewer systemic side effects) Recommended by Baveno & AASLD guidelines Other options: Omeprazole useful in peptic ulcer bleeding, not varices Sucralfate mucosal protectant, no role in acute bleeding Metoclopramide prokinetic, no hemostatic effect Uses of Octreotide Acute esophageal & gastric variceal bleeding Acromegaly Carcinoid syndrome VIPoma Severe secretory diarrhea Mechanism of Action (MOA) Somatostatin analog Inhibits release of vasodilatory hormones (glucagon) Causes splanchnic vasoconstriction Portal venous inflow variceal pressure bleeding control Minimum & Maximum Dose (Acute Variceal Bleed) #Minimum dose: IV bolus 50 micrograms, followed by 50 micrograms/hour infusion #Maximum dose: Continuous infusion up to 100 micrograms/hour (based on response) (Duration: usually 25 days) Mnemonic OCTREO = OCTREO-tide tightens the PORTAL pipe Tightens splanchnic vessels stops variceal bleed Clinical Pearl Start octreotide immediately in suspected variceal bleeding do not wait for endoscopy
With that in mind, good ol cigarette packs just dont cut it anymore, both in terms of convenience and in terms of style
race/ethnicity, gender identity)
This means that about 15 per cent of global deaths are attributed to smoking
