Validity of the "Roth score" for hypoxemia screening.

INTRODUCTION: The Roth score is an alternative strategy to estimate oxygen saturation by using a simple verbal test. We designed this clinical study to assess the validity of the Roth score (Spanish version) as a screening test for hypoxemia. A secondary objective was to evaluate the agreement and consistency between the oxygen saturation obtained via pulse oximetry (SpO2) and arterial blood gas test (SaO2). METHODS: An observational study was conducted in two hospital emergency departments. Adult patients who underwent arterial blood gas tests were included in the analysis. Pulse oximetry values were determined, and the Roth score was applied in the Spanish language. The validity of the Roth score was assessed in terms of sensitivity and specificity by creating ROC curves and by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) for SpO2, SaO2, and oxygen pressure in the arterial blood (PaO2). Agreement between SpO2 and SaO2 values was assessed by using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and consistency between both measures was calculated by following the method of Bland and Altman. RESULTS: The ROC curve models of the Roth score results that were obtained for SaO2 < 90%, ≤92%, and < 95% had AUCs of 0.574, 0.462, and 0.543, respectively, for the highest number that was obtained in the test, as well as AUCs of 0.403, 0.376, and 0.495, respectively, for the maximum time that was used. The AUCs for PaO2 ≤ 60, ≤70, and ≤80 mmHg were 0.534, 0.568, and 0.512, respectively, for the maximum number that was obtained in the test, as well as AUCs of 0.521, 0.515, and 0.519, respectively, for the maximum time that was spent. The ICC between SaO2 and SpO2 was 0.817 (p < 0.001); additionally, the mean difference between the two measurements was -0.55. CONCLUSION: The Roth score performed in Spanish is not a valid test for hypoxemia screening. There is sufficient agreement and consistency between SaO2 and SpO2 measurements.

Residents' Insights on Their Local Food Environment and Dietary Behaviors: A Cross-City Comparison Using Photovoice in Spain.

Perceptions of local food environments and the ability of citizens to engage in participatory research may vary, even if participants share similar cultural and socioeconomic contexts. In this study, we aimed to describe participants' narratives about their local food environment in two cities in Spain. We used the participatory methodology of Photovoice to engage participants in Madrid (n = 24) and Bilbao (n = 17) who took and discussed photographs about their local food environment (Madrid; n = 163 and Bilbao; n = 70). Common themes emerged across both cities (food insecurity, poverty, use of public spaces for eating and social gathering, cultural diversity and overconsumption of unhealthy foods); however, in Bilbao citizens perceived that there was sufficient availability of healthy foods despite that living in impoverished communities. Photovoice was a useful tool to engage participating citizens to improve their local food environments in both cities. This new approach allowed for a photovoice cross-city comparison that could be useful to fully understand the complexity and diversity of residents' perceptions regardless of their place of residence.

Development and validation of a weight estimation tool for paediatric emergency care. / Desarrollo y validación de una fórmula de estimación del peso para emergencias pediátricas.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a weight estimation tool applicable in paediatric emergency care. METHODS: Using anthropometric data from a computerized database of the primary health care paediatric services, Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain), linear regression models were developed with the objective of estimating weight from height. Subsequently, these models were prospectively validated using a consecutive sample of children attended in the emergency department of two tertiary hospitals. Estimated weights were compared with actual weights, calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), mean difference and percentages of estimations falling within 10% and 20% of the actual weight. RESULTS: Using anthropometric data from 15522 children two weight predictive formulas were developed (Bilbao Formulas). The formulas were validated on a sample of 780 children and estimated weight values with a high degree of intraclass correlation with the real weight (ICC=.93, P<.001) and a mean difference of .63 (SD: 4.3). The percentages of estimations falling within 10% and 20% of the actual weight of the child was 62.2% (95% CI: 58.7-65.6) and 93.1% (95% CI: 91.1-94.8), respectively. Weight estimations were more accurate using Bilbao Formulas than other classical formulas. CONCLUSIONS: Bilbao Formulas would be a valid tool for estimating weight in children in the emergency department and predict weight more accurately than other more commonly used age-based formulas.

Quality of dispatcher-assisted vs. automated external defibrillator-guided cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a randomised simulation trial.

