Category: Critical Care
Keywords: Extubation, High Flow Nasal Cannula, Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation, Airway Management (PubMed Search)
Posted: 12/6/2022 by Mark Sutherland, MD
Click here to contact Mark Sutherland, MD
Although extubation has historically been the purview of critical care, as ED lengths of stay continue to worsen, and as we see more and more rapidly reversible respiratory failure (e.g. opioid overdose), it is valuable for ED providers to be facile in extubating patients. In addition, a longstanding debate in critical care has revolved around the proper device to extubate patients to, specifically: regular nasal cannula (NC) vs high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) vs noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). Although data are mixed, the literature suggests extubation to HFNC or NIPPV may reduce risk of reintubation, esspecially in patients at a high risk of reintubation, but doesn't show a clear difference between HFNC and NIPPV.
Hernandez et al recently conducted an RCT in two Spanish ICUs looking at HFNC vs NIPPV upon extubation for high risk patients. NIPPV was associated with a lower reintubation rate (23%) as opposed to HFNC (39%). Hospital LOS was also shorted in the NIPPV group, but no other differences were observed.
It should be noted that this study, and pretty much the entirety of this literature base, is in ICU patients. In fact, in this study, patients were excluded if they were intubated less than 24 hours. Generally speaking, patients with shorter intubation tend to be lower risk for reintubation and other post-extubation negative outcomes, so I would use caution extrapolating this too much to the ED. Unfortunately however, there is very limited literature to guide ED extubation practices.
Bottom Line:
1) Know how to assess readiness for extubation and consider extubation in the ED if they meet criteria
2) For patients at higher risk of reintubation (older, sicker, CHF, COPD, obesity, airway issues) who you are considering extubating, you may wish to extubate them to Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation, even though there is little solid literature showing best practices in terms of post-extubation respiratory support in the ED.
Hernández, G., Paredes, I., Moran, F. et al. Effect of postextubation noninvasive ventilation with active humidification vs high-flow nasal cannula on reintubation in patients at very high risk for extubation failure: a randomized trial. Intensive Care Med 48, 1751–1759 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-022-06919-3
Yasuda, H., Okano, H., Mayumi, T. et al. Post-extubation oxygenation strategies in acute respiratory failure: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Crit Care 25, 135 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-021-03550-4
Category: Trauma
Posted: 12/4/2022 by Robert Flint, MD
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
In follow-up to last week’s pearl regarding the inequitable distribution of trauma care, there were a few more thoughts:
1. A huge shout out to those ED physicians working in critical access facilities without surgical back up, access to specialists, and who are regularly struggling to get their patients transferred to trauma centers to receive the care they need.
2. All centers, big and small, are struggling with crowding, staffing, and patient flow. It is critical to the entire system that these issues get addressed. They need to be addressed at a system level by all stake holders. Smaller EDs, critical access EDs, or Level 2 and 3 centers holding patients that need to be transferred has a deleterious effect not only on that individual patient, but the patients that can’t be seen while the most critically ill are being attended to.
3. Hospital administrators, medical directors, national organizations, department leaders, and each of us in the trenches owe it to our communities and patients to get involved in fixing the problems. These issues are best addressed by a meeting of stake holders than by an overwhelmed ED provider at 2 am desperately trying to do the right thing for their patient.
4. The best systems have:
a. ongoing education for EMS providers, hospital providers, nurses and the general public,
b. pre-hospital protocols regarding trauma patients,
c. a timely means to get patients to the correct facility,
d. injury prevention programs,
e. post-acute care rehabilitation services, and
f. family support services in place.
5. Those with well-functioning systems, please publish your results and the steps you have taken to become well-functioning. We need leadership. We do not need to reinvent the wheel. Please take an active role in lifting the less functional systems to your level.
6. Those that are struggling, ask for help! Also publish your efforts, your struggles, and your needs.
For those interested in a deeper dive into where we have come from and the concept of trauma systems, please read the attached reference. This is a call to all that care for the critically ill to work to improve our stressed system, publish your work so we ca all learn and to advocate and lobby for your patients.
This pearl's author is open to comments, criticism, concerns and questions.
Back to clinical pearls next week.
The impact of trauma systems on patient outcomes
Jeff Choi, MD, MSc,1 Garrison Carlos, MD,1 Aussama K. Nassar, MD, MSc, FRCSC, FACS, Lisa M. Knowlton, MD, MPH, FRCSC, and David A. Spain, MD, FACS?
