Transesophageal Echocardiography During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Is Associated With Shorter Compression Pauses Compared With Transthoracic Echocardiography.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Point-of-care ultrasonography provides diagnostic information in addition to visual pulse checks during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The most commonly used modality, transthoracic echocardiography, has unfortunately been repeatedly associated with prolonged pauses in chest compressions, which correlate with worsened neurologic outcomes. Unlike transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography does not require cessation of compressions for adequate imaging and provides the diagnostic benefit of point-of-care ultrasonography. To assess a benefit of transesophageal echocardiography, we compare the duration of chest compression pauses between transesophageal echocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography, and manual pulse checks on video recordings of cardiac arrest resuscitations. METHODS: We analyzed 139 pulse check CPR pauses among 25 patients during cardiac arrest. RESULTS: Transesophageal echocardiography provided the shortest mean pulse check duration (9 seconds [95% confidence interval {CI} 5 to 12 seconds]). Mean pulse check duration with transthoracic echocardiography was 19 seconds (95% CI 16 to 22 seconds), and it was 11 seconds (95% CI 8 to 14 seconds) with manual checks. Intraclass correlation coefficient between abstractors for a portion of individual and average times was 0.99 and 0.99, respectively (P<.001 for both). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that pulse check times with transesophageal echocardiography are shorter versus with transthoracic echocardiography for ED point-of-care ultrasonography during cardiac arrest resuscitations, and further emphasizes the need for careful attention to compression pause duration when using transthoracic echocardiography for point-of-care ultrasonography during ED cardiac arrest resuscitations.

Impact of altitude-adjusted hypoxia on the Pulmonary Embolism Rule-out Criteria.

BACKGROUND: The Pulmonary Embolism Rule-out Criteria (PERC) defines hypoxia as an oxygen saturation (O2 sat) < 95%. Utilizing this threshold for hypoxia at a significant elevation above sea level may lead to an inflated number of PERC-positive patients and unnecessary testing. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an altitude-adjusted O2 sat on PERC's sensitivity and the potential impact on testing rates. METHODS: At the University of Utah Emergency Department (ED) (elevation: 4980 ft/1518 m), we prospectively enrolled a convenience sample of patients presenting with chest pain and/or shortness of breath. We calculated PERC utilizing triage vital signs and baseline clinical variables and noted the diagnosis of acute PE during the ED visit. We adjusted the PERC O2 sat threshold to <90% to account for altitude to determine the potential impact on outcomes and decision tool performance. RESULTS: Of 3024 study patients, 1.9% received the diagnosis of an acute PE in the ED, resulting in a sensitivity of 96.6% for the traditional PERC (95% CI: 88.1%-99.6%). Utilizing a definition of hypoxia of <90%, the sensitivity of the altitude-adjusted PERC rule was 94.8% (95% CI: 85.6%-98.9%). Assuming that imaging would not have been pursued for PERC-negative patients, the altitude-adjusted PERC rule would have reduced the overall rate of advanced imaging by 2.7% (95% CI: 1.8%-4.1%). CONCLUSION: Adjusting the PERC O2 sat threshold for altitude may result in decreased rates of advanced imaging for PE without a substantial change in the sensitivity of the PERC rule.

Emergency department visits for electric scooter-related injuries after introduction of an urban rental program.

BACKGROUND: Providers in Salt Lake City emergency departments (EDs) anecdotally noted a significant number of electronic scooter (e-scooter)-related injuries since the launch of e-scooter rentals in the downtown area in June 2018. The aim of this study was to quantify and characterize these injuries. METHODS: We reviewed the electronic medical records of the University of Utah ED and the Salt Lake Regional Medical Center ED. Using a broad keyword search for "scooter," we examined all notes for ED visits between June 15-November 15, 2017, and June 15-November 15, 2018, and identified e-scooter related injuries. The 2017 data pre-dated the launch of the e-scooter share programs in Salt Lake City and served as a control period. RESULTS: We noted 8 scooter-related injuries in 2017 and 50 in 2018. Injury types from the 2018 period included: major head injury (8%); major musculoskeletal injury (36%); minor head injury (12%); minor musculoskeletal injury (34%); and superficial soft tissue injury (40%). 24% of patients presented via ambulance and 6% presented as a trauma activation. 16% of patients required hospital admission and 14% had an injury requiring operative repair. 16% reported alcohol intoxication and none of the patients reported wearing a helmet at the time of the injury. CONCLUSION: Since the launch of e-scooter share programs in Salt Lake City, we have seen a substantial increase in e-scooter related trauma in our EDs. Of particular note is the number of patients with major head injuries and major musculoskeletal injuries.

