DFA alpha2: long-term fractal correlations of heart rate.
Shock index (heart rate / systolic pressure): normal range, the 0.9 threshold, causes and limitations.
Lactate: normal level, hyperlactataemia and lactic acidosis, types A and B, and its role in sepsis and shock.
Glycogen: glucose storage in liver and muscle, hormonal control, diabetes, hypoglycaemia and glycogen storage diseases.
Actual blood supply index (Starr formula): calculation, age-dependent reference values and interpretation.
Energy expenditure: resting value per kilogram, METs, physical activity level and reference measurement methods.
Beta-lipoproteins and apolipoprotein B: counting atherogenic particles, ESC/EAS apoB targets and older test methods.
VLDL: triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from the liver, how VLDL cholesterol is estimated, remnant cholesterol and risk.
Blood glucose: normal fasting values, prediabetes and diabetes criteria (ADA), hypoglycaemia and emergency signs.
Transferrin: iron transport protein, reference range, transferrin saturation, iron deficiency and overload.
Urine specific gravity: normal range 1.005–1.030, dilute and concentrated urine and their causes.
Chloride: normal about 98–107 mmol/L; role in acid–base balance, anion gap, causes of high and low chloride.
Ceruloplasmin: copper-carrying protein, Wilson disease diagnostic thresholds and other causes of abnormal values.
Alkaline phosphatase: liver or bone origin, causes of high and low ALP, role of GGT.
Intracranial pressure: normal range, cerebral perfusion pressure, treatment thresholds and causes of raised ICP.
Urea: end product of protein metabolism; kidney, pre-renal and dietary causes of high urea, and low urea.
Serum albumin: functions, causes of low albumin (liver, kidney, inflammation, nutrition) and prognostic meaning.
Serum globulins: immunoglobulins and other fractions, polyclonal vs monoclonal increase, antibody deficiency.
Whole-blood clotting time (Lee–White): beginning and end of clotting, normal range, causes and limitations.
Magnesium: normal 0.70–1.05 mmol/L; causes of deficiency (PPIs, diuretics, alcohol), links with potassium, calcium and arrhythmia.
Gastric juice pH: fasting values, effect of meals, high and low acidity and their consequences.
Colour index of blood (conventional norm 0.85–1.05): hypo- and hyperchromic anaemias and its relation to MCH.
Blood pH: normal range 7.35–7.45, bicarbonate buffer and the four primary acid–base disorders.
BUN: blood urea nitrogen, conversion to urea, BUN/creatinine ratio and causes of abnormal values.
PR interval: normal 120–200 ms, first-degree and Wenckebach AV block, short PR and WPW pattern.
QT interval: heart-rate correction, normal and prolonged QTc, causes of long and short QT and torsade risk.
QRS complex: ventricular depolarisation, normal width, bundle branch blocks and other causes of a wide QRS.
Left ventricular stroke work index: formula, commonly quoted range and its prognostic value in cardiogenic shock.
Segmented and band neutrophils — first defence against bacteria, left shift, neutrophilia and grades of neutropenia.
ESR — non-specific inflammation marker: age-adjusted limits, causes of high and low values, ESR versus CRP.
Width of the third ventricle: measurement by ultrasound, conventional range, hydrocephalus and brain atrophy.
Cardiac work and cardiac power output: formula, typical resting value and the 0.53 W threshold in cardiogenic shock.
Creatinine clearance (Cockcroft–Gault): formula, use for drug dosing, strengths and limitations.
Rate of CO₂ production: metabolic origin, respiratory quotient and importance in ventilated patients and nutrition.
Vascular permeability index: Starling forces, glycocalyx, pulmonary permeability index and causes of oedema.
Stroke volume: normal values, preload, afterload and contractility, measurement methods and causes of changes.
eGFR (MDRD): how kidney filtration is estimated from creatinine, KDIGO GFR categories, limitations and why GFR matters.
Oxygen consumption per kg and METs: definition, activity intensity and fitness as a predictor of mortality.
Oxygen consumption (VO₂): resting value, VO₂max, the Fick principle and clinical significance.
Myocardial oxygen consumption: heart rate, wall tension and contractility, supply–demand balance and angina.
