SIRS, Sepsis, Sever Sepsis, Septic Shock, Septicaemia, Bactiraemia Definition with Mnemonics

SIRS Mnemonics

SIRS is a pro-inflammatory condition which does not include documented source of infection.
Any two or more of the following signs indicate Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). Features of SIRS can memorize as HRT (hormonal replacement therapy) for Women. 

H- Heart Rate                            >90 beats per minute
R- Respiratory Rate                   >20 beats per minute
T- Temperature                         >38 ^oc or <36 ^oc
W- White Blood Count             >12 *10⁹ / L or <4* 10⁹ / L

Sepsis

Sepsis is systemic response to infection. It manifest as SIRS in the presence of infection.

Severe sepsis 

Sepsis with evidence of organ hypoperfusion or altered cerebral function.

Septic shock

Severe sepsis with hypotension (systolic blood pressure less than 90mmHg) despite of adequate fluid resuscitation. 

Septicaemia

Presence of multiplying bacteria in blood steam.

Bactiraemia

Presence of bacteria in circulation.

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Pancreatitis Mnemonics : Causes, Severity

Pancreatitis : Mnemonics

Causes for pancreatitis : Mnemonics

Idiopathic
Gallstones (38%)
Ethanol (35%)
Tumours  (peri-ampullary tumour, pancreatic carcinoma)      
Scorpion venoms
Mumps
Autoimmune (SLE, Polyarteritis nodosa)
Surgery and trauma

• Post surgical (cardiac surgery), Blunt trauma to abdomen, Penetrating peptic ulcer

Hyperlipidemia, Hypercalcemia. Hypothermia
ERCP or Emboli
Drugs

• Azathioprine, Corticosteroids, Didanosine, Mercaptopurine, asparaginase, Estrogen, Methyldopa, Valproic acid, Acetaminophen.

Modified Glasgow criteria

Three or more positives within 48 hours indicates severe pancreatitis.

• PaO2                                 < 8kPa (60mmhg)
• Age                                   > 55 years
• Neutrophils                      (WBC >15 x109/l
• Calcium                            < 2mmol/l
• Renal                                (Urea > 16mmol/l)
• Enzymes                          (LDH > 600 iu/L or AST > 200 iu/L
• Albumin(serum)              < 32g/l
• Sugar                               (Blood Glucose >10mmol/L) 

 In the most severe form of pancreatitis the mortality rate is around 40% to 50%.

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