Superficial placement of endotracheal tubes associated with unplanned extubation: A case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Unplanned extubations (UEs) refer to the inadvertent removal of endotracheal tubes (ETTs). Superficially placed ETTs anecdotally increases the risk of UEs. This study aims to assess the impact of ETT position as well as other factors that could be associated with risk of UEs. METHOD: A retrospective case-control study was conducted at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospital from January 2017 to February 2020. All adults admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) who received mechanical ventilation (MV) through ETTs were screened to identify UEs. For each case with UE, two controls with planned extubation were identified. A multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify risk factors associated with UEs. RESULTS: 1100 patients received MV through ETTs during the time period. The incidence of UE was 4.9%. 53 patients with UEs and 106 patients with planned extubation were included for statistical analysis. Overall, patients with UE had higher in-hospital mortality rates (26.4% versus 11.3%, P = 0.02) and reintubation rates (28.3% versus 6.6%, P < 0.001). Within the UE group, patients who required reintubation had significantly higher in-hospital mortality rates than those who did not require reintubation (53.3% versus 15.8%, P = 0.005). Multivariate logistic regression showed higher APACHE II scores (Odds ratios (OR) 1.07; 95% Confidence interval (CI), 1 to 1.13), distance of ETT tips to carina ≥6 cm (OR 6.41; 95% CI, 1.1 to 37.3), physical restraint use (OR 2.98; 95% CI, 1.28 to 6.95) and continuous infusions of sedatives and/or analgesics (OR 10.72, 95% CI, 4.19 to 27.43) were associated with UE. CONCLUSION: UE and the need for reintubation is associated with worse outcomes. Distance of ETT tips to carina ≥6 cm may be associated with higher risks of UE. Further prospective studies are needed to establish the optimal position of ETT to prevent UE.

Should We Use High-Flow Nasal Cannula in Patients Receiving Gastrointestinal Endoscopies? Critical Appraisals through Updated Meta-Analyses with Multiple Methodologies and Depiction of Certainty of Evidence.

(1) Background: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy or conventional oxygen therapy (COT) are typically applied during gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic sedation. (2) Methods: We conducted a rigorous systematic review enrolling randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from five databases. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane's RoB 2.0 tool; certainty of evidence (CoE) was assessed using GRADE framework. Meta-analysis was conducted using inverse-variance heterogeneity model and presented as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Trial sequential analysis was performed, and sensitivity analysis was conducted with Bayesian approach. (3) Results: Eight RCTs were included. Compared to COT, HFNC did not reduce the overall incidence of hypoxemia (RR 0.51; 95% CI 0.24-1.09; CoE: very low) but might reduce the incidence of hypoxemia in patients at moderate to high risk for hypoxemia (RR 0.54; 95% CI 0.31-0.96; and CoE: very low). HFNC might reduce the incidence of severe hypoxemia (RR 0.38; 95% CI 0.20-0.74; and CoE: low). HFNC might not affect the need of minor airway interventions (RR 0.31; 95% CI 0.08-1.22; and CoE: very low) and had no effect on procedure duration (CoE: very low); (4) Conclusions: During GI endoscopic sedation, HFNC might reduce the incidence of hypoxemia in patients at moderate to high risk for hypoxemia and prevent severe hypoxemia.

The Early Dynamic Change in Cardiac Enzymes and Renal Function Is Associated with Mortality in Patients with Fulminant Myocarditis on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Analysis of a Single Center's Experience.

(1) Background: Fulminant myocarditis (FM) could result in hemodynamic derangement and fatal arrhythmia. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) is used to maintain organ perfusion in FM patients complicating cardiogenic shock. The present study aims to assess the static and dynamic factors in association with mortality in FM patients on V-A ECMO (2) Methods: Twenty-eight patients were enrolled between 2013 to 2019 for analysis (3) Results: In-hospital survival rate was 78.5%. There was no statistical difference in demographics and baseline laboratory data between survivors and non-survivors. However, within 24 h after ECMO support, CK-MB increased by 96.8% among non-survivors, but decreased by 23.7% among survivors (p = 0.022). Troponin I increased by 378% among non-survivors and 1.7% among survivors (p = 0.032). Serum creatinine increased by 108% among non-survivors, but decreased by 8.5% among survivors (p = 0.005). The receiver operating characteristic curve suggested an increase in serum creatinine by 68% within 24 h after ECMO support was associated with increased mortality with an area under the curve of 0.91. (4) Conclusions: V-A ECMO is an excellent tool to support FM patients with cardiogenic shock. The early dynamic change of renal function and cardiac enzymes may be useful for outcome assessment.