Oxygen extraction ratio: normal values, high and low extraction and their meaning in shock and sepsis.
CO₂ elimination (VCO₂): resting value, exercise testing, anaerobic threshold and ventilatory efficiency.
Arterial CO₂ (PaCO₂): normal range, hypocapnia and hypercapnia, and the link with ventilation.
Venous CO₂: typical values, agreement with arterial values and the venous–arterial CO₂ gap.
Time of single load: recovery after exercise and heart rate recovery as a prognostic marker.
Respiratory exchange ratio: fuel use, maximal effort in exercise testing and nutrition in intensive care.
Oxygen delivery (DO₂): formula, normal values, the oxygen delivery chain and causes of reduced delivery.
Cerebral oxygen consumption per 100 g: brain metabolism, measurement and causes of low and high values.
Arterial oxygen saturation: target ranges, pulse oximetry limitations and causes of hypoxaemia.
Minute ventilation: tidal volume × rate, resting values, hypoventilation and hyperventilation.
Functional residual capacity: lung volume after normal expiration, measurement, hyperinflation and restriction.
Peak expiratory flow: measurement technique, personal best and asthma action plan zones.
Tiffeneau index (FEV1/FVC): airflow obstruction, lower limit of normal versus the GOLD 0.70 ratio.
Working rate of oxygen consumption: dependence on oxygenation, haemoglobin and thyroid hormones.
Creatinine: the main blood test of kidney function, reference values, causes of high and low levels, acute kidney injury.
Dopamine β-hydroxylase: enzyme forming noradrenaline, marker of sympathetic activity and DBH deficiency.
Pulmonary vascular resistance: formula, the 2 Wood unit limit, pulmonary hypertension and right heart catheterisation.
Central venous pressure: typical values, measurement, causes of low and high CVP and its limits as a fluid guide.
Systemic circulation time: mean transit time through the body, indicator dilution and causes of faster or slower circulation.
Pulmonary circulation time: transit of blood through the lungs, how it is measured and what prolongs or shortens it.
Cerebral blood flow per 100 g: normal value, autoregulation, CO₂ reactivity and ischaemic thresholds.
Blood flow per gram of thyroid and brain tissue: perfusion intensity, Graves disease and the effects of thyroid hormones.
Total thyroxine (T4): thyroid hormone action, reference range, binding proteins and signs of hypo- and hyperthyroidism.
Cerebrospinal fluid pressure: CSF production, lumbar opening pressure, causes of raised and low pressure.
Testosterone: functions, morning reference range in men, causes of low and high levels and how it is measured.
Oestrogens: estradiol, estrone and estriol, changes during the menstrual cycle and causes of low and high levels.
Vital capacity: lung volumes, lower limit of normal, restrictive and neuromuscular causes of reduced VC.
Myocardial (coronary) blood flow: about 4% of cardiac output, regulation, coronary reserve and ischaemia.
Skeletal muscle blood flow: about 20% of cardiac output at rest, exercise hyperaemia and peripheral artery disease.
Cerebral blood flow: about 13–15% of cardiac output, autoregulation, the role of CO₂ and stroke.
Hepatoportal blood flow: dual blood supply of the liver, the hepatic arterial buffer response and portal hypertension.
Renal blood flow: about 20% of cardiac output, glomerular filtration, autoregulation and acute kidney injury.
Skin blood flow: role in temperature regulation, sympathetic control, heat illness and Raynaud phenomenon.
Blood flow of other tissues: bone, fat, glands and connective tissue, calculated as the remainder of cardiac output.
AST and ALT: liver enzymes, degrees of elevation and causes (fatty liver, hepatitis, alcohol, medicines), when to seek care.
De Ritis ratio AST/ALT: what values below 1 and above 2 suggest about the type of liver injury.
Bilirubin: total, direct and indirect; jaundice, Gilbert syndrome, haemolysis, liver disease and bile duct obstruction.
Total protein: albumin and globulins, causes of low and high values, when protein electrophoresis is needed.
Fibrinogen: clotting factor I and acute-phase protein, normal range, causes of low and high levels.
Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase: red cell enzyme, marker of organophosphate exposure and its interpretation.
