Gestalt for shock and mortality in the emergency department: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The diagnosis of shock in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) is often challenging. We aimed to compare the accuracy of experienced emergency physician gestalt against Li's pragmatic shock (LiPS) tool for predicting the likelihood of shock in the emergency department, using 30-day mortality as an objective standard. METHOD: In a prospective observational study conducted in an urban, academic ED in Hong Kong, adult patients aged 18years or older admitted to the resuscitation room or high dependency unit were recruited. Eligible patients had a standard ED workup for shock. The emergency physician treating the patient was asked whether he or she considered shock to be probable, and this was compared with LiPS. The proxy 'gold' or reference standard was 30-day mortality. The area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) was used to predict prognosis. The primary outcome measure was 30-day mortality. RESULTS: A total of 220 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The AUROC for LiPS (0.722; sensitivity=0.733, specificity=0.711, P<0.0001) was greater than emergency physician gestalt (0.620, sensitivity=0.467, specificity=0.774, P=0.0137) for diagnosing shock using 30-day mortality as a proxy (difference P=0.0229). LiPS shock patients were 6.750 times (95%CI=2.834-16.076, P<0.0001) more likely to die within 30-days compared with non-shock patients. Patients diagnosed by emergency physicians were 2.991 times (95%CI=1.353-6.615, P=0.007) more likely to die compared with the same reference. CONCLUSIONS: LiPS has a higher diagnostic accuracy than emergency physician gestalt for shock when compared against an outcome of 30-day mortality.

Haemodynamic changes in emergency department patients with poorly controlled hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to measure cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, cardiac index, and systemic vascular resistance index in emergency department patients with poorly controlled hypertension; and to determine the frequency in which antihypertensive drugs prescribed do not address the predominant haemodynamic abnormality. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in an emergency department of a 1400-bed tertiary hospital in Hong Kong. Patients aged 18 years or above, with systolic blood pressure of ≥160 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure of ≥100 mm Hg based on two or more measurements and on two separate occasions within 2 to 14 days, were included. Haemodynamic measurements were obtained using a non-invasive Doppler ultrasound monitor. Doctors were blinded to the haemodynamic data. Any antihypertensive medication adjustment was evaluated for correlation with haemodynamic changes. RESULTS: Overall, 164 patients were included. Their mean age was 69.0 years and 97 (59.1%) were females. Systemic vascular resistance and cardiac output were elevated in 65.8% (95% confidence interval, 57.9-72.9%) and 15.8% (10.8-22.5%) of patients, respectively. Systemic vascular resistance index and cardiac index were elevated in 43.9% (95% confidence interval, 36.2-51.8%) and 19.5% (13.9-26.5%) of patients, respectively. Of 71 patients in whom antihypertensive medications were adjusted, 25 (35.2%; 95% confidence interval, 24.5-47.5%) were prescribed agents that did not correlate with the primary haemodynamic abnormality. CONCLUSIONS: The profile of haemodynamic changes in emergency department patients with poorly controlled hypertension is characterised. The antihypertensive drugs prescribed did not correspond to the patient's primary haemodynamic derangement in 35% of cases.

Strategies and solutions to alleviate access block and overcrowding in emergency departments.

OBJECTIVES: Access block refers to the delay caused for patients in gaining access to in-patient beds after being admitted. It is almost always associated with emergency department overcrowding. This study aimed to identify evidence-based strategies that can be followed in emergency departments and hospital settings to alleviate the problem of access block and emergency department overcrowding; and to explore the applicability of these solutions in Hong Kong. DATA SOURCES: A systematic literature review was performed by searching the following databases: CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE, MEDLINE (OVID), NHS Evidence, Scopus, and PubMed. STUDY SELECTION: The search terms used were "emergency department, access block, overcrowding". The inclusion criteria were full-text articles, studies, economic evaluations, reviews, editorials, and commentaries. The exclusion criteria were studies not based in the emergency departments or hospitals, and abstracts. DATA EXTRACTION: Abstracts of identified papers were screened, and papers were selected if they contained facts, data, or scientific evidence related to interventions that aimed at improving outcome measures for emergency department overcrowding and/or access block. Papers identified were used to locate further references. DATA SYNTHESIS: All relevant scientific studies were evaluated for strengths and weaknesses using appraisal tools developed by the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. We identified solutions broadly classified into the following categories: (1) strategies addressing emergency department overcrowding: co-locating primary care within the emergency department, and fast-track and emergency nurse practitioners; and (2) strategies addressing access block: holding units, early discharge and patient flow, and political action--management and resource priority. CONCLUSION: Several evidence-based approaches have been identified from the literature and effective strategies to overcome the problem of access block and overcrowding of emergency departments may be formulated.

