Optimal VAsopressor TitraTION in patients 65 years and older (OVATION-65): protocol and statistical analysis plan for a randomised clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Vasodilatory hypotension is common among intensive care unit (ICU) patients; vasopressors are considered standard of care. However, optimal mean arterial pressure (MAP) targets for vasopressor titration are unknown. The objective of the Optimal VAsopressor TitraTION in patients 65 years and older (OVATION-65) trial is to ascertain the effect of permissive hypotension (vasopressor titration to achieve MAP 60-65 mm Hg) versus usual care on biomarkers of organ injury in hypotensive patients aged ≥65 years. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: OVATION-65 is an allocation-concealed randomised trial in 7 Canadian hospitals. Eligible patients are ≥65 years of age, in an ICU with vasodilatory hypotension, receiving vasopressors for ≤12 hours to maintain MAP ≥65 mm Hg during or after adequate fluid resuscitation, and expected to receive vasopressors for ≥6 additional hours. Patients are excluded for any of the following: active treatment for spinal cord or acute brain injury; vasopressors given solely for bleeding, ventricular failure or postcardiopulmonary bypass vasoplegia; withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments expected within 48 hours; death perceived as imminent; previous enrolment in OVATION-65; organ transplant within the last year; receiving extracorporeal life support or lack of physician equipoise. Patients are randomised to permissive hypotension versus usual care for up to 28 days. The primary outcome is high-sensitivity troponin T, a biomarker of cardiac injury, on day 3. Secondary outcomes include biomarkers of injury to other organs (brain, liver, intestine, skeletal muscle); lactate (a biomarker of global tissue dysoxia); resource utilisation; adverse events; mortality (90 days and 6 months) and cognitive function (6 months). Assessors of biomarkers, mortality and cognitive function are blinded to allocation. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol has been approved at all sites. Consent is obtained from the eligible patient, the substitute decision-maker if the patient is incapable, or in a deferred fashion where permitted. End-of-grant dissemination plans include presentations, publications and social media platforms and discussion forums. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03431181.

Impact of the adolescent pertussis booster dose on the incidence of pertussis in British Columbia and Quebec, Canada.

Impact of an adolescent tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine program was assessed in the provinces of British Columbia and Quebec, Canada. In both provinces, the Tdap booster has been in place since 2004, targeting Grade 9 students (14-15-years-of-age). Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) standardizing notification rates among teens 15-19-years-old to infants <1-year-old decreased following introduction of the Tdap program and were significantly halved during the 2009-2012 post-Tdap versus 2000-2003 pre-Tdap period. This program impact, however, is tempered by the observation that pertussis incidence among 15-19-year-olds was already lower than any other pediatric age group, following gradual decline from pre-teen rates even before the Tdap program. The risk of hospitalization among adolescents 15-19-years-old was also low throughout at <1/100,000. Furthermore, IRRs increased in 2013-2017 when an increasing proportion of 15-19-year-olds were primed with acellular pertussis vaccine only, suggesting short-lived Tdap booster-dose effectiveness that warrants further monitoring.

Exposure to carbon monoxide during indoor karting.

Karting is a recreational activity of increasing popularity and it is often practiced indoors leading to build up of toxic gases in ambient air. This study was realised to verify the level of exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) in ten male racers (Age: 15 to 49 years old) during a 45-min race. The alveolar concentration of CO (alvCO) for each participant was measured before and after the race. The ambient CO level was determined continuously from the start to the end of the race with two detectors. Mean ambient air CO concentration was 41 ppm and the average increase of alvCO for the ten subjects was 16.2 ppm corresponding to about 3% COHb. Based on these results and on the Coburn model, a reference limit of 25 ppm was suggested for a 1 h exposure during indoor karting. At the request of the public health authorities, some modifications were made to the karts, to the CO monitoring surveillance system and to the ventilation system of the building. CO concentrations were monitored thereafter. The guideline of 25 ppm for 60 min was always respected.

A public health case study : Carbon monoxide severe intoxication in a residential home following trench blasting

We present a unusual case of two near fatal cases of carbon monoxide intoxication probably consecutive to blasting performances near a residential home. In this paper, the public health agency emergency response is described (AU)