Prehospital tracheal intubations by anaesthetist-staffed critical care teams: a prospective observational multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Prehospital tracheal intubation is a potentially lifesaving intervention, but is associated with prolonged time on-scene. Some services strongly advocate performing the procedure outside of the ambulance or aircraft, while others also perform the procedure inside the vehicle. This study was designed as a non-inferiority trial registering the rate of successful tracheal intubation and incidence of complications performed by a critical care team either inside or outside an ambulance or helicopter. METHODS: This observational multicentre study was performed between March 2020 and September 2021 and involved 12 anaesthetist-staffed critical care teams providing emergency medical services by helicopter in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The primary outcome was first-pass successful tracheal intubations. RESULTS: Of the 422 drug-assisted tracheal intubations examined, 240 (57%) took place in the cabin of the ambulance or helicopter. The rate of first-pass success was 89.2% for intubations in-cabin vs 86.3% outside. This difference of 2.9% (confidence interval -2.4% to 8.2%) (two sided 10%, including 0, but not the non-inferiority limit Δ=-4.5) fulfils our criteria for non-inferiority, but not significant superiority. These results withstand after performing a propensity score analysis. The mean on-scene time associated with the helicopter in-cabin procedures (27 min) was significantly shorter than for outside the cabin (32 min, P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Both in-cabin and outside the cabin, prehospital tracheal intubation by anaesthetists was performed with a high success rate. The mean on-scene time was shorter in the in-cabin helicopter cohort. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04206566.

Remote ischaemic conditioning before hospital admission, as a complement to angioplasty, and effect on myocardial salvage in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Remote ischaemic preconditioning attenuates cardiac injury at elective surgery and angioplasty. We tested the hypothesis that remote ischaemic conditioning during evolving ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and done before primary percutaneous coronary intervention, increases myocardial salvage. METHODS: 333 consecutive adult patients with a suspected first acute myocardial infarction were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio by computerised block randomisation to receive primary percutaneous coronary intervention with (n=166 patients) versus without (n=167) remote conditioning (intermittent arm ischaemia through four cycles of 5-min inflation and 5-min deflation of a blood-pressure cuff). Allocation was concealed with opaque sealed envelopes. Patients received remote conditioning during transport to hospital, and primary percutaneous coronary intervention in hospital. The primary endpoint was myocardial salvage index at 30 days after primary percutaneous coronary intervention, measured by myocardial perfusion imaging as the proportion of the area at risk salvaged by treatment; analysis was per protocol. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00435266. FINDINGS: 82 patients were excluded on arrival at hospital because they did not meet inclusion criteria, 32 were lost to follow-up, and 77 did not complete the follow-up with data for salvage index. Median salvage index was 0.75 (IQR 0.50-0.93, n=73) in the remote conditioning group versus 0.55 (0.35-0.88, n=69) in the control group, with median difference of 0.10 (95% CI 0.01-0.22; p=0.0333); mean salvage index was 0.69 (SD 0.27) versus 0.57 (0.26), with mean difference of 0.12 (95% CI 0.01-0.21; p=0.0333). Major adverse coronary events were death (n=3 per group), reinfarction (n=1 per group), and heart failure (n=3 per group). INTERPRETATION: Remote ischaemic conditioning before hospital admission increases myocardial salvage, and has a favourable safety profile. Our findings merit a larger trial to establish the effect of remote conditioning on clinical outcomes. FUNDING: Fondation Leducq.

Predictive value of routine point-of-care cardiac troponin T measurement for prehospital diagnosis and risk-stratification in patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive value of routine prehospital point-of-care cardiac troponin T measurement for diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: All prehospital emergency medical service vehicles in the Central Denmark Region were equipped with a point-of-care cardiac troponin T device (Roche Cobas h232) for routine use in all patients with a suspected acute myocardial infarction. During the study period, 1 June 2012-30 November 2015, prehospital point-of-care cardiac troponin T measurements were performed in a total of 19,615 cases seen by the emergency medical service and 18,712 point-of-care cardiac troponin T measurements in 15,781 individuals were matched with an admission. A final diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction was confirmed in 2187 cases and a total of 2150 point-of-care cardiac troponin T measurements (11.0%) had a value ≥50 ng/l, including 966 with acute myocardial infarction (sensitivity: 44.2%, specificity: 92.8%). Patients presenting with a prehospital point-of-care cardiac troponin T value ≥50 ng/l had a one-year mortality of 24% compared with 4.8% in those with values <50 ng/l, log-rank: p<0.001. The following variables showed the strongest association with mortality in multivariable analysis: point-of-care cardiac troponin T≥50 ng/l (hazard ratio 2.10, 95% confidence interval: 1.90-2.33), congestive heart failure (hazard ratio 1.93, 95% confidence interval: 1.74-2.14), diabetes mellitus (hazard ratio 1.42, 95% confidence interval: 1.27-1.59) and age, one-year increase (hazard ratio 1.08, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-1.09). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction and a prehospital point-of-care cardiac troponin T ≥50 ng/l have a poor prognosis irrespective of the final diagnosis. Routine troponin measurement in the prehospital setting has a high predictive value and can be used to identify high-risk patients even before hospital arrival so that they may be re-routed directly for advanced care at an invasive centre.

