Design of a flow modulation device to facilitate individualized ventilation in a shared ventilator setup.

This study aims to resolve the unmet need for ventilator surge capacity by developing a prototype device that can alter patient-specific flow in a shared ventilator setup. The device is designed to deliver a predictable tidal volume (VT), requiring minimal additional monitoring and workload. The prototyped device was tested in an in vitro bench setup for its performance against the intended use and design criteria. The ventilation parameters: VT and airway pressures, and ventilation profiles: pressure, flow and volume were measured for different ventilator and device settings for a healthy and ARDS simulated lung pathology. We obtained VTs with a linear correlation with valve openings from 10 to 100% across set inspiratory pressures (IPs) of 20 to 30 cmH2O. Airway pressure varied with valve opening and lung elastance but did not exceed set IPs. Performance was consistent in both healthy and ARDS-simulated lung conditions. The ventilation profile diverged from traditional pressure-controlled profiles. We present the design a flow modulator to titrate VTs in a shared ventilator setup. Application of the flow modulator resulted in a characteristic flow profile that differs from pressure- or volume controlled ventilation. The development of the flow modulator enables further validation of the Individualized Shared Ventilation (ISV) technology with individualization of delivered VTs and the development of a clinical protocol facilitating its clinical use during a ventilator surge capacity problem.

Pooled Urine Analysis at a Belgian Music Festival: Trends in Alcohol Consumption and Recreational Drug Use.

BACKGROUND: Recreational drug use has become more and more accepted in society. Availability and purity are rising and new psychoactive substances (NPS) are popping up.The aim of this study was to provide objective data on illicit drug use at a Belgian festival in order to report on arising trends. This may provide additional information to help develop preventive strategies. METHODS: A cross-sectional study took place during a music festival in the summer of 2019, where 43 samples of pooled urine were collected at four different locations and at different moments of the day. Analysis was performed using gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) to determine ethanol concentrations. Drugs of abuse were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A qualitative analysis was performed using high-resolution mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Median ethanol concentration was 0.88g/L. Cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), amphetamines, ketamine, and cannabis were detected in almost every sample and often in high concentrations. Furthermore, two NPS were detected and a variety of over-the-counter medication and adulterants were also found. DISCUSSION: The findings were largely in-line with trends outlined in the European Drug Report. Striking were the relatively high concentrations of MDMA and ketamine and detection of two synthetic cathinones. Two possible adulterants of cocaine were detected, namely flecainide and amlodipine. CONCLUSION: Music festivals are considered a high-risk setting for alcohol consumption and illicit drug use. Analysis of pooled urine samples at a festival therefore provides a valuable method to evaluate trends and to screen for new substances. Wide-spread use of classical drugs and identification of two NPS were observed during a major international music festival in Belgium. Results need to be interpreted carefully, taking into account the possibilities and limitations of the used techniques and a standardized sampling is required.

Evidence-based prehospital management of severe traumatic brain injury: a comparative analysis of current clinical practice guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: This study appraised the completeness and level of evidence behind prehospital recommendations in clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for management of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Differences and similarities in key recommendations for prehospital emergency care were assessed between current CPGs. METHODS: A systematic search identified current evidence-based CPGs for the management of severe TBI. The identified CPGs were screened for prehospital recommendations. Finally, an evaluation of the completeness and level of evidence for each of the identified recommendations was carried out. A review of the literature identified additional evidence. Designs of the retrieved publications were considered and classified according to the GRADE levels of evidence. RESULTS: This study identified 12 current CPGs for the management of patients after traumatic brain injury. Of these, twenty-one prehospital recommendations were selected. Only a few CPGs made recommendations on temperature management and ventilation patterns. Statements on prehospital transport and advanced airway management were common to all of the guidelines. Statements on initial treatment demonstrated the greatest variability. The literature review identified several relevant publications not included in the CPGs even after we controlled for the indicated time-intervals of their literature search. In addition, evidence from more recent trials published outside the search-interval of the clinical practice guidelines was found. CONCLUSIONS: The use of current guidelines on traumatic brain injury will not always facilitate decisions about best or most appropriate practice for prehospital practitioners. The amount of recommended prehospital interventions varied considerably, and there was large content variation in prehospital recommendations in these guidelines. Not all evidence was taken into account and not all CPGs were up-to-date.