Validating a pragmatic definition of shock in adult patients presenting to the ED.

OBJECTIVE: The importance of the early recognition of shock in patients presenting to emergency departments is well recognized, but at present, there is no agreed practical definition for undifferentiated shock. The main aim of this study was to validate an a priori clinical definition of shock against 28-day mortality. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: This prospective, observational, cross-sectional, single-center study was conducted in Hong Kong, China. Data were collected between July 1, 2012, and January 31, 2013. An a priori definition of shock was designed, whereby patients admitted to the resuscitation room or high dependency area of the emergency department were divided into 1 of 3 groups-no shock, possible shock, and shock. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality or admission to the intensive or coronary care unit. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 111 patients (mean age, 67.2 ± 17.1 years; male = 69 [62%]) were recruited, of which 22 were classified as no shock, 54 as possible shock, and 35 as shock. Systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, lactate, and base deficit correlated well with shock classifications (P < .05). Patients who had 3 or more positively defined shock variables had a 100% poor composite outcome rate (5 of 5). Patients with 2 shock variables had a 66.7% (4 of 6) poor composite outcome rate. CONCLUSIONS: A simple, practical definition of undifferentiated shock has been proposed and validated in a group of patients presenting to an emergency department in Hong Kong. This definition needs further validation in a larger population and other settings.

Noninvasive transcutaneous Doppler ultrasound-derived hemodynamic reference ranges in Chinese adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: The ultrasonic cardiac output monitor is a noninvasive, quantitative method for measuring and monitoring cardiovascular hemodynamic parameters in patients. The aims of this study were first to establish reference ranges for cardiovascular indices measured by the ultrasonic cardiac output monitor in Chinese children aged 12-18 yr, second to assess the interobserver reliability of the method, and third to compare these ranges with a Caucasian group from Australia. DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS: This was a population-based cross-sectional cohort study of Chinese adolescents 12-18 years old, performed in secondary schools in Hong Kong. INTERVENTIONS: Ultrasonic cardiac output monitor scans were performed on each subject to measure stroke volume, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance together with standard oscillometric measurement of blood pressure and heart rate. Ultrasonic cardiac output monitor parameters were also standardized by deriving body surface area referenced indices. Normal ranges were defined as lying within two standard deviations on either side of the mean. To assess interobserver variability, a second, blinded operator repeated 17% of scans. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 590 Chinese adolescents (49% boys) were scanned. Normal ranges for cardiac output, cardiac index, stroke volume, stroke volume index, stroke volume resistance, and systemic vascular resistance index are presented. Males had a significantly higher mean stroke volume, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance index compared with females (p < 0.05), but no significant differences were found for the indexed values. When compared with a group of 31 Australian Caucasian adolescents (71% boys), Chinese adolescents have a significantly lower cardiac output and stroke volume (p <0.05), but these differences disappeared when adjusted for body surface area (i.e., stroke volume index, cardiac index, and systemic vascular resistance index). Interobserver variability of ultrasonic cardiac output monitor-derived stroke volume showed a coefficient of variation of 10.2%, a correlation coefficient of 0.90 (95% confidence interval 0.85-0.93), while Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean bias of 1.5% (95% limits of agreement were -19.9% to 23.0%). CONCLUSIONS: This study presents normal values for cardiovascular indices in Chinese adolescents using the ultrasonic cardiac output monitor. When referenced to body surface area, the differences between Caucasians and Chinese were insignificant.

The normal ranges of cardiovascular parameters in children measured using the Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor.