Curr Probl Surg. 2021 Jan; 58(1): 100849.
Published online 2020 Jun 10. doi: 10.1016/j.cpsurg.2020.100849 PMCID: PMC7286246 PMID: 33431134
Category: Pediatrics
Keywords: unimmunized, pediatric fever (PubMed Search)
Posted: 12/2/2022 by Rachel Wiltjer, DO
Click here to contact Rachel Wiltjer, DO
Childhood vaccination has significantly decreased the incidence of bacterial meningitis and bacteremia in infants and young children, specifically vaccines against H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae, shifting broad workups for these disease and empiric antibiosis to younger age groups as rates declined. In recent years the percentage of unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children has been rising due to multiple factors; now over 1% of children in the US under 2 years of age are unvaccinated. The question becomes, should these children be treated more similarly to young infants as they lack to immunity to these organisms?
Literature on this topic is sparse, although, Finkel, Ospina-Jimenez, et al. reviewed the literature available and proposed an algorithm for well appearing children 3-24 months of age without a clear source and a temperature of >39C (102.2F). Recommendations included UA (to determine possible source) in the following patients: fever > 2 days, prior UTI, female or uncircumcised male <12 months, or male <6 months. They also recommended evaluation with viral panel. If no source was determined, they then recommended CBC and procalcitonin with a CXR for WBC > 20,000/mm3. For WBC >15,000/mm3, ANC >10,000/mm3, absolute band count >1,500/mm3, or procalcitonin >0.5ng/mL they recommended blood culture, ceftriaxone 50 mg/kg, and follow up within 24 hours.
Bottom line: Literature is scarce and practice patterns are likely to evolve as ramifications of decrease in vaccination rates become clearer. The above algorithm is proposed, however covers limited situations and may not be practical in all settings. Clinical judgement should be used in the evaluation and management of these patients. A more conservative approach compared to vaccinated infants is reasonable at this time.
Finkel L, Ospina-Jimenez C, Byers M, Eilbert W. Fever Without Source in Unvaccinated Children Aged 3 to 24 Months: What Workup Is Recommended?. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2021;37(12):e882-e885
Category: Critical Care
Posted: 11/29/2022 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD
(Updated: 10/15/2024)
Click here to contact Mike Winters, MBA, MD
Transcutaneous Cardiac Pacing
Moayedi S, et al. Anteroposterior pacer pad position is better than anterolateral for transcutaneous cardiac pacing. Resuscitation 2022; 181:140-6.
Moayedi S, et al. Anteroposterior pacer pad position is more likely to capture than anterolateral for transcutaneous cardiac pacing. Circulation. 2022; 146:1103-4.
Category: Misc
Keywords: DEI, transgender, nonbinary (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/28/2022 by Rachel Wiltjer, DO
Click here to contact Rachel Wiltjer, DO
Approximately 1.4 million transgender and gender nonbinary patients live in the United States. Unfortunately, prior research has shown negative experiences with the health system are common after disclosing their trans/NB status. As a result, almost a ¼ report avoiding or delaying needed health care.
This qualitative study interviewed a subset of trans/NB individuals about their experiences visiting emergency departments. Several key themes emerged:
Overall, the study found that clinicians have many opportunities to improve the care of transgender and nonbinary patients, including updating forms, using inclusive language, avoiding medically unnecessary questions, and providing training for staff on trans/NB health.
Allison MK, Marshall SA, Stewart G, Joiner M, Nash C, Stewart MK. Experiences of Transgender and Gender Nonbinary Patients in the Emergency Department and Recommendations for Health Care Policy, Education, and Practice. J Emerg Med. 2021 Oct;61(4):396-405. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2021.04.013. Epub 2021 Jun 25. PMID: 34176685; PMCID: PMC8627922.
Category: Trauma
Keywords: level I, Level II, Level III, Trauma Center, Accessibility (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/5/2022 by Robert Flint, MD
(Emailed: 11/27/2022)
(Updated: 11/26/2022)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
This study found that 22% of Americans do not have access to a trauma center within 60 minutes. Eight percent of the population relied on Level III centers. Not unexpectantly, Black and Native Americans were overly represented in the group receiveing care at Level III centers. White and Native Americans were over represented in the group without access to trauma care within 60 minutes. Most disappointing of all, none of this has changed since 2010. Some states have a robust trauma network, while others need to evaluate their needs and potentially add Level III centers to cut down the time to trauma care. What is your area's trauma coverage and what level?
