A 4-year implementation strategy of aggressive post-resuscitation care and temperature management after cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: target temperature management (TTM) not only improves neurological outcome and survival but has given momentum to a more aggressive and comprehensive treatment after resuscitation. Yet, implementation issues represent the main obstacle to systematic treatment with TTM and aggressive post-resuscitation care. We devised a strategy to introduce, monitor and improve the quality of aggressive treatment after resuscitation, including TTM. METHODS: standard operative procedures on aggressive post-resuscitation care, written jointly by physicians and nurses, were introduced in November 2004. Data of all resuscitated patients admitted to the ICU were prospectively acquired for 4 years. Periodic audits (every 16 months) were programmed, leading to three equally long periods. Several critical issues were identified after each audit and addressed subsequently, leading to a growing complexity of care. Moreover, after 2 years we introduced an educational programme with medical credits for all staff attending critically ill patients. Neurological outcome and survival at hospital discharged were compared to historical controls of the preceding 22 months. RESULTS: 129 consecutively resuscitated patients were admitted to the ICU in the 4-year study period. Of these, 96 (74%) were treated with TTM and aggressive post-resuscitation care. Favourable neurological recovery among patients discharged alive significantly improved in the 4-year intervention period (81% vs. 50% in historical controls, p<0.01). A composite endpoint of mortality and poor neurological outcome also improved (64% vs. 82% respectively, p<0.05). Overall survival increased throughout the 4 years, leading to a significant improvement in the 3rd period compared to historical controls (60% vs. 35%; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: we propose a strategy to successfully introduce and implement TTM and aggressive post-resuscitation care via standard operative procedures, periodic audits and feedback. Continuous education among other factors contributed to a significant improvement in neurological outcome and a progressive increase in survival.

[Acute salicylate intoxication after trancutaneous absorption]. / Intossicazione acuta da salicilato da assorbimento transcutaneo.

Topical salicylate preparations are primarily employed as keratolytic agents in the treatment of dermatologic disorders. A case of severe salicylate intoxication in a 70-year-old man with psoriasis, treated with a topical cream containing salicylic acid, is described. After five days the patient was admitted to ICU with encephalopathy and severe acid-base disturbances (respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis, increased anion gap). A plasma salicylate concentration was elevated at 695 mg/Lt. Emergent hemodialysis was accompanied by a rapid lowering of plasma salicylate concentration and resolution of metabolic acidosis. Salicylate is well absorbed by normal and diseased skin. In this patient the lack of a normal epidermal barrier greatly enhances absorption of topical salicylate. It is therefore suggested that all topical salicylate treatments should be routinely monitored with salicylate blood concentration especially during the initial few days after onset or after any changes in treatment.

Electromechanical dissociation 48 hours after atenolol overdose: usefulness of calcium chloride.

Electromechanical dissociation (EMD) occurred in a 20-year-old woman 48 hours after an overdose of atenolol, despite intensive treatment of the beta-blocker poisoning (gastric lavage, charcoal, glucagon, epinephrine, atropine, correction of electrolyte abnormalities, administration of fluids, cardiac pacing, and mechanical ventilation). Administration of calcium chloride during EMD repeatedly restored blood pressure. Therefore it may have a role to play in management of atenolol overdose.