OBJECTIVE: The Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor is a noninvasive method of hemodynamic assessment and monitoring in critically ill patients. There are no published reference ranges for normal values in children for this device. This study aimed to establish normal ranges for cardiovascular indices measured using Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor in children aged 0-12 yrs old and to assess interobserver reliability. DESIGN: This was a population-based cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: Schools and kindergartens in Hong Kong. SUBJECTS: Chinese children aged up to 12 yrs old. INTERVENTIONS: Two operators performed Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor scans on each child together with standard oscillometric measurement of blood pressure and heart rate. Software intrinsic to the Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor device produces values for stroke volume, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance. For each parameter, normal ranges were defined as lying between the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. Interobserver reliability was assessed with Bland-Altman plots, coefficients of variation, and intraclass correlation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 1,197 Chinese children (55% boys) were scanned. Normal ranges of values for cardiac output, stroke volume, and systemic vascular resistance indices are presented. Interobserver reliability for Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor was superior to that for standard blood pressure and heart rate measurement. CONCLUSIONS: This large study presents normal values for cardiovascular indices in children using the Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor with good interobserver reliability.

The normal ranges of cardiovascular parameters measured using the ultrasonic cardiac output monitor.

The ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM) is a noninvasive transcutaneous continuous wave Doppler method for assessing hemodynamics. There are no published reference ranges for normal values in adults (aged 18-60 years) for this device. This study aimed to (1) measure cardiovascular indices using USCOM in healthy adults aged 18-60 years; (2) combine these data with those for healthy children (aged 0-12), adolescents (aged 12-18), and the elderly (aged over 60) from our previously published studies in order to present normal ranges for all ages, and (3) establish normal ranges of USCOM-derived variables according to both weight and age. This was a population-based cross-sectional observational study of healthy Chinese subjects aged 0.5-89 years in Hong Kong. USCOM scans were performed on all subjects, to produce measurements including stroke volume, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance. Data from previously published studies (children, adolescents, and the elderly) were included. Normal ranges were defined as lying between the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. A total of 2218 subjects were studied (mean age = 16.4, range = 0.5-89; 52% male). From previous studies, 1197 children (aged 0-12, 55% male), 590 adolescents (aged 12-18, 49% male), and 77 elderly (aged 60-89, 55% male) were included. New data were collected from 354 adults aged 18-60 (47% male). Normal ranges are presented according to age and weight. We present comprehensive normal ranges for hemodynamic parameters obtained with USCOM in healthy subjects of all ages from infancy to the elderly.

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax: 1-year recurrence rate after simple aspiration.

OBJECTIVES: Recurrence rate is an important factor to consider when choosing the modality of treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. The recurrence rate after simple aspiration has only been previously reported in several relatively small studies. The objectives of this study was to investigate the 1-year recurrence rate of primary spontaneous pneumothorax after treatment by simple aspiration and the potential risk factors for recurrence. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed over a 2-year period on 91 consecutive patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax who were treated with simple aspiration. The setting was an emergency department of a 1400-bed university teaching hospital in Hong Kong. Recurrence within 1 year and associated risk factors were assessed by telephone follow-up interviews. The factors evaluated were age, sex, side of pneumothorax, previous and present smoking history, history of previous pneumothorax, size of pneumothorax at initial assessment, volume of air aspirated, and final outcome. RESULTS: The overall 1-year recurrence rate was 15.7% [95% confidence interval (CI), 8.9-25.0%]. The recurrence rate for patients who had successful simple aspiration was 17.6% (95% CI, 8.0-32.1%). In patients who had successful aspiration, the median size of pneumothorax at initial presentation for those with recurrence was 17.5% (95% CI, 12.0-23.0%), compared with 25.0% (95% CI, 22.7-30.6%) for those without recurrence (P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The 1-year recurrence rate after successful simple aspiration for primary spontaneous pneumothorax in Chinese patients in Hong Kong is not high. Recurrence within 1 year appears to be associated with smaller initial size of pneumothorax.

Simple aspiration as initial treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax: results of 91 consecutive cases.

Varying opinions exist regarding the choice of initial treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). This study aims to determine the success rate of simple aspiration of PSP, identify factors associated with failure, and identify associated complications. A retrospective analysis was performed on 91 consecutive patients receiving simple aspiration for PSP at the Emergency Department of a university teaching hospital in Hong Kong, China. The overall success rate was 50.5%. Failed cases had significantly larger sizes of pneumothorax, and significantly larger volumes of air aspirated. Pneumothorax size > or =40% was significantly associated with failure. In a multivariate analysis, pneumothorax size > or =40%, compared to size 21-39%, independently predicted failure, with an odds ratio of 8.88 (95% CI, 2.49 to 31.63). Complications were rarely encountered. It is concluded that the success rate may be significantly improved by excluding patients with pneumothorax size 40% or larger from this modality of treatment.