UMEM Educational Pearls

The debate around post-arrest management recently has revolved around whether therapeutic hypothermia should go cold, or LESS cold.  But what if we went MORE cold?  While recent TTM trials have compared temps such as 33 to 36 and 33 to 37.5 or less, a recent trial called CAPITAL CHILL looked at 34C vs 31C.  There is a solid physiologic basis for cooling post-arrest patients, so do they do better if we lower their temp even further?  Maybe we're not going cold enough with 33?

Bottom Line: No, 31C is not better than 34C for post-arrest patients.  This study compared death and poor neurologic outcome at 180 days with 31 and 34C targets for post-arrest patients, and found no difference (in fact the 31C group did slightly, but not significantly, worse on the primary outcome, and worse on a few secondary outcomes).  

While debate remains for 33 vs 36 vs afebrile, the literature does not currently support consideration of temps below 33.  

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Category: Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Title: Kcentra for Anticoagulant Reversal

Keywords: Kcentra, AC Reversal, Anticoagulant (PubMed Search)

Posted: 11/6/2021 by Wesley Oliver
Click here to contact Wesley Oliver

Kcentra (four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate, 4f-PCC) is approved for the reversal of warfarin using a weight-based dosing strategy based on INR. However, since the approval of Kcentra, data has shown a fixed-dose strategy and use for direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOAC) is appropriate. There are even recommendations to use a fixed-dose for DOACs in some situations. Utilizing a fixed-dose strategy can help with decreasing drug preparation/delivery times and costs.

 

Our institution now only uses a weight-based Kcentra dose of 50 units/kg for patients on DOACs with ICH or trauma-induced coagulopathy. All other patients receive a fixed-dose of Kcentra 1,500 units or 2,000 units based on anticoagulant and other criteria.

 

Below is a diagram summarizing our current dosing strategy for Kcentra at our institution.

 

ICH=intracerebral hemorrhage

DOAC=direct-acting oral anticoagulant (rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban)

 

Other points of interest at our institution:

  • Based on recommended monitoring parameters, patients may receive additional doses of Kcentra.
  • Idarucizumab (Praxbind) is the preferred agent for dabigatran reversal.

 

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Incidence of T1DM is 1.93/1000 of youth <20 years old in the United States, with a bimodal distribution of onset. Onset peaks from ages 4-6 and again at puberty. 

 

Prior to the development of DKA, diabetes often has an insidious onset with symptoms of polydipsia, polyphagia and polyuria with weight loss in children. It can also be asymptomatic. 

 

When DKA is present, symptoms will include neurological manifestations (confusion, lethargy), GI symptoms (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting), or respiratory abnormalities (Kussmaul respirations.) Polyuria and polydipsia are frequently present as well.

 

Diagnosis of DKA includes: serum glucose of >200 mg/dL, serum or urine ketones, and a pH <7.30 or bicarbonate <15 mEq/L. 

 

DKA is classified as mild, moderate or severe:

Mild: pH 7.21-7.30, HCO3 11-15 mEq/L

Moderate: pH 7.11-7.20, HCO3 6-10 mEq/L 

Severe: pH < 7.10, HCO3 <5 mEq/L

 

Initial treatment is 10 ml/kg of isotonic fluid bolus to a max of 500 ml, then reassess. Continue to replace fluids gradually to cover maintenance fluids as well as to treat dehydration. Do NOT bolus insulin. Rather, start a drip at 0.05-0.1 units/kg/hr. Continue insulin until acidosis has completely resolved. Once the serum glucose falls below 250 mg/dL, start dextrose to prevent hypoglycemia until the gap closes. 

 

Cerebral edema can develop 4-12 hours after treatment has been initiated. Observe for change in mental status, posturing, decreased response to pain, cranial nerve palsy, bradycardia, or abnormal respiratory pattern. This is a clinical diagnosis! Although a head CT can be obtained, it is often negative and treatment with mannitol or hypertonic saline should be started as soon as there are clinical changes.

 

DKA has resolved when pH > 7.3 and HCO3 is >15.

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Substance use disorder contributes significantly to pediatric exposure/poisoning. There has been an increase in the opioid overdose deaths in the US, placing pediatric population to possible exposure. A retrospective study of fatal pediatric poisoning in the US was investigated using the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) from 2012-2017.

