Acute ischemic stroke or migraine with aura? Triage considerations.

ABSTRACT: This article discusses the complex relationship between acute ischemic stroke and migraine with aura, and critical nursing interventions.

Anesthesia for Patients Who Self-Report Cannabis (Marijuana) Use Before Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: A Retrospective Review.

Increasing numbers of patients are using cannabis before procedures that require anesthesia. This study set out to examine the impact of cannabis use on anesthetic agent requirements, associated cardiac and respiratory morbidity, and overall satisfaction levels in patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). This involved a retrospective review of patients undergoing EGD at a single center. Fortyseven, self-reported cannabis users were identified and 23 were successfully cross-matched with control participants for comparison purposes. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to evaluate differences in propofol administration between the 2 groups, and the McNemar test was used to test for differences in fentanyl and ketamine administration. No statistically significant differences were observed in propofol, fentanyl, or ketamine administration in the cannabis group compared with the control group. No adverse cardiac or respiratory events were reported within 30 days for either group. This study was specific to EGD procedures of short duration, and larger studies are needed to confirm results of no consequence in cannabis users undergoing anesthesia. Future studies should consider cannabis users who undergo anesthesia for diverse procedure types of various durations.

Thrombocytopenia: Effect in Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: There are 2 classification of strokes: ischemic, if caused by an arterial occlusion from a clot or obstruction by atherosclerosis, and hemorrhagic, if caused by the rupture of a vessel and subsequent bleeding. Each type of stroke is influenced by platelet counts and platelet function. The intention of this article is to discuss the role of the platelet in the pathophysiology of acute stroke processes. This serves as a prelude to discussing these processes as disrupted with thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts). Platelets initiate clot formation and obstruct blood flow through the creation of a platelet plug. They also extend the penumbra in ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Thrombocytopenia can be a causal factor in an ischemic stroke, a risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke, and a risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke conversion. METHODS: The aims of this study were to review 1 case study that illustrates the pivotal role of the platelet in strokes and to review the aspect that was impacted by autoimmune thrombocytopenia. DISCUSSION: Thrombocytopenia is a hematologic disorder not often included in stroke care discussions. Thrombocytopenia sets up strokes to occur and, paradoxically, may also set the patient up for bleeding complications in the brain or groin. CONCLUSION: Acknowledging the impact of both platelet and thrombocytopenia on stroke causation, stroke interventions, and outcomes is a pivotal aspect of comprehensive stroke care. Platelet function processes are impactful in each point of the continuum of stroke care, prevention, intervention, and discharge.

Tolvaptan for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: Pharmacokinetics and Implications for Practice.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is incurable and occurs once in every 1,000 births. Confirmation of AKPKD is made through imaging and a positive family history. Symptoms typically appear in mid-life and include kidney, side, and/or back pain related to the rupture of kidney cysts, renal stones, infection, pressure of cysts against other organs, and stretching of the renal capsule. In addition to end stage renal disease, cerebral aneurysm may also be a threat to individuals with this diagnosis. Recent clinical trials have shown that tolvaptan, a vasopressin-2 receptor antagonist, produced a moderate to significant reduction in total kidney volume and improved function, leading to its recent approval by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration for treatment of patients with ADPKD. This article provides a comprehensive look at the pathophysiology of ADPKD, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of tolvaptan, and tolvaptan's clinical implications, effects, and contraindications. In addition, we present a case study discussing tolvaptan's clinical usefulness and address patient concerns in an adult presenting with rapidly progressing ADPKD.

Perioperative Considerations in Patients With Concussion.

Concussions affect the normal functioning of the autonomic nervous system and glucose metabolism, impair cerebral autoregulation to Paco2, and produce abnormal variances in myogenic and vagal tone. Because anesthesia also has an impact on these same processes, it is vital to delineate the best practice in the perianesthesia period to minimize additional damage to the concussed brain. There are currently no practice guidelines surrounding perianesthesia management of patients with concussion to guide practice. To answer 4 clinically pertinent questions for nurse anesthesia practice, the authors completed a literature review. Articles obtained from the search that were identified as randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, or integrative reviews were evaluated for relevance to clinical practice. Many of the literature recommendations emphasize the prevention of secondary neurologic injury. Optimal outcomes are believed to best align with careful attention to mean arterial pressures and Paco2 to prevent global hypoperfusion. The impact of particular anesthetic agents on concussion injuries is unknown. Major advances in neuroimaging, biomarker identification, and technology have occurred. However, further research is needed to identify evidence-based interventions for managing patients after concussion requiring anesthesia.

Bone Cement Implantation Syndrome: Key Concepts for Perioperative Nurses.