Prevalence of pulmonary embolism in patients presenting to the emergency department with syncope.

OBJECTIVES: A recent study reported a high prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) among patients admitted with syncope. We sought to determine whether these findings were validated in our patient population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, secondary analysis of prospectively gathered data from patients presenting with syncope to an academic emergency department (ED) from July 2010 to December 2015. We analyzed baseline information from the time of the ED visit, recorded outcomes during the hospital stay, and contacted patients by phone at least 30days after the ED visit. The primary study outcome was the diagnosis of acute PE in the ED, during inpatient admission or ED observation unit stay, or by patient report over a 30-day follow-up period. RESULTS: Over the 5.5-year study period, 348 patients with syncope agreed to participate in the study. 52% of patients were female [95% confidence interval (CI): 46.6-57.4] and the average age was 48.4years. Of the enrolled patients, 50.1% (CI: 44.8-55.2) underwent further evaluation for syncope beyond the ED stay: 27% (CI: 22.6-31.9) of patients were admitted to an inpatient unit for further work-up and 23.9% (CI: 19.7-28.6) of patients were placed in the ED observation unit. The overall rate of PE among patients presenting to the ED with syncope was 1.4% (CI: 0.6-3.3%). 2 patients (0.6%, CI: 0.2-2.1) were diagnosed with a PE while in the ED. None of the patients were diagnosed with a PE during hospital admission or the observation stay associated with the index ED visit. 3 patients (0.9%, CI: 0.3-2.5) reported they had been diagnosed with a PE during the 30days following their ED visit, two of whom had been admitted to the hospital at the index ED visit but were not diagnosed with a PE at that time. All patients diagnosed with a PE at the time of the ED visit or during the follow-up period were Pulmonary Embolism Rule Out Criteria (PERC) positive and reported shortness of breath in the ED. CONCLUSION: In contrast to a previous study, our findings do not support a high rate of PE among ED patients presenting with syncope.

Family history of venous thromboembolism predicts the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) clinical decision rules do not consider a patient's family history of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We evaluated whether a family history of VTE predicts acute PE in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: Over a 5.5-year study period, we enrolled a prospective convenience sample of patients presenting to an academic emergency department with chest pain and/or shortness of breath. We defined a family history of VTE as a first-degree relative with previous PE or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We noted outcomes of testing during the patient's ED stay, including the diagnosis of acute PE by either computed tomography (CT) or ventilation/perfusion (VQ) scan. RESULTS: Of the 3024 study patients, 19.4% reported a family history of VTE and 1.9% were diagnosed with an acute PE during the ED visit. Patients with a family history of VTE were more likely to be diagnosed with a PE: 3.2% vs. 1.6% (p = 0.009). 82.3% of patients were Pulmonary Embolism Rule-out Criteria (PERC) positive, and among PERC-positive patients, those with a family history of VTE were more likely to be diagnosed with a PE: 3.6% vs. 1.9% (p = 0.016). Of patients who underwent testing for PE (33.7%), patients with a family history of VTE were more likely to be diagnosed with a PE: 9.4% vs. 4.9% (p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Patients with a self-reported family history of VTE in a first-degree relative are more likely to be diagnosed with an acute PE in the ED, even among those patients considered to have a higher likelihood of PE.

Diagnosis of appendicitis by bedside ultrasound in the ED.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) has largely become standard of care for diagnosing appendicitis at the expense of increased patient radiation exposure, cost, and time to surgical intervention. To date, there are very limited data on the accuracy of bedside ultrasound (BUS) for the diagnosis of appendicitis in adults. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate test characteristics of BUS for diagnosis of acute appendicitis in the emergency department. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected on 97 cases of suspected appendicitis, which had BUS performed by trained residents with attending supervision between August 2011 and November 2013. All BUS interpretation and additional diagnostic imaging were left to the discretion of the physician or surgical consultants. A blinded ultrasound fellowship-trained physician reviewed all images after clinical treatment. Bedside ultrasound findings and patient outcomes were reported. RESULTS: A total of 97 adult cases underwent diagnostic ultrasound scans for suspected appendicitis. Of 97 cases, 34 had acute appendicitis by surgery/pathology report. Twenty-four BUS were positive for acute appendicitis and 11 were nondiagnostic. Of 24 positive ultrasounds, 23 had appendicitis on pathology report. There was 1 false-positive result, yielding a sensitivity of 67.65% (95% confidence limits, 49.5%-82.6%) and a specificity of 98.41% (95% confidence limits, 91.4%-99.7%). Of 23 positive BUS, 12 cases went to the Operating Room without an abdominal CT yielding a 12% reduction in CT utilization. If all positive BUS went to the OR without a CT scan, this would yield a 24% reduction in CT utilization. CONCLUSIONS: Bedside ultrasound may be an appropriate initial test to evaluate patients with suspected acute appendicitis in the emergency department.

