Quality Improvement Intervention Bundle Using the PUPPIES Acronym Reduces Pressure Injury Incidence in Critically Ill Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether a quality improvement bundle focusing on prevention is effective in reducing pressure injury (PI) incidence or costs or delaying PI onset. METHODS: A combined retrospective/prospective cohort study was performed at an academic tertiary care ICU on all patients admitted with a length of stay longer than 48 hours and Braden scale score of 18 or less. Following retrospective data collection (preintervention), a multimodal quality improvement bundle focusing on PI prevention through leadership initiatives, visual tools, and staff/patient education was developed, and data were prospectively collected (postintervention). RESULTS: Statistical and cost analyses were performed comparing both cohorts. A total of 930 patients met the study inclusion criteria (preintervention, n = 599; postintervention, n = 331). A significant decrease in PI incidence was observed from preintervention (n = 37 [6%]) to postintervention (n = 7 [2%], P = .005). This led to a predicted yearly cost savings of $826,810. Further, a significant increase in time to PI occurrence was observed from preintervention (mean, 5 days) to postintervention (mean, 9 days; P = .04). Staff were compliant with the bundle implementation 80% of the time. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the quality improvement bundle focused on multimodal PI prevention in critically ill patients led to a significant reduction in PI incidence, increased time to PI occurrence, and was cost-effective.

Lower Extremity Blood Flow Velocity in Obese versus Nonobese Pregnant Women.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity and pregnancy are risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE). In nonpregnant individuals, abdominal obesity is associated with venous insufficiency. This study aimed to compare venous Doppler volume flow and velocity in the lower extremities of obese versus nonobese women. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cohort study was performed. Duplex ultrasound examined bilateral lower extremity venous flow and velocity (time-averaged mean velocity, TAMV). Flow was analyzed at the superficial femoral (SFV), distal external iliac (DEI), common femoral, profunda femoris, and popliteal veins. Mann-Whitney U-test, Spearman's correlation, and chi-square tests were used, with a significance of p < 0.05. RESULTS: Left SFV TAMV and volume flow were higher in the obese group (5.1 [4.1-5.7] vs. 2.8 [1.7-3.4] cm/second; p < 0.001) and (89 [73-119] vs. 48 [26-62] cm/minute; p = 0.005). Significant differences were noted for right DEI flow (obese 326 [221-833] vs. nonobese 182 [104-355] cm/minute; p = 0.049). The right femoral profunda flow was also higher in obese (49 [40-93] cm/minute) compared with nonobese (31 [22-52] cm/minute; p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: Volume flow and TAMV in the lower extremities of obese gravidas are higher compared with nonobese ones. Thus, the increased risk of VTE among obese pregnant women may not be caused by venous stasis.

Modulation of Peroxynitrite Reduces Norepinephrine Requirements in Ovine MRSA Septic Shock.

Vascular hypo-responsiveness to vasopressors during septic shock is a challenging problem. This study is to test the hypothesis that reactive nitrogen species (RNS), such as peroxynitrite, are major contributing factors to vascular hypo-responsiveness in septic shock. We hypothesized that adjunct therapy with peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst (PDC) would reduce norepinephrine requirements in sepsis resuscitation. Fourteen female Merino sheep were subjected to a "two-hit" injury (smoke inhalation and endobronchial instillation of live methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [1.6-2.5 × 10 CFUs]). The animals were randomly allocated to control: injured, fluid resuscitated, and titrated norepinephrine, n = 7; or PDC: injured, fluid resuscitated, titrated norepinephrine, and treated with PDC, n = 7. One-hour postinjury, an intravenous injection of PDC (0.1 mg/kg) was followed by a continuous infusion (0.04 mg/kg/h). Titration of norepinephrine started at 0.05 mcg/kg/min based on their mean arterial pressure. All animals were mechanically ventilated and monitored in the conscious state for 24 h. The mean arterial pressure was well maintained in the PDC with significantly less norepinephrine requirement from 7 to 23 h after injury compared with control. Total norepinephrine dose, the highest norepinephrine rate, and time on norepinephrine support were also significantly lower in PDC. Modified sheep organ failure assessment scores at 6 to 18 h postinjury were significantly lower in PDC compared with control. PDC improved survival rate at 24 h (71.4% vs. 28.6%). PDC treatment had no adverse effects. In conclusion, the modulation of RNS may be considered an effective adjunct therapy for septic shock, in the case of hypo-responsiveness to norepinephrine.

