Early carotid endarterectomy for critical carotid artery stenosis after thrombolysis therapy in acute ischemic stroke in the middle cerebral artery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has been shown to be effective for acute ischemic stroke. However, if a high-grade cervical carotid stenosis remains despite tPA therapy, patients are at risk for recurrent stroke. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been shown to be effective in symptomatic patients with high-grade cervical carotid stenosis in reducing the risk of stroke, but it is unknown whether CEA can be performed safely after tPA thrombolysis. We describe our experience with 5 patients who underwent early (<48 hours) CEA for residual high-grade cervical carotid stenosis after thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke in the middle cerebral artery territory. METHODS: All patients had a critical (>99%) carotid artery stenosis on the symptomatic side after tPA therapy. All patients received intravenous tPA; 3 patients also received intra-aortic tPA. Three patients received intravenous heparin infusion immediately after administration of tPA. All patients showed marked improvement in their National Institutes for Health Stroke Scale scores after treatment with tPA. CEA was then performed within 45 hours (6 hours in 1 patient, 23 hours in 2, 26 hours in 1, and 45 hours in 1). RESULTS: All 5 patients underwent successful CEA. There were no complications related to surgery. At discharge, 2 patients had a normal examination, and the remaining patients had mild deficits. In a long-term follow-up of 5 to 22 months, no patient had a recurrent cerebrovascular event. CONCLUSIONS: Early CEA can be performed safely and successfully in patients after tPA treatment for acute ischemic stroke in appropriately selected patients.

Can emergency department triage nurses predict patients' dispositions?

Early recognition of inpatient bed requirements might be helpful in expediting the admission process through the emergency department (ED). With this in mind, we asked whether ED triage nurses could accurately predict patients' in-hospital dispositions. A prediction was recorded for 521 ED patients, of whom 107 (20.5%) were ultimately admitted to the hospital. Nurses correctly anticipated 66 of 107 hospital admissions (sensitivity = 61.7%, PPV = 61.7%). With respect to predicting specific levels of inpatient care, nurses correctly anticipated 17 of 45 floor admissions (sensitivity = 37.8%, PPV = 34.7%), 14 of 33 step-down/monitored unit admissions (sensitivity = 42.4%, PPV = 48.3%), and 12 of 24 intensive care unit admissions (sensitivity = 50.0%, PPV = 66.7%). Lacking in sensitivity and positive predictive value, particularly with regard to specific levels of inpatient care, triage nurses' predictions may have limited potential to expedite the admission process.

Safety of air medical transportation after tissue plasminogen activator administration in acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We sought to determine the safety of air medical transport (AMT) of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) immediately after or during administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Patients with AIS treated with tPA in nonuniversity hospitals frequently need transfer to tertiary care centers that can provide specialized care. AMT is a widely available mode of transport that is crucial in providing expedient and quality health care to critically ill patients while assuring high level of care during transportation. The safety of AMT of patients with AIS after or during administration of tPA has not been examined. METHODS: We performed retrospective chart review of 24 patients with AIS who were treated with intravenous tPA and transferred by helicopter to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania or the University of Cincinnati Hospital. The charts were reviewed for neurological complications, systemic complications, and adherence to the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) protocol for AIS management. RESULTS: No major neurological or systemic complications occurred. Four patients had hypertension warranting treatment, 3 patients experienced motion sickness, 1 patient developed a transient confusional state, and 1 patient experienced minor systemic bleeding. Four NINDS protocol violations occurred, all related to blood pressure management. CONCLUSIONS: In this small series, AMT of AIS patients after thrombolysis was not associated with any major neurological or systemic complications. Flight crew education on the NINDS AIS protocol is essential in limiting the number of protocol violations. AMT of patients with AIS provides fast and safe access to tertiary centers that can provide state of the art stroke therapy.

Public perception of stroke warning signs and knowledge of potential risk factors.

CONTEXT: Decreasing the time from stroke onset to hospital arrival and improving control of stroke risk factors depend on public knowledge of stroke warning signs and risk factors. OBJECTIVE: To assess current public knowledge of stroke warning signs and risk factors. DESIGN: A population-based telephone interview survey using random digit dialing conducted in 1995. SETTING: The Greater Cincinnati, Ohio, metropolitan area, the population of which is similar to that of the United States overall in age, sex, percentage of blacks, and economic status. PARTICIPANTS: Respondents with age, race, and sex that matched the population of patients with acute stroke. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge of risk factors for stroke and warning signs of stroke as defined by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. RESULTS: Telephone calls were made to 17634 households, which yielded 2642 demographically eligible individuals. Interviews were completed by 1880 respondents (response rate, 71.2%). A total of 1066 respondents (57%) correctly listed at least 1 of the 5 established stroke warning signs, and of all respondents, 1274 (68%) correctly listed at least 1 of the established stroke risk factors. Of the respondents, 469 (57%) of 818 respondents with a history of hypertension listed hypertension, 142 (35%) of 402 respondents who were current smokers listed smoking, and 32 (13%) of 255 respondents with diabetes listed diabetes as a risk factor for stroke. Compared with those younger than 75 years, respondents 75 years or older were less likely to correctly list at least 1 stroke warning sign (60% vs 47%, respectively; P<.001) and were less likely to list at least 1 stroke risk factor (72% vs 56%, respectively; P<.001). CONCLUSION: Considerable education is needed to increase the public's awareness of the warning signs and risk factors for stroke. Respondents with self-reported risk factors for stroke are largely unaware of their increased risk. The population at greatest risk for stroke, the very elderly, are the least knowledgeable about stroke warning signs and risk factors.

