Knowledge and Skills in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Effect of Simulation Training on it among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Center in India.

Aim and background: High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is associated with improved patient outcomes, but healthcare workers (HCWs) may be frequently undertrained. This study aimed to assess baseline knowledge and skills among HCWs about basic and advanced life support and the effect of simulation-based training on it. Methods: It was a single-center prospective quasi-interventional study among resident doctors and nurses at a Tertiary Center in New Delhi, India. A questionnaire-based assessment was done to assess baseline knowledge. The participants then underwent simulation-based training followed by questionnaire-based knowledge assessment and skill assessment. A repeat questionnaire-based assessment was done 6 months post-training to assess knowledge retention. Results: A total of 82 HCWs (54 doctors and 28 nurses) were enrolled. The participants scored 22.28 ± 6.06 out of 35 (63.65%) in the pre-training knowledge assessment, with low scores in post-cardiac arrest care, advanced life support, and defibrillation. After the training, there was a significant rise in scores to 28.32 ± 4.08 out of 35 (80.9%) (p < 0.01). The retention of knowledge at 6 months was 68.87% (p < 0.01). The participants scored 92.61 ± 4.75% marks in skill assessment with lower scores in chest compressions and team leadership roles. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.35) between knowledge and skills scores (p < 0.01). Conclusion: There is a progressive decrease in baseline knowledge of HCWs with the further steps in the adult chain of survival. The simulation training program had a positive impact on the knowledge of HCWs. The training programs should focus on defibrillation, advanced life support, post-cardiac arrest care, and leadership roles. How to cite this article: Agarwal A, Baitha U, Ranjan P, Swarnkar NK, Singh GP, Baidya DK, et al. Knowledge and Skills in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Effect of Simulation Training on it among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Center in India. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(4):336-342.

Transesophageal Echocardiographic Estimation of Coronary Sinus Blood Flow for Predicting Favorable Postoperative Transit Time Coronary Graft Flow Measurements: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Augmentation of coronary artery flow by surgical grafting increases coronary sinus blood flow (CSBF), which can be quantified on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). However, transit time flowmetry (TTF) technology remains the most used intraoperative technique for coronary artery graft assessment. The purpose of the present pilot study was to evaluate the predictive value of TEE-based CSBF estimation for identifying favorable TTF graft measurements. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Single university hospital. PATIENTS: Forty patients undergoing triple vessel coronary artery bypass grafting. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: CSBF was assessed on TEE examination before and after revascularization, estimating the percentage increase in CSBF (∆CSBF). Postoperative TTF graft measurements were averaged to compute mean diastolic filling (DF) and pulsatility index (PI). Subjects were grouped based on favorable (PI ≤ 3, DF ≥ 50%) and unfavorable (PI > 3, DF < 50%) parameters. The group with PI ≤ 3 (n = 32) had significantly higher ∆CSBF compared with the group with PI > 3 (n = 8) (38.22% ± 12.05%, 13.75% ± 3.37%, p < 0.001). ∆CSBF was higher in the DF ≥ 50% group (n = 35) (36.40 ± 12.99) in contrast to DF < 50% group (n = 5) (11.80 ± 2.59%). A strong negative and significantly positive correlation was observed between ∆CSBF with PI, DF (r = -0.903, 0.571, respectively, p < 0.001). A ∆CSBF ≥15.5% was found to predict a mean PI ≤ 3 and DF ≥ 50% with sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 62.5% for PI and 100% and 100% for DF. A ∆CSBF ≥19% demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 100%, 100% and 91.4% for prediction of PI ≤ 3 and DF ≥ 50%, respectively. CONCLUSION: TEE-based demonstration of an augmented CSBF can ensure favorable TTF graft parameters, guiding the adequacy of surgical revascularization.

A Comparison of the Strain and Tissue Doppler-Based Indices as Echocardiographic Correlates of the Left Ventricular Filling Pressures.

OBJECTIVES: Diastolic strain and strain rate, combined with E (peak transmitral velocity), have been proposed as novel noninvasive predictors of left ventricle (LV) filling pressures, avoiding angulation errors inherent to tissue Doppler indices (TDI). The primary objective was to study the correlation of strain-based indices (SBI) and TDI with pulmonary artery catheter-derived LV end-diastolic pressures (LVEDP). The secondary aim was to determine appropriate cut-off of indices to predict LVEDP ≥15 mmHg. DESIGN: A prospective observational clinical study. SETTING: Single university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twenty adults with preserved ejection fraction (EF) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography estimated global longitudinal diastolic strain (Ds) and strain rate (DSr) at peak mitral filling to compute E/Ds and E/10DSr. TDI was measured as the ratio of E and e' (mitral annular diastolic velocity). E/e', E/Ds, and E/10DSr were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients with LVEDP ≥15 mm Hg (31/120). Correlation of E/Ds, E/10DSr with LVEDP was R = 0.86 and 0.88 (p < 0.001), respectively, compared with a correlation of R = 0.63 (p < 0.001) for E/e'. SBI correlated well with LVEDP ≥15 mm Hg compared with TDI. E/Ds ≥11 and E/10DSr ≥12 had higher sensitivity and specificity (96.77%, 93.26%; 100%, 96.63%, respectively; area under the curve [AUC] = 0.99) than E/e'≥13 (74%,75%; AUC = 0.84) for prediction of LVEDP ≥15 mmHg. SBI accurately predicted elevated LVEDP in the indeterminate zone of 8

Autologous Reconstruction of Anomalous Origin of a Right Pulmonary Artery From the Aorta.

