Evaluation of esophageal injuries after defibrillation with transesophageal ultrasound probe in the mid-esophagus in pigs.

OBJECTIVE: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is becoming increasingly utilized by emergency medicine providers during cardiac arrest. Intra-arrest, TEE confers several benefits including shorter pauses in chest compressions and direct visualization of cardiac compressions. Many ultrasound probe manufacturers recommend against performing defibrillation with the TEE probe in the mid-esophagus for fear of causing esophageal injury or damage to the probe, however no literature exists that has investigated this concern. To assess this, we performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and multiple defibrillations in 8 swine with a TEE probe in place. METHODS: We performed TEE on 8 adult swine during CPR and performed multiple 200 J defibrillations with the TEE probe in the mid-esophagus. Post-mortem, esophagi were dissected and inspected for evidence of injury. RESULTS: On macroscopic inspection of 8 esophagi, no evidence of hematoma, thermal injury, or perforation was noted. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that performing defibrillation during CPR with a TEE probe in place in the mid-esophagus is likely safe and low risk for significant esophageal injury. This further bolsters the use of TEE in CPR and would enable continuous visualization of cardiac activity without the need to remove the TEE probe for defibrillation.

Direct Connection to the ECMO Circuit versus a Hemodialysis Catheter Is Associated with Improved Urea Nitrogen Ultrafiltration during Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy for Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

For patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) who require renal replacement therapy (RRT), dialysis can be achieved through a dedicated hemodialysis (HD) catheter or direct connection to the ECMO circuit. The relative effect of each on filtration efficacy is not known. We conducted a retrospective single-center analysis of patients on ECMO who required CRRT. We examined the outcomes of blood biomarkers and transmembrane filter pressures, comparing sessions by attachment approach. All analyses were clustered by patient. Of the 33 patients (7 ECMO access and 23 HD catheter access) that met the inclusion criteria, there were a total of 493 CRRT sessions (93 ECMO access and 400 HD catheter access). At the end of the first 12 h of CRRT therapy, the ECMO group had a greater rate of decline in serum BUN than the HD catheter access group (2.5 mg/dl (SD 11) vs. 2 mg/dl (SD 6), p = 0.035). Additionally, the platelet level was significantly higher in the ECMO group compared to the HD catheter access group after 72 h (94.5 k/uL (SD 41) vs. 71 k/uL (SD 29), p = 0.008). Utilizing the ECMO circuit as direct venous access for CRRT was associated with some improved filtration proximal outcomes.

Order Substitutions and Education for Balanced Crystalloid Solution Use in an Integrated Health Care System and Association With Major Adverse Kidney Events.

Importance: Trials comparing balanced crystalloids with normal saline have yielded mixed results regarding reductions in kidney complications and mortality for hospitalized patients receiving intravenous fluids. Objective: To evaluate the association of a multifaceted implementation program encouraging the preferential use of lactated Ringer solution with patient outcomes and intravenous fluid-prescribing practices in a large, multilevel health care system. Design, Setting, and Participants: This type 2 hybrid implementation and comparative effectiveness study enrolled all patients 18 years or older who received 1 L or more of intravenous fluids while admitted to an emergency department and/or inpatient unit at 1 of 22 hospitals in Idaho and Utah between November 1, 2018, and February 29, 2020. An interrupted time series analysis was used to assess study outcomes before and after interventions to encourage use of lactated Ringer solution. Exposures: Implementation program combining order set modification, electronic order entry alerts, and sequential clinician-targeted education to encourage prescribing of lactated Ringer solution instead of normal saline. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary implementation outcome was the patient-level proportion of intravenous fluids that was balanced crystalloids. The primary effectiveness outcome was the incidence of major adverse kidney events (MAKE30)-a composite of new persistent kidney dysfunction, new initiation of dialysis, and death-at 30 days. Results: Among 148 423 patients (median [IQR] age, 47 [30-67] years; 91 302 women [61%]), the proportion of total fluids received that was lactated Ringer solution increased from 28% to 75% in the first week vs the last week of the study (immediate implementation effect odds ratio [OR], 3.44; 95% CI, 2.79-4.24). The estimated MAKE30 absolute risk reduction was 2.2% (95% CI, 1.3%-3.3%) based on interrupted time series analysis showing a decrease in the week-on-week trend for MAKE30 (OR difference, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.03-0.03, P < .001). The immediate postimplementation OR for MAKE30 was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.76-1.01), with a decrease in persistent kidney dysfunction (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.69-0.93) and mortality (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65-0.93) but not dialysis (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.76-1.32). Conclusions and Relevance: In this comparative effectiveness study, an implementation program was associated with an increase in the proportion of fluids administered as lactated Ringer solution compared with normal saline and was associated with a reduction in MAKE30 events among patients treated in a large integrated health care system.