Comparison of Acute Versus Subacute Coronary Angiography in Patients With NON-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (from the NONSTEMI Trial).

The optimal timing of coronary angiography (CAG) in high-risk patients with acute coronary syndrome without persisting ST-segment elevation (NST-ACS) remains undetermined. The NON-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction trial aimed to compare outcomes in NSTE-ACS patients randomized to acute CAG (STEMI-like approach) with patients randomized to medical therapy and subacute CAG. We randomized 496 patients with suspected NST-ACS based on symptoms and significant regional ST depressions and/or elevated point-of-care troponin T (POC-cTnT) (≥50 ng/l) to either acute CAG (<2 hours, n = 245) or subacute CAG (<72 hours, n = 251). The primary end point was a composite of all-cause death, reinfarction, and readmission with congestive heart failure within 1 year from randomization. A final acute coronary syndrome (ACS) diagnosis was assigned to 429 (86.5%) patients. The median time from randomization to revascularization was 1.3 hours in the acute CAG group versus 51.1 hours in the subacute CAG group (p <0.001). The composite end point occurred in 25 patients (10.2%) in the acute CAG group and 29 (11.6%) in the subacute CAG group, p = 0.62. The acute CAG group had a 1-year all-cause mortality of 5.7% compared with 5.6% in the subacute CAG group, p = 0.96. In conclusion, neither the composite end point of all-cause death, reinfarction, and readmission with congestive heart failure nor mortality differed between an acute and subacute CAG approach in NSTE-ACS patients. However, identification of NSTE-ACS patients in the prehospital phase and direct triage to an invasive center is feasible, safe and may facilitate early diagnosis and revascularization.

Editor's Choice-Acute versus subacute angiography in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction - the NONSTEMI trial phase I.

BACKGROUND: The 2015 European Society of Cardiology non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) guidelines recommend angiography within 24 h in high-risk patients with NSTEMI. An organized STEMI-like approach with pre-hospital or immediate in-hospital triage for acute coronary angiography (CAG) may be of therapeutic benefit but it remains unknown whether the patients can be properly diagnosed in the pre-hospital setting. We aim to evaluate whether it is feasible to diagnose patients with NSTEMI in the pre-hospital phase or immediately upon admission. METHODS AND RESULTS: We randomized 250 patients to either acute or subacute CAG (i.e. <72 h of admission). Pre-hospital electrocardiogram acquisition and point-of-care troponin-T measurement ensured that 148 (59%) patients were identified already in the ambulance, whereas the remaining 102 (41%) patients were identified immediately after hospital admission. An acute coronary syndrome was verified in 215 (86%) and NSTEMI in 159 (64%) patients. The CAG rate was significantly higher in the acute CAG group (98% vs. 87%, p<0.001). A culprit lesion was identified in 74% and 64% of the patients underwent coronary revascularization: acute CAG group: 53% percutaneous coronary intervention, 5% hybrid, 7% coronary artery bypass grafting; conventional treatment: 48% percutaneous coronary intervention, 2% hybrid, 14% coronary artery bypass grafting, p=0.32. In patients randomized to acute CAG, time from randomization to CAG was 1.1 h; in patients randomized to subacute CAG it was two days. Time from randomization to initial revascularization was 1.3 h versus 2.4 days, and the median hospital stay was 4.0 days versus 4.5 days. Among patients randomized to subacute CAG, 17% crossed over to acute CAG and 5% developed STEMI before catheterization. CONCLUSION: Diagnosing NSTEMI patients in the pre-hospital phase or immediately upon hospital admission is feasible. Acute CAG may impact the mode of revascularization and is associated with earlier revascularization and shorter hospital stay. The clinical benefit of acute CAG in NSTEMI patients remains to be clarified.

Quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest before and after introduction of a mechanical chest compression device, LUCAS-2; a prospective, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical chest compressions have been proposed to provide high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but despite the growing use of mechanical chest compression devices, only few studies have addressed their impact on CPR quality. This study aims to evaluate mechanical chest compressions provided by LUCAS-2 (Lund University Cardiac Assist System) compared with manual chest compression in a cohort of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) cases. METHODS: In this prospective study conducted in the Central Denmark Region, Denmark, the emergency medical service attempted resuscitation and reported data on 696 non-traumatic OHCA patients between April 2011 and February 2013. Of these, 155 were treated with LUCAS CPR after an episode with manual CPR. The CPR quality was evaluated using transthoracic impedance measurements collected from the LIFEPAK 12 defibrillator, and the effect was assessed in terms of chest compression rate, no-flow time and no-flow fraction; the fraction of time during resuscitation in which the patient is without spontaneous circulation receiving no chest compression. RESULTS: The median total episode duration was 21 minutes, and the episode with LUCAS CPR was significantly longer than the manual CPR episode, 13 minutes vs. 5 minutes, p < 0.001. The no-flow fraction was significantly lower during LUCAS CPR (16%) than during manual CPR (35%); difference 19% (95% CI: 16% to 21%; p < 0.001). No differences were found in pre- and post-shock no-flow time throughout manual CPR and LUCAS CPR. Contrary to the manual CPR, the average compression rate during LUCAS CPR was in conformity with the current Guidelines for Resuscitation, 102/minute vs. 124/minute, p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Mechanical chest compressions provided by the LUCAS device improve CPR quality by significantly reducing the NFF and by improving the quality of chest compression compared with manual CPR during OHCA resuscitation. However, data on end-tidal Co2 and chest compression depth surrogate parameters of CPR quality could not be reported.

Anaesthesiologist-provided prehospital airway management in patients with traumatic brain injury: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend that patients with brain trauma with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of less than 9 should have an airway established. Hypoxia, hypotension and hypertension as well as hypoventilation and hyperventilation may worsen outcome in these patients. OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to investigate guideline adherence, reasons for nonadherence and the incidences of complications related to prehospital advanced airway management in patients with traumatic brain injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively collected data from eight anaesthesiologist-staffed prehospital critical care teams in the Central Denmark Region according to the Utstein-style template. RESULTS: Among 1081 consecutive prehospital advanced airway management patients, we identified 54 with a traumatic brain injury and an initial GCS score of less than 9. Guideline adherence in terms of airway management was 92.6%. The reasons for nonadherence were the patient's condition, anticipated difficult airway management and short distance to the emergency department. Following rapid sequence intubation (RSI), 11.4% developed oxygen saturation below 90%, 9.1% had a first post-RSI systolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg and 48.9% had a first post-RSI systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg. The incidence of hypertension following prehospital RSI was 4.5%. The incidence of postendotracheal intubation hyperventilation was as high as 71.1%. CONCLUSION: The guideline adherence was high. The incidences of post-RSI hypoxia and systolic blood pressure below 90 compare with the results reported from other physician-staffed prehospital services. The incidence of systolic blood pressure below 120 as well as that of hyperventilation following prehospital endotracheal intubation in patients with traumatic brain injury call for a change in our current practice.

Reevaluation of the role of duration of morning stiffness in the assessment of rheumatoid arthritis activity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of the duration of morning stiffness (MS), as a patient-reported outcome (PRO), in assessing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity. METHODS: We acquired information on 5439 patients in QUEST-RA, an international database of patients with RA evaluated by a standard protocol. MS duration was assessed from time of waking to time of maximal improvement. Ability of MS duration to differentiate RA activity states, based on Disease Activity Score (DAS)28, was assessed by analysis of variance; and a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted for discriminating clinically active (DAS28 > 3.2) from less active (DAS28 3.2). CONCLUSION: MS duration has a moderate correlation with RA disease activity. Assessment of MS duration may be clinically helpful in patients with low RAPID3 scores.

Postpartum pelvic pain--the "pelvic joint syndrome": a follow-up study with special reference to diagnostic methods.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of pelvic joint syndrome (PJS) is not fully clarified. As a consequence, there is a lack of diagnostic methods to confirm the diagnosis, which today is mainly based on medical history. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine women with PJS using various diagnostic methods. The hypothesis is that there are characteristics in this group of women that separate them from women who only suffer from pelvic pain during pregnancy and shortly after delivery, or healthy women. METHODS: Fifty-eight women participated in this follow-up study--twenty-one with PJS, 17 women who suffered from pelvic pain during pregnancy and shortly after delivery, and 20 controls with no history of pregnancy-induced pelvic pain. Clinical examination, gynecologic examination, psychological tests, spine X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood samples, and urine dipsticks were performed. RESULTS: Clinical examination showed significant differences with regard to provocative tests and tenderness in the muscles and ligaments in the low back and the pelvis. Furthermore, psychological testing showed bad coping strategies when women with PJS were compared with those of the two control groups. However, no diagnostic method could explicitly differentiate between women with PJS and those of the two control groups. Thus, there was no significant difference in MRI, X-ray, blood or urine sample analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Women with PJS have positive provocative tests and ligament and muscular tenderness. Bad coping strategies might be an explanation why these women develop PJS.