Pseudo-Wellens syndrome from sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Pseudo-Wellens syndrome is a rare entity characterized by the presence of electrocardiogram (ECG) changes of Wellens syndrome but without the stenosis of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. In previous reports, pseudo-Wellens syndrome most commonly resulted from recreational drug use or unidentified etiologies. We present a unique case of pseudo-Wellens syndrome due to sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy and a review of the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old Caucasian woman was admitted for sepsis from left foot cellulitis. Laboratory data were notable for elevated lactate of 2.5 mmol/L and evidence of acute kidney injury. She developed chest pain on the third day of hospitalization. ECG showed symmetric T-wave inversion in leads V1-V4. Serial troponin I levels were within normal limits. Chest imaging showed no pulmonary embolism. Echocardiogram showed ejection fraction of 25%, left ventricular diastolic diameter of 4.6 cm, and multiple segmental wall motion abnormalities. Cardiac catheterization showed patent coronary arteries. The hospital course was complicated by transient sinus bradycardia and hypotension. She was hospitalized for a total of 17 days. ECG prior to discharge showed resolution of T-wave changes. CONCLUSION: Pseudo-Wellens syndrome may result from myocardial ischemia due to vasospasm or myocardial edema from external insults. In our case, we suspect sepsis-related cytokine production resulting in cardiomyopathy and pseudo-Wellens syndrome. The clinical manifestations were indistinguishable between Wellens and pseudo-Wellens syndrome. Physicians should include the diagnosis of pseudo-Wellens syndrome when considering the presence of LAD coronary artery occlusion given risk stratifications.

Temporary coronary sinus pacing to improve ventricular dyssynchrony with cardiogenic shock: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Temporary transvenous pacing through the coronary sinus is a novel approach rarely used in treating unstable bradycardia. This modality could provide cardiac pacing while achieving better ventricular synchrony. We present a case who received cardiac pacing through the coronary sinus and provide a summary of evidence in the current literature. CASE SUMMARY: A 55-year-old woman with a history of advanced heart failure was admitted to the rehabilitation ward after a recent stroke. During hospitalization, she had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response resulting from fluid overload. While atrial fibrillation was spontaneously reversed to sinus rhythm after diuresis, she developed multiple episodes of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia along with sinus bradycardia and prolonged QTc interval. She became hypotensive despite appropriate medical management. Pacing through her implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was attempted but worsened her hypotension. Ventricular dyssynchrony was suspected. Temporary transvenous atrial pacing through the coronary sinus was performed, which stabilized her blood pressure and improved end-organ perfusion. A permanent biventricular pacemaker was later implanted, and she was safely discharged to a nursing home. CONCLUSION: Temporary transvenous pacing through the coronary sinus, a novel approach to treat unstable bradycardia, may reduce ventricular dyssynchrony.

