Upon review of a patient™s chart, I read that the patient had metabolic syndrome. What is this?
Metabolic syndrome is a grouping of metabolic factors that predispose people to coronary artery disease and stroke. These factors include central abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes. If you look at these risk factors, given they are not genetic in this patient, they can be caused by a sedentary lifestyle. Appropriate exercise and insulin control can control these risk factors and in turn control their risk for coronary artery disease. According to the American Heart Association, there are an estimated 47 million people who fit the category of having a metabolic syndrome. This fact and more information for further study can be found at www.americanheart.org

The nurse I was working with infused Vancomycin, an antibiotic we use post procedure. The patient™s face became red, and I immediately thought allergic reaction. The patient was fine in the end and the nurse said that it was not an allergic reaction, but Redman Syndrome. What is this?

Redman, Red Man™s or Red-Man Syndrome, all names by which this syndrome is referred to, is very real and not always as benign as your case sounds. Redman Syndrome is thought to be related to the rate of infusion of Vancomyacin. The patient™s face turns red thus the name Redman Syndrome. Other symptoms may include hypotension, tachycardia and muscle aches. A rash can occur with Redman Syndrome, but does not always happen. Very rarely, cardiac compromise and cardiac arrest can occur. Err on the side of caution and watch vitals carefully per your hospital's protocol. The reaction should resolve in one to several hours after the onset of the symptoms.

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