Reversal Strategies for Intracranial Hemorrhage Related to Direct Oral Anticoagulant Medications.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are a new class of anticoagulants that directly inhibit either thrombin or factor Xa in the coagulation cascade. They are being increasingly used instead of warfarin or other vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Adverse side effects of DOACs may result in hemorrhagic complications, including life-threatening intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), though to a much lesser degree than VKAs. Currently there are relatively limited indications for DOACS but their usage is certain to expand with the availability of their respective specific reversal agents. Currently, only idarucizumab (antidote for dabigatran) has been United States Food and Drug Administration- (FDA-) approved, but others (andexanet-α and ciraparantag) may be approved in near future, and the development and availability of such reversal agents have the potential to dramatically change the current anticoagulant use by providing reversal of multiple oral anticoagulants. Until all the DOACs have FDA-approved reversal agents, the treatment of the dreaded side effects of bleeding is challenging. This article is an attempt to provide an overview of the management of hemorrhage, especially ICH, related to DOAC use.

Bilateral Forearm Pseudotumors in an Adult with Hemophilia A and Ollier Disease: A Case Report.

CASE: A 29-year-old man with mild hemophilia A and Ollier disease presented with bilateral atraumatic forearm pseudotumors. Both forearm pseudotumors were successfully treated surgically with staged radical extirpation and factor VIII replacement therapy. CONCLUSION: Pseudotumors typically occur in adolescents with severe, poorly controlled hemophilia A. The development of factor VIII replacement therapy has progressively reduced the incidence of pseudotumors in patients in the developed world. No standardized therapy exists for pseudotumors that continue to bleed into the muscles despite nonoperative measures. Persistent masses require surgical removal with careful preoperative planning and a team approach.

Closed-Loop- and Decision-Assist-Guided Fluid Therapy of Human Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the efficacy, efficiency, and physiologic consequences of automated, endpoint-directed resuscitation systems and compare them to formula-based bolus resuscitation. DESIGN: Experimental human hemorrhage and resuscitation. SETTING: Clinical research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Healthy volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects (n = 7) were subjected to hemorrhage and underwent a randomized fluid resuscitation scheme on separate visits 1) formula-based bolus resuscitation; 2) semiautonomous (decision assist) fluid administration; and 3) fully autonomous (closed loop) resuscitation. Hemodynamic variables, volume shifts, fluid balance, and cardiac function were monitored during hemorrhage and resuscitation. Treatment modalities were compared based on resuscitation efficacy and efficiency. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: All approaches achieved target blood pressure by 60 minutes. Following hemorrhage, the total amount of infused fluid (bolus resuscitation: 30 mL/kg, decision assist: 5.6 ± 3 mL/kg, closed loop: 4.2 ± 2 mL/kg; p < 0.001), plasma volume, extravascular volume (bolus resuscitation: 17 ± 4 mL/kg, decision assist: 3 ± 1 mL/kg, closed loop: -0.3 ± 0.3 mL/kg; p < 0.001), body weight, and urinary output remained stable under decision assist and closed loop and were significantly increased under bolus resuscitation. Mean arterial pressure initially decreased further under bolus resuscitation (-10 mm Hg; p < 0.001) and was lower under bolus resuscitation than closed loop at 20 minutes (bolus resuscitation: 57 ± 2 mm Hg, closed loop: 69 ± 4 mm Hg; p = 0.036). Colloid osmotic pressure (bolus resuscitation: 19.3 ± 2 mm Hg, decision assist, closed loop: 24 ± 0.4 mm Hg; p < 0.05) and hemoglobin concentration were significantly decreased after bolus fluid administration. CONCLUSIONS: We define efficacy of decision-assist and closed-loop resuscitation in human hemorrhage. In comparison with formula-based bolus resuscitation, both semiautonomous and autonomous approaches were more efficient in goal-directed resuscitation of hemorrhage. They provide favorable conditions for the avoidance of over-resuscitation and its adverse clinical sequelae. Decision-assist and closed-loop resuscitation algorithms are promising technological solutions for constrained environments and areas of limited resources.