17 US states (AK, CO, GA, KT, MD, MA, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, UT, VA, WI) reported to NVDRS from 2012-2017.   

Age was limited to 0-9 years

 

Results

1850 violent deaths were identified: n=122 (7%) were poisoning related

 

Characteristics

  • Male: 49%
  • Approximately 25% were homicide-suicides

Region

  • Midwest: 25%
  • Northeast: 5%
  • South: 53%
  • West: 17%

Most common exposure/etiology

  1. Opioid (50%)
  2. Benzodiazepines (8%)
  3. Amphetamines (7%)
  4. Antidepressants (5%)

Conclusion

  • A large proportion of poisoning related pediatric fatality was due to opioid exposure
  • Largest proportion of death was reported from the Southern US.

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Initial Mechanical Ventilation Settings for the Intubated Asthmatic

  • Approximately 2% of adult patients who present with an acute asthma exacerbation will require intubation and mechanical ventilation.
  • It is critical to provide the intubated asthmatic with sufficient time for exhalation.
  • Initial recommended settings for mechanical ventilation include:
    • Tidal volume: 6-8 ml/kg ideal body weight
    • Respiratory rate: 6-10 breaths per minute
    • PEEP: 0-5 cm H2O
    • Inspiratory flow rate: 80-120 L/min
  • Permissive hypercapnea is tolerated to a pH of approximately 7.15

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Category: Critical Care

Title: DOREMI: Milrinone Versus Dobutamine in Treatment of Cardiogenic Shock

Keywords: Cardiogenic Shock, Milrinone, Dobutamine (PubMed Search)

Posted: 10/28/2021 by Lucas Sjeklocha, MD (Updated: 3/29/2024)
Click here to contact Lucas Sjeklocha, MD

Background: A cornerstone of therapy for cardiogenic shock is inotropic support with medications including dobutamine, epinephrine and milrinone.  Few studies have examined these head-to-head and between dobutamine and milrinone (including only one RCT of 36 patients)

The investigators conducted a RCT of milrinone versus dobutamine for cardiogenic shock in a single quaternary care center cardiac ICU.

Inclusion: Patients over 18 with cardiogenic shock (largely clinical determination)

Exclusion: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, pregnancy, prior initiation of dobutamine or milrinone, or physician discretion.

Methods: 1:1 randomization stratified by affected ventricle (LV vs RV). Primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital death, resuscitated cardiac arrest, cardiac transplant, mechanical circulator support, nonfatal MI, TIA, stroke, or renal replacement therapy. Powered to detect a 20% improvement in this measure in the milrinone group (192 pts).

Results:  192 patients enrolled (96 in each arm). Average age was 70, 36% female, 90% LV dysfunction, 67% ischemic disease, 33% non-ischemic, average LVEF 25%, 68% on vasopressors. ICU admission to randomization was 23+/-92.6h for dobutamine and 17.6+/-50.6h for milrinone arms. 80% were SCAI class C shock.

Primary outcome for milrinone 49% versus dobutamine 54%, HR 0.9(0.69-1.19), p=0.47, death was the primary driver of the composite (37% vs 43%).  Arrythmia requiring intervention was not different between groups (50% vs 46%). No difference in a host of other endpoints including AKI (92% vs 90%), RRT (22% vs 17%), HR, lactate, MAP, UOP, and creatinine.

Discussion: No significant differences observed in outcomes for patients with cardiogenic shock randomized to milrinone versus dobutamine.  The trial addressed an important clinical question for management of cardiogenic shock and relied largely on clinical diagnosis for inclusion and likely reflected a somewhat broad range of patients. The trial was too small given observed treatment effects and few patients with RV failure. Notably, similar rates of adverse events observed in each group.  

Many limitations for practice including a single specialized ICU setting, limited information on events leading to ICU admission including invasive or medical interventions during the index visit and no long term follow-up.  Time to randomization, exclusion of cardiac arrest, and lack of reporting pre-ICU setting (ED, floor, cath lab) also significantly limits utility in an emergency setting.

Bottom Line: 192 patient single-center cardiac ICU-based trial shows no difference in composite or secondary endpoints between milrinone and dobutamine for cardiogenic shock, adds to a body of very limited RCTs comparing inotropes in cardiogenic shock but provides no practice changing evidence.