Genetic variations that influence paclitaxel pharmacokinetics and intracellular effects that may contribute to chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: A narrative review.

Taxanes, particularly paclitaxel and docetaxel, are chemotherapeutic agents commonly used to treat breast cancers. A frequent side effect is chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) that occurs in up to 70% of all treated patients and impacts the quality of life during and after treatment. CIPN presents as glove and stocking sensory deficits and diminished motor and autonomic function. Nerves with longer axons are at higher risk of developing CIPN. The causes of CIPN are multifactorial and poorly understood, limiting treatment options. Pathophysiologic mechanisms can include: (i) disruptions of mitochondrial and intracellular microtubule functions, (ii) disruption of axon morphology, and (iii) activation of microglial and other immune cell responses, among others. Recent work has explored the contribution of genetic variation and selected epigenetic changes in response to taxanes for any insights into their relation to pathophysiologic mechanisms of CIPN20, with the hope of identifying predictive and targetable biomarkers. Although promising, many genetic studies of CIPN are inconsistent making it difficult to develop reliable biomarkers of CIPN. The aims of this narrative review are to benchmark available evidence and identify gaps in the understanding of the role genetic variation has in influencing paclitaxel's pharmacokinetics and cellular membrane transport potentially related to the development of CIPN.

Intranasal sufentanil for the treatment of acute pain in a winter resort clinic.

INTRODUCTION: Painful extremity injuries are common patient complaints in resort clinics, urgent care clinics, and emergency departments. We hypothesized that intranasal (IN) sufentanil could provide rapid, noninvasive, effective pain relief to patients presenting with acute extremity injuries. METHODS: This was an unblinded, nonrandomized, observational study that enrolled a convenience sample of patients presenting to a university-affiliated ski clinic with acute moderate to severe pain associated with a traumatic injury between the months of January and March 2011. Patients were excluded if they reported an allergy to sufentanil or had hypoxia, significant head injury, or hypotension. Nurses administered IN sufentanil using an IN atomizer device. The nurse recorded patient-reported pain scores (0-10 scale) on arrival and at 10, 20, and 30 minutes after administration of sufentanil. RESULTS: During the study period, 40 patients were enrolled; 75% were men. The average age was 32 years (range, 16-60 years). The average dose of sufentanil was 37.7 µg. Five patients (12.5%) were given additional IN analgesia. Average pain on arrival was 9 (on a 10-point scale), and the mean reduction in pain scores was 4.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.67-5.57) at 10 minutes, 5.79 (95% CI, 4.81-6.77) at 20 minutes, and 5.74 (95% CI, 4.72-6.76) at 30 minutes. CONCLUSION: In this limited observational trial, IN sufentanil provided rapid, safe, and noninvasive pain relief to patients presenting with acute traumatic extremity injuries. Given the ease of administration, this may serve as a viable option for use in other settings, such as urgent care clinics and emergency departments.

Gender Disparities in Cardiac Catheterization Rates Among Emergency Department Patients With Chest Pain.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have noted differences in rates of cardiac testing based on gender of patients. We evaluated cardiac catheterization rates for men and women presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain, particularly among patients without a history of myocardial infarction (MI) or recent positive stress test. METHODS: We performed a prospective evaluation of patients presenting to an urban, academic medical center for assessment of chest pain. We recorded baseline information, testing, and outcomes related to ED, observation unit, and inpatient stay. Primary outcomes included gender differences in cardiac catheterization and stenting rates among patients without an MI or positive stress test. RESULTS: Over the 5.5 year study period, 2242 ED patients with chest pain participated in the study (45% male). Men and women had similar rates of cardiac stress testing (16.7% vs. 15.2%, P = 0.317) as well as similar rates of positive cardiac stress testing (2.9% vs. 1.9%, P = 0.116). Men were more likely to undergo cardiac catheterization (10.4% vs. 4.9%, P < 0.001). Men who had neither MI nor positive stress test were more likely than women to undergo cardiac catheterization: 5.8% versus 3.3%, P = 0.010. Similarly, men in this group were more likely to experience stent placement: 2.1% versus 0.7%, P = 0.003. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to previous studies, we noted disparities in cardiac testing by gender. Men were more likely to go to cardiac catheterization without an MI or a positive stress test. This disparity in a more aggressive strategy of cardiac catheterization in men may result in higher stenting rates in this group.

