Subject(s)
Brain Death , Consensus , Humans , Brain Death/diagnosis , Child , Adult , Practice Guidelines as Topic/standardsSubject(s)
Antivenins , Crotalid Venoms , Snake Bites , Trimeresurus , Animals , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Antivenins/therapeutic use , Crotalid Venoms/antagonists & inhibitors , Crotalid Venoms/toxicity , North American People , Snake Bites/drug therapy , Snake Bites/therapy , Treatment Outcome , United StatesABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: For many years, the standard of care in the USA has been to treat acute lead encephalopathy with a combination parenteral dimercaprol (BAL) and CaNa2EDTA. We present a case of a pediatric patient with severe lead encephalopathy, complicated by cardiac arrest, who was treated with an alternative regimen when CaNa2EDTA was unavailable. CASE REPORT: A 24-month-old male was brought by ambulance to an emergency department (ED) with new onset seizures and sustained a cardiac arrest. An initial blood lead concentration returned at 263 mcg/dl. The hospital was unable to obtain CaNa2EDTA due to the nationwide shortage. For this reason, the patient was chelated with BAL IM for 12 days and dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) for 28 days. He received a second 5-day course of BAL due to rebounding blood lead concentrations. Eight days after cardiac arrest, he was extubated; however, despite ongoing therapy, subsequent follow-up 2 months later demonstrated persistent cognitive deficits. DISCUSSION: The combination of DMSA and BAL was effective in rapidly decreasing whole blood lead concentrations. Drug shortages continue to have implications for the management of poisoned patients. This case highlights how shortages of chelating agents complicate patient care.
Subject(s)
Brain Diseases , Heart Arrest , Lead Poisoning , Humans , Male , Child , Child, Preschool , Lead , Edetic Acid/therapeutic use , Chelating Agents/therapeutic use , Succimer/therapeutic use , Brain Diseases/drug therapy , Heart Arrest/drug therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrest occurs in approximately 350,000 patients outside the hospital and approximately 30,000 patients in the emergency department (ED) annually in the United States. When return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is achieved, hypotension is a common complication. However, optimal dosing of vasopressors is not clear. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine if initial vasopressor dosing was associated with cardiac re-arrest in patients after ROSC. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center analysis of adult patients experiencing cardiac arrest prior to arrival or within the ED. Patients were assigned to one of four groups based on starting dose of vasopressor: low dose (LD; < 0.25 µg/kg/min), medium dose (MD; 0.25-0.49 µg/kg/min), high dose (HD; 0.5-0.99 µg/kg/min), and very high dose (VHD; ≥ 1 µg/kg/min). Data collection was performed primarily via manual chart review of medical records. The primary outcome was incidence of cardiac re-arrest within 1 h of vasopressor initiation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify any covariates strongly associated with the primary outcome. RESULTS: No difference in cardiac re-arrest incidence was noted between groups. The VHD group was significantly more likely to require a second vasopressor (p = 0.003). The HD group had lower survival rates to hospital discharge compared with the LD and MD groups (p = 0.0033 and p = 0.0147). In the multivariate regression, longer duration of pre-vasopressor re-arrests and hyperkalemic cardiac arrest etiology were significant predictors of cardiac re-arrest after vasopressor initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Initial vasopressor dosing was not found to be associated with risk of cardiac re-arrest or, conversely, risk of adverse events.
Subject(s)
Heart Arrest , Return of Spontaneous Circulation , Adult , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Heart , Heart Arrest/drug therapy , Emergency Service, Hospital , Vasoconstrictor Agents/pharmacology , Vasoconstrictor Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Management of patients with salicylate toxicity frequently requires urine alkalinization to enhance excretion of salicylate. One strategy for determining when to stop urine alkalinization is to wait for two consecutive serum salicylate concentrations to be less than 300 mg/L (2.17 mmol/L) and declining. When alkalinization of the urine ceases, a rebound in serum salicylate concentration can occur from tissue redistribution or delayed gastrointestinal absorption. Whether this can lead to rebound toxicity is not well understood. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective review of cases with a primary ingestion of acetylsalicylic acid reported to the local poison center over a five-year period. Cases were excluded if the product was not listed as the primary ingestion or if there was no serum salicylate concentration documented after discontinuation of intravenous sodium bicarbonate infusion. The primary outcome was the incidence of serum salicylate rebound to a concentration greater than 300 mg/L (2.17 mmol/L) after discontinuation of intravenous sodium bicarbonate infusion. RESULTS: A total of 377 cases were included. Of these, eight (2.1%) had a serum salicylate concentration increase (rebound) after stopping the sodium bicarbonate infusion. All these cases were acute ingestions. Five of the eight cases had rebound serum salicylate concentrations that were greater than 300 mg/L (2.17 mmol/L). Of these five patients, only one reported recurrent symptoms (tinnitus). Prior to stopping urinary alkalinization, the last or the last two serum salicylate concentrations were less than 300 mg/L (2.17 mmol/L) in three and two cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with salicylate toxicity, the incidence of rebound in serum salicylate concentration after cessation of urine alkalinization, is low. Even if serum salicylate rebounds to supratherapeutic concentrations, symptoms are often absent or mild. Routine repeat serum salicylate concentrations after urine alkalinization is stopped may be unnecessary unless symptoms recrudesce.
