UMEM Educational Pearls

• The well-known effects of cocaine toxicity include seizures, cardiac ischemia, and rhabdomyolysis. Abdominal pain, however, is a lesser known side-effect and may occur secondary to ischemia, infarction or perforation of the gastrointestinal tract; such cases tend to occur in younger people without known risk factors for ischemia.
• Ischemia may occur from the direct vasoconstrictive effects of cocaine, but may also occur from its pro-thrombotic effects on the mesenteric vessels; although any segment of the GI tract may be involved, the small bowel is most often affected.
• Symptoms may vary from mild abdominal pain to bloody diarrhea. Physical exam may reveal peritoneal signs if perforation occurs.
• CT scan of the abdomen may reveal the diagnosis although angiography may required for diagnosis or to guide revascularization.
• Management may vary from conservative (i.e., bowel rest and antibiotics) to surgical exploration and bowel resection in selected cases.

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Question

44 year-old construction worker fell off a ladder and presents with elbow pain. What's the diagnosis and what is the most commonly associated nerve injury? 

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Early Atherosclerosis Detection

50 middle-aged asymptomatic subjects free of vascular disease underwent carotid ultrasound (CUS) for risk stratification were also invited to undergo coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) or coronary artery calcium score (CAC) to identify which of the 3 imaging modalities was best at identification of early atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis was observed in 28%, 78%, and 90% of subjects using CAC, CCTA, and CUS, respectively

36 patients with a CAC score = 0, 69% and 86% had atherosclerosis on CCTA and CUS, respectively

Concordance between modalities was highly variable

CUS and CCTA detection of plaque were significantly more sensitive than CAC 

Considering the prevalence of subclinical disease on CUS and CCTA, the threshold at which to treat warrants further research

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Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are rare, each typically affecting 1 in 5000 to 1 in 100,000 children, BUT collectively these disorders are more common because there are so many. If you are lucky…when they present to the ED they come with a letter from Dr. Greene (our world renowned metabolic geneticist) detailing exactly what to do. The rest of the time…you are on your own. Think about IEM in any neonate or child with history of feeding difficulties, failure to thrive, recurrent vomiting, unexplained altered mental status and/or acidosis. Pay particular attention to feeding difficulties that appear with changes in diet: switch from soy to cow’s milk formula (galactose), addition of juice or fruit or certain soy formulas (fructose), switch from breast milk to formula or foods (increased protein load), and longer fasting periods from sleeping or illness.

For this pearl, we will focus on primary hyperammonemia from an enzymatic block in ammonia metabolism within the urea cycle. It is important to remember that secondary hyperammonemia can result from metabolic defects such as organic acid disorders, fatty acid oxidation disorders, drugs that interfere with urea cycle, or severe liver disease. Amino acids liberated from excess protein breakdown (stress of newborn period, infection, injury, dehydration, surgery, or increased intake) release nitrogen which circulates as ammonia. Ammonia is then converted to urea via the urea cycle and excreted in the urine. With urea cycle defects (UCD) there is an enzymatic block in the cycle that results in accumulation of ammonia which has toxic effects on the CNS especially cerebral edema. The most common UCD is ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency followed by argininosuccinic academia, and citrullinemia.

Clinical presentation includes poor feeding, lethargy, tachypnea, hypothermia, irritability, vomiting, ataxia, seizures, hepatomegaly, and coma. Hyperammonemic crises in neonates mimic sepsis! If you think about an IEM in your differential, send plasma ammonia (1.5 mL sodium-heparin tube on ice STAT), plasma amino acids, and urine organic acids. Other helpful labs include blood gas, CMP, urinalysis (looking at ketones), lactate, plasma acylcarnitines, and newborn screen if not already sent. Plasma ammonia is a direct index of CNS toxicity and important to follow for acute management. Serum level > 150 in sick neonate or > 100 in sick infant/child is concerning for IEM. The presence of hyperammonemia and respiratory alkalosis suggest urea cycle defect. The presence of metabolic acidosis and hyperammonemia suggests organic acid disorder.

