Spontaneous coronary artery dissection and acute myocardial infarction in women.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is increasingly recognized as a cause of acute coronary syndrome, acute myocardial infarction, and sudden death in young patients, particularly women, presenting to the emergency department with chest pain. It is the most common cause of nonatherosclerotic coronary artery disease in women <50 years of age. Current guidelines for SCAD management come from case series that have demonstrated low success rates and high rates of complications with percutaneous coronary intervention. Expert consensus suggests conservative care, and observation is preferred in many patients. However, patients with ongoing symptoms of cardiac ischemia or hemodynamic or electrical instability with compromised myocardial perfusion remain challenging. With this case report, we aim to increase awareness of SCAD and critical aspects of its diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Further investigation is needed to clarify the ideal candidates for revascularization to optimize outcomes and limit morbidity and mortality.

Effectiveness of an algorithm-based care pathway for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation presenting to the emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: Atrial fibrillation (AF) carries substantial morbidity and mortality. Evidence-based guidelines have been synthesized into emergency department (ED) AF care pathways, but the effectiveness and scalability of such approaches are not well established. We thus evaluated the impacts of an algorithmic care pathway for ED management of non-valvular AF (EDAFMP) on hospital use and care process measures. METHODS: We deployed a voluntary-use EDAFMP in 4 EDs (1 tertiary hospital, 1 cardiac hospital, 2 community hospitals) of an integrated delivery organization using a multifaceted implementation approach. We compared outcomes between patients with AF treated using the EDAFMP and historical and contemporaneous "usual care" controls, using a propensity-score adjusted generalized estimating equation. Patients with an index ED encounter for a primary visit reason of non-valvular AF (and no excluding concurrent diagnoses) were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS: Preimplementation (January 1, 2016-December 31, 2016), 628 AF patients were eligible; postimplementation (September 1, 2017-June 30, 2019), 1296, including 271 (20.9%) treated with the EDAFMP, were eligible. EDAFMP patients were less likely to be admitted than both historical (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45, 0.29-0.71) and contemporaneous controls (aOR, 95%CI: 0.63, 0.46-0.86). ED visits and hospital readmissions over 90 days subsequent to index ED encounters were similar between postimplementation EDAFMP and usual care groups. EDAFMP patients were more likely to be prescribed anticoagulation (38% v. 5%, P < 0.001) and be referred to a cardiologist (93% vs 29%, P < 0.001) versus the comparator group. CONCLUSION: EDAFMP use is associated with decreased hospital admission during an index ED encounter for non-valvular AF, and improved delivery of AF care processes.

Evaluation of Spodick's Sign and Other Electrocardiographic Findings as Indicators of STEMI and Pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with ST elevation on electrocardiogram (ECG) could have ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or pericarditis. Spodick's sign, a downsloping of the ECG baseline (the T-P segment), has been described, but not validated, as a sign of pericarditis. OBJECTIVE: This study estimates the frequency of Spodick's sign and other findings in patients diagnosed with STEMI and those with pericarditis. METHODS: In this retrospective review, we selected charts that met prospective definitions of STEMI (cases) and pericarditis (controls). We excluded patients whose ECGs lacked ST elevation. An authority on electrocardiography reviewed all ECGs, noting the presence or absence of Spodick's sign, ST depression (in leads besides V1 and aVR), PR depression, greater ST elevation in lead III than in lead II (III > II), abrupt take-off of ST segment (the RT checkmark sign), and upward or horizontal ST convexity. We quantified strength of association using odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-five patients met criteria for STEMI and 42 met those for pericarditis. Spodick's sign occurred in 5% of patients with STEMI (95% CI 3-10%) and 29% of patients with pericarditis (95% CI 16-45%). All other findings statistically distinguished STEMI from pericarditis, but ST depression (OR 31), III > II (OR 21), and absence of PR depression (OR 12) had the greatest OR values. CONCLUSIONS: Spodick's sign is statistically associated with pericarditis, but it is seen in 5% of patients with STEMI. Among other findings, ST depression, III > II, and absence of PR depression were the most discriminating.

Initiation of the ABCD3-I algorithm for expediated evaluation of transient ischemic attack patients in an emergency department.

BACKGROUND: The use of ABCD3-I score for Transient ischemic attack (TIA) evaluation has not been widely investigated in the ED. We aim to determine the performance and cost-effectiveness of an ABCD3-I based pathway for expedited evaluation of TIA patients in the ED. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, pre- and post-intervention study among ED patients with possible TIA. Accrual occurred for seven months before (Oct. 2016-April 2017) and after (Oct. 2017-April 2018) implementing the ABCD3-I algorithm with a five-month wash-in period (May-Sept. 2017). Total ED length of stay (LOS), admissions to the hospital, healthcare cost, and 90-day ED returns with subsequent stroke were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Pre-implementation and post-implementation cohorts included 143 and 118 patients respectively. A total of 132 (92%) patients were admitted to the hospital in the pre-implementation cohort in comparison to 28 (24%) patients admitted in the post-implementation cohort (p < 0.001) with similar 90-day post-discharge stroke occurrence (2 in pre-implementation versus 1 in post-implementation groups, p > 0.05). The mean ABCD2 scores were 4.5 (1.4) in pre- and 4.1 (1.3) in post-implementation cohorts (p = 0.01). The mean ABCD3-I scores were 4.5 (1.8) in post-implementation cohorts. Total ED LOS was 310 min (201, 420) in pre- and 275 min (222, 342) in post-implementation cohorts (p > 0.05). Utilization of the ABCD3-I algorithm saved an average of over 40% of total healthcare cost per patient in the post-implementation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The initiation of an ABCD3-I based pathway for TIA evaluation in the ED significantly decreased hospital admissions and cost with similar 90-day neurological outcomes.