Subject(s)
Drug Overdose , Sodium Bicarbonate , Humans , Sodium Bicarbonate/therapeutic use , Incidence , Salicylates , Aspirin , Drug Overdose/drug therapySubject(s)
Acetylcysteine , Occupational Diseases , Humans , Acetylcysteine/therapeutic use , Risk FactorsSubject(s)
Drug Overdose , Ethosuximide , Drug Overdose/drug therapy , Ethosuximide/therapeutic use , Humans , Renal DialysisABSTRACT
STUDY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes associated with time to administration and dose of four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC) in patients with ICH on warfarin. DESIGN: This was a single-center retrospective analysis of patients with ICH on warfarin who received 4F-PCC. SETTING: The site of the study was a large, Level I trauma, academic medical center with a dedicated neurologic intensive care unit and an emergency department (ED) that has approximately 72,000 visits annually. PATIENTS: Patients were included if they were ≥18 years of age, diagnosed with ICH, had an INR >1 due to warfarin use, and received both 4F-PCC and IV vitamin K for anticoagulation reversal. Exclusion criteria included patients who were less than 18 years of age, were not currently taking warfarin, had a bleeding site other than ICH, were pregnant or incarcerated, had an inadequate medical record, had a left ventricular assist device, had known liver disease with Child-Pugh Class C, received anticoagulation with heparin therapy within 24 h of anticoagulation reversal, or did not receive vitamin K within 24 h of hospital admission. INTERVENTION: Our primary outcome was a composite of hematoma expansion or death due to neurologic injury. Treatment groups were defined as receipt of 4F-PCC within 0-30, 31-60, 61-90, 91-120 min, or greater than 120 min. Hematoma expansion was defined as any increase in hematoma size as assessed by a radiologist via standard 6-h CT. Death due to neurologic injury was defined as death prior to a repeat CT being performed or documentation of a neurologic cause of death. Adequate INR reversal (INR ≤1.3 on repeat INR) vs. inadequate INR reversal and weight-based vs. fixed-dose 4F-PCC were also assessed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 94 patients met the inclusion criteria. Forty-one patients (43.6%) met the composite endpoint, including 60% of the 31-60 min group, 47.6% of the 61-90 min group, 71.4% of the 91-120 min group, and 30.6% of the >120-min group. A significant difference in primary outcome occurred between the 91-120 min and >120-min groups (71.4% vs. 30.6%; p= 0.005), but this difference was not observed when accounting for disparities in Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Patients with adequate INR reversal were less likely to meet the primary endpoint than those with inadequate INR reversal (28.1% vs. 58.6%; p= 0.0059). There was less failure of anticoagulation reversal with weight-based dosing compared with fixed dosing (24.2% vs. 65.0%; p< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: No difference in clinical outcomes among 4F-PCC dosing strategies or time windows to administration was observed in patients with GCS <15. Rates of repeat INR ≤1.3 were higher with weight-based dosing, suggesting investigation of populations in which fixed dosing may be inappropriate is warranted.