Creatine kinase MM: skeletal muscle isoenzyme, causes of raised CK, rhabdomyolysis and statins.
Creatine kinase MB: cardiac isoenzyme, time course after myocardial infarction and comparison with troponin.
Comprehensive cell mitosis regulation factor: a computed index named after the cyclin B–CDK1 mitosis-promoting factor; cell-cycle biology, conventional range and limits of interpretation.
Blood and plasma density: typical values, units used in this application, measurement and causes of haemodilution and haemoconcentration.
Circulating blood volume: normal values per kilogram, the Nadler formula, indicator dilution and causes of hypovolaemia.
Cardiac output: stroke volume × heart rate, normal values, thermodilution and Fick methods, low and high output states.
Red cell oxygenation rate: oxygen uptake in lung capillaries, the haemoglobin–oxygen dissociation curve and what slows oxygenation.
Effective diffusion area of the erythrocyte flow (EPR, m²/min): red cell membrane surface passing through the lungs per minute, how it is calculated and its clinical significance.
Acetylcholine: neurotransmitter of muscles and the parasympathetic system, Alzheimer disease and myasthenia gravis.
Tyrosine: amino acid precursor of catecholamines, thyroid hormones and melanin; PKU and tyrosinaemias.
Circulating blood volume deficit: ATLS classes of haemorrhage, causes of hypovolaemia and the body’s response.
Amylase: pancreatic and salivary enzyme, acute pancreatitis criteria and other causes of raised amylase.
Eosinophils — allergy, parasites, drug reactions; grades of eosinophilia and hypereosinophilia and organ risks.
Colloid osmotic pressure: albumin, Starling forces, the revised Starling principle and causes of oedema.
Water metabolism: total, intracellular and extracellular body water, measurement, dehydration and fluid excess.
Prothrombin time, prothrombin index and INR: normal values, warfarin targets and causes of prolonged clotting.
Cystatin C: kidney filtration marker, eGFR equations, KDIGO GFR categories and non-renal influences.
Lymphocytes — B, T and NK cells of adaptive immunity: percentage vs absolute count, causes of lymphocytosis and lymphopenia.
Monocytes — precursors of tissue macrophages: causes of monocytosis, when persistent values need a haematologist.
TIMI risk index for myocardial infarction: formula from heart rate, age and systolic pressure, and prediction of 30-day mortality.
Atherogenic coefficient (TC − HDL-C)/HDL-C: calculation, conventional norm below 3, relation to non-HDL cholesterol and the Castelli index.
SH (thiol) groups: glutathione and protein thiols, thiol/disulfide balance and oxidative stress.
Basal pressure of the sphincter of Oddi: manometry, the 40 mmHg threshold and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.
Atherogenic index of plasma, log(TG/HDL-C): calculation, proposed risk categories and link with small dense LDL.
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia: breathing-related heart rate changes and vagal tone.
Mean arterial pressure: formula, normal range, invasive measurement and the 65 mmHg target in shock.
MCV — mean red cell volume (80–100 fL): how it classifies anaemia into microcytic, normocytic and macrocytic, and the causes of each.
MCH — mean haemoglobin per red cell (27–31 pg): hypochromia, high values and laboratory artefacts.
MCHC — mean haemoglobin concentration in red cells (32–36 g/dL): low in iron deficiency, high in spherocytosis or artefact.
Poincare plot ellipse area S = pi SD1 SD2: overall heart rate variability.
PR interval: normal 120–200 ms, first-degree and Wenckebach AV block, short PR and WPW pattern.
QRS complex: ventricular depolarisation, normal width, bundle branch blocks and other causes of a wide QRS.
QT interval: heart-rate correction, normal and prolonged QTc, causes of long and short QT and torsade risk.
ST segment: J point, ischaemic ST elevation and depression thresholds and other causes of ST changes.
ST (JT) interval: from the J point to the end of T, QT minus QRS, and its use when the QRS is wide.
T wave: ventricular repolarisation, normal direction by lead, peaked, inverted and flat T waves and alternans.
QTc: heart-rate corrected QT interval, correction formulas, normal values and the risks of long and short QT.
Correlation dimension D2: complexity of heart-rhythm regulation.
