Anion gap metabolic acidosis is often found in ED patients. It can be difficult to distinguish between toxic alcohol (TA) ingestion and alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA). A retrospective study attempted to identify risk factors associated with AKA when TA ingestion was the alternative diagnosis.
New York City poison center data was reviewed from Jan 1, 2000 to April 30, 2019.
Case definition of AKA included
Case definition of TA ingestion
Results
Univariate analysis showed following variables to be associated with AKA diagnosis
Multivariate logistic regression showed elevated ethanol concentration was associated with increased odd of AKA diagnosis
Conclusion
Title: Mammalian meat allergy (alpha-gal syndrome) following tick bites
Author: Dan Gingold, MD, MPH
Development of IgE antibodies to the oligosaccharide galactose-alpha-1-3-galactose (alpha-gal) appears to be responsible for an acquired allergy to non-primate mammalian meat (i.e., beef and pork) and derived products. Antigen in the salivary apparatus of certain ticks (gross!!) can sensitize an IgE-mediated response to alpha-gal which is present in mammalian meat.
Symptoms are similar to other IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions, and can cause a delayed-onset reaction with hives, GI upset, or anaphylaxis after ingestion of red meat. Treatment with standard anti-histamines and epinephrine is effective. Individuals with no prior history of meat sensitivity can develop the syndrome at any age, often after exposure to the outdoors in tick-endemic areas. Skin and blood allergy testing can confirm the diagnosis. Symptoms can persist for years, but can recede over time if not exposed to further tick bites.
In the US, the primary tick responsible is Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum), found primarily in the Eastern, Southeastern, and Midwestern US. Other tick species in Europe, Australia, and Asia have been found to induce the syndrome as well. Interestingly, there is a cross-reactivity with the monoclonal antibody Cetuximab (used to treat colorectal and head and neck cancers), an allergic reaction to which can also induce similar alpha-gal meat sensitivity.
Having first been described in 2009, the syndrome often goes unrecognized; increased physician awareness can inform the evaluation, diagnosis, and education of patients presenting to the ED with undifferentiated allergic reaction.
| Ever wonder what to tell the families regarding prognosis of the sickest COVID-19 patients you intubate in the ED or ICU? Introduction: Case fatality rates (CFR) for COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation have been widely variable. A study in the Blue Journal (AJRCCM) examined patients requiring intubation in a systemic review and meta-analysis. The case fatality risk of an infection is represented by the proportion of patients who die among all infected cases in a population over a period of time. Methods: 69 studies axross 23 countries for a total of 57,420 patients with COVID-19 who required mechanical ventilation were included in analysis. Results: Overall case fatality rate was 45%, or about 1 death for every two intubated patients.. Among studies that included age stratification, pooled estimates of CFR were 47.9% in patients <40 (CI 46.4-49.4%) and 84.4% in patients >80 (CI 83.3-85.4%). Overall heterogeneity is high (I 2 .90%), In early COVID epicenters, CFR was 70% among patients aged more than 60 years of age. CFR increased exponentially with increasing age. Specifically in the US across 21 studies (3,811 intubated patients), CFR was 47% (95% CI, 36–57%). Studies from New York reported a CFR of 54% (95% CI, 36–72%) whereas other regions in the United States reported a CFR of 41% (95% CI, 30–53%). Definitive hospital CFR (aka for those with hospital discharge outcomes, 13,120 patients) was 56% (CI 47-65%). Conclusion: Almost half of patients with COVID-19 receiving IMV died based on the reported CFR. The reported CFR was higher in older patients and in early pandemic epicenters, which may be influenced by limited ICU resources. Limitations: Overall CFR of 45% still included patients in the hospital. Definitive hospital outcomes were only for 13,120 patients (36.6%). Significant variation in CFR exists between studies. |
Despite a lack of formal guidelines and evidence, lactate measurement has become a component of many pediatric emergency sepsis quality programs, with one survey showing that up to 68% of responding pediatric emergency medicine providers routinely measured it.
The Surviving Sepsis Campaign, last updated in February 2020, could not make a recommendation on the use of lactate in pediatric patients with suspected shock. The authors did state that lactate levels are often measured during the evaluation of septic shock if the lab can be obtained rapidly. However, lactate levels alone would not be an appropriate screening test.