Subject(s)
Blood Coagulation Factors , Warfarin , Anticoagulants/adverse effects , Blood Coagulation Factors/therapeutic use , Factor IX/therapeutic use , Hematoma/drug therapy , Humans , International Normalized Ratio , Intracranial Hemorrhages/chemically induced , Retrospective Studies , Vitamin K , Warfarin/adverse effectsSubject(s)
Abortion, Induced , Abortion, Spontaneous , Digoxin/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Trimester, SecondABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Academic detailing (AD) is an educational outreach intervention designed to provide clinicians with current evidenced-based education to improve patient care and is effective in mitigating opioid risks. Student pharmacists' abilities to apply naloxone training can benefit from concomitant AD training by highlighting skills needed to effectively assess patient and provider needs and handle objections in a non-biased, evidence-supported manner while reinforcing the application of naloxone administration. Most states have a standing order for pharmacist prescribed naloxone. School of pharmacy clinical science faculty sought to create a combined educational activity teaching naloxone AD in conjunction with hands-on naloxone training to better prepare students to apply the standing order in their future careers. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: Students in an accelerated pharmacy program applied their AD skills during pharmaceutical skills laboratory activities, emphasizing the use of naloxone administration under the standing order. Students then demonstrated their ability to administer naloxone to a "patient" who experienced an emergency after opioid use. FINDINGS: While many schools of pharmacy offer either naloxone or AD training to students, none were identified that offered both trainings combined for use with mitigation strategies for opioid management. SUMMARY: The combination of simulated AD with naloxone administration training was designed as a unique opportunity to foster naloxone education and enhance student understanding and demonstration of naloxone administration. School of pharmacy programs should recognize the opportunity to combine these activities to prepare students for application of statewide naloxone standing orders.
Subject(s)
Drug Overdose , Students, Pharmacy , Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use , Drug Overdose/drug therapy , Drug Overdose/prevention & control , Humans , Naloxone/therapeutic use , Narcotic Antagonists/therapeutic use , PharmacistsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction with in-person medical visits includes patient-clinician engagement. However, communication, empathy, and other relationship-centered care measures in virtual visits have not been adequately investigated. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to comprehensively consider patient experience, including relationship-centered care measures, to assess patient satisfaction during virtual visits. METHODS: We conducted a large survey study with open-ended questions to comprehensively assess patients' experiences with virtual visits in a diverse patient population. Adults with a virtual visit between June 21, 2017, and July 12, 2017, were invited to complete a survey of 21 Likert-scale items and textboxes for comments following their visit. Factor analysis of the survey items revealed three factors: experience with technology, patient-clinician engagement, and overall satisfaction. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test the associations among the three factors and patient demographics, clinician type, and prior relationship with the clinician. Using qualitative framework analysis, we identified recurrent themes in survey comments, quantitatively coded comments, and computed descriptive statistics of the coded comments. RESULTS: A total of 65.7% (426/648) of the patients completed the survey; 64.1% (273/426) of the respondents were women, and the average age was 46 (range 18-86) years. The sample was geographically diverse: 70.2% (299/426) from Ohio, 6.8% (29/426) from Florida, 4.2% (18/426) from Pennsylvania, and 18.7% (80/426) from other states. With regard to insurance coverage, 57.5% (245/426) were undetermined, 23.7% (101/426) had the hospital's employee health insurance, and 18.7% (80/426) had other private insurance. Types of virtual visits and clinicians varied. Overall, 58.4% (249/426) of patients had an on-demand visit, whereas 41.5% (177/426) had a scheduled visit. A total of 41.8% (178/426) of patients had a virtual visit with a family physician, 20.9% (89/426) with an advanced practice provider, and the rest had a visit with a specialist. Most patients (393/423, 92.9%) agreed that their virtual visit clinician was interested in them as a person, and their virtual visit made it easy to get the care they needed (383/421, 90.9%). A total of 81.9% (344/420) of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that their virtual visit was as good as an in-person visit by a clinician. Having a prior relationship with their virtual visit clinician was associated with less comfort and ease with virtual technology among patients (odds ratio 0.58, 95% CI 0.35-0.98). In terms of technology, patients found the interface easy to use (392/423, 92.7%) and felt comfortable using it (401/423, 94.8%). Technical difficulties were associated with lower odds of overall satisfaction (odds ratio 0.46, 95% CI 0.28-0.76). CONCLUSIONS: Patient-clinician engagement in virtual visits was comparable with in-person visits. This study supports the value and acceptance of virtual visits. Evaluations of virtual visits should include assessments of technology and patient-clinician engagement, as both are likely to influence patient satisfaction.
