Sodium polystyrene sulfonate versus sodium zirconium cyclosilicate for the treatment of hyperkalemia in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Hyperkalemia accounts for over 800,000 emergency department (ED) visits in the United States each year, and has been associated with significant morbidity and mortality likely due to fatal cardiac dysrhythmias. Previous studies have demonstrated reductions in mortality when potassium levels are normalized in the ED. Cation exchange resins, such as sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) and sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC), may be administered as a means of definitively eliminating potassium from the body. This practice is based on physician preference and is not supported by high quality data. Two studies evaluating the use of cation exchange resins versus standard treatment in the ED demonstrated reductions in serum potassium levels within two hours of administration; however, there have been no published studies investigating these agents in a head-to-head comparison. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SPS versus SZC in lowering serum potassium in patients presenting to the ED with hyperkalemia. METHODS: This was an institutional review board-approved, retrospective cohort study conducted at a single-site ED. All patients who received medications under the "ED Hyperkalemia Treatment" order set between August 26, 2019 and May 13, 2021 were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome was the change in serum potassium from baseline to first repeat level following SPS or SZC administration in the ED. RESULTS: A total of 885 patients were screened with 54 patients in the SPS group and 51 patients in the SZC group included in the final analyses. The mean change in serum potassium from baseline to first repeat level following administration of the cation exchange resin was -1.1 mEq/L for both groups. CONCLUSION: Administration of SPS or SZC for the treatment of hyperkalemia in the ED resulted in similar reductions in serum potassium.

Comparative hemostatic efficacy of 4F-PCC in patients with intracranial hemorrhage on factor Xa inhibitors versus warfarin.

OBJECTIVE: Patients experiencing an intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) on oral anticoagulants often require rapid reversal. This study evaluated patients taking factor Xa inhibitors or warfarin that received reversal with 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC) for an ICH. The objective of the study was to determine if the efficacy of 4F-PCC for the reversal of factor Xa inhibitors is noninferior to its use in warfarin reversal in patients with ICH. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single center, noninferiority trial. Patients presenting to the emergency department with ICH were divided into two cohorts: those taking factor Xa inhibitors versus those taking warfarin. In each cohort, patients received anticoagulation reversal with weight-based 4F-PCC. The primary endpoint was hemostatic efficacy defined as ≤20% expansion in hematoma volume on repeat computed tomography imaging. A pre-specified noninferiority margin of -10% was selected to evaluate the difference between groups for the primary endpoint. RESULTS: A total of 221 patients were included in the study (factor Xa inhibitors, n = 87; warfarin, n = 134). Effective hemostasis was achieved in 70 patients (81%) on factor Xa inhibitors compared to 111 patients (83%) on warfarin, (-2.4% difference, [95% confidence interval, -12.87 to 8.12]; p = 0.654). There was no statistically significant difference between groups with regards to the primary outcome; however, the use of 4F-PCC in factor Xa inhibitor reversal was not noninferior when compared to 4F-PCC use for warfarin reversal. Hospital length of stay and discharge disposition were similar between cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of 4F-PCC in reversing factor Xa inhibitor-related ICH compared to warfarin-related ICH was not significantly different between groups; however, these results did not prove noninferiority. Further study is warranted to delineate 4F-PCC's role in reversing factor Xa inhibitors in patients with ICH.

Impact of early versus late administration of bamlanivimab on readmissions in patients with high-risk COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Recombinant monoclonal antibody therapies have been utilized under emergency use authorization (EUA) for the prevention of clinical decompensation in high-risk COVID-19 positive patients for up to 10 days from symptom onset. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the timing of the monoclonal antibody, bamlanivimab, on clinical outcomes in high-risk COVID-19 positive patients. METHODS: This was an IRB-approved, retrospective evaluation of adult patients who received bamlanivimab per EUA criteria in the emergency department (ED). Patients were dichotomized into two groups- 3 days of symptoms or less (early) versus 4 to 10 days (late). The primary outcome was hospitalization for COVID-related illness at 28 days (or treatment failure). Secondary outcomes were COVID-related ED visits at 28 days, hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), and in-hospital mortality at 28 days. RESULTS: A total of 839 patients were included in the analysis. There was no difference observed in COVID-related hospitalization rates within 28 days between the early and late bamlanivimab administration groups (7.5% vs. 8.2%, p = 0.71). There was no difference in COVID-related ED visits within 28 days with 13% of patients returning to the ED. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, there were no differences in the rates of hospitalization at 28 days when bamlanivimab was administered in the first 3 days of illness versus days 4 to 10. Future prospective studies are warranted to expand upon the characteristics of patients that may or may not benefit from monoclonal antibody therapy.

Implementation of a pharmacist toxicology service on treatment of paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose.