Bottom Line: Patients with NIHSS <10 may be safe for low-intensity post-tPA monitoring if they do not require critical care after an initial period of q15 min standard monitoring for the first 2 hours.
A single center (Nebraska, USA), retrospective analysis investigated the prevalence of intubation during hospital stay for 105 patients who had COVID-19 between March 24 to May 5, 2020 (1). 40 patients underwent awake proning vs. 60 patients did not undergo awake proning.
After adjusting for either SOFA or APACHE scores, patients with awake proning were associated with lower Hazard Ratios of intubation for SOFA (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.09-0.96, p=0.043) and APACHE (HR 0.30, 95%CI 0.1-0.91, p=0.034).
Discussion
While this US study seemed promising, another Brazilian study being published earlier in July 2020 showed no difference in the prevalence of intubation between COVID-19 patients with proning or without proning (2).
These 2 studies highlighted the nature of this disease: high practice variability, uncertainty of therapeutic modalities. However, the complications from awake proning had been very low.
Conclusion:
Awake proning for hypoxic COVID-19 patients is a promising intervention but we will need more studies. In the meanwhile, we can try this therapeutic modality as the risk is low.
A recent retrospective observational study looked at the association of oral antibiotics (primarily fluroquinolones) and tendon rupture.
Outcome data is very interesting for our practice, deviates from traditional teaching.
Population: 1 million Medicare fee for service beneficiaries from 2007-2016 (>65 years old)
Antibiotics queried: Seven total oral antibiotics of mixed class:
Outcome measures: all combined tendon ruptures and 3 by anatomic site (Achilles, rotator cuff {RC} and other)
Results: Of the 3 quinolones, only LEVOfloxacin showed a significant increase in risk of tendon rupture (16% for RC) and (120% for Achilles) in a 1 month window. The others did not show an increased risk
Among the other antibiotics, cephalexin showed an increase risk across all anatomic sites.
The authors note that the risk with levofloxacin never exceeded the risk of cephalexin in any comparison!
Study Question: What is the association of relative hypotension (degree and duration of MPP deficit) in patients with vasopressor-dependent shock with the incidence of new significant AKI and major adverse kidney events (MAKE)?
Methods:
Results:
Take-aways:
With a national shortage of octreotide an alternative treatment plan had to be implemented at our institution for patients presenting with variceal bleeding.
Drug references recommend a continuous infusion of vasopressin at 0.2 to 0.4 units/minute. Dose may be titrated as needed to a maximum dose of 0.8 units/minute with maximum duration of 24 hours to reduce incidence of adverse effects. Administer IV nitroglycerin concurrently to prevent ischemic complications and monitor closely for signs/symptoms of myocardial, peripheral, and bowel ischemia.
Protocol at our institution:
Vasopressin
Initiate vasopressin at 0.2 units/min.
Increase by 0.2 units/min if bleeding is not controlled after one hour (max dose: 0.8 units/min).
If bleeding controlled for 2 hours, can decrease by 0.2 units/min and reassess.
Limit use to 24 hours.
Nitroglycerin
Use nitroglycerin infusion to prevent adverse effects from vasopressin.
Initiate nitroglycerin at 40 mcg/min, titrate by 40 mcg/min to a max dose of 400 mcg/min.
Goal systolic blood press pressure of 90-100 mmHg. Do not start nitroglycerin if SBP <90 mmHg.
***Please note the vasopressin dose for this indication is significantly higher than the typical dose of 0.03 units/min we use for shock.***
High dose insulin (HDI) therapy is commonly used in patients with severe beta-adrenergic antagonist and calcium channel antagonist overdose. Hypoglycemia and hypokalemia are commonly known complication of HDI therapy. However, kinetics of insulin in patients who received HDI therapy is unknown.
A 51 year-old man with amlodipine overdose was infused HDI (10 unit/kg/hr) for 37 hours; Serial serum insulin levels were drawn after discontinuation of HDI.
Serum insulin levels are shown in below table
The serum insulin level remained significantly elevated during the first 24 hours (normal range: 2.6-24.9 microU/mL) and gradually decreased over 6 days.