Aortoesophageal Fistula Causing Massive Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Death in a Patient with Dermatomyositis: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Aortoesophageal fistula is a rare etiology of serious gastrointestinal bleeding. Most aortoesophageal fistulas resulted from thoracic aortic aneurysms, foreign bodies, or esophageal malignancy. To our knowledge, spontaneous aortoesophageal fistula due to dermatomyositis and high dose steroid therapy has not been reported. CASE REPORT A 46-year-old Asian female with a history of dermatomyositis and duodenal ulcers presented with black stool for one day. She was initially admitted for dermatomyositis flare-up and received high dose steroid therapy. Four weeks after discharge, she experienced gastrointestinal bleeding from multiple duodenal ulcers. Due to a continuous fall in hemoglobin level, she received angiography and embolization to the gastroduodenal artery. After the procedure, the patient developed another episode of dermatomyositis flare-up and required endotracheal intubation. During ventilator weaning, she developed recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding. Repeated esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed one esophageal ulcer with active bleeding. Epinephrine hemostasis therapy was performed but with poor therapeutic response. Angiography showed no visible extravasation. Chest computed tomography with intravenous contrast revealed contrast extravasation in esophageal lumen with blood clots consistent with an aortoesophageal fistula. Despite our attempt to arrange an emergent endovascular stent, the patient went into cardiac arrest from circulatory collapse. CONCLUSIONS Dermatomyositis leads to esophageal structural abnormalities through various mechanisms. Aortoesophageal fistula is a life-threatening etiology of gastrointestinal bleeding and should be suspected if bleeding from an esophageal ulcer responds poorly to hemostatic treatment. Abdomen computed tomography with intravenous contrast is the preferred image modality for diagnosing aortoesophageal fistula. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is a reasonable procedure to stop bleeding in patients with unstable hemodynamic profiles.

Novel application of cryobiopsy in the diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disease diagnosed pathologically by the build up of surfactant in the alveolar spaces. Establishing a diagnosis usually requires invasive procedures such as bronchoalveolar lavage and forceps biopsy to obtain tissue specimens. Infrequently, surgery is required when histopathological results from other modalities are equivocal. Cryobiopsy has emerged as a novel technique for obtaining lung tissues in pulmonary diseases. Recently, cryobiopsy has been used to diagnose diffuse parenchymal lung disease, but it has rarely been used for the diagnosis of PAP. Here, we describe a 54-year-old male businessman presenting with intermittent coughing with yellowish sputum and dyspnoea upon exertion for half a year. Tissues from forceps biopsy fail to yield a specific diagnosis, whereas those from cryobiopsy confirm the diagnosis of PAP. Cryobiopsy offers several diagnostic advantages compared to conventional techniques and appears to be a potential diagnostic tool for diagnosing PAP.

Alcohol use disorder tied to development of chronic kidney disease: A nationwide database analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a spectrum of high risk behaviors including alcohol abuse and dependence. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is progressive loss of renal function for more or equal to 3 months or presence of any irreversible kidney damage. Common risk factors of CKD have been identified, but the impact of alcohol consumption on kidney function is controversial. The study aims to investigate the relationship between alcohol use disorder and CKD on a national scale. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using Taiwan's National Health Insurance research database. Patients aged 20 years or older, without CKD and with the diagnosis of AUD (ICD-9-CM codes 303.X; 305.0, V113) from years 2000 to 2013 were enrolled. Control cohort was selected to match the demographics of the target population. Patients were followed until the end of 2013 or earlier if they developed CKD, died, or lost follow up. Baseline characteristics and comorbidities were identified for risk stratification. RESULTS: We identified 11639 patients in the AUD cohort and 46556 patients in the control cohort. Compared to patients in the control cohort, those in the AUD group were more likely to have multiple comorbidities (p < 0.001 for all comorbidities). After adjustment of age, gender, baseline comorbidities, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, the diagnosis of AUD was associated with an increased risk of CKD development (aHR = 1.62, 95% CI, 1.46-1.81). During the mean follow up periods of 6.47 (standard deviation (SD) = 3.80) years for the AUD cohort and 7.23 (SD = 3.75) years for the control cohort, the overall incidence density of CKD was significantly higher in patients with AUD than those in the control cohort (3.48 vs 6.51 per 1000 person-years, aHR = 1.68, 95% CI, 1.50-1.87). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the AUD cohort had a higher cumulative incidence of CKD than the control cohort (log-rank test, p value < 0.001). Patients with AUD had higher risks of CKD in all the stratified groups, except for the subgroup with age over 65 years old. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that AUD was associated with an increased incidence of newly diagnosed CKD by nearly two folds. Young age, in particular, had a higher association between AUD and CKD. Considering the preventable nature of AUD, establishing effective health policies is imperative to reduce high-risk alcohol behaviors and thereby prevent alcohol-related kidney disease. Further prospective studies are warranted to further elucidate the causation of AUD on kidney function.