Simple scoring tool to estimate risk of hospitalization and mortality in ambulatory and emergency department patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Accurate methods of identifying patients with COVID-19 who are at high risk of poor outcomes has become especially important with the advent of limited-availability therapies such as monoclonal antibodies. Here we describe development and validation of a simple but accurate scoring tool to classify risk of hospitalization and mortality. METHODS: All consecutive patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 from March 25-October 1, 2020 within the Intermountain Healthcare system were included. The cohort was randomly divided into 70% derivation and 30% validation cohorts. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted for 14-day hospitalization. The optimal model was then adapted to a simple, probabilistic score and applied to the validation cohort and evaluated for prediction of hospitalization and 28-day mortality. RESULTS: 22,816 patients were included; mean age was 40 years, 50.1% were female and 44% identified as non-white race or Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity. 6.2% required hospitalization and 0.4% died. Criteria in the simple model included: age (0.5 points per decade); high-risk comorbidities (2 points each): diabetes mellitus, severe immunocompromised status and obesity (body mass index≥30); non-white race/Hispanic or Latinx ethnicity (2 points), and 1 point each for: male sex, dyspnea, hypertension, coronary artery disease, cardiac arrythmia, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, chronic pulmonary disease, chronic liver disease, cerebrovascular disease, and chronic neurologic disease. In the derivation cohort (n = 16,030) area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUROC) was 0.82 (95% CI 0.81-0.84) for hospitalization and 0.91 (0.83-0.94) for 28-day mortality; in the validation cohort (n = 6,786) AUROC for hospitalization was 0.8 (CI 0.78-0.82) and for mortality 0.8 (CI 0.69-0.9). CONCLUSION: A prediction score based on widely available patient attributes accurately risk stratifies patients with COVID-19 at the time of testing. Applications include patient selection for therapies targeted at preventing disease progression in non-hospitalized patients, including monoclonal antibodies. External validation in independent healthcare environments is needed.

The association of rocuronium dosing and first-attempt intubation success in adult emergency department patients.

BACKGROUND: The recommended rocuronium dose for rapid sequence intubation is 1.0 mg/kg; however, the optimal dose for emergency airway management is not clear. We assessed the relationship between rocuronium dose and first-attempt success among emergency department (ED) patients undergoing rapid sequence intubation. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of the National Emergency Airway Registry (NEAR), an observational 25-center registry of ED intubations. Ninety percent recording compliance was required from each site for data inclusion. We included all patients > 14 years of age who received rocuronium for rapid sequence intubation from 1 Jan 2016 to 31 Dec 2018. We compared first-attempt success between encounters using alternative rocuronium doses (< 1.0, 1.0-1.1, 1.2-1.3 and ≥1.4 mg/kg). We performed logistic regressions to control for predictors of difficult airways, indication, pre-intubation hemodynamics, operator, body habitus and device. We also performed subgroup analyses stratified by device (direct vs. video laryngoscopy). We calculated univariate descriptive statistics and odds ratios (OR) from multivariable logistic regressions with cluster-adjusted 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: 19,071 encounters were recorded during the 3-year period. Of these, 8,034 utilized rocuronium for rapid sequence intubation. Overall, first attempt success was 88.4% for < 1.0 mg/kg, 88.1% for 1.0-1.1 mg/kg, 89.7% for 1.2-1.3 mg/kg, and 92.2% for ≥1.4 mg/kg. Logistic regression demonstrated that when direct laryngoscopy was used and when compared to the standard dosing range of 1.0-1.1 mg/kg, the adjusted odds of a first attempt success was significantly higher in ≥1.4 mg/kg group at 1.9 (95% CI 1.3-2.7) relative to the other dosing ranges, OR 0.9 (95% CI 0.7-1.2) for < 1.0 mg/kg and OR 1.2 (95% CI 0.9-1.7) for the 1.2-1.3 mg/kg group. First-attempt success was similar across all rocuronium doses among patients utilizing video laryngoscopy. Patients who were hypotensive (SBP < 100 mmHg) prior to intubation had higher first-attempt success 94.9% versus 88.6% when higher doses of rocuronium were used. The rates of all peri-intubation adverse events and desaturation were similar between dosing groups, laryngoscope type utilized and varying pre-intubation hemodynamics. CONCLUSIONS: Rocuronium dosed ≥1.4 mg/kg was associated with higher first attempt success when using direct laryngoscopy and among patients with pre-intubation hypotension with no increase in adverse events. We recommend further prospective evaluation of the dosing of rocuronium prior to offering definitive clinical guidance.