Subject(s)
Telemedicine , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Patient Outcome Assessment , Patient Satisfaction , Surveys and Questionnaires , Technology , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The optimal vasoactive agent for management of patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest has not yet been identified. The Advanced Cardiac Life Support guidelines recommend initiation of either norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EPI), or dopamine (DA) to maintain adequate hemodynamics after ROSC is achieved. The goal of this study is to retrospectively assess the impact of initial vasopressor agent on incidence rate of rearrest, death, or need for additional vasopressor in post-cardiac arrest emergency department (ED) patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of electronic medical records was conducted at a tertiary care, academic medical center over a 32-month period. Inclusion criteria were any patient who received vasopressors in the ED after achieving ROSC from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, or in ED cardiac arrest. The incidence of the primary outcome was assessed during care within the ED, at 6âh regardless of location (early resuscitation period), and throughout the entire hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included incidence of tachyarrhythmia while on vasopressor, type of additional therapy needed for refractory shock, and functional status at discharge as determined by discharge location (discharged home without assistance, or discharged to long-term care facility, subacute rehabilitation, or assisted living). RESULTS: A total of 93 patients were included for analysis; 45 received NE, 42 EPI, and six DA. Due to small sample size, DA was excluded from reporting post hoc. Significantly more EPI patients met the primary outcome of refractory hypotension, rearrest, or death in the emergency department (EPI 21/42, 50% vs. NE 10/45, 22.2%; Pâ=â0.008). The incidence was no longer significantly different during the early resuscitation period of 6âh (EPI 30/42, 71.4% vs. NE 25/45, 55.6%; Pâ=â0.182), or during the entire hospitalization (EPI 40/42, 95.2% vs. NE 36/45, 80.0%; Pâ=â0.051). Notably, the EPI group had higher rates of rearrest prior to vasopressor initiation, potentially signaling more severe illness despite other prognostic variables being similarly distributed. In an adjusted regression model, which included adjustment for rearrest prior to vasopressor initiation, the odds of reaching the primary outcome in the ED were 3.94 [95%CI 1.38-12.2] (Pâ=â0.013) times higher in the EPI group compared to NE treated patients. No difference in tachyarrhythmia or functional status at discharge was detected between groups. CONCLUSION: These data suggest prospective study of initial vasopressors used for hemodynamic support after ROSC may be warranted. Rates of intra-emergency department refractory shock, rearrest, or death were higher among epinephrine treated patients compared to norepinephrine treated patients in this population. However, inability to control for potential confounding variables in retrospective studies limits the findings. These results are hypothesis generating and further study is warranted.
Subject(s)
Epinephrine/therapeutic use , Heart Arrest/drug therapy , Hemodynamics , Norepinephrine/therapeutic use , Return of Spontaneous Circulation , Vasoconstrictor Agents/therapeutic use , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Vitamin E acetate (VEA) has come under significant scrutiny due to its association with E-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI). Various theoretical mechanisms have been proposed for toxicity, including tocopherol (vitamin E)-mediated surfactant damage, recruitment of inflammation, and pyrolysis of acetate to the pulmonary irritant ketene. OBJECTIVE: Characterize studies in mammals evaluating inhaled VEA, vitamin E analogues, or pyrolyzed acetate that describe subsequent effects on the lung. ELIGIBILITY: Research in all languages from time of inception to October 1, 2020, regarding mammals (human or animal) exposed to inhaled vitamin E analogues, or any compound containing acetate administered via inhalation after pyrolysis, and subsequent description of pulmonary effect. SOURCES OF EVIDENCE: Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection. RESULTS: In total, 786 unique articles were identified. After duplicate reviewer screening, 16 articles were eligible for inclusion. Tocopherol was evaluated in 68.8% (11/16) of the studies, VEA in 18.8% (3/16), and both VEA and tocopherol were evaluated in 12.5% (2/16). Of the five studies evaluating VEA, it was given by pyrolysis in 60.0% (3/5). No human studies were identified. All included trials were conducted on non-human mammals: 75.0% (12/16) rodent models and 25.0% (4/16) sheep models. Outcomes assessed were heterogeneous and included 57 unique outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Several questions still exist regarding the pulmonary toxicity of inhaled tocopherol and VEA. More studies are needed to determine whether tocopherol alone (i.e., without acetate) can cause pulmonary injury. Additionally, further studies of VEA should evaluate the impact that pyrolysis and co-administration with other compounds, such as tetrahydrocannabinol, have on the toxic potential of VEA.
