Fixed dose ketamine for prehospital management of hyperactive delirium with severe agitation.

INTRODUCTION: Patients exhibiting signs of hyperactive delirium with severe agitation (HDSA) may require sedating medications for stabilization and safe transport to the hospital. Determining the patient's weight and calculating the correct weight-based dose may be challenging in an emergency. A fixed dose ketamine protocol is an alternative to the traditional weight-based administration, which may also reduce dosing errors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency and characteristics of adverse events following pre-hospital ketamine administration for HDSA. METHODS: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) records from four agencies were searched for prehospital ketamine administration. Cases were included if a 250 mg dose of ketamine was administered on standing order to an adult patient for clinical signs consistent with HDSA. Protocols allowed for a second 250 mg dose of ketamine if the first dose was not effective. Both the 250 mg initial dose and the total prehospital dose were analyzed for weight based dosing and adverse events. RESULTS: Review of 132 cases revealed 60 cases that met inclusion criteria. Patients' median weight was 80 kg (range: 50-176 kg). No patients were intubated by EMS, one only requiring suction, three required respiratory support via bag valve mask (BVM). Six (10%) patients were intubated in the emergency department (ED) including the three (5%) supported by EMS via BVM, three (5%) others who were sedated further in the ED prior to requiring intubation. All six patients who were intubated were discharged from the hospital with a Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) 1 score. The weight-based dosing equivalent for the 250 mg initial dose (OR: 2.62, CI: 0.67-10.22) and the total prehospital dose, inclusive of the 12 patients that were administered a second dose, (OR: 0.74, CI: 0.27, 2.03), were not associated with the need for intubation. CONCLUSION: The 250 mg fixed dose of ketamine was not >5 mg/kg weight-based dose equivalent for all patients in this study. Although a second 250 mg dose of ketamine was permitted under standing orders, only 12 (20%) of the patients were administered a second dose, none experienced an adverse event. This indicates that the 250 mg initial dose was effective for 80% of the patients. Four patients with prehospital adverse events likely related to the administration of ketamine were found. One required suction, three (5%) requiring BVM respiratory support by EMS were subsequently intubated upon arrival in the ED. All 60 patients were discharged from the hospital alive. Further research is needed to determine an optimal single administration dose for ketamine in patients exhibiting signs of HDSA, if employing a standardized fixed dose medication protocol streamlines administration, and if the fixed dose medication reduces the occurrence of dosage errors.

Sufficient Cartilage for Most Talar Articular Defects Can Be Harvested From the Non-Loadbearing Talus: A Cadaveric Analysis.

PURPOSE: To assess the quantity of morselized cartilage that can be harvested from the non-load-bearing portion of the talus for immediate reimplantation. METHODS: Non-load-bearing talar cartilage was harvested from 5 cadaveric specimens using a standard arthroscopic approach. Cartilage was separated from the talus in maximum dorsiflexion at the junction of the talar head and neck, grasped, and morselized into a graft using a cartilage particulator. The volume of reclaimed cartilage was measured, and the extrapolated area of coverage was compared to average osteochondral lesions of the talus previously reported. RESULTS: The total yield of cartilage graft following processing that was obtained from 5 ankle joints ranged from 0.3 mL to 2.1 mL with a mean volume of 1.3 ± 0.7 mL, yielding a theoretical 13.2 ± 7.1 cm2 coverage with a 1-mm monolayer. While the average size of osteochondral lesions of the talus is difficult to estimate, they may range from 0.5 cm2 to 3.7 cm2 according to the literature. CONCLUSIONS: This study validated that it is possible to harvest sufficient amount of cartilage for an autologous morselized cartilage graft via a single-stage, single-site surgical and processing technique to address most talar articular cartilage defects. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Particulated cartilage autografts have shown promise in surgical management of cartilage defects. A single-site, single-staged procedure that uses a patient's autologous talar cartilage from the same joint has the potential to reduce morbidity associated with multiple surgical sites, multistaged procedure, or nonautologous tissue in ankle surgery.