 

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Category: Neurology

Title: VP Shunt Complications

Keywords: ventriculoperitoneal shunt, neurosurgery (PubMed Search)

Posted: 10/27/2021 by David Gatz, MD (Updated: 3/29/2024)
Click here to contact David Gatz, MD

Question

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are common. Unfortunately shunt complications are also common! 

 

There are 3 major categories of shunt complications:

  1. Mechanical Failure - obstruction, fracture, disconnection, migration, perforation
  2. Functional Failure - overdrainage, slit ventricle syndrome, pseudocyst, ascites, meastasis
  3. Infection - may occur in  up to 10% of patients (bacterial, fungal, parasitic)

 

Shunt series are helpful, but are NOT 100% sensitive. If you have a clinical concern for a shunt complication, make sure to involve neurosurgery.

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Category: Orthopedics

Title: Sex differences in concussion

Keywords: Concussion, sex differences, head injury (PubMed Search)

Posted: 10/23/2021 by Brian Corwell, MD (Updated: 3/29/2024)
Click here to contact Brian Corwell, MD

The total number of concussions tripled among female athletes aged 14 to 18 years during a 20-year period from 2000 to 2019.

Query of National Injury Surveillance System

Female athletes with sports-related concussions or closed head injuries who presented to the ED

In 14- to 18-year-old females the number of concussions increased from 9,000 in 2000 to 32,000 in 2019.

65% of all concussions among female athletes occurred in soccer, basketball, cheerleading, softball, and volleyball.

Association between an increase of 308.7 annual concussions per 10,000 annual female participants.

In a study of more than 80,000 teenage players across US high schools, female athletes are 1.9 times more likely to develop a sports-related concussion than are their male counterparts in comparable sports.

In boys, the most common way of becoming concussed was through direct contact with another player (50%)

In girls, the most common way of becoming concussed was after colliding with another object (ball/goalpost).

This mechanism may partly explain another finding:  Boys were also more likely to be removed from play immediately after a suspected head injury than were girls

 



Category: Critical Care

Title: Simultaneous Use of Hypertonic Saline and IV Furosemide for Fluid Overload: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Keywords: decompensated heart failure, hypertonic saline, furosemide (PubMed Search)

Posted: 10/19/2021 by Quincy Tran, MD (Updated: 3/29/2024)
Click here to contact Quincy Tran, MD

Settings & Designs: a meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials among patients with fluid overload.

Patients: This meta-analysis included 2987 patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Intervention: intravenous hypertonic saline + intravenous furosemide.

Comparison: intravenous furosemide

Outcome: all-cause mortality, hospital length of stay

Study Results:

·       Hypertonic saline + furosemide treatment was associated with lower relative risk of mortality (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33-0.76%, P< 0.05, I-square = 12%).

·       Hypertonic saline + furosemide treatment was also associated with 3.8 shorter hospital length of stay (mean difference = -3.38 days, 95% CI -4.1 to -2.4, P< 0.05, I-square = 93%). 

·       Sodium creatine also decreased about 0.46 mg/dl (mean difference, -0.46, 95% CI -051, -0.41, P<0.05, I-square 89%) for patients received both hypertonic saline and furosemide.

Discussion:

·       Most studies only included patients with advanced heart failure (NYHA class IV, EF < 35%)

·       For these patients with advanced heart failure, most studies infused 150 ml of 1.5%-3% saline.  However, all studies used very high doses of furosemide (500mg -1000mg BID).

Conclusion:

In patients with acute decompensated heart failure, a combination of hypertonic saline and intravenous furosemide was associated with improved outcomes, compared with a single therapy of furosemide.

 

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This was a retrospective, noninferiority analysis looking at patients 14 years old and younger treated for nontraumatic seizures by EMS with a midazolam dose of 0.1 mg/kg (regardless of route).  There were just over 2000 patients with a median age of 6 years included in the study.  Midazolam redosing occurred in 25% of patients who received intranasal midazolam versus only 14% who received midazolam via intramuscular, intravenous, or intraosseous routes.
Bottom line: In the prehospital setting, intranasal midazolam at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg was associated with an increased need to redose compared to other routes.  This dose may be subtherapeutic for intranasal administration.

