Allison Himmel

All articles by Allison Himmel

Myocarditis

Myocarditis I. What every physician needs to know. Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium often associated with cardiac dysfunction. There is a broad spectrum of initial clinical presentations ranging from mild dyspnea to cardiogenic shock. Thus, the diagnosis of myocarditis requires a high level of suspicion. Many cases will resolve spontaneously, but up…

Aspirin toxicity

Aspirin is a common over-the-counter medication valued for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties. However it can be highly toxic or even fatal with intentional or accidental overdose. Aspirin directly stimulates cerebral respiratory centers and inhibits the citric acid cycle, causing uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation which ultimately leads to lactic acidosis. Patients who present with…

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