A Biomechanical Comparison Shows No Difference Between Two Knee Braces used for Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of 2 commonly used knee braces to control knee valgus motion and subsequent strain on the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in a laboratory-controlled environment. METHODS: Twenty healthy individuals (6 male, 14 female; mean age, 23 ± 3 years) with no history of knee injury or brace use performed a jump landing task while wearing either no brace or 1 of 2 braces: the Playmaker and Total Range of Motion . Three-dimensional joint kinematics and kinetics were measured in our biomechanics laboratory. RESULTS: Significantly less knee dynamic valgus angulation was noted when using either brace (-0.51° ± 3.9° and -1.3° ± 3.2°) compared no brace (4.8° ± 3.0°). Dynamic valgus angulation did not differ significantly between the 2 braces tested, which were both not statistically different from baseline alignment. There were significant differences seen in peak knee flexion angle between each brace (77.9° ± 8.8°and 83.1° ± 8.4°), as well as between both braces and no brace (90.6° ± 11.1°). There was no significant difference in knee frontal plane moment or peak vertical ground reaction force loading among all 3 testing conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to no brace, both braces allowed significantly less dynamic valgus angulation of the knee under physiological vertical loads but were not significantly different from one another. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Knee braces are commonly used to protect the MCL when placed under physiological loads. It is important to know which braces effectively reduce valgus stress to provide the best outcomes.

Assessment of Safe Cartilage Harvesting Quantity in the Shoulder: A Cadaveric Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the volume and yield of morselized cartilage that can be harvested from the shoulder for immediate reimplantation and repair. METHODS: A standard arthroscopic approach was used to harvest non-load-bearing cartilage from 5 cadaveric shoulder specimens. Cartilage was separated from the humerus, grasped, added to the cartilage particulator, and morselized to form a cartilage paste. The volume of reclaimed cartilage was measured and compared with average humeral and glenoid defects. RESULTS: The total yield of cartilage paste following tissue processing that was obtained from the 5 glenohumeral joints ranged from 1.0 mL to 2.4 mL with a mean volume of 1.9 ± 0.5 mL, yielding a theoretical 18.6 cm2 ± 5.2 cm2 of coverage with a 1-mm monolayer. Previously reported mean glenoid defect size ranges from 1.12 cm2 to 2.73 cm2, while the mean humeral defect size ranges from 4.22 cm2 to 6.00 cm2. CONCLUSIONS: This study validated that through a single-stage surgical and processing technique it is possible to obtain a sufficient volume for re-implantable autologous morselized cartilage graft to address most glenohumeral articular cartilage defects. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Chondrocyte grafts have been shown to be effective in cartilage repair. A single-site, single-staged procedure that uses a patient's autologous shoulder cartilage from the same joint has the potential to reduce morbidity associated with multiple surgical sites, multistaged procedures, or nonautologous tissue in shoulder surgery.

Return to sporting activity after ulnar nerve transposition for isolated neuritis in competitive overhead athletes.

BACKGROUND: Although ulnar neuritis can occur secondary to ulnar collateral ligament pathology, stress fractures, and traction apophysitis, isolated ulnar nerve dysfunction can lead to medial elbow pain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term outcomes of overhead athletes undergoing anterior ulnar nerve transposition for ulnar neuropathy. METHODS: All overhead athletes who underwent isolated ulnar nerve transposition between 2009 and 2016 for refractory ulnar neuritis were identified. The primary outcome was return to sport, and secondary outcome measures included the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic score; Mayo Elbow Performance Score; Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score; Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score; and visual analog scale score for pain. Complication and reoperation rates were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 26 overhead athletes (21 male and 5 female athletes) underwent ulnar nerve transposition at an average age of 18.4 years (range, 11-25 years). Of the patients, 24 (92%) returned to their sporting activity at an average of 2.7 months postoperatively, including 16 (62%) at the previous level of play. The average visual analog scale pain score improved from 4.7 (±2.5) to 0.4 (±1.5) (P = .015). The average postoperative patient-reported outcome scores were as follows: Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic score, 80 (95% confidence interval [CI], 72.7-87.0); Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, 85 (95% CI, 75.4-94.7); Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, 5 (95% CI, 2.1-7.7); and Mayo Elbow Performance Score, 91 (95% CI, 86.8-96.0). CONCLUSION: Cubital tunnel syndrome can cause medial elbow pain in overhead athletes in the presence of a normal ulnar collateral ligament. At mid-term follow-up, 92% of overhead athletes returned to sport after ulnar nerve transposition, with 62% resuming their previous level of performance.

Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty with an inlay glenoid component: clinical outcomes and return to activity.

BACKGROUND: Biomechanical studies show that inlay glenoid components in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) can reduce edge loading and opposite-edge lift-off forces with humeral translation compared with onlay glenoids. However, clinical data for these implants are lacking. We report clinical outcomes and return to activities after anatomic TSA with an inlay glenoid component and a stemless ovoid humeral head in an active, young patient population. METHODS: A retrospective review of TSA with an inlay glenoid component and an ovoid humeral head component was performed for 27 shoulders. Patients were evaluated with patient-reported outcome measures, range of motion, and radiographs. Return to occupational and sporting activity, complications, and reoperations were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 27 shoulders were available for minimum 2-year follow-up. Age averaged 52.1 years, and 92.6% of shoulders were in male patients. The preoperative Walch grade was A1 or A2 in 15 shoulders (55%), B1 in 8 (30%), and B2 in 4 (15%). Patients showed significant improvements in patient-reported outcome measures, active forward flexion, and external rotation (P < .001) with no reoperations. At an average of 3.7 months, the rate of return to work was 92.6%, with 76.0% of those patients returning to their preoperative occupational demand level. At an average of 9.1 months, 75% of patients who responded to our custom survey returned to sport, with 50% achieving the same level or a higher level of sporting activity. Annual postoperative radiographs revealed no inlay component loosening. CONCLUSION: Anatomic TSA with an inlay glenoid coupled with a stemless ovoid humeral head in an active population resulted in improved clinical outcomes, no reoperations or radiographic loosening, and a high rate of return to activity at shorter-term follow-up.

Preoperative Doxycycline Does Not Reduce Propionibacterium acnes in Shoulder Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is the most common bacteria associated with infection after shoulder arthroplasty. These bacteria can be grown on culture of skin after standard preoperative skin preparation and antibiotics. The purpose of this study was to determine whether adding preoperative intravenous doxycycline reduces the prevalence of positive P. acnes cultures of skin and deep tissues at the time of prosthetic joint implantation during shoulder arthroplasty. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial. An a priori power analysis determined that a sample size of 56 patients was necessary. Patients scheduled to undergo shoulder arthroplasty were randomized to receive either standard perioperative cefazolin or a combination of doxycycline and cefazolin. Tissue specimens for culture were then taken from the skin edge, and swabs of the superficial dermal tissue and glenohumeral joint were obtained. All cultures were maintained for 14 days to allow for P. acnes detection. Groups were compared to determine if the addition of doxycycline reduced the rate of culture positivity. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were enrolled and randomized. Twenty-one (38%) had ≥1 positive cultures for P. acnes, with no significant difference between the group treated with cefazolin alone (10 [37%] of 27 patients) and the combined doxycycline and cefazolin group (11 [38%] of 29 patients) (p = 0.99). The greatest numbers of culture-positive samples were obtained from the skin (30%), followed by dermal tissue (20%) and the glenohumeral joint (5%). Patients who had ≥1 positive cultures were younger than those who did not (mean age [and standard deviation], 64.9 ± 7.7 versus 69.4 ± 7.7 years; p = 0.041), had a greater tendency to be male (16 [76%] of 21 versus 17 [49%] of 35; p = 0.053), and had a lower Charlson Comorbidity Index (3.35 ± 1.3 versus 4.09 ± 1.4; p = 0.051). There were no significant differences between the culture-positive and culture-negative groups in terms of body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.446) or arthroplasty type, with positive cultures found for 8 of the 29 anatomic shoulder arthroplasty procedures compared with 13 of the 27 reverse shoulder arthroplasty procedures (p = 0.280). There were no doxycycline-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized controlled trial, doxycycline did not significantly decrease P. acnes culture positivity of the skin, dermis, or glenohumeral joint of patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty. The addition of prophylactic intravenous antibiotics to cover P. acnes may not be an effective method to reduce postoperative and periprosthetic shoulder joint infections. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Septal Leaflet Versus Chordal Detachment in Closure of Hard-to-Expose Ventricular Septal Defects.