Conclusion
Chief complaint: “My hip snaps when I exercise”
Both athletes and non-athletes may report a “snapping” sound with certain movements
This may affect up to 10% of the population
May be associated with activities than involve repetitive hip flexion
Symptoms may be due to an internal or an external cause
External causes are usually due to a tendon passing over a bony prominence
This can be felt as either an audible sensation and/or even a palpable snap
This may or may not involve pain or discomfort
This is most commonly due to a benign cause
During movements in flexion, extension or combined with internal rotation the iliotibial band may move over the greater trochanter.
Alternatively, the hamstring tendon may pass over the ischial tuberosity
There are several other causes with similar mechanisms
Symptoms are usually minimal and not serious
This can be reproduced on bedside clinical exam
Ask the patient to identify the area of snapping with one finger which will help with anatomic localization
First line therapy is physical therapy which focuses on:
Improving muscle length if muscle is too tight OR
Improving neuromuscular activation if problem is due to excessive muscle activation
Young infants (0-90 days) have immature immune systems and are at higher risk for serious bacterial infections, particularly urinary tract infections, bacterial meningitis, and bacteremia. Infants less than 90 days old have an incidence of bacterial infections between 8 to 12.5%, while infants less than or equal to 28 days old have almost a 20% incidence.
Risk-stratification of this group has been a huge focus of research over the past couple of decades to help identify which patients require a full sepsis work-up, particularly in well-appearing infants if a source of fever is identified early. Recent studies have explored the utility of biomarkers in risk stratification in this population. A better ability to discriminate would hopefully decrease unnecessary lumbar punctures, antibiotic use, and hospital admission. Multiple studies have shown procalcitonin is able to outperform CRP for prediction of serious bacterial infections. Kuppermann et al developed a tool to identify low risk febrile infants < 60 days using procalcitonin and ANC. Their prediction rule gave a 97.7% sensitivity, 60% specificity, and 99.6% NPV for serious bacterial infection. There have been several other studies that have looked harder to detect infections such as osteomyelitis or septic arthritis across all pediatric patients and the data has not been as promising.
Bottom line: Procalcitonin shows promise as part of a risk stratification tool in infants younger than 60 days. Other studies have failed to show its relevance as a screening tool for osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, renal abscess or community acquired pneumonia.
The Romberg test is part of the standard neurologic examination. The patient is asked to stand with feet together, hand on hips/sides and the eyes are closed. Vestibular and proprioceptive input is being tested.
This test is not very sensitive overall, but especially in concussed athletes.
Many concussed athletes are able to stand relatively stable despite their neurologic injury.
In order to better identify postural instability in concussion, we perform 3 separate balance tests (modified balance error scoring system, mBESS).
A) Romberg
B) Single leg stance
C) Tandem Stance
Have patient stand quietly with hands on hips
Have patient close eyes and start 20 second trial
If error occurs tell patient to return to start as quickly as possible
Examples of errors: opening eyes, lifting hands, falling out of position
Antimuscarinic agents (e.g. diphenhydramine) are one of the commonly ingested substances in the US. Lorazepam is frequently used to treat delirium and agitation associated with antimuscarinic toxicity. Although physostigmine is also effective, its use is infrequent due to concerns of safety and provider’s limited experience with physostigmine.
A small blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare physostigmine vs lorazepam for the treatment of antimuscarinic toxicity -delirium/agitation.
Inclusion criteria
Intervention
Plus administration of lorazepam (0.05 mg/kg) IV bolus (max 2 mg) every 2 hours as needed for continued agitation or delirium (at the discretion of treatment team)
Delirium and agitation were assessed by Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit score (CAM-ICU) and Richmond Agitation Sedation Score
Result
Study duration: March 20, 2017 to June 30, 2020
Antimuscarinic agent ingested
Proportion of subject with delirium by CAM-ICU
Prior to first bolus (p >0.99)
After 1st bolus (p=0.01)
End of 4 hr infusion (p <0.001)
No adverse events noted in both group
Conclusion
Bottom Line: Patients' language preference does not appear to affect the efficiency of acute ischemic stroke care, especially at experienced high volume stroke centers.