BACKGROUND: Quality of hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an important determinant of resuscitation outcome for cardiac arrest patients cared for by lay rescuers. We designed a simulation trial to assess and compare the quality of CPR among untrained lay people under two different scenarios: automated external defibrillator (AED)-guided and dispatcher-assisted CPR. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A simulation study was performed involving 42 volunteers selected by non-probabilistic sampling. Participants were randomized into two CPR simulation scenarios with a manikin: (A) AED-guided CPR and (T) dispatcher-assisted CPR. The quality of CPR was evaluated by metric monitoring of the chest compressions and timing of actions. Content analysis of the telephone instructions was performed by two independent researchers using a checklist. RESULTS: CPR was started in 20 of the 21 cases in scenario A and in all cases in scenario T. In total, 12 053 chest compressions were applied, 57.6% corresponding to scenario A. The proportion of compressions that were of an adequate depth was low in both cases, 15.3% in scenario A vs. 31.7% in scenario T (P < 0.001), while complete chest recoil was allowed in 66 and 72% (P < 0.001) of compressions, respectively. The AED advised to shock 91 times, and shocks were delivered in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although guided CPR helps untrained people to initiate resuscitation manoeuvres, the quality of CPR was poor in both groups. Telephone guidance improved the proportion of compressions that achieved adequate chest compression and recoil but did not optimise the compression rate.

Impact of football matches on number of visits to an emergency department. / Impacto de los partidos de fútbol en la frecuentación de pacientes a un servicio de urgencias.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the impact of a local football team's matches on patient demand for hospital emergency department care in Bilbao, in the Spanish province of Biscay. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis. We retrieved the number of patients coming to the emergency department on the days and hours of matches played by Bilbao's Athletic Club during the 2017-2019 and 2018-2019 seasons and compared the caseloads with those on the same days of the weeks before and after the matches (control days). RESULTS: Ninety-five match days were studied. Nineteen of the matches were considered key events. Visits by adults to the emergency department fell by a statistically significant 7.5% (95% CI, 4.6%-11.6%) when matches were being played in Bilbao. The decrease was 8.4% (95% CI, 5.3%-12.6%) when matches were played away. The decrease in pediatric emergencies was 32.7% (95% CI, 7.4%-68.3%) in the hours while important matches were played outside the city. CONCLUSION: The impact of football on the number of visits to our hospital emergency department was modest, except during important away matches.

OBJETIVO: Analizar el impacto que tienen los partidos de fútbol del equipo local en la frecuentación de pacientes al servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SUH) de Bilbao (Bizkaia). METODO: Estudio analítico retrospectivo. Se comparó la afluencia al servicio de urgencias durante los días y horas de partido del Athletic Club de Bilbao de las temporadas 2017/18 y 2018/19 con la de los mismos días de las semanas previas y posteriores a los eventos deportivos (controles). RESULTADOS: Fueron estudiadas 95 días de partido celebrados, donde 19 fueron considerados de alta relevancia. En pacientes adultos, cuando el partido se jugó en Bilbao se registró una disminución estadísticamente significativa del 7,5% (IC95% 4,6-11,6) en el número de urgencias y del 8,4% (IC95% 5,3-12,6) cuando el partido se celebró en otra ciudad. En pacientes pediátricos, se halló un descenso de la afluencia del 32,7% (IC95% 7,4-68,3) en las horas correspondientes al desarrollo del partido cuando este era relevante y se jugaba fuera de la ciudad. CONCLUSIONES: El fútbol tiene una limitada capacidad moduladora de la frecuentación de pacientes al SUH tan solo cuando se trata de partidos de alta relevancia.

Residents' perceptions of their local food environment in socioeconomically diverse neighborhoods: A photovoice study.

The influence of unhealthy food environments on residents' eating behaviors has been previously documented. Yet, socioeconomic differences across areas are less studied. Participatory studies provide relevant knowledge to better inform future nutrition interventions. We conducted a participatory Photovoice project in which residents interpreted the influence of the local food environment on eating behaviors across three neighborhoods of contrasting area-level socioeconomic status (SES) in Bilbao, Spain. From April to July 2017, a total of 23 residents participated in the three Photovoice groups. Each group critically discussed their photographs (N = 110) in groups of 6-9 participants along six group sessions. Through a consensus-building process, participants identified 27 emerging categories choosing finally 39 related photographs, which followed six conceptual main themes characterizing their local food environment: 1) unhealthy eating behaviors, 2) cultural diversity, 3) retail transformation, 4) social relationships, 5) precariousness, and 6) healthy eating. Although high food quality and fresh products may portray a general healthy food environment in all three neighborhoods, participants discussed why some residents still adopt unhealthy eating behaviors characterized by an excessive consumption of alcohol (high-SES area), sugar loaded foods (high- and middle-SES) and fast food (middle and low-SES). This photovoice participatory methodology helps highlighting important similarities and differences regarding food environment perceptions in the whole socioeconomic spectrum of any given city. This type of participatory approach helps guiding local policies and interventions promoting healthier local food environments.

