Impact of Pandemic Response on Training Experience of Anesthesiology Residents in an Academic Medical Center: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic substantially altered operations at hospitals that support graduate medical education. We examined the impact of the pandemic on an anesthesiology training program with respect to overall case volume, subspecialty exposure, procedural skill experience, and approaches to airway management. Methods Data for this single center, retrospective cohort study came from an Institutional Review Board approved repository for clinical data. Date ranges were divided into the following phases in 2020: Pre-Pandemic (PP), Early Pandemic (EP), Recovery 1 (R1), and Recovery 2 (R2). All periods were compared to the same period from 2019 for case volume, anesthesia provider type, trainee exposure to Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) index case categories, airway technique, and patient variables. Results 15,087 cases were identified, with 5,598 (37.6%) in the PP phase, 1,570 (10.5%) in the EP phase, 1,451 (9.7%) in the R1 phase, and 6,269 (42.1%) in the R2 phase. There was a significant reduction in case volume during the EP phase compared to the corresponding period in 2019 (-55.3%; P < .001) that improved but did not return to baseline by the R2 phase (-17.6%; P < .001). ACGME required minimum cases were reduced during the EP phase compared to 2019 data for pediatric cases (age < 12 y, -72.1%; P < .001 and age < 3 y, -53.5%; P < .006) and cardiopulmonary bypass cases (52.3%, P < .003). Surgical subspecialty case volumes were significantly reduced in the EP phase except for transplant surgery. By the R2 phase, all subspecialty volumes had recovered except for plastic surgery (14.9 vs. 10.5 cases/week; P < .006) and surgical endoscopy (59.2 vs. 40 cases/week; P < .001). Use of video laryngoscopy (VL) and rapid sequence induction and intubation (RSII) also increased from the PP to the EP phase (24.6 vs. 79.6%; P < .001 and 10.3 vs. 52.3%; P < .001, respectively) and remained elevated into the R2 phase (35.2%; P < 0.001 and 23.1%; P < .001, respectively). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic produced significant changes in surgical case exposure for a relatively short period. The impact was short-lived, with sufficient remaining time to meet the annual ACGME program minimum case requirements and procedural experiences. The longer-term impact may be a shift towards the increased use of VL and RSII, which became more prevalent during the early phase of the pandemic.

Feasibility of basic transesophageal echocardiography in hemorrhagic shock: potential applications during resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA).

BACKGROUND: There are numerous studies in the cardiovascular literature that have employed transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in swine models, but data regarding the use of basic TEE in swine models is limited. The primary aim of this study is to describe an echocardiographic method that can be used with relative ease to qualitatively assess cardiovascular function in a porcine hemorrhagic shock model using resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA). METHODS: Multiplane basic TEE exams were performed in 15 during an experimental hemorrhage model using REBOA. Cardiac anatomical structure and functional measurements were obtained. In a convenience sample (two animals from each group), advanced functional cardiovascular measurements were obtained before and after REBOA inflation for comparison with qualitative assessments. RESULTS: Basic TEE exams were performed in 15 swine. Appropriate REBOA placement was confirmed using TEE in all animals and verified with fluoroscopy. Left ventricular volume was decreased in all animals, and left ventricular systolic function increased following REBOA inflation. Right ventricular systolic function and volume remained normal prior to and after hemorrhage and REBOA use. Mean ejection fraction (EF) decreased from 64% (S.D. 9.6) to 62.1 (S.D. 16.8) after hemorrhage and REBOA inflation (p = 0.76); fractional area of change (FAC) decreased from 49.8 (S.D. 9.0) to 48.5 (S.D. 13.6) after hemorrhage and REBOA inflation (p = 0.82). CONCLUSION: Basic TEE, which requires less training than advanced TEE, may be employed by laboratory investigators and practitioners across a wide spectrum of experimental and clinical settings.

Marauding terrorist attack (MTA): prehospital considerations.

Terrorist attacks are increasing each year as are the number of deaths associated with them. Recent incidents have seen a shift in tactics with the use of multiple terrorists across multiple locations with firearms or knives, referred to as the marauding terrorist attack. These methods are becoming more prevalent alongside the use of vehicles deliberately aimed at pedestrians. Management of these incidents can be challenging. Not only it involves a large number of casualties but also the management of a dynamic scene in terms of both location and threat from attack. In order to improve response, and potentially outcomes, a system or response needs to have preplanned and practised procedures in place. This article reviews major incident management for those unfamiliar with current prehospital practice and details some of the findings from recent marauding terrorist firearm attacks, in particular the evolution of newer scene management tools such as 3 Echo and THREAT. It highlights the importance of haemorrhage control and the public initiatives focusing on actions during a terrorist incident.

Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta and the Anesthesiologist: A Case Report and Literature Review.

The most common preventable cause of death after trauma is exsanguination due to uncontrolled hemorrhage. Traditionally, anterolateral emergency department thoracotomy is used for temporary control of noncompressible torso hemorrhage and to increase preload after trauma. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta is a minimally invasive technique that achieves similar goals. It is therefore imperative for the anesthesiologist to understand physiologic implications during resuscitative endovascular aortic occlusion and after balloon deflation. We report a case of a patient with significant pelvic and lower-extremity trauma who required acute resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta deployment, aggressive resuscitation, and extensive intraoperative hemorrhage control.

Rocuronium is associated with an increased risk of reintubation in patients with soft tissue infections.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors associated with reintubations in adult patients with soft tissue infections. DESIGN: A retrospective case-control design. SETTING: Operating room and postoperative recovery area. PATIENTS: There were 39 patients who presented for surgical intervention of their soft tissue infection and 222 controls having general surgery who were matched for age, sex, and body mass index. All patients were older than the age of 18 years and mostly American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of III to IV and presented to our level 1 trauma center. INTERVENTIONS: Reintubation within 2 hours after planned extubation. MEASUREMENTS: The following data were collected: reintubation rates, train of four ratio, reversal agents, age, sex, creatinine, smoking history, transfusion requirements, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, hemoglobin, and lactate. MAIN RESULTS: The use of rocuronium was independently associated with increased odds of reintubation. Patients with a higher train of four ratio were more likely to be reintubated and less likely to be reversed as compared to those with a lower train of four ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Soft tissue patients who have received rocuronium are at increased risk for reintubation, particularly those with renal failure. In addition, this article supports the use of neuromuscular blockade reversals, even in patients with a strong train of four ratio.

The role of recombinant-activated factor VII in bleeding trauma patients.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Exsanguinating hemorrhage and postshock organ failure account for 35-40% of deaths from trauma, and there is an increasing recognition of the importance of coagulopathy in the evolution of this disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Since 1999, case reports, small series, retrospective studies and a few controlled trials have reported the use of recombinant-activated factor VII (rFVIIa) as an adjunct for reversal of coagulopathy in trauma patients, and numerous other publications have examined the use of rFVIIa in related conditions such as traumatic brain injury, hemorrhagic stroke and uncontrolled surgical bleeding. SUMMARY: We present a brief discussion of the mechanism of action of rFVIIa and its role in facilitating hemostasis and a review of the recent medical literature on the use of rFVIIa in trauma patients, including current guidelines and controversies.