Field trial of endotracheal intubation by basic EMTs.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The 1994 basic-EMT (EMT-B) curriculum recommended teaching EMT-Bs the skill of endotracheal intubation. In this study we assessed the success and complication rates of endotracheal intubations in the field by EMT-Bs. METHODS: We conducted a prospective clinical trial over a period of 28 months in an urban out-of-hospital EMS system. Four first-responder EMT-B engine companies with paramedic backup received 10 hours; intubation training in three sessions spread over at least 2 weeks. The training module was similar to that of the 1994 EMT-B curriculum and included at least 10 intubations on manikins. The EMTs used manikins with closed chest cavities to learn assessment of endotracheal-tube placement. Patients were eligible for intubation by the EMTs if they were apneic and older than 15 years. We calculated 95% confidence interval (CIs) for intubation success rates. RESULTS: Sixty-six EMT-Bs passed the training examinations and were authorized to perform intubation in the field. Endotracheal intubation was attempted by EMTs in 103 patients; the attempt was successful in 53 (95% CI, 42% to 61%). All patients who were not intubated by EMT-Bs were intubated by paramedics, with the exception of six cases. One attempt at intubation was made in 52 patients, two attempts in 44, and three in 7. Three unrecognized esophageal intubations occurred. CONCLUSION: EMT-Bs trained in a short course successfully intubated about half the patients they encountered in this study. This low intubation success rate calls into question the validity of the endotracheal-intubation training module in the 1994 EMT-B national curriculum.

Pediatric emergency department analgesic practice.

OBJECTIVE: To review recent acute pain management care issues in a pediatric emergency department (ED) in order to identify opportunities for a performance improvement program. DESIGN: Descriptive, retrospective chart review. SETTING: Urban pediatric hospital ED. PARTICIPANTS: Between January 1 and December 31, 1994 consecutive patients identified by ED chart review with the following three acute painful conditions were included; sickle cell vasoocclusive crisis (VOC) not complicated by fever or neurologic symptoms, isolated lower extremity long bone fractures < 12 hours old that did not require a reduction, and second degree burns < 12 hours old. Data collection concluded when between 50 and 55 episodes of each painful condition were identified. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ED analgesic administration, initial analgesic dose, initial time elapsed to analgesic administration, notation of pain relief, and home analgesic instruction. Recommended analgesic starting doses were chosen from the 1992 Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Clinical Practice Guidelines. INTERVENTIONS: None. RESULTS: ED analgesic use for VOC was 100%, for fracture was 31%, and for burn was 26%. A recommended starting analgesic dose was given to 78% with VOC, 69% with fracture, and 79% with burn. Mean time to initial analgesic for VOC was 52 minutes, for fracture was 86 minutes, and for burn was 29 minutes. In those given analgesics, notation of pain relief for fracture was 19% and for burn was 29%, this improved for VOC where it was 88%. Home analgesic instruction for VOC was 100%, for fracture was 74%, and for burn was 27%. CONCLUSION: These data from 1994 document suboptimal analgesic use and home analgesic instruction for children in our ED with burns and fractures. Other opportunities in our ED for acute pain management improvement include optimizing initial analgesic doses, shortening the time elapsed to initial analgesic administration, and documenting the response to pain management.

Vocal cord dysfunction presenting as acute asthma in a pediatric patient.

We report a pediatric patient with an acute onset of paradoxical vocal cord movement which presented as his first episode of wheezing. History and physical examination suggested the diagnosis of vocal cord dysfunction, which was confirmed by a flexible fiberoptic nasophayrngoscopic examination. This is the first report of paradoxical vocal cord movement being made on initial presentation of wheezing in the emergency department and supports earlier reports that this diagnosis can be made in the pediatric population. The practicing pediatric emergency physician should consider the diagnosis of paradoxical vocal cord dysfunction in the differential diagnosis of wheezing in the pediatric patient, especially if the patient does not have the typical historical and physical findings associated with reactive airway disease.

Teaching basic EMTs endotracheal intubation: can basic EMTs discriminate between endotracheal and esophageal intubation?

HYPOTHESIS: Advanced airway intervention techniques are being considered for use by basic emergency medical technicians (EMTs). It was hypothesized that basic EMTs would be able to discriminate reliably between intratracheal and esophageal endotracheal tube placement in a mannequin model. DESIGN: An airway mannequin with a closed chest cavity was intubated randomly either esophageally or tracheally, and the cuff was inflated. A stethoscope, bag ventilator, and laryngoscope were available next to the mannequin. Placement was assessed by auscultation or direct visualization at the discretion of the EMT. A blinded investigator graded the student. SETTING: A classroom in a large, urban medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects were basic EMTs who volunteered to take part after the conclusion of a six-hour endotracheal intubation training course. RESULTS: Thirty-three subjects were tested. Seventeen of 18 (94%) tracheal intubations and 11 of 15 (73%) esophageal intubations were identified correctly. Only 72% of the students listened to the epigastrium, 81% listened to the lungs, and 85% attempted ventilation. The 10 students who visualized the cords discovered all five esophageal intubations. The 23 students who did not visualize the cords missed four and found six esophageal intubations. CONCLUSION: Basic EMTs had difficulty assessing endotracheal tube placement in a mannequin model. The 27% miss rate for identifying esophageal intubations suggests that basic EMTs will require additional training for safe field use of any airway that requires assessment of tube placement.