T-wave morphology analysis: TCRT, morphology dispersion and PCA ratio for repolarisation and risk assessment.
Potassium: normal 3.5–5.0 mmol/L; causes and dangers of hypo- and hyperkalaemia, ECG effects and false results.
Sodium: normal 135–145 mmol/L; hyponatraemia grades and causes, hypernatraemia and why correction must be gradual.
Calcium: total and ionised calcium, albumin correction, causes of hyper- and hypocalcaemia and when to seek help.
Total cholesterol: how cholesterol travels in lipoproteins, reference values, causes of high and low levels, familial hypercholesterolaemia.
Blood carbohydrate index: glucose tolerance indicator, normal range 55.2-76.8, risks of high and low values.
RR intervals: the beat-to-beat series behind heart rate variability, measurement and artefacts.
P wave: atrial depolarisation, normal duration and amplitude, signs of atrial enlargement and absent P waves.
PR segment: AV-node delay, the ECG baseline and PR depression in acute pericarditis.
VLF power: very slow heart rate oscillations, slow regulation and prognosis.
LF power: 0.1 Hz baroreflex oscillations and mixed autonomic modulation.
HF power: respiratory sinus arrhythmia and vagal activity.
Total power: overall spectral heart rate variability and the frequency bands VLF, LF and HF.
LDL cholesterol: how LDL causes atherosclerosis, ESC/EAS targets by cardiovascular risk, Friedewald formula and treatment.
HDL cholesterol: reverse cholesterol transport, risk thresholds for men and women, why very high HDL is not always protective.
Triglycerides: desirable levels, fasting vs non-fasting tests, causes of hypertriglyceridaemia, cardiovascular and pancreatitis risk.
Sample entropy: regularity and complexity of the heartbeat series.
LF/HF ratio: shape of the heart rate spectrum and limits of the sympatho-vagal balance concept.
Mean RR interval: average time between heartbeats and its relation to heart rate.
Minimum RR interval: shortest beat-to-beat interval and highest instantaneous heart rate.
Maximum RR interval: longest beat-to-beat interval, vagal slowing and pauses.
SD1: Poincare plot width, short-term vagal variability (RMSSD/sqrt2).
SD2: Poincare plot length, long-term overall heart rate variability.
Normalised LF power (LF n.u.): relative share of low-frequency oscillations.
Normalised HF power (HF n.u.): relative share of respiratory vagal oscillations.
DFA alpha1: short-term fractal correlations, prognosis at rest and aerobic threshold during exercise.
HRV triangular index: geometric measure of overall variability in 24-hour recordings.
Standard deviation of heart rate: overall heart rate variability in beats per minute.
RMSSD: main time-domain index of vagal activity, norms and interpretation.
pNN50: percentage of successive NN intervals differing by more than 50 ms.
AR, autonomic rate index 1/(Mo x dX): meaning, calculation and interpretation.
AB, autonomic balance index (AMo/dX): balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic regulation.
SER, coefficient of variation CV = SDNN/mean NN x 100%: relative heart rate variability.
ASER, amplitude of the mode (AMo): conditional indicator of sympathetic activity.
FCS, mode (Mo): the most probable level of functioning of the cardiovascular system.
MARI, mean absolute difference of successive RR intervals: beat-to-beat vagal variability.
TINN: width of the triangular interpolation of the NN interval histogram.
SDNN: the main measure of heart rate variability, its norms by recording length and age, and what low values mean.
ARP, index of adequacy of regulatory processes (AMo/Mo): meaning, calculation and interpretation.
Haematocrit: the share of blood volume made up of red cells, its norms, causes of low and high values and the risk of thick blood.
Baevsky stress index: degree of centralisation of heart-rhythm control, calculation, norms and stress levels.
Basal metabolic rate: components of daily energy expenditure, the Mifflin–St Jeor equation and factors that change BMR.
Resting energy expenditure: indirect calorimetry, the Weir equation, respiratory quotient and clinical significance.
Systolic blood pressure: ESC 2024 categories, correct measurement, causes of high and low values and when to seek care.
Diastolic blood pressure: ESC 2024 categories, pulse pressure, causes of high values and warning signs.