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Category: Neurology

Title: Emergency Department Burr Hole (Submitted by Dr. Christina Powell)

Keywords: burr hole, trephination, subdural hematoma, epidural hematoma, herniation (PubMed Search)

Posted: 10/13/2021 by WanTsu Wendy Chang, MD
Click here to contact WanTsu Wendy Chang, MD

Your patient presents with a large traumatic subdural hematoma with midline shift and clinical evidence of herniation.  Your nearest neurosurgeon is several hours away, what do you do?

Initial resuscitation should follow ATLS.  Treatment of intracranial hypertension and herniation includes elevating the head of bed, administering osmotic therapies, optimizing analgesia/sedation, and hyperventilation.  If all measures have been exhausted and there is a delay to definitive neurosurgical intervention, an emergency department burr hole may be considered.

Indications:

  • GCS < 8, dilated and nonreactive pupil(s), posturing suggestive of uncal or transtentorial herniation 
  • Radiographic evidence of an extra-axial (subdural/epidural) hematoma causing midline shift and brainstem compression
  • Lack of timely neurosurgical intervention
  • Procedure will not delay transfer to definitive care

Contraindications:

  • Neurosurgical intervention available within reasonable time frame
  • Skull fracture at site of planned burr hole

Equipment:

  • Razor
  • Surgical marker
  • Sterile prep and drape
  • Syringe, needle, lidocaine
  • Scalpel, forceps, retractor, sharp hook, scissors
  • Hand drill, hex wrench, drill bit with guard
  • Sterile saline, gauze, dressing

Transtemporal Approach:

  • Measure skull thickness on CT for depth of drill guard.
  • Position patient supine and elevate the ipsilateral shoulder with a shoulder roll.  Utilize tape or have assistant hold the head in place. 
  • Shave the hair.
  • Mark the point 2 cm superior and 2 cm anterior to the tragus.
  • Sterile prep and drape.
  • Inject local anesthetic and then make a 3 cm vertical skin incision down to the periosteum.  Dissect and use a retractor to expose the skull.
  • Drill with steady pressure perpendicular to the skull.  Irrigate with sterile saline to remove bone fragments.
  • Once the skull is penetrated:
    • If an epidural hematoma, blood should be released.  Can use sterile saline to facilitate drainage of clotted blood.
    • If a subdural hematoma, use a sharp hook to tent the dura and make a small cruciate incision.
  • Place loose sterile dressing.
  • Transfer to definitive care.

Additional Points:

  • Neurosurgery consultation before performing this procedure is recommended. 
  • Antibiotic prophylaxis with gram-positive coverage is recommended.
  • In extenuating circumstances, this may be considered without CT confirmation of the location of the extra-axial hematoma.  However, there is risk of a negative exploratory burr hole due to a hematoma not in the temporal location or due to a false localizing sign.

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Category: Orthopedics

Title: The Role of Active Rehabilitation in Concussion Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Keywords: Concussion, active recovery, exercise (PubMed Search)

Posted: 10/5/2021 by Brian Corwell, MD (Emailed: 10/10/2021) (Updated: 3/29/2024)
Click here to contact Brian Corwell, MD

The Role of Active Rehabilitation in Concussion Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

 

Concussions make up 70% to 90% of all traumatic brain injuries

During the recovery process, prolonged rest has been shown to slow recovery and precipitate secondary symptoms of fatigue, reactive depression, anxiety and physical deconditioning.

As a result, a gradual increase in low-level activities has been encouraged after 24-48 h of rest.

23 articles for a total of 2547 concussed individuals, 49% female, both kids and adults. Included both sport related and non-sport related concussion.

None of the studies reported any adverse events in symptomatic participants after subthreshold exacerbation aerobic exercise.

Duration ranged from 15-20 minutes per session or until symptom exacerbation.

Subthreshold activity generally targeted 80% of max heart rate achieved during a graded symptom threshold test.

Every study showed improved concussion symptom scores with a physical activity intervention.

Most common treatment duration was 6 weeks (Range 1-12 wk)

Best outcomes if initiated with 2-3 weeks after injury but intervention beneficial in chronic phases of recovery as well.

The intervention of physical activity decreases post concussion symptom scores and the overall effect across studies was large and positive.

Optimal intensity, duration and time to initiation of exercise intervention needs further investigation.