BACKGROUND: Different techniques have been used for exposure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) margins when there is crowding of the VSD anatomy by tricuspid valve subvalvar apparatus. This study compared surgical outcomes for the two techniques of tricuspid valve leaflet detachment and the rarely described tricuspid valve chordal detachment for hard-to-expose VSDs. METHODS: Patients undergoing transatrial VSD repair were identified from our institutional database. Follow-up echocardiography and patient data were obtained from medical records. Between January 2005 and August 2016, 130 isolated conoventricular VSDs were repaired. Among these, 26 patients underwent leaflet detachment, 15 underwent chordal detachment, and 89 underwent regular VSD repair (reference group). RESULTS: The groups did not differ significantly in age, weight, postoperative length of stay, genetic/syndromic abnormalities, time to extubation, and left and right ventricular systolic function. The cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp time were significantly longer in the leaflet detachment group than in the reference group (118 ± 28 vs 102 ± 32 minutes [p = 0.02] and 73 ± 20 vs 61 ± 23 minutes [p = 0.01], respectively). Echocardiographic follow-up was available for 87 patients at a mean of 2.6 years (range, 1 month to 11 years). Tricuspid regurgitation was rated as none or trivial in 66 (76%), mild in 20 (23%), and moderate in 1 reference group patient. There was no difference in presence of residual VSD or degree of tricuspid regurgitation among the three groups. There was no reoperation for tricuspid regurgitation. CONCLUSIONS: Tricuspid valve leaflet and chordal detachment techniques provide an equally viable and safe alternative to closure of hard-to-expose VSDs while maintaining appropriate tricuspid valve function. Their use in our series did not lead to increased tricuspid valve dysfunction at early-to-midterm echocardiographic assessment.

Comparing del Nido and Conventional Cardioplegia in Infants and Neonates in Congenital Heart Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcome measures after the use of del Nido (dN) cardioplegia compared with conventional multidose high-potassium (non-dN) cardioplegia in neonates and infants. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data in patients, aged younger than 1 year, undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) from January 2012 to August 2015. We changed our cardioplegia protocol from non-dN to dN administered in a single or infrequently dosed strategy in September 2013. The outcomes of the dN group (n = 107) are compared with the non-dN group (n = 118). We analyzed variables for demographic, intraoperative, early postoperative, and discharge variables. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in age, weight, height, CPB, and cross-clamp time; preoperative and postoperative echocardiographic systolic functions; first 24-hour postoperative urine output and inotropic score; length of stay; and mortality rate. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons/European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Congenital Heart Surgery (STAT) mortality category was significantly higher in the dN group (p = 0.03). The cardioplegia dosing interval was lower for the non-dN group (p < 0.001). The volume and doses of cardioplegia per patient were significantly higher in the non-dN group (p < 0.001). In a subanalysis, when the Norwood patients were excluded from both groups, the overall STAT mortality category difference was no longer significant. The demographic, early postoperative, and discharge variables still showed no significant difference when the two groups were compared. CONCLUSIONS: Similar outcomes can be achieved with less frequent interruption of the operation and lower volume of cardioplegia when using dN cardioplegia solution compared with conventional cardioplegia. The dN cardioplegia with extended ischemic interval can be used as an alternative strategy in the neonatal and infant population during cardiac operations.

Migration of a Needle From the Chest Wall Into the Right Ventricle in a 10-Year-Old Child.

Cardiac foreign bodies are rare in children and the nature or timing of the injury may be hard to ascertain. We report a case of a 10-year-old boy who presented with a 28-mm solid core needle in the left chest wall that advanced into his right ventricle, possibly from soft tissue manipulation. Computed tomography, intraoperative fluoroscopy, and echocardiography were necessary to locate the needle and successfully remove it surgically.

Novel Approach to Construct Absent Intrapericardial Branch Pulmonary Arteries.

Unilateral or bilateral absence of branch pulmonary arteries is a rare congenital heart defect. Various reconstructive techniques have been previously described, each with its inherent limitations. We present a novel technique of constructing a branch pulmonary artery that maintains potential for growth.

Late postoperative prosthetic pulmonary valve endocarditis in a 13-year-old girl with repaired tetralogy of fallot.