PEEP in the Intubated Obese Patient
Opioid Conversion Updates
Updated in 2018, some clinicians are unaware of the changes to the opioid conversion tables.
|
| 2010 Recommendations |
| 2018 Updates | ||
| Opioid | IV (mg) | PO (mg) |
| IV (mg) | PO (mg) |
| Morphine | 10 | 30 |
| 10 | 25 |
| Fentanyl | 0.1 | NA |
| 0.15 | NA |
| Hydromorphone | 1.5 | 7.5 |
| 2 | 5 |
| Oxycodone | NA | 20 |
| NA | 20 |
When converting between opioids, it is important to remember the following steps:
While online calculators can be helpful, opioid conversions should be done thoughtfully with a full patient assessment to determine the correct conversion for the individual patient.
Several studies have described factors associated with peri-intubation cardiac arrest in the adult population. Factors such as pre-intubation hypotension, elevated BMI, and elevated shock index (HR/SBP) have been associated with cardiac arrest following intubation in adult ED patients. Given the differences in anatomy and physiology in children, one may expect risk factors for peri-intubation cardiac arrest to differ in children.
A number of studies have examined factors associated with peri-intubation cardiac arrest in the pediatric population, but these have remained limited to the inpatient setting. These studies have found that, in hospitalized and PICU patients, the factors of hemodynamic instability, hypoxemia, history of difficult airway, pre-existing cardiac disease, and higher number of intubation attempts are associated with peri-intubation cardiac arrest. A paucity of literature exists on this airway complication in pediatric ED patients.
Pokrajac et al. provide the first study on risk factors for peri-intubation cardiac arrest in pediatric ED patients. These authors conducted a retrospective nested case-control study of pediatric patients (ages <18 years) who presented to a tertiary children’s hospital in San Diego from 2009-2017. Cases included patients who had a cardiac arrest within 20 minutes after the start of endotracheal intubation. Authors selected a number of predictors to examine, including age-adjusted hemodynamic variables, capillary refill, pulse oximetry, patient characteristics, intubation-related factors, and pre-intubation interventions.
The authors found the following:
- Demographic characteristics:
o Patients with peri-intubation cardiac arrest were significantly younger (<1 year of age), shorter, and more likely to have history of preexisting pulmonary disease.
- Incident characteristics:
o Patients with peri-intubation cardiac arrest were more likely to have:
-Low or unobtainable SBP or DBP
-Delayed capillary refill time
-Low (<92%) or unobtainable pre-intubation SpO2
-More than 1 intubation attempt than controls
-No paralytic or sedative agent prior to intubation
o Patients with peri-intubation cardiac arrest were NOT more likely to have increases in age-adjusted HR or pediatric shock index in comparison to controls.
o The strongest clinical predictor for peri-intubation cardiac arrest was pre-intubation hypoxia or unobtainable SpO2. This fact is supported by children’s increased metabolic rate and thus increased oxygen consumption. This physiologic finding explains the shorter amount of time it takes children to develop acute hypoxia, particularly in the peri-intubation setting.
Bottom line: If planning to intubate a pediatric patient in the ED, keep in mind that pre-intubation systolic or diastolic hypotension, delayed capillary refill time, multiple intubation attempts, and hypoxia in particular may increase the risk for peri-intubation cardiac arrest. Consider providing apneic oxygenation to minimize hypoxemia prior to intubation.
Ethanol exposure among young children can result in significant morbidity. Infants and young children can be exposed to ethanol in many different ways: exploratory ingestion, mixed in formula-both intentionally and unintentionally, etc.
A recently published study used national poison data system to characterize the ethanol exposure among infants < 12 months of age.
Results:
Between 2009-2018, 1,818 ethanol exposures among infants were reported. Oral ingestion was the most common (96.7%; n=1738). Annual number of ethanol exposure increased by 37.5% each year.
Exposure site
Age
Clinically significant effects
563 infants (31%) were evaluated at hospital
38% (n=214) of the exposures were hospitalized
0-5 months of age
Conclusion
Ethanol exposure among infants is increasing each year and associated with serious clinical effects.
