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Why you should read this article: • To enhance your understanding of the physiology of post-operative haemorrhage • To understand the compensatory mechanisms seen during haemorrhage and how these present as altered observations • To familiarise yourself with the interventions used to halt haemorrhage and restore intravascular volume Improved surgical outcomes have been achieved as a result of preoperative risk assessments and developments in surgical and anaesthetic techniques. However, post-operative haemorrhage remains a life-threatening complication requiring swift recognition and management. This article explores the compensatory mechanisms the body employs during haemorrhage and how these may present as altered observations that can aid early recognition. It also describes the rapid assessment of patients using the ABCDE (airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure) approach and outlines the management interventions used to halt the bleeding and restore intravascular volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, which forms part of the life sciences series, describes the vessels of the body's blood and lymphatic circulatory systems. Blood pressure and its regulatory systems are examined. The causes and management of hypertension are also explored. It is important that nurses and other healthcare professionals understand the various mechanisms involved in the regulation of blood pressure to prevent high blood pressure or ameliorate its damaging consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the approval of aliskiren as a new class of antihypertensives that inhibits the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) by directly targeting the renin enzyme. RAS inhibition are offered indirectly by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). The direct renin inhibition of aliskiren offers an improved mechanism for controlling elevated blood pressure (BP).