Immediate treatment of hyperammonemia is critical to prevent neurologic damage. Cognitive outcome is inversely related to the number of days of neonatal coma caused by the cerebral edema.

1. Stop all protein intake! You need to stop catabolism.

2. Start D10 at 1.5 times maintenance rate with GIR at least 6-8. Start intralipids 1-3g/kg/day when able (typically in the ICU after central line placed).

3. Give ammonia scavenger medications sodium benzoate and sodium phenylacetate. These are available commercially as Ammonul.

     a. 0-20kg: 2.5mL/kg IV bolus over 90 min followed by same dose as 24 hr infusion

     b. >20kg: 55 mL/m2 IV bolus over 90 min followed by same dose as 24 hr infusion

4. HEMODIALYSIS! Dialysis is the most effective way to remove ammonia and should be done when level > 300. The decision to hemodialyze is crucial in preventing irreversible CNS damage; when in doubt in the face of elevated ammonia, HEMODIALYZE!

Seizures can be the presenting manifestation of acute poisoning in children.

A 3-year data set from the Toxicology Investigators Consortium (ToxIC) Case Registry identified 142 cases of drug-induced seizures in children < 18 years old. 75% were teenagers.

Antidepressants were most commonly associated with causing seizures, especially bupropion and citalopram. Diphenhydramine was also a commonly identified cause.

The authors conclude that clinicians managing teenagers presenting with seizures should have a high index of suspicion for intentional ingestion of antidepressants.

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• The American College of Emergency Physicians recently released the 2014 National Report Card on America’s Emergency Care Environment.
  • This comprehensive, state-by-state report card evaluates the support for emergency care in the United States.
• One area to highlight from the Report Card is the issue of emergency department (ED) crowding.
  • Crowding primarily results from keeping admitted patients in the ED for hours while waiting for an inpatient bed. This happens not only in the U.S., but in many other countries as well.
• For the U.S. overall, the median time from ED arrival to ED departure for admitted patients was 272 minutes (approximately 4.5 hours).
  • However, median times for individual states ranged from the best time of 176 minutes (approximately 3 hours) to 452 minutes (approximately 7.5 hours).

Bottom line

ED crowding remains a critical problem in the US and globally.  It is frequently driven by the “boarding” of admitted patients.  Improved patient flow is needed to be able to take care of patients presenting with acute care needs.

University of Maryland Section of Global Emergency Health

Author: Jon Mark Hirshon, MD, MPH, PhD

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A 50yo man found dow in the snow was brought into our ER last week in cardiac arrest with a bladder temperature of 21° C. Let’s warm him up!

• Passive external warming (good for mild hypothermia > 34° C):  remove all wet clothing, use warm blankets, hot chocolate.
• Active external rewarming (Used for temp between 30-34° C): Radiant heat, electric blankets, Bair-Hugger. Disadvantages: “core temperature after drop” theory: drop in core temp because of peripheral vasodilatation. Therefore, focus on warming the chest and torso area.  May not occur with certain warming techniques.
• Active core rewarming (<30 °C, above techniques and several other options):

1. Heated humidified oxygen via mechanical ventilation at 42-46°
2. IV normal saline warmed to 41-43° C
3. Cardio-pulmonary bypass: 1-2° C increase every 5 minutes
4. ECMO (best option in cardiac arrest): Up to 4-6° C/hr. VV or VA ECMO. Provides Cardio-pulmonary support. Can continue CPR while placing a cannula.
5. CVVH: less costly, more available, 1-4°C/hr. Case reports only. 
6. Artic Sun; external rewarming pads: used in hypothermia protocols. Easy to use. Case reports only.

• Other methods (use if other methods are unavailable):

1. Pleural irrigation: one chest tube in the mid-clavicular line w saline at 42° and another chest tube in the post-axillary line and connected to a pleurovac.
2. Peritoneal lavage: 8 Fr catheter into the peritoneum using a standard paracentesis method. Use 40-45° C dialysate.
3. Gastric, bladder, colonic irrigations

We were able to get ROSC with CPR and ACLS and then used Artic Sun to re-warm successfully.