Jarman, Molly P. PhD, MPH; Dalton, Michael K. MD, MPH; Askari, Reza MD; Sonderman, Kristin MD, MPH; Salim, Ali MD; Inaba, Kenji MD
Accessibility of Level III trauma centers for underserved populations: A cross-sectional study
Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery: November 2022 - Volume 93 - Issue 5 - p 664-671
doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000003725
Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: Pet ownership, cardiovascular health, risk reduction (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/25/2022 by Brian Corwell, MD
(Emailed: 11/26/2022)
Click here to contact Brian Corwell, MD
Dog ownership has become more common especially during the pandemic.
Almost 70% of US households own a pet and almost half own ≥1 dogs.
There are many health benefits associated with dog ownership including: reduced risk of asthma and allergic rhinitis in children exposed to pets during early ages, improvement in symptoms of PTSD, overall wellbeing & alleviation of social isolation in elderly individuals and increased physical activity.
The main positive impact of dog ownership seems to be in relation to cardiovascular risk including an association with lower blood pressure levels, improved lipid profile, and diminished sympathetic responses to stress.
Study: A systematic review and meta-analysis (10 studies, over 3 million participants) to evaluate the association of dog ownership with all-cause mortality, with and without prior cardiovascular disease, and cardiovascular mortality. Mean follow up 10 years.
Results: Dog ownership was associated with a 24% risk reduction for all-cause mortality as compared to non-ownership (relative risk, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.67–0.86) with 6 studies demonstrating significant reduction in the risk of death.
In individuals with prior coronary events, dog ownership was associated with an even more pronounced risk reduction for all-cause mortality (relative risk, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.17–0.69). When authors restricted the analyses to studies evaluating cardiovascular mortality, dog ownership conferred a 31% risk reduction for cardiovascular death (relative risk, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.67–0.71).
The cause of this benefit is unclear. Though some activities such as the act of petting a dog has been observed to lower blood pressure levels, the mechanism for the longer survival is likely through enhanced physical activity provided by dog walking.
Conclusion: Dog ownership is associated with reduced all-cause mortality likely driven by a reduction in cardiovascular mortality. Dog ownership as a lifestyle intervention may offer significant health benefits, particularly in populations at high-risk for cardiovascular death.
Finally, meet Winston, a French bulldog who, last night, won the National Dog Show!
Category: Trauma
Posted: 11/18/2022 by Robert Flint, MD
(Emailed: 11/20/2022)
(Updated: 10/15/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
This small study looked at patients with penetrating neck injuries and tried to determine in those with "hard signs" of injury (hemorrhage, expanding hematoma, or ischemia) if they required immediate operative managment. The authors concluded:
"Although hard signs in PCVIs are associated with the need for operative intervention, initial CT imaging can facilitate endovascular options or nonoperative management in a significant subgroup. Hard signs should not be considered an absolute indication for immediate surgical exploration."
This is a small study and it is unclear why some patients went to CT vs directly to the operating room. This may not be a practice changing study, but it may validate provider gestalt of CT vs direct to operating room. We can add this to the growing body of evidence that CT scanning in penetrating trauma can be used to diffrentiate who needs emergent operative intervention vs. endovascular therapy vs close observation. This study certainly opens the door for further reaserch in the area of management of penetratign neck injuries.
Reading the signs in penetrating cervical vascular injuries: Analysis of hard/soft signs and initial management from a nationwide vascular trauma database
Marrotte, Alexander MD; Calvo, Richard Y. PhD; Badiee, Jayraan MPH; Rooney, Alexandra S. MPH; Krzyzaniak, Andrea MA; Sise, Michael MD; Bansal, Vishal MD; DuBose, Joseph MD; Martin, Matthew J. MD; the AAST PROOVIT Study Group; Morrison, Jonny MD, PhD
Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery: November 2022 - Volume 93 - Issue 5 - p 632-638
doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000003678
Category: Pediatrics
Keywords: Pediatric trauma, blood transfusion, ratios (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/18/2022 by Jenny Guyther, MD
(Updated: 10/15/2024)
Click here to contact Jenny Guyther, MD
Akl M, Anand T, Reina R et al. Balanced hemostatic resuscitation for bleeding pediatric trauma patients: A nationwide quantitative analysis of outcomes. Journal of Pediatric Surgery 2022. epub ahead of print.