Bone cement implantation syndrome (BCIS) is a potentially fatal complication of orthopedic surgeries that use cement. The symptoms of BCIS occur primarily during femoral fracture repairs, but this complication has been reported in a wide variety of cemented procedures. Clinical presentation of this syndrome begins as a cascade with hypoxia and hypotension; if it is not reversed, it ends with right-sided heart failure and cardiac arrest. This syndrome usually occurs at cementation, prosthesis insertion, joint reduction, or tourniquet deflation, and should be treated with aggressive resuscitation and supportive care. This article provides a comprehensive explanation of bone cement, the identification and management of BCIS, and the roles of the perioperative team in the event of cardiopulmonary collapse. It includes a case study that can be used as an educational tool for simulation, mock drills, or staff meetings; it also may be used as a framework for creating policies.

Periprocedural Considerations for Anticoagulated Atrial Fibrillation Patients.

Periprocedural patient instruction and coordination is an important piece in achieving safe outcomes for patients needing procedures and receiving anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation. Balancing the needs for anticoagulation versus bleeding during the procedure requires clinical reasoning and preparation. In this article, the current guidelines for use of anticoagulants with atrial fibrillation, the relevant pharmacology, and the use of standardized tools to quantify the risks of thrombus or bleeding in the procedures will be discussed. In addition, resources for examining the optimal practice for these case types will be provided. Perianesthesia health care providers are pivotal to lead relevant stakeholders in the perianesthesia setting work together to create protocols and individual plans of care for this patient population.

Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Autoimmune Diseases Requiring Critical Care.

Proper functioning within the gastrointestinal (GI) system is essential to immune integrity. Autoimmune diseases (ADs) can disrupt GI integrity and cause serious derangements of organ function. ADs exist on a continuum of mild to severe. Life-threatening presentations of ADs can lead to rapid clinical demise. Additionally, the medications used to control ADs can precipitate gastric bleeding and predispose patients to sepsis in critical care. AD treatment focuses on diminishing symptoms through reducing autoantibody production that leads to cytokine release. This article details common and rare presentations of acute ADs associated with GI manifestations in critically ill patients.

Valproic Acid: Special Considerations and Targeted Monitoring.

Valproic acid (VPA) is a medication used to treat multiple neuroscience conditions. It is an inexpensive and useful medication, with a low incidence of adverse drug events. Nonetheless, optimal clinical outcomes require that a series of screening and laboratory steps be followed before the initiation of VPA therapy. An additional aspect of pharmacovigilance is to recognize clinical patterns signaling genetic traits that preclude VPA, background of the black box warnings, targeted assessments, and laboratory monitoring indicated while on VPA. The intention of this article is to provide a focused summary of published information clinically relevant to prescribing and monitoring these patients.

Drug-Induced Liver Injury.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) can result from both idiosyncratic and intrinsic mechanisms. This article discusses the clinical impact of DILI from a broad range of medications as well as herbal and dietary supplements. Risk factors for idiosyncratic DILI (IDILI) are the result of multiple host, environmental, and compound factors. Some triggers of IDILI often seen in critical care include antibiotics, antiepileptic medications, statins, novel anticoagulants, proton pump inhibitors, inhaled anesthetics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and azathioprine. The mechanism of IDILI due to these medications varies, and the resulting damage can be cholestatic, hepatocellular, or mixed. The primary treatment of IDILI is to discontinue the causative agent. DILI due to acetaminophen is intrinsic because the liver damage is predictably aligned with the dose ingested. Acute acetaminophen ingestion can be treated with activated charcoal or N-acetylcysteine. Future areas of research include identification of mitochondrial stress biomarkers and of the patients at highest risk for DILI.

Angioedema: Clinical Presentations and Pharmacological Management.

Angioedema (AE) is a unique clinical presentation of an unchecked release of bradykinin. The origin of this clinical presentation can be either genetic or acquired. The outcome within the patient is subcutaneous swelling of the lower layers of the epidermis. Symptoms are most often localized to the upper airway or the gastrointestinal tract. A typical course resolves in 5 to 7 days, but in some patients, the clinical manifestations exist up to 6 weeks. Hereditary AE is rare and genetically linked, and typically, the patient has episodes for many years before diagnosis. Episodes of acquired AE may be drug induced, triggered by a specific allergen, or idiopathic. Angioedema can elicit the need for critical care interventions, for advanced airway management, or unnecessary abdominal surgery. The treatment for these patients is evolving as new pharmacological agents are developed. This article addresses subtypes of AE, triggers, pharmacology, and information for interdisciplinary team planning of individualized case management.