Anomalous origin of a pulmonary artery branch from the aorta is a rare congenital anomaly in which one of the pulmonary arteries arises from the aorta. These patients require early surgery to prevent development of severe irreversible pulmonary arterial hypertension. Multiple techniques have been described for repair of this condition. In this report, we describe a different technique compared with previously described procedures and discuss its advantages.

Left pulmonary artery reconstruction using cryopreserved pulmonary homograft.

In patients with univentricular heart, the Fontan procedure is the final palliation. This is usually staged. A systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt is performed in the presence of episodes of cyanotic spells in the neonatal period or in some patients in infancy; a bidirectional superior cardiopulmonary anastomosis is preferred early in life. This is followed by the final Fontan palliation on an elective basis later. For an effective bidirectional superior cavopulmonary anastomosis and Fontan palliation, good-sized confluent pulmonary arteries (PAs) are mandatory in addition to favorable hemodynamic data. Patients with discontinuous PAs that are small in size present a surgical challenge at initial palliation as the one described in this report.

An alternate technique of performing total cavopulmonary connection without cardiopulmonary bypass.

Total cavopulmonary connection (Fontan) without using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may be superior to Fontan on CPB. In the experience of many, a Fontan operation without CPB may be associated with a reduced need for inotropic support, improved outcomes in the postoperative phase including faster time to termination of mechanical ventilatory support, reduced intensive care unit stay, lower volume of pleural and peritoneal effusions, and decreased hospital stay, thereby rendering it more cost-effective. However, the operation is technically more difficult to perform than Fontan on CPB and requires significant modifications of surgical technique and alteration in overall management strategy. In this article, an alternative technique of performing total cavopulmonary connection without CPB is described. Its advantages are briefly discussed.

Cyclotron vs generator-produced 68Ga PSMA: a single-institution, prospective clinical trial.

The clinical utility of gallium 68 (68Ga)-PSMA PET for the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer is driven in part by radioisotope availability and production costs. This study evaluates the equivalence between the two manufacturing processes for 68Ga-PSMA: 68Ga-PSMA-cyclotron (from a solid target) and 68Ga-PSMA-generator. A prospective, single-arm, single-institution non-randomized study was conducted where 16 patients with prostate adenocarcinoma underwent PET/CTs consecutively within 12 to 48 hours with each type of manufactured 68Ga-PSMA between December 2020 and June 2021. The intraclass correlation coefficients suggested acceptable reliability in all lesion parameters (ICC > 0.70). Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated acceptable bias levels for all lesion parameters. Thereby 68Ga-cyclotron (solid target) and 68Ga-generator production methods tagged to the same PSMA ligand resulted in scans which were deemed to be equivalent in detecting PSMA+ lesions in our study. As cyclotron-produced, solid- target 68Ga can be made in large (Ci) quantities, it is a promising tool for future application in 68Ga-PSMA PET scans with the potential to decrease radiotracer production costs and increase isotope availability.

Survival after partial and radical nephrectomy for the treatment of stage T1bN0M0 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the USA: a propensity scoring approach.

UNLABELLED: Study Type - Therapy (cohort) Level of Evidence 2b What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Partial nephrectomy has become the standard of care for T1a renal tumours, and the application of nephron-sparing techniques has increasingly been expanded to patients with localized T1b cancers. However, the relative efficacy of partial versus radical nephrectomy for these medium-sized tumours has yet to be definitively established. This study employs a propensity scoring approach within a large US population-based cohort to determine that no survival differences exist among patients with T1b renal tumours undergoing partial versus radical nephrectomy. OBJECTIVES: To compare survival after partial nephrectomy (PN) vs radical nephrectomy (RN) among patients with stage TIb renal cell carcinoma (RCC) using a propensity scoring approach. Propensity score analysis is a statistical methodology that controls for non-random assignment of patients in observational studies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry, 11,256 cases of RCCs of 4-7 cm that underwent PN or RN between 1998 and 2007 were identified. Propensity score analysis was used to adjust for potential differences in baseline characteristics between patients in the two treatment groups. Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of patients undergoing PN vs RN was compared in stratified and adjusted analysis, controlling for propensity scores. RESULTS: In all, 1047 (9.3%) patients underwent PN. For the entire cohort, no difference in survival was found in patients treated with PN as compared with RN, as shown by the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for OS (1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91-1.36) and renal-CSS (HR 0.91; 95% CI: 0.65-1.27). When the cohort was stratified by tumour size and age, no difference in survival was identified between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Even when stratified by tumour size and age, a survival difference between PN and RN in a propensity-adjusted cohort of patients with T1b RCC could not be confirmed. If validated in prospective studies, PN may become the preferred treatment for T1b renal tumours in centres experienced with nephron-sparing surgery.