Other tips/tricks:

• Continue CPR while rewarming (This is debatable: monitor ECG for new rhythms)
• How warm is “warm and dead”? Probably around 32°C
• How fast to rewarm?  Would warm quickly in cardiac arrest and then 1-2° C/hr thereafter; (No good evidence here)
• Arrhythmias corrected by rewarming (bradycardia etc); no need for pacing
• Up to three defibrillations for V. fib/V. tach; hold if no benefit
• Can give epinephrine per ACLS protocol but would be cautious with further dosing
• Pressors: can use epinephrine drip cautiously for hypotension
• Cisaturacurium for paralysis w/ sedation to prevent shivering
• Rule out hypoglycemia, adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, sepsis if patient does not rewarm as expected!
• Avoid IJ lines or irritating the myocardium with a guidewire.
• K>12 mmol /L: consider termination of CPR

Attachments

1402111256_nejm_hypothermia2012.pdf (581 Kb)

Question

25 year-old male presents after falling off his bicycle. He complains of pain in his right-hand (he is right-hand dominant). What's the diagnosis? 

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The importance of new ST-segment depressions (STD) and/or T wave inversions (TWI) in lead aVL have not been emphasized or well recognized across specialties. Computer-assisted ECG readings typically report these findings as normal or nonspecific. 

There is growing evidence that changes in lead aVL are abnormal, and that paying attention to that lead can be clinically useful. Reciprocal changes presenting as STD or TWI in lead aVL may be indicative of a significant coronary artery lesion and can sometimes be the only ECG manifestation of acute MI.  

STD in lead aVL is considered a sensitive marker for early inferior STEMI, and has been shown to help differentiate STEMI from pericarditis. Another recent retrospective study suggests that TWI in aVL might be associated with significant LAD lesions. 

Bottom Line: Paying close attention to subtle changes and abnormalities in lead aVL may help in early identification and initiation of therapy for patients who are having an acute MI.  

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Attachments

1402092205_TWI_in_aVL.pdf (112 Kb)

Overtraining syndrome

A maladaptive response to excessive exercise without adequate functional rest

-Results in disturbances of multiple body systems (neurologic, endocrinologic, immunologic and psychologic).

- May be caused by systemic inflammation and resultant neurohormonal changes
            - Multiple hypotheses exist

-Symptoms

Parasympathetic alterations: fatigue, depression, bradycardia

Sympathetic alterations: insomnia, irritability, agitation, tachycardia, hypertension, restlessness

Other: anorexia, weight loss, poor concentration, anxiety

Usual presentation is prolonged underperformance despite adequate rest and recovery (weeks to months).

• Much attention has been paid towards early goal-directed therapy for sepsis in adult ED patients, but there has not been as much consideration for the pediatric ED patient. 
• R-C analyses and M&M reviews have consistently identified system difficulties  recognizing sepsis in children, especially cases of compensated shock, and subsequent management.
• Protocols beginning in triage to recognize abnormal vital signs, followed by timely execution of interventions especially antibiotic and fluid administration are worthwhile to reduce overall morbidity and mortality.
• Protocols should include 3 major goals:

1. Triage vital signs adjusted for age, and corrected heart rate for pyrexia to recognize sepsis.
2. Obtain vascular access within 5 minutes followed by a 20mL/kg bolus of IV fluids administered within 15 minutes in cases of volume depletion.
3. Antibiotic administration within 30 minutes.

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Ondansetron (Zofran) is a great anti-emetic that, since it has gone generic, is also inexpensive. High dose ondansetron has been reported to cause QT prolongation and that practice is largerly discontinued now in the oncology world. Another uncommon adverse drug reaction may be dystonia. Though we think of ondansetron as a 5-HT3 blocker and should not cause the dystonic reaction like we see in metoclopramide, there are case reports of this reaction occurring.

Tranexamic Acid (TXA) topically applied was compared to anterior nasal packing in 216 patients with acute anterior epistaxis. Cotton pledgets (15 cm) soaked in injectable TXA (500 mg/5 ml) were inserted into the bleeding nostril and removed after bleeding had arrested. This was compared to standard anterior packing.

RESULTS

Bottom line: topical tranexamic acid looks promising for control of uncomplicated anterior epistaxis.