Category: Critical Care
Keywords: Wellness, ICU, physicians, coping, COVID-19, pandemic (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/15/2022 by Quincy Tran, MD, PhD
(Updated: 10/15/2024)
Click here to contact Quincy Tran, MD, PhD
This was a cross-sectional survey for the Diversity-Related Research Committee of the Women in Critical Care (WICC) Interest Group of the American Thoracic Society.
Settings: 62 sites in Canada and the US
Participants: Attending physicians who worked in ICUs
Questionaire:
· Measure of Moral Distress for healthcare professionals (27 items),
· Maslach burnout inventory (2 items),
· Stanford Professional Fulfilment Index (14-items), Brief Cope scale (14-items)
Study Results:
1. Demographics:
· 431 participants (approximately 43.3% response rate).
· 334 (65%) participants worked at University-affiliated hospitals
· 387 (89.0%) worked in Adult ICUs.
· Pre-pandemic, clinical days/months was 10.1 (± 14) days, and increased to 13.1 (± 16) days during the pandemic.
2. Measure of moral distress: Average score 95.6 ± 66.9 (maximum 417).
· The highest score (mean 8.5 ± 4.8), for distress, came from the item: “Follow the family insistence to continue aggressive treatment even though it is not in the best interest of the patient.” ((Family wanted to do everything).
3. Stanford Fulfillment Index:
· 387 (91.9%) intensivists found their work meaningful and 365 (86.5%) felt worthwhile at work, although most felt physically (297, 71.6%), emotionally (266 [63.8%]) exhausted.
4. Coping strategies:
· Participants resorted to a wide variety of scoping strategies ranging from Acceptance (90%), Self-distraction (85%) to Substance abuse (32%) and Denial (18%).
· Most physicians (231 [55.9%]) reported that their coping remained the same before and during the pandemic.
Discussion:
· Physicians are quite resilient. The authors found that physicians who worked more days experienced significantly more moral distress but with similar Stanford Professional Fulfillment score.
· This finding was similar to an exploratory analysis from a meta-analysis that showed physicians, among other healthcare workers, were less likely to have severe symptoms of PTSD (2).
· Women and physicians who were persons of color experienced significantly higher moral distress and burn-out.
Conclusion:
There was moderate moral distress and burn-out, although physicians who worked in ICUs still achieved moderate professional fulfillment. Up to 20% of ICU physicians used a maladaptive coping strategy
1. Burns KEA, Moss M, Lorens E, Jose EKA, Martin CM, Viglianti EM, Fox-Robichaud A, Mathews KS, Akgun K, Jain S, Gershengorn H, Mehta S, Han JE, Martin GS, Liebler JM, Stapleton RD, Trachuk P, Vranas KC, Chua A, Herridge MS, Tsang JLY, Biehl M, Burnham EL, Chen JT, Attia EF, Mohamed A, Harkins MS, Soriano SM, Maddux A, West JC, Badke AR, Bagshaw SM, Binnie A, Carlos WG, Çoruh B, Crothers K, D'Aragon F, Denson JL, Drover JW, Eschun G, Geagea A, Griesdale D, Hadler R, Hancock J, Hasmatali J, Kaul B, Kerlin MP, Kohn R, Kutsogiannis DJ, Matson SM, Morris PE, Paunovic B, Peltan ID, Piquette D, Pirzadeh M, Pulchan K, Schnapp LM, Sessler CN, Smith H, Sy E, Thirugnanam S, McDonald RK, McPherson KA, Kraft M, Spiegel M, Dodek PM; Diversity-Related Research Committee of the Women in Critical Care (WICC) Interest Group of the American Thoracic Society. Wellness and Coping of Physicians Who Worked in ICUs During the Pandemic: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional North American Survey. Crit Care Med. 2022 Oct 27. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005674. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36300945.
2. Andhavarapu S, Yardi I, Bzhilyanskaya V, Lurie T, Bhinder M, Patel P, Pourmand A, Tran QK. Post-traumatic stress in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res. 2022 Oct 8;317:114890. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114890. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36260970; PMCID: PMC9573911.
Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: musculoskeletal pain, analgesia, opioids (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/12/2022 by Brian Corwell, MD
(Updated: 10/15/2024)
Click here to contact Brian Corwell, MD
Opioids & NSAIDs for MSK pain in the ED: Effectiveness and Harms
Study selection: A recent systematic review in Annals of Internal Medicine attempted to evaluate the effectiveness and harms of opioids for musculoskeletal pain in the emergency department.