Erector spinae plane block: An effective analgesic technique for pleurodesis after senning operation.

Pain emanating from pleurodesis is significantly distressing and presents an important management concern. Despite encouraging evidence on the application of fascial plane blocks for cardiothoracic surgery, the literature on the use of erector spinae block for pleurodesis remains scarce. We describe a case of bilateral recurrent pleural effusion following congenital heart surgery where erector spinae block was employed as an analgesic technique for pleurodesis. Finally, we discuss its regional analgesic effects in comparison to the conventional intravenous/systemic analgesia in a cross over fashion.

Effect of change in tidal volume on left to right shunt across ventricular septal defect in children - A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vascular resistance, an important determinant of shunting across ventricular septal defects (VSD), rises at both extremes of lung volume. AIMS: We sought to determine the effect of changes in tidal volumes (VT) on pulmonary blood flow (Qp), systemic blood flow (Qs), and shunt (Qp/Qs) in children with VSD. SETTING: Single-center teaching hospital. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. METHODS: Thirty children with a mean age of 11.8 ± 5 months undergoing surgical closure of VSD were studied. Hemodynamics and shunt-related parameters were assessed using transthoracic echocardiography measured at three different VT i.e. 10, 8, and 6-ml/kg keeping the minute ventilation constant. RESULTS: Reduction in VT from 10 to 8 to 6 ml/kg led to a reduction in gradient across VSD measuring 23.5, 20 and 13 mmHg respectively (P < 0.001). Similarly, right ventricluar outflow tract (RVOT) diameter, RVOT velocity time integral, Qp (57.3 ± 18.1, 50.6 ± 16.9, 39.9 ± 14.7 mL; P < 0.001), Qs (24.1 ± 10.4, 20.0 ± 8.7, 15.3 ± 6.9 mL; P < 0.001) and peak airway pressure (17.2 ± 1.5, 15.8 ± 1.3, 14.5 ± 1.2 cmHg; P < 0.001) showed progressive decline with decreasing VT from 10 to 8 to 6 ml/kg, respectively. However, Qp/Qs (2.4 ± 0.4, 2.6 ± 0.4, 2.6 ± 0.4) demonstrated a minor increasing trend. CONCLUSION: Lower VT reduces the gradient across VSD, the pulmonary blood flow, and the peak airway pressure. Hence, ventilation with lower VT and higher respiratory rate maintaining adequate minute ventilation might be preferable in children with VSD. Further studies are required to confirm the findings of this pilot study.

Erector spinae plane block using clonidine as an adjuvant for excision of chest wall tumor in a pediatric patient.

Erector spinae plane block has been described to manage post-thoracotomy pain. It is a simple block and shown to be provide effective analgesia. In single shot blocks opioid supplementation may be required to manage pain after the effect of local anesthetic wears off. In this case, we describe a case of chest wall tumor excision in a child who received clonidine in addition to local anesthetic for the erector spinae plane block. This provided long lasting and effective postoperative analgesia and may be considered to prolong the analgesia achieved with erector spinae plane block.

Management of ruptured sinus of valsalva for device closure in a patient with haemophilia.

The association of Hemophilia A and ruptured aneurysm of sinus of valsalva (RSOV) has never been reported to the best of our knowledge. We report the case of a 29-year-old male patient with Hemophilia type A who presented with a RSOV into right atrium (RA). The patient underwent device closure off the RSOV and received Factor VIII infusions to decrease blood loss. The peri-procedural management is being presented in this case report.

Modified Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion for Assessment of Right Ventricular Systolic Function.

BACKGROUND: Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) has become a popular tool for assessing right ventricular (RV) systolic function because of its ease of application. TAPSE using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is limited by alignment with the lateral wall of the RV. Modified TAPSE (m-TAPSE) is a novel method for measuring TAPSE. m-TAPSE is the difference in the 'apical to lateral tricuspid annulus distance' during diastole and systole. The aim of the present study was to compare prospectively m-TAPSE with the most commonly used parameter TAPSE and near-gold standard 2D echocardiographic parameter RV fractional area change (RV FAC). METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study of 125 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery in a single tertiary care center. Post-anesthetic induction TAPSE was recorded using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). m-TAPSE was recorded using TEE in the mid-esophageal four-chamber view. RV FAC was also assessed using TEE. m-TAPSE < 16 mm, TAPSE < 16 mm and RV FAC < 35% were taken as cut-offs for RV systolic dysfunction. Correlations were assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated using 2 × 2 cross table. RESULTS: m-TAPSE was significantly correlated with TAPSE (r = 0.797, p < 0.001). Similarly, a significant correlation was observed between m-TAPSE and RV FAC (r = 0.602, p < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of m-TAPSE were 100%, 98.3%, 80%, 100% and 98.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: m-TAPSE correlated well with both RV FAC and TAPSE. Therefore, m-TAPSE can be considered an easily measurable alternative parameter for evaluating RV systolic function in a busy intraoperative setting.