Prosthetic pulmonary valve endocarditis has infrequently been described outside large cohort reviews, which have typically focused on infections of the left-sided heart valves. Hence, the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and management principles of prosthetic pulmonary valve endocarditis have not been well differentiated from those of infected aortic and mitral valves. More patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot are reaching adulthood and will need pulmonary valve implantation. Consequently, a focus on this infrequent but serious cardiac infection is needed, to learn what characteristics might distinguish it from infections of left-sided heart valves. We report the case of a 13-year-old girl with repaired tetralogy of Fallot who presented with fever and nonspecific symptoms. The patient initially failed to meet the Duke criteria for endocarditis but was then found to have endocarditis of her prosthetic pulmonary valve. We explanted the valve and replaced it with a pulmonary homograft, after which the patient had no infectious sequelae. In addition to presenting the patient's case, we review the literature on surgically inserted prosthetic pulmonary valves and discuss the primary management concerns when those valves become infected with endocarditis.

Comparative Review of Outcomes in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease Requiring Cardiopulmonary Support for Failure to Wean From Cardiopulmonary Bypass or for Refractory Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed the outcomes of patients who underwent cardiopulmonary support (CPS) for either refractory sudden cardiac arrest or failure to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: Between January 2005 and July 2013, 37 patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) underwent 39 instances of CPS for sudden cardiac arrest as extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR; group I, n = 19) or for failure to wean from CPB (group II, n = 20). Univariate analyses determined which variables differed among the groups and which had significant association with hospital survival. Binary logistic regression determined the significant associations in a multivariable model. RESULTS: Overall 30-day and hospital survival were 76.9% (30) and 69.2% (27), respectively. For groups I and II, hospital survival was 68.4% (13) and 70.0% (14), respectively. Variables associated with mortality in the univariate analysis included hours on CPS (P = .045), initial aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level on CPS (P = .007), and bicarbonate 24 hours on CPS (P = .004). Logistic regression showed single-ventricle physiology (P = .05), initial AST level on CPS (P = .03), and lower bicarbonate 24 hours on CPS (P = .026) to be significantly associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Comparable rates of survival to discharge can be obtained when CPS is initiated for E-CPR or for failure to wean from CPB in resuscitating patients with CHD. Hepatic and renal factors indicative of inadequate early tissue perfusion, single-ventricle physiology, and lower bicarbonate level are factors associated with poor outcome.

Avoiding coronary injury in congenital heart surgery by laser-assisted indocyanine green dye imaging.

Many patients with congenital heart disease require a staged surgical approach to achieve optimum circulation. During repeat operations, coronary anatomy can be difficult to ascertain because of epicardial scarring or underlying anomalous coronary anatomy. Uncertainty about coronary artery location increases the risk of reoperation. Having real-time data of coronary anatomy improves intraoperative decision making and enhances patient safety. We describe four patients undergoing reoperation with the aid of laser-assisted indocyanine green dye imaging to provide real-time data about coronary artery anatomy intraoperatively, thus helping the surgeon to prevent coronary artery injury.

Rapid cardiopulmonary support in children with heart disease: a nine-year experience.

BACKGROUND: We developed a novel mechanical rapid cardiopulmonary support system (CPS) in 1996 to eliminate what we believed were shortcomings of conventional extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuits when used in patients with congenital heart disease. We reviewed the use of this system over a nine year period to determine if we had been successful in improving results compared with ECMO and if outcomes have changed over this time. METHODS: All children supported with CPS (110 procedures) were reviewed. Noncardiac CPS cases (7) were excluded. The study population was divided into two time periods (1995 to 2000 and 2001 to 2004), which correlate with significant differences in intraoperative, postoperative, and CPS management. Patients were further analyzed by age (< or = 30 days or > 30 days), repair complexity (risk adjusted classification for congenital heart surgery [RACHS]-1 category 6 or categories 1 to 5), and length of support. RESULTS: Overall thirty day survival of cardiac CPS patients was 55% (57 of 103). Overall survival increased from 45% (23 of 51) during the first period to 65% (34 of 52) during the second period [p < or = 0.005]. Survival rates in neonates improved from 41% (11 of 27) to 56% (15 of 27) and RACHS-1 category 6 survival improved from 38% (5 of 13) to 69% (9 of 13), but neither change reached statistical significance. Intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 6.4% of all CPS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary support is an effective alternative to ECMO for pediatric cardiac support. Further, our experience suggests that patient survival may be improved by CPS compared with reported results for ECMO in cardiac patients.