Included were RCTs of any opioid analgesic as compared with placebo or a nonopioid analgesic.
Conditions studied: bone injuries, soft tissue injuries, spinal pain, and mixed presentations.
Out of 2464 articles, they included 42 trials (n=6128).
Effectiveness data: Opioids were statistically but not clinically more effective in reducing pain in the short term (approximately 2 hours) versus placebo and Tylenol but were not clinically or statistically more effective than NSAIDs.
Take home: Opioids and NSAIDs may have about the same pain outcomes.
Harm data: The results on harms were very mixed. Overall, there were fewer harms with NSAIDs than opioids. However, many studies showed less of a difference. The benefit with NSAIDs due to fewer harms may be less in patients with mixed musculoskeletal conditions.
Opioids may carry higher risk for harms than placebo, Tylenol, or NSAIDs. Authors also found that an increased opioid dose may increase harms from opioids.
Limitations: Limited data on long-term outcomes and longer-term pain management
Jones CMP, Lin CC, et al. Effectiveness of Opioid Analgesic Medicines Prescribed in or at Discharge From Emergency Departments for Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2022 Oct 18.
Category: Critical Care
Posted: 11/8/2022 by Caleb Chan, MD
Click here to contact Caleb Chan, MD
DOSE VF (DOuble SEquential External Defibrillation for Refractory VF) Trial
Background - High quality data regarding the use of double sequential external defibrillation (DSED) and vector-change (VC) defibrillation in refractory vfib is limited
Study
-Three-group, cluster-randomized, controlled trial in six Canadian paramedic services
-Study population:
-OHCA with refractory vfib (initial presenting rhythm of vfib or pulseless VT that was still present after three consecutive rhythm analyses and standard defibrillations separated by 2 minute intervals of CPR) of presumed cardiac etiology (405 patients)
-Some notable exclusion criteria:
-suspected drug overdose, hypothermia, traumatic cardiac arrest
-Protocol:
-First 3 defib attempts in the standard (anterior-lateral) position
-If remained in vfib after three consecutive shocks randomized to one of:
1. Standard defib for all subsequent attempts (136 pts)
2. VC defib (all subsequent attempts in anterior-posterior position) (144 pts)
3. DSED (applied second set of pads in AP position) with near simultaneously (<1 sec) defib shocks (125 pts)
Results
-Primary outcome: survival to hospital discharge
-38 patients (30.4%) in the DSED group vs. 18 (13.3%) in the standard group (RR 2.21; 95% CI, 1.33 to 3.67) (Fragility index of 9)
-31 patients (21.7%) in the VC group (RR [vs. standard], 1.71; 95% CI, 1.01 to 2.88) (Fragility index of 1)
-Notable secondary outcome: survival with a good neurologic outcome
-34 patients (27.4%) who received DSED vs. 15 patients (11.2%) with standard defibrillation (RR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.26 to 3.88)
Takeaways/Caveats:
-68% of arrests witnessed, 58% received bystander CPR, median response time of 7.4-7.8 min
-Did not reach planned sample size 2/2 COVID pandemic
-No reporting of post-arrest care (e.g. TTM, PCI)
-Overall rates of survival and good neuro outcome on the higher side even with standard of care
-More/larger studies needed, but can consider DSED for refractory vfib, particularly if you are in a setting without more advanced circulatory support/resources
Cheskes S, Verbeek PR, Drennan IR, et al. Defibrillation strategies for refractory ventricular fibrillation. N Engl J Med. Published online November 6, 2022:NEJMoa2207304.
Category: Misc
Keywords: DEI, Intimate Partner Violence (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/7/2022 by Rachel Wiltjer, DO
Click here to contact Rachel Wiltjer, DO
IPV can occur once or over years by a current or former romantic partner. Types of IPV include: Physical and/or Sexual violence, Stalking, and Psychological/Financial aggression (the use of verbal and non-verbal communication to harm mentally or emotionally and to exert control over another partner).
IPV is more prevalent that Aortic Dissection and Pulmonary Embolism combined. Think about how risky it is to NOT recognize IPV.
1:4 women and 1:10 men have been victims of IPV during their lifetime.
1:5 homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner.
Over 50% of female homicide victims are killed by a current or former intimate partner. Patients who have been strangled are 4 times more likely to be killed within a year.