RéSUMé: CONTEXTE: La dose de rocuronium recommandée pour l'intubation à séquence rapide est de 1,0 mg / kg, mais la dose optimale pour la prise en charge des voies respiratoires d'urgence n'est pas claire. Nous avons évalué la relation entre la dose de rocuronium et la réussite de la première tentative chez les patients des services d'urgence soumis à une intubation à séquence rapide. MéTHODES : Il s'agit d'une analyse secondaire du National Emergency Airway Registry (NEAR), un registre d'observation des intubations aux urgences dans 25 centres. Pour que les données soient prises en compte, chaque site devait respecter 90 % des enregistrements. Nous avons inclus tous les patients âgés de plus de 14 ans qui ont reçu du rocuronium pour une intubation à séquence rapide du 1er janvier 2016 au 31 décembre 2018. Nous avons comparé le succès de la première tentative entre les rencontres utilisant des doses alternatives de rocuronium (<1,0 mg/kg, 1,0-1,1 mg/kg, 1,2-1,3 mg/kg et 1,4mg/kg). Nous avons effectué des régressions logistiques pour contrôler les facteurs prédictifs des voies aériennes difficiles, l'indication, l'hémodynamique pré-intubation, l'opérateur, l'habitus corporel et le dispositif. Nous avons également effectué des analyses de sous-groupes stratifiées par dispositif (laryngoscopie directe contre vidéo-laryngoscopie). Nous avons calculé des statistiques descriptives univariées et des rapports des cotes (RC) à partir de régressions logistiques multivariables avec des intervalles de confiance (IC) à 95 % ajustés par groupe RéSULTATS: 19 071 consultations ont été enregistrées au cours de la période de trois ans. Parmi celles-ci, 8 034 ont utilisé du rocuronium pour une intubation à séquence rapide. Dans l'ensemble, le succès de la première tentative était de 88,4 % pour <1,0 mg/kg, 88,1 % pour 1,0 à 1,1 mg/kg, 89,7 % pour 1,2 à 1,3 mg/kg et 92,2 % pour ≥1,4 mg/kg. La régression logistique a démontré que lorsque la laryngoscopie directe était utilisée et comparée à la gamme de dosage standard de 1,0-1,1 mg/kg, la probabilité ajustée de réussite de la première tentative était significativement plus élevée dans le groupe ≥ 1,4mg/kg à 1,9 (IC 95 % 1,3-2,7) par rapport aux autres gammes de dosage, RC 0,9 (IC 95 % 0,7-1,2) pour < 1,0 mg/kg et RC 1,2 (IC 95 % 0,9-1,7) pour le groupe 1,2-1,3 mg/kg. La réussite de la première tentative était similaire pour toutes les doses de rocuronium chez les patients utilisant la vidéo-laryngoscopie. Les patients qui étaient hypotendus (SBP <100 mmHg) avant l'intubation avaient un taux de réussite de la première tentative plus élevé 94,9% contre 88,6% lorsque des doses plus élevées de rocuronium étaient utilisées. Les taux de tous les effets indésirables péri-intubation et de désaturation étaient similaires entre les groupes de dosage, le type de laryngoscope utilisé et les différentes hémodynamiques pré-intubation CONCLUSIONS: Le rocuronium dosé à ≥1,4mg/kg a été associé à une meilleure réussite de la première tentative lors de l'utilisation de la laryngoscopie directe et chez les patients présentant une hypotension avant intubation, sans augmentation des effets indésirables. Nous recommandons une évaluation prospective plus poussée du dosage du rocuronium avant de proposer une orientation clinique définitive.

Characteristics of Patients Managed without Positive Pressure Ventilation While on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has expanding indications for cardiopulmonary resuscitation including severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Despite the adjunct of ECMO for patients with severe ARDS, they often have prolonged mechanical ventilation and are subject to many of its inherent complications. Here, we describe patients who were cannulated for venovenous (VV) ECMO and were taken off positive pressure ventilation. METHODS: This is a primary analysis of patients admitted at a tertiary medical center between the dates of August 2014 to January 2020 who were cannulated to ECMO for refractory respiratory failure. We included all patients ≥18 years old. Patients who were extubated or had a tracheostomy and taken off positive pressure while on ECMO were classified as "off positive pressure ventilation (PPV)" and were compared to patients who remained "on PPV" while on ECMO. Primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes were ventilator free days at 30 days and 60 days after ECMO cannulation, time from cannulation to date of first out-of-bed (OOB), and hospital length of stay (LOS). Patient characteristics were derived from routine clinical information in the electronic health record (EHR). Categorical characteristics were compared using chi-square test or Fisher exact test. Continuous characteristics were compared using independent samples t-test or Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. p-values were reported from all analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were included in this retrospective analysis. Forty-eight were managed on ECMO with PPV and 17 patients were removed from PPV. Patients removed from PPV had significantly higher lung injury scores prior to cannulation (2.5 ± 0.6 vs. 1.04 ± 0.3; p = 0.031) and non-significantly longer duration of ventilation prior to ECMO (6.1 days ± 2.1 vs. 5.0 days ± 01.1; p = 0.634). One hundred percent (100%) of patients removed from PPV survived to hospital discharge compared to 45% who received PPV throughout their duration of ECMO management (p < 0.001). The mean ventilator free days at day 60 was 15 with PPV and 36 without PPV (p = 0.003). The average duration from cannulation to mobilization (i.e., out-of-bed) was 18 days with PPV and 7 days without PPV (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Patients taken off PPV while on ECMO had a very high likelihood of survival to discharge and were mobilized in half as many days. While this likely reflects patient selection, the benefit of early mobilization is well documented and the approach of extubating while on ECMO warrants further investigation.