Exercise effect is likely multifactorial including:

  1. Improvement in cerebral autoregulation
  2. Increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor which promotes neuron growth and repair
  3. May reduce fear of exercise and perception of illness and injury
  4. Reintegration with social environments and support

One of the best effects I have seen in treating these patients is that active exercise allows a proactive approach to patient recovery. Patients become less focused on every minor symptom or irregularity.

 

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Category: Pediatrics

Title: AAP Guidelines on the Febrile Infant 2021

Keywords: febrile infant, neonatal fever (PubMed Search)

Posted: 10/1/2021 by Rachel Wiltjer, DO
Click here to contact Rachel Wiltjer, DO

What they are: Clinical practice guidelines put together by an AAP subcommittee over a span of several years based on changing bacteriology and incidence of illness, advances in testing, and evidence that has accumulated

Includes: Healthy infants 8 to 60 days of life with an episode of temperature greater than or equal to 38.0 C who at now at home after being born at home or after discharge from the newborn nursery, born between 37 and 42 weeks, without focal infection on exam (cellulitis, vesicles, etc)

Recommendations:

For the well appearing 8-21 day old:

  • Obtain UA (and culture if + UA), blood culture, CSF (including enterovirus PCR if pleocytosis in CSF or seasonal periods), inflammatory markers are optional
  • Start empiric antimicrobials regardless of results of UA/CSF or any inflammatory markers
  • Infant should be admitted

For well appearing 22- 28 day olds:

  • Obtain UA (and culture if +UA), blood culture, and inflammatory markers
    • procalcitonin preferred over CRP if available, ANC is helpful but less so than others
    • several studies used in making these guidelines used more than 1 inflammatory marker
      • Temp >38.5 is considered an inflammatory marker
  • If any inflammatory marker is abnormal:
    • Obtain CSF and start empiric antibiotics
      • CSF is optional if no inflammatory markers are abnormal (provider judgment/risk assessment)
    • If CSF is not obtained, infant should be hospitalized for observation
  • Discharge home is acceptable if all of the following are true: UA is normal, CSF is normal or enterovirus +, no obtained inflammatory marker is abnormal (or if abnormal they have subsequently had normal CSF testing), return precautions are discussed and follow up is assured within 24 hours for clinical re-examination
    • Infants being discharged home should receive empiric parental antibiotics prior to discharge
  • If the infant is hospitalized antibiotics should be started if: CSF with pleocytosis or uninterpretable or if UA is +
    • If workup is normal, antibiotics optional
    • If CSF not obtained, may start antibiotics but not required
  • Shared decision making with parents is recommended for decisions regarding LP and disposition in this group

For well appearing 29-60 day olds:

  • Obtain UA ( and culture if +UA), blood culture, and inflammatory markers
  • If inflammatory markers are normal LP does not need to be performed, antibiotics do not need to be administered (unless UTI present), and patient can be monitored closely at home with follow up in 24-36 hours
  • If positive UA in this group with normal inflammatory markers, obtain cath urine culture and start oral antibiotics
  • Consider obtaining CSF if abnormal inflammatory markers
  • If CSF obtained and normal antibiotics are optional, may be observed in hospital or closely at home
  • If CSF is not obtained or is uninterpretable with abnormal inflammatory markers, administer parenteral antibiotics
    • May be observed in hospital or closely at home

Notable changes:

  • UTIs have been differentiated from bacteremia and bacterial meningitis, the guideline discourages the use of the historic “serious bacterial illness”
  • A 2 step process where decision for catheretized urine culture is based on UA is suggested, UA to be obtained by bag or stimulated void

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Intubation considerations

  • Use large ET tube (at least 8.0 if possible): minimizes airway resistance, facilitates aggressive pulmonary toilet and bronchoscopy if needed
  • Consider using ketamine as induction agent as it has bronchodilator properties and can maintain blood pressure
  • Appropriate choices for initial sedation includes propofol, fentanyl, and ketamine

Vent management strategies

  • No overall outcome differences between volume vs pressure control modes. Volume control has been recommended as initial mode due to familiarity and ensures your set tidal volume will be delivered.
  • Goal is to minimize autoPEEP, which occurs from incomplete exhalation prior to initiation of next inhaled breath. This can be achieved by adjusting a few vent settings: decreasing RR, decreasing I:E ratio, decreasing inspiratory time, or increasing inspiratory flow rate. Allow for permissive hypercapnia, pH >7.2 has been advocated though precise target is unknown.
  • If patient becomes hemodynamically unstable, consider first disconnecting the ventilator from the ET tube and manually decompress the chest to facilitate exhalation.
  • Peak inspiratory pressures are expected to be high in the acute severe asthmatic. More important is to keep plateau pressures <30 cm H2O to prevent lung injury.
  • Don't forget to continue asthma-directed therapy. Administer albuterol via in-line nebulization unit of the vent.