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General Information:

• 1.24 million people die each year on the world's roads
• 50% of those dying on the world’s roads are vulnerable road users (VRUs-- those most at risk in traffic, i.e. those unprotected by an outside shield)
  • 23% motorcyclists, 22% pedestrians, 5% cyclists
  • Children and elderly are overrepresented among victims

Area of the world affected:

• In 2010, low- and middle-income countries had higher road traffic fatality rates (18.3 and 20.1 per 100,000, respectively) compared to high-income countries (8.7).
• The African region had the highest road traffic fatality rate, at 24.1, while the European region had the lowest rate, at 10.3.

Relevance to the US physician:

• While public health measures are key in reducing the risk to VRUs, improving the provision of emergency medical services may also result in a higher proportion of victims surviving on the road or on the way to a health clinic.
• Travelers should also be mindful of the risks of motorcycles, bicycles, and walking along the roadside

Bottom Line:

VRU traffic injuries are the greatest challenge of today's worldwide road safety. 

University of Maryland Section of Global Emergency Health

Author: Terrence Mulligan DO, MPH

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Mechanical Ventilation During ECMO

• ECMO is a rapidly emerging therapy for critically ill patients with severe acute respiratory failure (VV-ECMO) and circulatory failure (VA-ECMO).
• Mechanical ventilation (MV) settings may have important effects on patients receiving either VV- or VA-ECMO.
• Though no large, randomized trials, consensus guidelines and expert opinion recommend the following initial settings for patients receiving VV-ECMO:
  • Tidal volume: < 4 ml/kg predicted body weight
  • Plateau pressure: < 25 cmH₂O
  • PEEP: 10-15 cmH₂O
  • F_iO₂: titrated to maintain sats > 85%
  • RR: 4 to 6 breaths per minute

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Question

34 year-old left-hand dominant male sustained injury to left hand after his pressurized greasing-gun discharged into the palm of his hand. He has a small lac to the hand but is in extreme pain. On exam his hand is very puffy and he is neurovascularly intact (XR below) What is the next step in management? 

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Myocardial Infarction in Women After Childbirth

World Health Organization reports that obesity is the 5^th leading cause of global death with the highest impact on women <65 years of age

The association of obesity and cardiovascular risk in young women is currently being researched

A recent nationwide cohort looking at obesity and future cardiovascular risk looked at Danish women giving birth (2004-2009) and followed them a median time of 4.5 years

This study grouped women via pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI)

                                            1. Underweight (BMI <18.5)     

                                            2. Normal weight (BMI <25)

                                3. Overweight (BMI <30)

                                4. Obese (BMI >30)

Data revealed that healthy women of fertile age, pre-pregnancy obesity alone was associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction in the years after childbirth

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In most situations (dependant on state laws and institutional policies), methadone-maintained patients enrolled in a drug abuse program are best managed by continuing methadone at the usual maintenance levels with once-a-day oral administration.

Pearl: In the event the methadone clinic is closed and/or the dose cannot be verified, 30-40 mg (10-20 mg IM) is generally enough to prevent withdrawal in most patients.

This is only a short-term measure and some patients may require additional methadone. Full doses of methadone should be reinstituted as soon as possible.

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Case Presentation: A 63 year old woman from Texas with no recent international travel presents to the ED with persistent fatigue which onset a month ago and is associated with anorexia and occasional fevers and chills.  She has been to her family doctor who tested her for a number of viral illnesses and was told she had West Nile virus.

Clinical Question:

What other febrile illness could this be?

Answer:

This patient had dengue.  Dengue is now endemic in the US, and locally-acquired cases have been reported in Florida, Texas and Hawaii. The fatigue and anorexia are typical and can last for weeks after other symptoms have resolved. 

West Nile virus testing may be falsely positive when another flavivirus is present such dengue, yellow fever or Japanese encephalitis. 

Bottom Line:

Other possible illnesses like dengue should be considered in patients who have tested positive for West Nile virus.

University of Maryland Section of Global Emergency Health

Author: Jenny Reifel Saltzberg, MD, MPH

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