Intrathoracic Pressure Regulation Augments Stroke Volume and Ventricular Function in Human Hemorrhage.

Obtaining intravenous (i.v.) access for fluid administration is a critical step in treating hemorrhage. However, expertise, supplies, and personnel to accomplish this task can be delayed or even absent in austere environments. An alternative approach that can "buy time" and improve circulation when i.v. fluids are absent is needed. Preclinical studies show that intrathoracic pressure regulation (ITPR) can increase perfusion in hypovolemia in the absence of i.v. fluid. We compared ITPR with placebo in humans undergoing a 15% hemorrhage under general anesthesia. Paired healthy volunteers (n = 7, aged 21 - 35 years) received either ITPR or placebo on different study days. Institutional review board informed consent was obtained. Subjects were anesthetized using propofol, intubated, and mechanically ventilated and hemorrhaged (10 mL/kg). Twenty minutes after hemorrhage, ITPR (-12 cm H2O vacuum) or placebo (device but no vacuum) was administered for another 60 min. Intravenous fluid was administered when systolic blood pressure was less than 85 mmHg. Hemodynamics, cardiac function by echocardiography, and volumetric data were compared. Data were expressed in Δmean ± SEM before and after ITPR/placebo intervention. There were no differences in mean arterial pressure (ITPR, 2.1 ± 3 mmHg; placebo, -0.7 ± 3 mmHg) or fluid infused (ITPR, 17.4 ± 4 mL/kg; placebo, 18.6 ± 5 mL/kg). Urinary output and plasma volume also were not significantly different. Intrathoracic pressure regulation augmented stroke volume (ITPR, 22 ± 5 mL, placebo, 6 ± 4 mL; P < 0.05), ejection fraction (ITPR, 4% ± 1%; placebo, 0% ± 1%), and diastolic function (ΔE/e') (ITPR, -0.8 ± 0.4 vs. placebo, +0.81 ± 0.6; P < 0.05). Intrathoracic pressure regulation did not improve mean arterial pressure in healthy volunteers aged 21 to 35 years. However, ITPR augmented stroke volume, which could be caused by improved ventricular function.

Intraocular pressure and steep Trendelenburg during minimally invasive gynecologic surgery: is there a risk?

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Steep Trendelenburg position is frequently used during gynecologic minimally invasive surgery (MIS). However, little attention has been given to the potential impact of this nonphysiologic positioning on patients, specifically intraocular pressure (IOP). The purpose of our study was to evaluate IOP changes during laparoscopic or robotic hysterectomy conducted in the steep Trendelenburg position. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: John Sealy Hospital at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX. PATIENTS: Female patients with no history of ocular pathology who underwent elective robotic or laparoscopic hysterectomy. INTERVENTIONS: The anesthesia protocol was standardized for all study patients. IOP and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were obtained before anesthesia, after general anesthesia and intubation were achieved, after 1 hour of steep Trendelenburg positioning, after 2 hours of steep Trendelenburg positioning, and after the patient was returned to the supine position. Ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) was calculated using the following equation: OPP = MAP - IOP. MAIN RESULTS: A total of 10 patients were included in this prospective study. A significant increase in IOP from baseline was observed after 1 hour and 2 hours of steep Trendelenburg positioning (p = .005 and .002, respectively). There was a statistically significant trend of increasing the IOP from baseline to the second hour of steep Trendelenburg positioning (p < .001). The IOP remained significantly elevated once the patient was returned to the supine position when compared with the baseline IOP (p = .006). OPP significantly decreased from baseline after 2 hours of steep Trendelenburg positioning (p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: IOP increases significantly when patients are placed in the steep Trendelenburg position. Although further studies are needed to better characterize this process, given the aging population of our MIS patients in whom risk for glaucoma is significant, preoperative ocular health assessment should be considered in certain cases.