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Category: Orthopedics

Title: Exertional Heat Stroke at the Boston Marathon

Keywords: heat stroke, marathon (PubMed Search)

Posted: 9/14/2021 by Brian Corwell, MD (Emailed: 9/25/2021) (Updated: 3/29/2024)
Click here to contact Brian Corwell, MD

Exertional Heat Stroke at the Boston Marathon

 

Study goal: To assess for possible associations between exertional heat stroke (EHS) and sex, age, prior performance and environmental conditions

Data sourced from 2015-2019 Boston Marathon races.

Why Boston:  The Boston marathon is one of the only marathons that require qualifying times for entry for a majority of runners which yields a high proportion of faster than average runners. The race is frequently characterized by extreme weather conditions, including warm and humid days.

Results: 136,161 race starters. Incidence of EHS was 3.7 cases per 10,000 starters.

                Note: Twin Cities Marathon found 3 cases per 10,000 runners.

Mean age of runners was 43.3. Female 45%, male 55%.

Significant associations between sex and age, sex and start wave and age group and start wave.

Sex not associated with increased EHS incidence.

Age < 30 and assignment to the first 2 waves (faster runners) was significantly associated with increased EHS.

All cases of EHS occurred with average wet bulb globe temperatures (WBGT) were 17° – 20° C.

Linear correlation between EHS and incidence in addition to increases in WBGT from start to peak.

72.5% of cases were race finishers. Non finishers presented after mile 18.

Almost 30% developed post treatment hypothermia.

Almost 2/3rds were discharged directly, the remainder required hospital transport.

Authors estimate needing at least 4 ice water immersion tubs per 10,000 runners with potential of needing 8-10 if race day is humid.

Conclusions: Overall, EHS represented a small percentage of medical encounters but required significant resources.

Younger and faster runners are at high risk of EHS.

Greater increases in heat stress from start to peak worsens risk.

 

Definitions: WGBT - The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account: ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover (solar radiation). This differs from the heat index, which takes into consideration temperature and humidity and is calculated for shady areas. 

 

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Category: Pediatrics

Title: Amusement park safety

Keywords: roller coasters, summer, death (PubMed Search)

Posted: 9/17/2021 by Jenny Guyther, MD
Click here to contact Jenny Guyther, MD

Over a one year study period, 182 accident events at amusement parks were reported in the news from 38 countries.  51 events involved a fatality. Mechanical rides and roller coasters were involved in 87 events. 
The risk of injury associated with spending a day at an amusement park is very low, but not non-existent.
The high g forces of certain thrill rides (ie roller coasters) can predispose to injury in some children and adolescents with preexisting medical conditions.
Among the conditions that are considered contraindications to exposure to high g force or other thrill rides are Marfan syndrome, Down syndrome, hypermobility-related disorders, coagulation disorders, and many cardiac disorders, particularly ones with rhythm abnormalities.

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Management of Intermediate-High Risk PE Patients

  • Though there are varying definitions, intermediate-high risk patients with a PE are generally defined as those who are hemodynamically stable, have radiographic or laboratory evidence of right heart strain, and an elevated PE risk score.
  • A few key management pearls include:
    • Be judicious with IVFs to avoid worsening septal shift and fruther decreases in LV cardiac output.
    • Consider dobutamine for severe RV dysfunction.
    • Administer norepinephrine, if needed, to achieve a MAP of 65 mm Hg.
    • Avoid initiation of positive pressure ventilation, if possible. 
    • If intubation is needed for clinical deterioriation avoid propofol for RSI.  Propofol has been associated with increased mortality in this patient population.