Standardized Reporting System Use During Handoffs Reduces Patient Length of Stay in the Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: Emergency department (ED) shift handoffs are potential sources of delay in care. We aimed to determine the impact that using standardized reporting tool and process may have on throughput metrics for patients undergoing a transition of care at shift change. METHODS: We performed a prospective, pre- and post-intervention quality improvement study from September 1 to November 30, 2015. A handoff procedure intervention, including a mandatory workshop and personnel training on a standard reporting system template, was implemented. The primary endpoint was patient length of stay (LOS). A comparative analysis of differences between patient LOS and various handoff communication methods were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Communication methods were entered a multivariable logistic regression model independently as risk factors for patient LOS. RESULTS: The final analysis included 1,006 patients, with 327 comprising the pre-intervention and 679 comprising the post-intervention populations. Bedside rounding occurred 45% of the time without a standard reporting during pre-intervention and increased to 85% of the time with the use of a standard reporting system in the post-intervention period (P < 0.001). Provider time (provider-initiated care to patient care completed) in the pre-intervention period averaged 297 min, but decreased to 265 min in the post-intervention period (P < 0.001). After adjusting for other communication methods, the use of a standard reporting system during handoff was associated with shortened ED LOS (OR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.40 - 0.90, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Standard reporting system use during emergency physician handoffs at shift change improves ED throughput efficiency and is associated with shorter ED LOS.

Acute Myopericardial Syndromes.

Acute myopericardial syndromes are common but can be challenging to manage and potentially have life-threatening complications. Careful clinical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram interpretation, and application of diagnostic criteria are needed to make an accurate diagnosis, exclude concomitant disease, and properly treat patients. Therapy for acute pericarditis should be guided per the underlying cause. For the most common causes, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs or aspirin with the addition of colchicine remains the mainstay of therapy. Patients with hemodynamic compromise who are resistant to therapy or display high-risk features should prompt hospitalization and initiation of more aggressive and/or invasive therapy.

Electrical exposure risk associated with hands-on defibrillation.

BACKGROUND: The use of hands-on defibrillation (HOD) to reduce interruption of chest compression after cardiac arrest has been suggested as a means of improving resuscitation outcomes. The potential dangers of this strategy in regard to exposing rescuers to electrical energy are still being debated. This study seeks to determine the plausible worst-case energy-transfer scenario that rescuers might encounter while performing routine resuscitative measures. METHODS: Six cadavers were acquired and prepared for defibrillation. A custom instrumentation-amplifier circuit was built to measure differential voltages at various points on the bodies. Several skin preparations were used to determine the effects of contact resistance on our voltage measurements. Resistance and exposure voltage data were acquired for a representative number of anatomic landmarks and were used to map rescuers' voltage exposure. A formula for rescuer-received dose (RRD) was derived to represent the proportion of energy the rescuer could receive from a shock delivered to a patient. We used cadaver measurements to estimate a range of RRD. RESULTS: Defibrillation resulted in rescuer exposure voltages ranging from 827V to ∼200V, depending on cadaver and anatomic location. The RRD under the test scenarios ranged from 1 to 8J, which is in excess of accepted energy exposure levels. CONCLUSIONS: HOD using currently available personal protective equipment and resuscitative procedures poses a risk to rescuers. The process should be considered potentially dangerous until equipment and techniques that will protect rescuers are developed.

Emergency diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage: an evidence-based debate.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage is of paramount concern in patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with acute headache. Computed tomography followed by lumbar puncture is a time-honored practice, but recent technologic advances in magnetic resonance imaging with magnetic resonance angiography and computed tomography with computed tomography angiography can present alternatives for clinicians and patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to compare diagnostic strategies for ED patients in whom subarachnoid hemorrhage is suspected. METHODS: We analyze and discuss current protocols, in addition to summarizing the advantages and disadvantages of each method. RESULTS: Through our residency's journal club, we organized an evidence-based debate that pitted proponents of the three subarachnoid hemorrhage diagnostic strategies against one another. Proponents of each strategy described its advantages and disadvantages. Briefly, computed tomography/lumbar puncture is time honored and effective, but is limited by complications and indeterminate lumbar puncture results. Magnetic resonance imaging with magnetic resonance angiography might be more effective in late presentations and can visualize aneurysms, yet has limited availability. Computed tomography with computed tomography angiography offers rapid diagnosis and is considered the most sensitive for diagnosing aneurysms, but has the highest radiation exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Each of the three strategies used to diagnose subarachnoid hemorrhage has advantages and disadvantages with which clinicians should be familiar. Patient factors (e.g., age, body habitus, and risk factors), presentation factors (e.g., time from headache onset and severity of presentation), and institutional factors (availability of magnetic resonance imaging with magnetic resonance angiography) can influence the choice of protocol.