Regulations for using semiautomatic external defibrillators outside health care settings in Spain: a review and comparison of the current situation across autonomous communities. / Regulación de la desfibrilación externa semiautomática fuera del entorno sanitario en las comunidades autónomas de España: situación actual.

ABSTRACT: We compared Spanish autonomous communities' regulations affecting the use of semiautomatic external defibrillators (semi-AEDs), including requirements for training and providing devices outside health care settings. We analyzed differences in the development of regulations across the different geographic areas. Regulations published in the official bulletins of Spain's 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities in effect in May 2019 were reviewed to extract directives affecting training, authorized use, and the provision of semi-AEDs outside health care centers. We found that both doctors and nurses are authorized to use the devices in most communities, with the exception of Murcia, where only doctors may use them. Fourteen communities also authorize emergency responders to operate semi-AEDs. Other individuals must call for emergency help before using one, and specific rules vary by community. In the Basque Country anyone may use them, but in other communities, only individuals who have taken a training course on how to use a semi-AED may. The duration of training programs varies from 4 to 9 hours in different parts of Spain, and retraining is required at intervals that vary from 1 to 3 years. However, in 11 communities any citizen may use a semi-AED in an emergency in which authorized persons are not present (after first calling for emergency responders). Eleven autonomous communities regulate the required provision of semi-AEDs outside health care centers. We conclude that although Spain's autonomous communities have regulations in place for the use of these devices, the regulatory map is highly diverse. Therefore, we think that harmonization is desirable in the interest of unifying criteria and encouraging the use of semi-AEDs when they are needed.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este trabajo es comparar las legislaciones autonómicas españolas en materia de formación, utilización y obligatoriedad de la instalación de desfibriladores externos automatizados (DEA) fuera del ámbito sanitario y analizar la variabilidad territorial con que se han desarrollado las regulaciones. Llevamos a cabo una revisión de las normativas publicadas en los boletines oficiales de las 17 comunidades autónomas y las 2 ciudades autónomas de España hasta mayo de 2019, extrayendo datos referidos a la regulación de la formación, el uso y la instalación de los DEA fuera del ámbito sanitario. Observamos que médicos y enfermeros están autorizados a utilizar los DEA, salvo en Murcia, donde únicamente tienen autorizado su uso los médicos. En 14 comunidades autónomas también se consideran habilitados los técnicos en emergencias sanitarias. Excepto en el País Vasco, donde cualquier ciudadano puede utilizar un DEA previa alerta a los servicios de emergencia, es necesario realizar un curso inicial acreditado para estar habilitado en el uso de estos dispositivos (cuya duración varía, según la comunidad, entre 4 y 9 horas) y debe ser renovado con una periodicidad que oscila entre uno y 3 años. Sin embargo, 11 comunidades permiten que, en caso de emergencia y en ausencia de personal habilitado, cualquier ciudadano pueda utilizar un DEA, previa alerta a los servicios de emergencia. Once autonomías regulan la obligación de instalar DEA fuera del ámbito sanitario. Se concluye que si bien todas las comunidades autónomas de España disponen de una normativa reguladora del uso y la acreditación de DEA, el mapa legislativo es muy diverso, por lo que sería deseable una política armonizadora para unificar criterios e incentivar el uso de estos dispositivos en caso de necesidad.