Haemoglobin: oxygen transport, reference ranges, causes and risks of anaemia and erythrocytosis.
Platelets: how they stop bleeding, normal counts, causes and dangers of thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis.
Red blood cell count: life cycle of erythrocytes, red cell indices and what low or high counts mean.
White blood cell count: types of leukocytes, the differential, causes of leukocytosis and neutropenia and warning signs.
Body mass index: WHO categories, Asian cut-offs, limitations and health risks of low and high BMI.
Health index: an integral indicator from 1 to 100 that changes in real time.
Heart rate: regulation, normal values, tachycardia, bradycardia and cardiovascular risk.
Minnesota Code 1-1-1: major Q wave (Q/R ≥ 1/3, Q ≥ 0.03 s), sign of previous myocardial infarction.
Minnesota Code 1-1-2: major Q wave of 0.04 s or more.
Minnesota Code 1-2-1: moderate Q wave (Q/R ≥ 1/3, Q 0.02–0.03 s).
Minnesota Code 1-2-2: moderate Q wave of 0.03–0.04 s.
Minnesota Code 1-3-1: minor (equivocal) Q wave.
Persistent supraventricular rhythm / tachycardia (MC 8-4-1).
Intermittent (paroxysmal) supraventricular tachycardia (MC 8-4-2).
Minnesota Code 2-1: QRS axis between −30° and −90°; causes (left anterior fascicular block, LVH, inferior MI) and when it matters.
Minnesota Code 3-1: tall left-sided R waves (V5/V6 > 26 mm, limb leads > 20 mm, aVL > 12 mm) — the main ECG sign of left ventricular hypertrophy.
Novacode 3.1: complete left bundle branch block — QRS ≥ 120 ms, broad notched R in I, aVL, V5–V6; causes, risks and why it needs evaluation.
LBBB with signs of myocardial infarction: why LBBB masks infarction and how the Sgarbossa criteria help recognise it.
Minnesota Code 3-2: dominant R wave in V1 (R ≥ 5 mm, R/S ≥ 1) suggesting right ventricular hypertrophy; other causes to exclude.
Novacode 3.2: complete right bundle branch block — QRS ≥ 120 ms, rSR′ in V1–V2, wide S in I and V6; when it is benign and when it needs evaluation.
Minnesota Code 3-3: borderline left R voltage (lead I R 15–20 mm or R V5/V6 + S V1 > 35 mm) — a grey-zone finding between normal and LVH.
Novacode 3.3: non-specific intraventricular conduction delay — QRS > 110 ms without bundle branch block morphology; causes and prognosis.
Minnesota Code 3-4: combined left and right high R waves suggesting biventricular hypertrophy, with right ventricular involvement.
Minnesota Code 3-4 with left ventricular predominance and strain: high R voltage with ST depression and T inversion — a marker of advanced hypertrophy.
Novacode 4: marked QT prolongation (QTc ≥ 500 ms) — risk of torsade de pointes, drug and electrolyte causes, congenital long QT.
Minnesota Code 4-1-1: horizontal or down-sloping ST depression ≥ 2 mm — a major ECG sign of myocardial ischaemia.
Novacode 4: borderline QT prolongation (QTc ≥ 450 ms men / ≥ 460 ms women, < 500 ms) — causes and medication safety.
Minnesota Code 4-1-2: horizontal or down-sloping ST depression 1–2 mm — causes, ischaemia and next steps.
Minnesota Code 4-2: mild horizontal or down-sloping ST depression 0.5–1 mm — when a small change matters.
Minnesota Code 4-3: down-sloping ST without J depression, T nadir ≥ 0.5 mm below baseline — a minor repolarisation change.
Minnesota Code 4-4: J-point depression ≥ 1 mm with up-sloping ST — usually less specific, but watch for the de Winter pattern.
Minnesota Code 5-1: deep T-wave inversion ≥ 5 mm — ischaemia, Wellens pattern, cardiomyopathy and other causes; when to seek urgent care.
Novacode 5.1: Q-wave myocardial infarction with major Q waves — how Novacode scores Q waves and what a prior infarction means.