INTRODUCTION: Paracetamol is a leading cause of fatality following a toxic ingestion. Individualized treatment is imperative in improving outcomes. Acetylcysteine is the standard of care for paracetamol overdose. Laboratory values and other clinical criteria can be used to guide treatment duration. Our hospital's protocol allows paracetamol overdose to be managed by the emergency department pharmacists. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a pharmacist toxicology service on the management of paracetamol overdose. METHODS: This was a single center, retrospective, cohort evaluation. All patients receiving acetylcysteine were divided into pre- and post-implementation groups with data obtained from August 1, 2013 to January 14, 2018 and January 15, 2018 to September 30, 2021, respectively. The primary outcome was the frequency of individualized acetylcysteine therapy. RESULTS: A total of 238 patients were screened for inclusion in the study with 120 patients included in the final analysis. There were 60 patients included in each cohort. The frequency of individualized acetylcysteine therapy was significantly higher in the post-implementation group versus the pre-implementation group (85% vs. 60% [95% CI 9.1-39.4; P = 0.002]). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a pharmacist toxicology service correlated with increased poison center consultation as well as increased frequency of individualized acetylcysteine therapy and decreased number of missed acetylcysteine doses.

Impact of Outpatient Antihypertensive Medication Use on Epinephrine Resistance in Anaphylaxis.

BACKGROUND: There has been an increase in allergy-related emergency department (ED) visits over the past several years. Underlying cardiovascular disease or respiratory disease and concurrent beta blocker or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use have been identified as potential risk factors for severe or refractory anaphylactic reactions. Conflicting evidence exists regarding the association between antihypertensive (AH) use and the incidence of refractory anaphylaxis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of refractory anaphylaxis in patients presenting to the ED while prescribed select AH medications outpatient. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of all adult and pediatric patients presenting to the ED between February 16, 2021, and August 31, 2021, with a diagnosis of anaphylaxis. The primary objective was to compare the proportion of patients experiencing refractory anaphylaxis that were prescribed versus not prescribed AH medications in the outpatient setting. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were treated for anaphylaxis in the ED during the study timeframe with 13 patients in the AH group and 88 patients in the no AH group. There was no difference in the incidence of refractory anaphylaxis between groups (0% vs 9%; p=0.48). Significantly fewer patients in the AH group required any epinephrine doses compared to the no AH group (38% vs 88%; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient use of select AH medications was not associated with an increased incidence of refractory anaphylaxis in patients presenting to the ED.

Identification of a branchial cleft anomaly via handheld point-of-care ultrasound.

Aim of the study: Branchial anomalies result from incomplete obliteration of the branchial arch structures during embryogenesis. Second branchial arch anomalies are commonly found on the lower third of the neck, with an opening at the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and may drain secretions or purulent material. This case demonstrates the use of handheld point-of-care ultrasound to aid in the diagnosis of a branchial anomaly. Case description: The patient presented with a "hole" in the neck with intermittent drainage from the site. A 2 mm defect in the skin was noted anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. A handheld ultrasound system was used to identify a well-defined, hypoechoic, cyst-like structure. Given the history, physical findings, and point-of-care ultrasound imaging, the diagnosis of a second branchial cleft sinus was made. Conclusions: The use of point-of-care ultrasound and knowledge of the sonographic characteristics of these lesions can assist the physician in the diagnosis of branchial arch anomalies.

The use of monoclonal antibody therapy in pediatric patients with COVID-19: a retrospective case series.

BACKGROUND: Monoclonal antibody (MCA) therapies have been utilized under emergency use authorization (EUA) for high-risk pediatric patients with mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the outpatient setting since late 2019. The purpose of this study was to describe the use of MCA therapy in pediatric patients in the pediatric emergency department (ED) at a large community hospital. METHODS: This was a retrospective case series of high-risk pediatric patients 12 to 17 years of age who received MCA therapy in the pediatric ED between December 8, 2020 and June 3, 2021. The primary outcome was to describe the patient characteristics, clinical presentation, and safety profile of the pediatric population that received MCA therapy. The secondary outcome was to describe the incidence of hospitalizations or ED visits up to 28 days following therapy. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients were included in the analysis. The median number of days of symptoms was 4 with 41% of patients having symptoms between 0 and 3 days at time of MCA administration. Only one patient experienced a mild adverse event that did not require epinephrine administration. Two patients returned to the ED for reevaluation during the study follow-up period. No patients required admission within 28 days post-therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of MCA therapy in high-risk pediatric patients in the pediatric ED was well-tolerated with subjective improvement noted in COVID-19 symptoms post-therapy. Further studies are necessary to determine the role MCA therapy may play in reducing morbidity from COVID-19 infection in high-risk pediatric patients.

Tranexamic Acid for the Emergency Treatment of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor-Induced Angioedema.

INTRODUCTION: Angioedema is a rare but potentially life-threatening adverse effect associated with the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Various therapies, including ecallantide, icatibant, complement-1 esterase inhibitors, and fresh frozen plasma, have been used for treatment with inconsistent results and significant adverse effects. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is used as an alternative for the treatment of hereditary angioedema and it may be an attractive option for the treatment of ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema (ACEi-AE) in the emergency department (ED). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of TXA administration on rates of intubation in patients presenting to the ED with suspected ACEi-AE. METHODS: This was an institutional review board-approved, retrospective cohort study conducted at a single-site ED. All patients who received TXA for ACEi-AE in the ED between January 1, 2019 and March 31, 2021 were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who required intubation for suspected ACEi-AE. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients received TXA in the ED for suspected ACEi-AE during the study timeframe. Of these, two patients were intubated prior to administration of TXA. The remaining 14 patients did not require intubation following TXA administration. CONCLUSION: Administration of TXA was associated with a low rate of adverse effects and did not contribute to further morbidity when added to standard care in patients presenting to the ED with suspected ACEi-AE.