Validity of approaches to estimating weight in children attended in the emergency department. / Validez de las estrategias de estimación de peso en pacientes pediátricos atendidos en urgencias.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the validity of different ways of estimating body weight in children attended in the emergency department. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study of a series of patients between 1 month and 14 years of age attended in 2 tertiary care hospitals in the Basque Country, Spain. We used 9 different ways to estimate body weight and compared the estimates to real weight by calculating the mean intraclass correlation coefficient, the mean difference between real and estimated weights, and the proportion of measurements within 10% and 20% of the real weight. RESULTS: Five hundred fifteen pediatric patients were weighed and their weights estimated. All estimates had a high degree of agreement with real weight. A parent's weight estimate performed best: 86.5% of parental estimates were within 10% of the real weight. The next best estimate was achieved with the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) rule developed at Hospital del Niño Jesús: 65% of the estimates were within the 10% margin. Fewer than 40% of the weight estimates based on formulas using anthropometric measurements were within the 10% margin. CONCLUSION: A parent's estimate of weight is a valid approximation in children of all ages. When this estimate is not available, the CPR rule of Hospital del Niño Jesús would be the method of choice.

OBJETIVO: Validar distintos métodos destinados a estimar el peso en pacientes pediátricos en urgencias. METODO: Serie de casos prospectivo con análisis transversal en pacientes de 1 mes hasta 14 años de edad en dos hospitales terciarios en el País Vasco (España). Se aplicaron 9 herramientas distintas de estimación de peso y se comparó el resultado con el peso real, calculando índices de concordancia (CCI), media de la diferencia y proporción de mediciones con un error del peso estimado inferior al 10% y 20% con respecto al peso real. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron mediciones en 515 pacientes pediátricos. Todas las estimaciones presentaron una alta concordancia con respecto al peso real. La estimación parental del peso resultó la estrategia con menor margen de error (86,5% de mediciones con error < 10%), seguida de la Regla RCP del Hospital del Niño Jesús (63,5% de mediciones con error <10%). Las fórmulas de estimación basadas en edad o antropometría no ofrecieron proporciones superiores al 40% de mediciones con un error < 10%. CONCLUSIONES: La estimación parental es una herramienta válida para la estimación del peso en niños. Cuando no está disponible esa opción, la Regla de RCP del Hospital del Niño Jesús sería la herramienta de elección.

Alternatives to subcutaneous injection of amino-amide or amino-ester anesthetics before arterial puncture for blood gas analysis: a systematic review. / Alternativas anestésicas a la inyección de amidas por vía subcutánea en punciones arteriales para gasometría: una revisión sistemática.

OBJECTIVES: Arterial puncture for blood gas analysis is a painful procedure in the emergency department (ED). Local subcutaneous injection of anesthetics containing amino amides or esters is the usual painrelief technique applied before arterial puncture, but it is little used in some care settings, such as the ED. We aimed to analyze the literature on anesthetic approaches other than the traditional one of local injection of amino-amide or amino-ester compounds for pain relief during arterial puncture and to assess the efficacy of the alternatives. MATERIAL AND METHODS: . A systematic review of the literature was conducted in 6 bibliographic databases. We selected randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published in English or Spanish between 2000 and 2018. The trials compared self-reported pain immediately after arterial puncture for blood gas analysis. Some form of anesthesia other than local injection of an amino-amide or -ester compound was compared to another anesthetic technique, placebo, or no anesthetic. RESULTS: We found 16 RCTs. Four compared the effect of topical anesthetic creams containing amino amides and/or amino esters, two assessed ultrasound-guided puncture, four used small-caliber needles or special syringes, one used a needle-free high-pressure anesthetic injection system, and five studied cryoanesthesia by application of ice or aerosols. CONCLUSION: The only effective alternative approaches to pain relief during arterial puncture for blood gas analysis were the use of very fine-caliber needles, the use of needle-free pressure injectors for subcutaneous delivery of amino amides, and the application of ice for at least 3 minutes.

OBJETIVO: La punción arterial para gasometría es una técnica dolorosa. La estrategia anestésica de elección consiste en la inyección local de amidas o esteres por vía subcutánea, pero resulta poco frecuente en algunos ámbitos asistenciales, como los servicios de urgencias. El objetivo de este trabajo es en describir las estrategias anestésicas distintas a la técnica clásica de inyección local de amidas o esteres y evaluar su eficacia en la punción arterial para gasometría. METODO: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura a través de 6 bases de datos bibliográficas. Fueron seleccionados ensayos clínicos publicados entre 2000 y 2018, en inglés o español, que comparasen el dolor autopercibido por el paciente inmediatamente después de una punción arterial para gasometría en función de si se les aplicó alguna medida anestésica diferente a la inyección subcutánea de amidas o esteres frente a otro procedimiento anestésico local, un placebo o ninguna intervención anestésica. RESULTADOS: Se localizaron 16 ensayos clínicos aleatorizados: 4 evaluaron la aplicación de anestésicos tópicos compuestos a base de esteres o amidas, 2 la punción ecoguiada, 4 el empleo de agujas de pequeño calibre o jeringuillas especiales, 1 el uso de inyectores a presión sin aguja y 5 la crioanestesia mediante hielo o aerosoles. CONCLUSIONES: Tan sólo el uso de agujas de calibre muy fino, la sustitución de jeringuillas clásicas por inyectores a presión sin aguja para la administración de amidas o esteres subcutáneas o la aplicación previa de hielo durante al menos 3 minutos se mostraron eficaces en la reducción del dolor derivado de la punción arterial para gasometría.