Your Spidey Sense should go off when:
Once patient is identified as a victim:
Category: Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Keywords: sugammadex, TBI, neurologic exams (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/6/2022 by Meghin Moynihan
(Updated: 10/15/2024)
Click here to contact Meghin Moynihan
Sugammadex works by chelating non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) such as rocuronium and vecuronium to reverse the effects of paralysis. Dosing per package insert varies based on time from administration of the NMBA, and side effects, although rare, include severe bradycardia, hypotension, and asystole. While sugammadex is routinely used by our anesthesia colleagues, it is rarely utilized in the emergency department (ED) or intensive care unit (ICU) setting.
A recent single-center study assessed 11 patients with either a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) who received sugammadex for neurologic assessment in the ED or ICU. The median dose was 240mg and the median time since last NMBA administration was 101 minutes.
In 6/11 patients, the neurosurgical plan changed and it affirmed a poor prognosis in 3/11 patients. In the ICU patients, sugammadex was associated with reduction in unnecessary tests.
All patients had a GCS of 3T prior to administration and 67% responded to sugammadex with a median increase to 8T (P=0.0156). MAP reductions were common with a median of -8 mmHg.
Bottom Line: Sugammadex can assist in determining a neurosurgical or clinical prognosis plan in patients with TBI and ICH. Larger studies are needed in this patient population and caution should be used inpatients who are already hypotensive or bradycardic. A reasonable dose, especially when given >1h from intubation would be 200mg. The team should be available at administration to note changes in GCS.
Hyland S J, Pandya P A, Mei C J, et al. (October 19, 2022) Sugammadex to Facilitate Neurologic Assessment in Severely Brain-Injured Patients: Retrospective Analysis and Practical Guidance. Cureus 14(10): e30466. doi:10.7759/cureus.30466
Category: Trauma
Keywords: trauma, elderly, pelvic fracture, plain radiographs (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/28/2022 by Robert Flint, MD
(Emailed: 11/6/2022)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
This retrospective study compared plain radiographs to CT scan for the detection of pelvic fractures in patients over 65 years of age. The authors concluded “Pelvic radiographs have low sensitivity in detecting traumatic pelvic fractures. These radiographically occult fractures may be clinically significant as a cause of long-term pain and may require orthopedic consultation and possible surgical management.”
If you have a high clinical suspicion due to pain or inability to ambulate, CT may be warranted if the X-Ray is negative.
Ma, Y., Mandell, J.C., Rocha, T. et al. Diagnostic accuracy of pelvic radiographs for the detection of traumatic pelvic fractures in the elderly. Emerg Radiol (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-022-02090-w
Category: Pediatrics
Keywords: rehydration, fluid management (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/4/2022 by Rachel Wiltjer, DO
Click here to contact Rachel Wiltjer, DO
Subcutaneous Fluid Administration for Rehydration
Caccialanza R, Constans T, et al. Subcutaneous Infusion of Fluids for Hydration or Nutrition: A Review. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 2018; 42 (2): 296-307
Spandorfer PR. Subcutaneous Rehydration. Pediatric Emergency Care. 2011; 27 (3):230-236.
Category: Critical Care
Keywords: APRV, TCAV, Mechanical Ventilation (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/2/2022 by William Teeter, MD
(Updated: 10/15/2024)
Click here to contact William Teeter, MD
Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) is an "advanced" mode of mechanical ventilation that has long been considered a "rescue" mode of ventilation and has recently garnered much more attention during the COVID pandemic. Given the long boarding times of critical care patients in the ED with widespread improvement in sight, I wanted to send out some great resources that have come out recently delineating the difference in thought process between APRV as a "rescue" mode and as a "primary" mode.
Rory Spiegel of EMNerd and former UMMC CCM fellow has recently given a great talk on APRV and its use as a rescue mode of ventilation. See also Phil Rola's recent paper listed on that webpage.