Subject(s)
Acetates/toxicity , Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems , Inhalation Exposure/adverse effects , Lung Injury/chemically induced , Vaping/adverse effects , Vitamin E/toxicity , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Animals , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Models, AnimalABSTRACT
Background: Teleneurology has been well described for acute stroke, but outpatient use has been limited. At home, virtual visits have the potential to improve access to neurological care. Introduction: This study reports on the use of a personal device videoconferencing platform for outpatient neurologic follow-up visits. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that identified all virtual neurologic follow-up visits completed by patients ≥18 years at a single institution over 4 years. Virtual visits were conducted by personal smartphone or computer via videoconferencing with a provider. Patients were asked to rate their overall experience with the visit and provider (five-point scale). Travel distance from the institution was calculated using patient's home addresses. Results: Three thousand nine hundred thirteen patients completed 5,581 virtual visits during the study (mean age 49.4 ± 17.0 years, 58.7% female). Number of virtual visits increased from 30 in year 1 to 4,468 in year 4. Virtual visits were completed in all outpatient neurologic subspecialties. A total of 30.1% of patients were local (<50 miles), 25.9% were near regional (50-150 miles), 21.7% were far regional (151-270 miles), and 22.2% were remote (>270 miles). A distance of 1,327,128 miles of travel was prevented across the 5,581 visits. On average, patients rated their overall virtual visit experience 4.7/5 ± 0.89 and rated their provider 4.9/5 ± 0.48. Discussion: Virtual visits prevented a substantial amount of travel and resulted in high patient satisfaction. The sizable proportion of local patients may indicate that teleneurology provides important access for reasons beyond travel distance. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasibility of implementing outpatient teleneurology services.
Subject(s)
Outpatients , Telemedicine , Adult , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Outcome Assessment , Patient Satisfaction , VideoconferencingABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The best management approach for chest pain patients who rule out for myocardial infarction (MI) in the high-sensitivity troponin (hsTn) era remains elusive. Patients, especially those with nonlow clinical risk scores, are often referred for inpatient ischemic testing to uncover obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Whether the prevalence of obstructive CAD in this cohort is high enough to justify routine testing is not known. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 1517 emergency department chest pain patients who ruled out for MI by virtue of a stable high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) levels (defined as <5 ng/L intermeasurements increase) and were admitted for inpatient testing. RESULTS: Abnormal ischemia evaluation (including 5.9% with evidence of fixed wall motion or perfusion defects) was 11.9%. Of those undergoing invasive angiography (n = 292), significant coronary stenoses (≥70% or unstable lesions) and multivessel CAD occurred in 16.8% and 5.5%, respectively. In a multivariate logistic regression model, known CAD, prior MI, chest pain character, mildly elevated hsTnT, and left ventricular ejection fraction <40% were predictive of an abnormal ischemia evaluation result, whereas electrocardiography findings and the modified History, EKG, Age, Risk factors, and troponin (HEART) score were not. Of note, 30-day adverse cardiac events were strikingly low at 0.4% with no deaths despite an overwhelming majority (>90%) of patients scoring intermediate or high on the modified HEART score. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable percentage of acute chest pain patients who rule out for MI by hsTn had evidence of obstructive CAD, and the modified HEART score was not predictive of an abnormal ischemia evaluation.
Subject(s)
Coronary Artery Disease , Myocardial Infarction , Chest Pain/diagnosis , Chest Pain/epidemiology , Chest Pain/etiology , Coronary Artery Disease/diagnosis , Coronary Artery Disease/epidemiology , Electrocardiography , Emergency Service, Hospital , Humans , Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis , Myocardial Infarction/epidemiology , Predictive Value of Tests , Prevalence , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Stroke Volume , Troponin , Ventricular Function, LeftABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The ideal high-sensitivity troponin (hsTn) cutoff for identifying those at low risk of 30 days events is debated; however, the 99th percentile overall or gender-specific upper reference limit (URL) is most commonly used. The magnitude of risk and the best management strategy for those with low-level hsTn elevation hasn't been extensively studied. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis including 4396 chest pain patients (542 with low-level hsTn elevation) who ruled out for myocardial infarction (MI), had a stable high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) levels (defined as < 5 ng/l inter-measurements increase in hsTnT levels), and were discharged from the emergency department without further ischemic testing. The aim of the study was to compare the 30-day incidence of adverse cardiac events (ACE) between patients with undetectable high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) (group 1), patients with hsTnT within the 99th percentile sex-specific URL (group 2), and patients with low-level hsTnT elevation (between the 99th percentile URL and ≤ 50 ng/l) (group 3). RESULTS: 30-day event rates were very low 0.1%, 0.6%, and 0.4% for hsTnT groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively (overall P = 0.041, for groups 2 & 3 interaction P = 0.74). 30-day all-cause mortality, as well as 1-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities, occurred more frequently in those with low-level hsTnT elevation as did 1-year composite ACE. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, 30-day adverse event rates were very low in those with stable low-level hsTnT elevation who ruled out for MI and were discharged from the emergency department without further inpatient testing.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The best disposition of chest pain patients who rule out for myocardial infarction (MI) but have non-low clinical risk scores in the high-sensitivity troponin era is not well studied. HYPOTHESIS: In carefully selected patients who rule out for MI, and have a high-sensitivity troponin T ≤ 50 ng/L with an absolute increase less than 5 ng/L on repeat measurements, early emergency room (ER) discharge might be equivalent to inpatient evaluation in regards to 30-day incidence of adverse cardiac events (ACEs) regardless of the clinical risk score. METHODS: A total of 12 847 chest pain patients presenting to our health system ERs from January 2017 to September 2019 were retrospectively investigated. A propensity score matching algorithm was used to account for baseline differences between admitted and discharged cohorts. We then estimated and compared the incidence of 30-day and 1-year composite ACEs (MI, urgent revascularization, or cardiovascular death) between both groups. A multivariate Cox regression model was used to evaluate the effect of admission on outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 2060 patients were matched in 1:1 fashion. The primary endpoint of 30-day composite ACEs occurred in 0.6% and 0.4% of the admission and the discharged cohorts, respectively (P = .76). One-year composite ACEs was also similar between both groups (4% vs 3.7%, P = .75). In a multivariate Cox regression model, the effect of inpatient evaluation was neutral (hazard ratio 1.1, confidence interval 0.62-1.9, P = .75). CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient evaluation was not associated with better outcomes in our selected group of patients. Larger-scale randomized trials are needed to confirm our findings.
Subject(s)
Chest Pain/blood , Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Inpatients , Myocardial Infarction/complications , Outpatients , Risk Assessment/methods , Troponin/blood , Aged , Biomarkers/blood , Chest Pain/diagnosis , Chest Pain/etiology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Myocardial Infarction/blood , Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis , Propensity Score , Retrospective Studies , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Trioxane is a stable cyclic trimer of formaldehyde. It is an active ingredient in fuel bars for heating prepackaged foods by military and outdoorspeople. Trioxane depolymerizes to formaldehyde in an acidic environment and is further oxidized to formic acid, which causes neurologic and ocular damage. Because it is solid at room temperature, trioxane is a greater potential hazard to children than aqueous formaldehyde. Little information is available regarding the management of ingestion of solid, compressed fuel bars. We present a case of a 19-mo-old male child who ingested an unknown amount of a trioxane fuel bar, with fortunately limited consequences.
Subject(s)
Folic Acid/therapeutic use , Formates/poisoning , Poisoning/drug therapy , Eating , Humans , Infant , Male , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Messenger RNA (mRNA) represents an attractive therapeutic modality for potentially a wide range of clinical indications but requires uridine chemistry modification and/or tuning of the production process to prevent activation of cellular innate immune sensors and a concomitant reduction in protein expression. To decipher the relative contributions of these factors on immune activation, here, we compared, in multiple cell and in vivo models, mRNA that encodes human erythropoietin incorporating either canonical uridine or N1-methyl-pseudouridine (1mΨ), synthesized by either a standard process shown to have double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) impurities or a modified process that yields a highly purified mRNA preparation. Our data demonstrate that the lowest stimulation of immune endpoints was with 1mΨ made by the modified process, while mRNA containing canonical uridine was immunostimulatory regardless of process. These findings confirm that uridine modification and the reduction of dsRNA impurities are both necessary and sufficient at controlling the immune-activating profile of therapeutic mRNA.
ABSTRACT
Background: The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the need for social distancing have dramatically changed health care delivery. There is an urgent need to continue to deliver outpatient care for chronic neurological disease and teleneurology has the potential to fulfill this gap. Introduction: This study reports the implementation and utilization of teleneurology across all neurological subspecilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective observational study that identified all in-person and teleneurology outpatient nonprocedural visits from January 5 to April 4, 2020, across neurological specialties at a single academic center. Visit volumes were assessed weekly and practice patterns were compared before and after March 15, 2020, as this was the date of a major statewide stay-at-home order in Ohio. Results: Before March 15 the mean in-person visit per week was 5129.4 and decreased to 866.7 after that date. The mean teleneurology visits per week increased from 209.1 to 2619.3 for the same time period. The overall teleneurology visit volume in the 3 weeks after March 15 increased by 533%. Discussion: In a relatively short time frame of 3 weeks, a single academic center was able to dramatically increase teleneurology visits to provide outpatient neurological care. Conclusions: This study demonostrates that teleneruology can be a solution for outpatient neurological care in the context of COVID-19. The increased utilization of teleneurology during this crisis has the potential to expand teleneurology and improve access to neurological care in the future outside the pandemic setting.