Pain scores for intravenous cannulation and arterial blood gas test among emergency department patients. / Dolor asociado a las técnicas de inserción de catéteres venosos y extracción de sangre arterial en el área de urgencias.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse vein catheterisation and blood gas test-related pain among adult patients in the emergency department and to explore pain score-related factors. METHOD: An observational and multicentre research study was performed. Patients undergoing vein catheterisation or arterial puncture for gas test were included consecutively. After each procedure, patients scored the pain experienced using the NRS-11. RESULTS: 780 vein catheterisations and 101 blood gas tests were analysed. Venipuncture was scored with an average score of 2.8 (95% CI: 2.6-3), and arterial puncture with 3.6 (95%CI 3.1-4). Iatrogenic pain scores were associated with moderate - high difficulty procedures (P<.001); with the choice of the humeral rather than the radial artery (P=.02) in the gas test and correlated to baseline pain in venipunctures (P<.001). Pain scores related to other variables such as sex, place of origin or needle gauge did not present statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Vein catheterisation and blood gas test-related pain can be considered mild to moderately and moderately painful procedures, respectively. The pain score is associated with certain variables such as the difficulty of the procedure, the anatomic area of the puncture or baseline pain. A better understanding of painful effects related to emergency nursing procedures and the factors associated with pain self-perception could help to determine when and how to act to mitigate this undesired effect.

[Ethyl chloride aerosol spray for local anesthesia before arterial puncture: randomized placebo-controlled trial]. / Eficacia del cloruro de etilo en aerosol como anestésico local previo a la punción arterial: ensayo clínico aleatorizado controlado con placebo.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of an ethyl chloride aerosol spray to a placebo spray applied in the emergency department to the skin to reduce pain from arterial puncture for blood gas analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Single-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial in an emergency department of Hospital de Basurto in Bilbao, Spain. We included 126 patients for whom arterial blood gas analysis had been ordered. They were randomly assigned to receive application of the experimental ethyl chloride spray (n=66) or a placebo aerosol spray of a solution of alcohol in water (n=60). The assigned spray was applied just before arterial puncture. The main outcome variable was pain intensity reported on an 11-point numeric rating scale. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) pain level was 2 (1-5) in the experimental arm and 2 (1-4.5) in the placebo arm (P=.72). CONCLUSION: Topical application of an ethyl chloride spray did not reduce pain caused by arterial puncture.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la eficacia del cloruro de etilo en aerosol aplicado sobre la piel frente a placebo para disminuir el dolor provocado por una punción arterial durante la realización de una gasometría en el servicio de urgencias (SU). METODO: Ensayo clínico aleatorizado, simple ciego y controlado con placebo realizado en el SU del Hospital de Basurto (Bilbao, España). Se incluyeron 126 pacientes a los que se les había solicitado una gasometría arterial, asignándoles al azar al grupo de tratamiento tópico experimental con cloruro de etilo en aerosol (n = 66) o al grupo control con mezcla hidroalcohólica en aerosol (n = 60), ambos administrados inmediatamente antes de la punción arterial. La variable de resultado principal fue la intensidad del dolor autopercibido por el paciente medida por la escala NRS-11. RESULTADOS: El dolor percibido por el paciente tuvo una mediana (rango intercuartílico) de 2 (1-5) en el grupo tratado con cloruro de etilo y de 2 (1-4,5) en el grupo placebo (p = 0,72). CONCLUSIONES: La aplicación de cloruro de etilo tópico no reduce el dolor por punción arterial.