Prevalence and Significance of Renal Dysfunction Among Emergency Department Observation Patients With Chest Pain.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have demonstrated increased risk of acute coronary syndrome among patients with chest pain and renal dysfunction. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of renal dysfunction on cardiac outcomes in patients with chest pain in an emergency department observation unit (EDOU). METHODS: We conducted a 5-year prospective evaluation of patients evaluated in the EDOU for chest pain. We collected baseline information and data from the emergency department visit, EDOU stay, inpatient admission, and the 30-day period after presentation to the emergency department. We calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. We stratified patients as having mild (GFR 60-89 mL/min per 1.73 m) or at least moderate (GFR <60) renal dysfunction. We evaluated the rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE: myocardial infarction, stent, coronary artery bypass graft, and death). RESULTS: Of 1067 enrolled EDOU patients, the majority had at least mild renal dysfunction: 39% [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 36.1%-42%] had a GFR between 60 and 89, and 16% (95% CI: 14%-18.4%) had a GFR <60. MACE rates increased with decreasing GFR: 3.3% (95% CI: 2.1%-5.3%) for GFR ≥90, 7.3% (95% CI: 5.2%-10.2%) for GFR 60-89, and 9.1% (95% CI: 5.7%-14.3%) for GFR <60 (P = 0.005). In multivariate analysis, patients with at least mild renal dysfunction (GFR < 90) were at greater risk of MACE (P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: We noted a high prevalence of renal dysfunction among EDOU patients evaluated for chest pain. Even those with mild renal dysfunction demonstrated an increased risk of MACE. Clinicians may wish to consider renal dysfunction in selecting appropriate patients for EDOU placement.

Emergency Department Observation Unit Utilization Among Older Patients With Chest Pain.

BACKGROUND: Although some emergency department observation units (EDOUs) may exclude patients over 65 years old, our EDOU accepts patients up to 79 years old. We assessed the utilization of our EDOU by older patients (those 65-79 years old). METHODS: We prospectively enrolled emergency department (ED) patients with chest pain. We gathered baseline data at the time of ED presentation and tracked outcomes related to the ED stay, EDOU, and/or inpatient admission. Our primary outcome included EDOU placement among older patients. Our secondary outcome was the rate of major adverse cardiac events [MACE: myocardial infarction, stent, coronary artery bypass graft, and death]. RESULTS: Over the 5-year study period, we evaluated 2242 ED patients with chest pain, of whom 19.4% (95% confidence interval, 17.8%-21.1%) were 65-79 years old. Older patients were more likely to be placed in the EDOU after the ED visit (45.8% vs. 36.6%; P = 0.001) and more likely to be admitted to an inpatient unit from the ED (31.8% vs. 17.9%;P < 0.001) than those under 65 years old. The overall MACE rate was similar between admitted older patients and those in the EDOU: 5.9% versus 4.3% (P = 0.57). Of the admitted older patients, 30.4% (95% confidence interval, 22.3%-39.9%) were low risk and there were no cases of MACE in this group. CONCLUSIONS: In an EDOU that allows older patients, we noted substantial utilization by these patients for the evaluation of chest pain. The characteristics of admitted older patients suggest the potential for even greater EDOU utilization in this group.