https://emcrit.org/emcrit/aprv-for-lung-rescue/
APRV as a primary mode of ventilation has been used in the STC for years and is often referred to in the literature according to the basic ventilatory philsophy called Time Controlled Adaptive Ventilation. I realize this may be heresy to some and perhaps a curiousity to others. I recommend you take some time to peruse the following resources:
1. Dr. Habashi has done a great deal of work in the basic and translation literature on APRV and TCAV. His recent review dispels many myths and concerns surrounding APRV
Myths and Misconceptions of Airway Pressure Release Ventilation: Getting Past the Noise and on to the Signal - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2022.928562/full
2. The TCAV Network has great resources for those who want to do a deeper dive into this topic.
https://www.tcavnetwork.org/
(Can also find their recommended protocols at the Multi Trauma Critical Care education website: https://stcmtcc.com/handouts/)
2211021655_fphys-13-928562_(2).pdf (5,575 Kb)
2211021655_Standard_Settings_for_APRV_using_the_TCAV_Method.pdf (1,525 Kb)
2211021655_APRV_TCAV_Rescue_Strategy_Strategy_Guidelines_2020.pdf (1,614 Kb)
Category: Trauma
Keywords: abdominal trauma, seat belt sign, Ct scan, discharge, hollow vicsus injury (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/28/2022 by Robert Flint, MD
(Emailed: 10/30/2022)
(Updated: 10/30/2022)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
Traditional trauma teaching is to admit trauma patients with abdominal wall ecchymosis caused by seat belts (seat belt sign) for fear of missing a hollow viscus injury leading to peritonitis and sepsis.
Over the past few years there have been studies pointing toward the safety of discharging blunt abdominal trauma patients with a negative CT even if they do have a seat belt sign.
In this most recent study, a negative CT was defined as
1. No free fluid (free fluid was the leading indicator of occult hollow viscus injury)
2. No solid organ injury
3. No bowel wall irregular contours, thickening, hematoma or air
4. No abdominal wall soft tissue contusion
5. No mesenteric stranding or hematoma
6. No bowel dilatation
If the patient’s CT did not include any of these findings, there was a 0.01% chance of finding a delayed hollow viscus injury. The authors conclude it is safe to discharge patients meeting these criteria.
If we include no rebound or guarding on physical exam along with a negative CT scan, it appears to be safe to discharge trauma patient’s with seat belt sign.
Category: Critical Care
Keywords: arterial line, square wave test, overdamped, underdamped (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/24/2022 by Zach Rogers, MD
Click here to contact Zach Rogers, MD
Arterial line waveform interpretation and troubleshooting are essential skills for any physician caring for critically ill patients. Overdamping and underdamping of the arterial line waveform leads to inaccurate systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings which can lead to unidentified hypertension or hypotension. In addition to scrutiny of the arterial waveform pattern, the square-wave test is a tool to identify overdamped or underdamped arterial lines.
Overdamped arterial waveforms will underestimate systolic blood pressure and overestimate diastolic blood pressure. Underdamping will have the opposite effect and overestimate systolic blood pressure and underestimate diastolic blood pressure. In both cases, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) often remains the same.
The square-wave test is a rapid flush that is applied to the arterial line for approximately 1 second. This rapid high-pressure surge results in vibration and oscillation of the arterial catheter. These oscillations are then read by the pressure transducer and the number and amplitude of these oscillations can be measured. 0 or 1 oscillations is suggestive of overdamping. 3 or more oscillations is suggestive of an underdamped system.
Major causes of an overdamped arterial line waveform include low infusion bag pressure, loose connectors, air bubbles in the tubing, blood clot in the circuit, or kinking of vascular catheter. An underdamped arterial line, however, is caused by overly stiff circuit tubing or a defective transducer.
Scrutiny of the arterial waveform and utilization of the square-wave test can be helpful to both identify erroneous arterial line blood pressure readings as well as suggest likely corrective measures.
2210242137_Arterial_line_overdamped_and_underdamped_examples.jpg (112 Kb)
Category: Trauma
Keywords: penetrating trauma, trauma, obesity, armour phenomenon (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/12/2022 by Robert Flint, MD
(Emailed: 10/23/2022)
(Updated: 10/15/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
This meta-analyisis looked at whether obesity was a protective factor for penetrating trauma (the armour phenomenon). The authors concluded that insteaed of being protective, obesity added to morbidity and mortality.
"Obese patients that sustained stab injuries underwent more nontherapeutic operations. Obese patients that sustained gunshot injuries had longer intensive care and total hospital length of stay. Obese patients suffered more respiratory complications and were at an increased risk of death during their admission."
Further evidence that obesity is a major health concern in both medical and trauma pateints.
Andy Ze Lin Chen 1, Tae Hwan Lee, Jeremy Hsu, Tony Pang J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2022 Sep 1;93(3):e101-e109.