[Influence of nail polish on pulse oximeter readings of oxygen saturation: a systematic review]. / Influencia del esmalte de uñas en los valores de saturación de oxígeno en pacientes sometidos a pulsioximetría: una revisión sistemática.

EN: Nail polish has traditionally been assumed to absorb light emitted by pulse oximeters and to interfere with the detection and measurement of oxygenated hemoglobin. In a systematic review of the literature we aimed to assess the influence of nail polish on the measurement of oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO2). A search protocol for online databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and IBECS [the Spanish health sciences index]) was established to find clinical trials or observational studies published between 1999 and February 2014. Twelve nonrandomized clinical trials were found. Ten were in healthy volunteers. One of the remaining 2 studies was in critical patients undergoing mechanical ventilation, and the other was in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. One study recreated the low oxygen level of high altitudes, while the others were done in normal atmospheric conditions. Differences between pulse oximeters and type of nail polish were found. Nail polish was associated with a statistically significant decrease in SpO2 for at least 1 color in all but 2 studies. However, the differences were within the standard error (±2.0%) of the pulse oximeters used. The authors of the studies all concluded that although nail polish might change SpO2 readings significantly, the variations are not clinically significant.

ES: Tradicionalmente se ha considerado que el esmalte de uñas puede absorber luz emitida por los pulsioxímetros e interferir en la detección y medida de la hemoglobina oxigenada. Mediante la realización de una revisión sistemática se ha pretendido evaluar la influencia del esmalte de uñas en los valores de saturación de oxígeno (SpO2) en pacientes sometidos a pulsioximetría. Se elaboró un protocolo de búsqueda para ser utilizado en seis bases de datos (Medline, Embase, WOS, Scopus, CINAHL e IBECS), y se consideraron ensayos clínicos o estudios observacionales publicados entre enero de 1999 y febrero de 2014. Fueron incluidos 12 ensayos clínicos no aleatorizados realizados en voluntarios sanos, salvo en dos estudios: uno empleó pacientes críticos sometidos a ventilación mecánica y otro utilizó personas con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) estables. Además, con excepción de un ensayo que recreó condiciones de hipoxia leve en altitud, el resto de trabajos se realizó en condiciones de normoxia. Se observaron diferencias en función del modelo de pulsioxímetro y del tipo de cosmético utilizado. Excepto en dos estudios, el esmalte de uñas produjo una reducción estadísticamente significativa de la SpO2 en al menos un color. Sin embargo, estas variaciones se presentaron dentro del rango de error estándar de los pulsioxímetros (± 2,0%). Existe consenso entre los autores de los estudios en que, aunque la laca de uñas puede producir una alteración estadísticamente significativa de los valores de saturación de oxígeno, estas variaciones carecen de relevancia clínica.

Role of GIRK channels on the noradrenergic transmission in vivo: an electrophysiological and neurochemical study on GIRK2 mutant mice.

Dysfunctional noradrenergic transmission is related to several neuropsychiatric conditions, such as depression. Nowadays, the role of G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK)2 subunit containing GIRK channels controlling neuronal intrinsic excitability in vitro is well known. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of GIRK2 subunit mutation on the central noradrenergic transmission in vivo. For that purpose, single-unit extracellular activity of locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic neurons and brain monoamine levels using the HPLC technique were measured in wild-type and GIRK2 mutant mice. Girk2 gene mutation induced significant differences among genotypes regarding burst activity of LC neurons. In fact, the proportion of neurons displaying burst firing was increased in GIRK2 heterozygous mice as compared to that recorded from wild-type mice. Furthermore, this augmentation was even greater in the homozygous genotype. However, neither the basal firing rate nor the coefficient of variation of LC neurons was different among genotypes. Noradrenaline and serotonin basal levels were altered in the dorsal raphe nucleus from GIRK2 heterozygous and homozygous mice, respectively. Furthermore, noradrenaline levels were increased in LC projecting areas such as the hippocampus and amygdale from homozygous mice, although not in the prefrontal cortex. Finally, potency of clonidine and morphine inhibiting LC activity was reduced in GIRK2 mutant mice, although the efficacy remained unchanged. Altogether, the present study supports the role of GIRK2 subunit-containing GIRK channels on the maintenance of tonic noradrenergic activity in vivo. Electric and neurochemical consequences derived from an altered GIRK2-dependent signalling could facilitate the understanding of the neurobiological basis of pathologies related to a dysfunctional monoaminergic transmission.