A model of cardiopulmonary bypass staged training integrating technical and non-technical skills dedicated to cardiac trainees.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a standardized simulation-based curriculum to teach medical knowledge and technical, communication and critical thinking skills necessary to initiate and wean from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to junior cardiac trainees (CTs) in France. Performance on post-curricular tests was compared between CTs who participated in the new curriculum to those who did not. METHODS: The simulation-based curriculum was developed by content and education experts. Simulations sequentially taught the skills necessary for initiating and weaning from CPB as well as managing crises by adding fidelity and complexity to scenarios. Nine CTs were randomly assigned to the new curriculum (n=5) or the traditional curriculum (n=4). Skills were assessed using tests of medical knowledge and technical, communication (GRS) and critical thinking (SCT) skills. A two-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum test compared average scores between the two groups. Alpha of 0.05 was set to indicate statistically significant differences. RESULTS: The resutls revealed that CTs in the new curriculum significantly outperformed CTs in the traditional curriculum on technical (18.2 vs 14.8, p=0.05) and communication (3.5 vs 2.2, p=0.013) skills. There was no significant difference between CTs in the new curriculum in the Script Concordance Test (16.5 vs 14.8, p=0.141) and knowledge tests (26.9 vs 24.6, p=0.14) compared to CTs in the traditional curriculum. CONCLUSION: Our new curriculum teaches communication and technical skills necessary for CPB. The results of this pilot study are encouraging and relevant. They give grounds for future research with a larger panel of trainees. Based on the current distribution of scores, a sample size of 12 CTs per group should yield significant results for all tests.

Assessment of team training in management of adverse acute events occurring during cardiopulmonary bypass procedure: a pilot study based on an animal simulation model (Fouilloux, Team training in cardiac surgery).

BACKGROUND: Successful cardiac surgery is highly dependent upon effective and efficient teamwork. Practical training and development will further enhance the team ability to react to a series of low-frequency occurring adverse events during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). One of our specialized educational programs focuses on training the whole team. This training is based on an original animal simulation model. The objective of this pilot study was to assess our method of training and learning in an attempt to optimize and improve team management and functioning. METHODS: Four members of the same cardiac surgery team joined our program. They performed a common procedure, with a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit set up to produce several adverse incidents. Events management was analyzed and debriefed in technical and non-technical perspectives. RESULTS: Management of the adverse events was significantly improved. Discussion and debriefing time was fundamental in identifying the most appropriate management for each event. Rescue procedures were assimilated and team training was found to be effective, with the time reduced by up to 50% for 3 events and by up to 70% for air embolism. CONCLUSION: Our pilot program is an innovative, low-cost tool for the improvement of the management of adverse events occurring during CPB. It includes the different components of surgical education and training. Such an educational tool might be relevant for training. To confirm those encouraging results, it should be assessed in a larger surgical team panel. Further investigations are required for assessing efficiency in real conditions.

Detection of pulmonary and coronary artery anomalies in tetralogy of Fallot using non-ECG-gated CT angiography.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the use of non-ECG-gated computed tomography (CT) angiography to describe pulmonary and coronary defects in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was carried out on TOF patients having undergone pre-operative non-ECG-gated CT angiography between February 2007 and September 2012. The following clinical parameters were recorded: mean age at CT angiography, sex, the existence of genetic disease and the need to sedate the patient prior to CT angiography. CT data were analyzed retrospectively to determine the site(s) of pulmonary stenosis (infundibular, valvular or arterial), the size of pulmonary arteries and the presence of anomalous coronary artery courses. CT findings were then compared to the anatomy observed during surgery. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were included in the study. The mean age was 4.30±1.91months (boys/girls=17/18). Two patients had associated chromosome disorders (one 22q11 microdeletion and one CHARGE syndrome). Sixteen patients (45.71%) were sedated prior to CT. Pulmonary artery assessment revealed 24 patients (68.57%) with infundibular stenosis, 5 (17.5%) with infundibular and/or valvular stenosis, and 6 (21%) with anomalous pulmonary arteries. CT angiography also evidenced anomalous coronary arteries in 8 patients (22.85%). CONCLUSION: Due to its reduced scanning time and high spatial resolution, non-ECG-gated CT angiography is a non-invasive imaging modality that provides accurate information on pulmonary and coronary artery anatomy in patients with TOF.

[Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome or Kawasaki disease? Two case studies of children with group A streptococcal pneumonia empyema]. / Syndrome de choc toxinique streptococcique ou syndrome de Kawasaki ? À propos de 2 cas cliniques d'enfants présentant une pleuropneumopathie à streptocoque bêta hémolytique du groupe A.

We report 2 cases of children with group A streptococcus pyogenes pleuropneumonia, in one child associated with Kawasaki disease and in the other with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. These 2 features, with theoretically well-defined clinical and biological criteria, are difficult to differentiate in clinical practice, however, likely due to their pathophysiological links. In case of clinical doubt, an echocardiography needs to be performed to search for coronary involvement and treatment including intravenous immunoglobulins, and an antibiotic with an anti-toxin effect such as clindamycin has to be started early.

[Subcutaneous fistula from a pneumatocele: surgical treatment]. / Fistulisation sous-cutanée d'une pneumatocèle : cure chirurgicale.

INTRODUCTION: A pneumatocele is an air containing cavity, without a wall. It is a rare complication of thoracic trauma. CASE REPORT: The patient was a 46-year-old drug addict, positive for the human immunodeficiency virus. Following a fall in which he fractured the posterior parts of the right 7th and 8th ribs, he developed a subcutaneous fistula and a pneumatocele of the right lower lobe. It did not resolve spontaneously and surgery was undertaken. The pneumatocele and the subcutaneous cavity were drained and the rib fractures were stabilized with Judet struts. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumatocele is a classical but rare complication of thoracic trauma, resulting from a tear of the lung. The differential diagnosis includes localised pneumothorax, an intrathoracic gastric hernia and pneumomediastinum. The usual treatment is surveillance but in this case, surgery was necessary for drainage of the cavities and stabilization of the rib fractures.