Acute effects of air pollutants on spontaneous pregnancy loss: a case-crossover study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between acute exposure to air pollutants and spontaneous pregnancy loss. DESIGN: Case-crossover study from 2007 to 2015. SETTING: An academic emergency department in the Wasatch Front area of Utah. PATIENT(S): A total of 1,398 women who experienced spontaneous pregnancy loss events. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Odds of spontaneous pregnancy loss. RESULT(S): We found that a 10-ppb increase in 7-day average levels of nitrogen dioxide was associated with a 16% increase in the odds of spontaneous pregnancy loss (odds ratio [OR] = 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.33; P=.04). A 10-µg/m3 increase in 3-day and 7-day averages of fine particulate matter were associated with increased risk of spontaneous pregnancy loss, but the associations did not reach statistical significance (OR3-day average = 1.09; 95% CI 0.99-1.20; P=.05) (OR7-day average = 1.11; 95% CI 0.99-1.24; P=.06). We found no evidence of increased risk for any other metrics of nitrogen dioxide or fine particulate matter or any metric for ozone. CONCLUSIONS: We found that short-term exposure to elevated levels of air pollutants was associated with higher risk for spontaneous pregnancy loss.

Pulmonary Embolism Testing Among Emergency Department Patients Who Are Pulmonary Embolism Rule-out Criteria Negative.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have demonstrated that rates of pulmonary embolism (PE) testing have increased without a concomitant decrease in PE-related mortality. The Pulmonary Embolism Rule-out Criteria (PERC) intend to reduce testing for PE in the emergency department (ED) by identifying low-risk patients ("PERC-negative") who do not require D-dimer, computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA), or ventilation/perfusion (VQ) scan for PE. This study assesses PE testing rates among PERC-negative patients presenting to an urban academic ED. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled a convenience sample of ED patients with chest pain and/or shortness of breath presenting between June 2010 and December 2015. We recorded baseline variables at the time of ED presentation, information on testing performed in the ED, and the diagnosis of acute PE during the ED visit. We classified patients as PERC-positive or PERC-negative utilizing baseline variables and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Of the 3,024 study patients, 54.8% (95% confidence interval = 53%-56.5%) were female and the mean age was 51.7 (51.1-52.3) years. A total of 17.5% (16.2%-18.9%) of study patients were PERC-negative and 33.7% (32%-35.4%) of all patients underwent testing for PE. A total of 25.5% (22%-29.4%) of PERC-negative patients had PE testing compared to 35.4% (33.6%-37.3%) of PERC-positive patients (p < 0.001). A total of 7.2% (5.3%-9.7%) of PERC-negative patients had advanced imaging without a D-dimer compared to 19.2% (17.8%-20.8%) of PERC-positive patients (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, factors associated with PE testing in PERC-negative patients included age, white non-Hispanic race/ethnicity, pleuritic chest pain, and a complaint of both chest pain and shortness of breath. Two PERC-negative patients (0.4%) were diagnosed with an acute PE in the ED compared to 2.2% of PERC-positive patients (p = 0.008). The overall testing yield for PE was 1.6% (0.4%-9.2%) among PERC-negative patients versus 6.3% (4.9%-8.1%) among PERC-positive patients (p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: In an academic ED, a significant proportion of PERC-negative patients underwent testing for PE, including CT or VQ scan without D-dimer risk stratification. Future areas of research may include evaluating factors that lead clinicians to pursue PE testing in PERC-negative patients and implementing clinical pathways to minimize practice variability among these patients.

Folic acid use in pregnant patients presenting to the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: The US Preventive Services Task Force has recommended daily folic acid supplementation for women planning on becoming pregnant in an effort to prevent fetal neural tube defects. We evaluated pregnant patients presenting to the emergency department to determine rates of folic acid supplementation. METHODS: We surveyed a convenience sample of pregnant patients who presented to the University of Utah Emergency Department (ED) between 1 January 2008, and 30 April 2009, regarding pregnancy history and prior medical care. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-five patients participated in the study. Eighty-four patients (62.2%) reported current folic acid supplementation. Sixty-six patients identified themselves as Caucasian and 69 as non-Caucasian race. There was a significant difference in folic acid use between Caucasian and non-Caucasian women (p = 0.035). The majority of Caucasian women (71.2%) reported daily folic acid use versus approximately one-half of non-Caucasian women (53.6%). Both groups were similar in accessing a primary care provider (PCP) for pregnancy care prior to the ED visit (53% vs. 49.3%, p = 0.663), and rates of folic acid use were similar in those who had seen a PCP (85.7% vs. 76.5%, p = 0.326). Language did not have a significant association with folic acid use. CONCLUSION: A large percentage of pregnant ED patients did not report current folic use, and there was a significant difference between Caucasian and non-Caucasian women in rates of folic acid supplementation. This study highlights the potential role of the ED in screening patients for folic acid supplementation.