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Category: Pediatrics

Title: Sickle Cell Disease and Fever

Keywords: sickle cell, HgSS, fever, sepsis (PubMed Search)

Posted: 9/3/2021 by Natasha Smith, MD
Click here to contact Natasha Smith, MD

  • Watch out for Streptococcus pneumoniae sepsis! Patients can look well for several hours, then suddenly decline, leading to shock or death.
  • Note that nearly half of patients with HgSS will have diminished spleen function by 1 year of age
  • Start antibiotics early, even if patients are immunized or are taking prophylactic penicillin
  • Antibiotic recommendations: long-acting cephalosporin +/- Vancomycin 
  • Order CBC, reticulocyte count, blood culture, CXR, and other testing as needed based on presentation
  • Admit patients with high fever, toxic appearance, infiltrate on CXR, hypoxia, tachypnea not explained by fever, poor intake/dehydration, severely abnormal CBC, history of S. pneumoniae sepsis, pain crisis + fever

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Background: Interest in moving to balanced fluid administration has grown after publication of the SPLIT trial and SALT-ED/SMART trials, which showed respectively evidence of benefit to balanced crystalloid over normal saline on mortality and major adverse kidney events at 30 days.

Population/Intervention: The BaSICs trial is an RCT in 75 ICUs in Brazil, testing P-Lyte versus NS (with each arm getting two different infusion rates that were analyzed as a separate trial) for volume administration per protocol.

--10,520 ICU patients requiring fluid expansion, expected ICU stay >1 day, and 1 additional risk factor for AKI (age>65, hypotension, sepsis, MV, NIV, oliguria, elevated creatinine, cirrhosis, or acute liver failure).

--Exclusions: severe dysnatremia, expected RRT within 6 hours, expected death.

--Average age was 61, with a SOFA score of 4, and 48% on were elective surgical admissions.

Outcome:

--No difference in 90 days mortality (P-Lyte 26.4% v NS 27.2, aHR p=0.47), AKI or RRT out to 7-days, or in duration of MV, ICU LOS or hospital LOS

--Median study fluid by day 3 was 2.9L in each group

--Higher neurological SOFA score observed in P-Lyte group

--Higher mortality seen with P-Lyte in TBI subgroup (P-Lyte 31.3% vs NS 21.1%, p=0.02)

Discussion:

--Adds contrasting negative data to previous large positive RCTs showing benefit of balanaced fluids

--Expect further reanalysis/metanalysis of BSS versus NS trials

--Signal for harm in TBI pts with P-Lyte correlates with SMART point estimates that were not significant

--Compared to SMART trial population BaSICs had: 2x higher mortality, more planned surgery, received about 1L more study fluid in the first 3ds

Takeaway:

--Balanced crystalloid versus normal saline debate will continue considering this large negative trial

--Signal for possible harm in TBI population with balanced crystalloids compared to normal saline

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Study Question:  A recent study investigated whether a history of concussion caused greater disturbances in cerebral blood flow and cerebral white matter after subsequent concussions.

Background:  Researchers used changes in blood flow in the cingulate cortex and white matter microstructure in the corpus callosum as evidence of underlying brain injury.

Population:  228 athletes with an average age of 20.  Divided into 2 groups, recent and non-recent concussion.

61 athletes had a recent (uncomplicated) concussion and 167 did not. Within the first group, 36 had a history of concussion. Within the second group, 73 had a history of concussion.

Note: researchers used “self-reported” history of concussion in study.

Intervention: Researchers took up to 5 MRI scans of each recently concussed athlete. This encompassed the acute phase of injury (1 to 7 days post-injury), the subacute phase (8 to 14 days), medical clearance to return to sport, one month post return and one year post return.

The sport concussion assessment tool (SCAT) was also used to evaluate effects of history of concussion on symptoms, cognition and balance.

Results:  One year after a recent concussion, those athletes with a history of concussion had sharper declines in blood flow within one area of the cingulate cortex compared to those without a history of prior concussions.

Athletes with a history of concussion had an average cerebral blood flow of 40 mL per minute, per 100 grams of brain tissue.

Athletes without a history of concussion had an average cerebral blood flow of 53 mL per minute, per 100g of brain tissue.

In the weeks following concussion, those athletes with a prior history of concussion had microstructural changes in the corpus callosum.

 Effects were seen in the absence of differences in SCAT domains or time to return to sport.

Conclusion:  Athletes with a history of concussion experience identifiable injury to their brains as evidenced by changes in blow flow and white matter microstructure.  Athletes “cleared” for return to play following concussion may be at greater risk of subtle patterns of brain injury versus their peers.

 

 

 

 


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