Minnesota Code 5-2: moderate T-wave inversion 1–5 mm — causes, normal variants and when it needs evaluation.
Novacode 5.2: Q-wave myocardial infarction with moderate Q waves and ST-T changes — why the combination matters.
Minnesota Code 5-3: flat, shallow negative or biphasic T wave — a minor repolarisation change and its common causes.
Novacode 5.3: possible myocardial infarction with moderate Q waves and no major ST-T changes — other causes and confirmation.
Minnesota Code 5-4: low positive T wave (T/R < 1/20) — the mildest T-wave item and what it may mean.
Novacode 5.4: possible myocardial infarction with minor Q waves and ST-T changes — interpretation and next steps.
Novacode 5.5: isolated major ST depression without Q waves or LVH — a marker of myocardial ischaemia.
Novacode 5.6: isolated major T-wave inversion without Q waves or LVH — ischaemia, cardiomyopathy and other causes.
Novacode 5.7: minor Q waves without ST-T changes — usually benign, when they matter.
Novacode 5.8: minor ST-T abnormalities — common, often non-specific, linked to cardiovascular risk factors.
Minnesota Code 6-3: PR interval ≥ 220 ms (first-degree AV block) — causes, long-term risks and when to worry.
Minnesota Code 6-4-1: WPW pattern — short PR, delta wave, risks of tachycardia and atrial fibrillation, and ablation.
Minnesota Code 6-5: short PR interval without delta wave — usually a normal variant; how it differs from WPW.
Minnesota Code 6-6: intermittent aberrant AV conduction — wide supraventricular beats and how they are told apart from ventricular beats.
Minnesota Code 7-1-1: complete left bundle branch block — criteria, why other codes are suppressed, causes and evaluation.
Minnesota Code 7-2-1: complete right bundle branch block — criteria, related codes and when it matters.
Minnesota Code 7-4: non-specific intraventricular block with QRS ≥ 120 ms — causes and prognosis.
Minnesota Code 7-6: left anterior fascicular block — axis −45° to −90°, qR in aVL; causes and significance.
Minnesota Code 7-7: left posterior fascicular block — right axis deviation after excluding other causes; significance.
Minnesota Code 8-7: sinus tachycardia above 100/min — physiological and disease-related causes and when to seek care.
Minnesota Code 8-8: sinus bradycardia below 50/min — often normal in athletes; medicines, sinus node disease and symptoms.
Minnesota Code 9-1: low QRS voltage — pericardial effusion, lung disease, amyloidosis and other causes.
Minnesota Code 9-2: ST-segment elevation — STEMI criteria, pericarditis, early repolarisation and other causes; emergency signs.
Minnesota Code 9-5: tall T waves over 12 mm — hyperkalaemia, hyperacute infarction and benign variants.
Acute myocardial infarction (I21): STEMI and NSTEMI, symptoms, diagnosis with ECG and troponin, treatment and complications.
Other acute ischaemic heart disease (I24): coronary thrombosis without infarction, Dressler syndrome, diagnosis and prevention.
First-degree AV block (I44.0): PR over 200 ms, causes, assessment and when treatment is needed.
Left anterior fascicular block (I44.4): left axis deviation, causes, bifascicular block and management.
Left bundle branch block (I44.7): ECG criteria, causes, heart failure and CRT, and LBBB in myocardial infarction.
Right bundle branch block (I45.1): rsR′ pattern, causes, significance and differentiation from Brugada syndrome.
Atrial fibrillation and flutter (I48): ECG, causes, stroke risk, CHA₂DS₂-VA and the AF-CARE approach.
Pre-excitation syndrome (I45.6): WPW, delta wave, tachycardias, dangerous pre-excited AF and catheter ablation.
Long QT syndrome (I45.81): congenital and acquired forms, genetic types, diagnosis and treatment.
Conduction disorders (I45.9): sinus node dysfunction, degrees of AV block, bundle branch blocks and pacemaker indications.
Tachycardia (R00): sinus, supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias, diagnosis and treatment.
Bradycardia (R00.1): normal slow heart rate, causes, sinus node disease, AV block and pacemakers.
Abnormal ECG (R94.31): what the ECG shows, common abnormal findings and what happens next.
233 articles in total.