Feasibility, utility, and safety of fully incorporating transesophageal echocardiography into emergency medicine practice.

INTRODUCTION: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a standard procedure for emergency physicians (EPs). Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is known to have great utility in patients who are critically ill or in cardiac arrest and has been used by some EPs with specialized ultrasound (US) training, but it is generally considered outside the reach of the majority of EPs. We surmised that all of our EPs could learn to perform focused TEE (F-TEE), so we trained and credentialed all of the physicians in our group. METHODS: We trained 52 EPs to perform and interpret F-TEEs using a 4-h simulator-based course. We kept a database of all F-TEE examinations for quality assurance and continuous quality feedback. Data are reported using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Emergency physicians attempted 557 total F-TEE examinations (median = 10, interquartile range = 5-15) during the 42-month period following training. Clinically relevant images were obtained in 99% of patients. EPs without fellowship or other advanced US training performed the majority of F-TEEs (417, 74.9%) and 94.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 91.4%-96.3%) had interpretable images recorded. When TTE and TEE were both performed (n = 410), image quality of TEE was superior in 378 (93.3%, 95% CI = 89.7%-95%). Indications for F-TEE included periarrest states (55.7%), cardiac arrest (32.1%), and shock (12.2%). There was one case of endotracheal tube dislodgement during TEE placement, but this was immediately identified and replaced without complication. CONCLUSION: After initiating a mandatory group F-TEE training and credentialing program, we report the largest series to date of EP-performed resuscitative F-TEE. The majority of F-TEE examinations (75%) were performed by EPs without advanced US training beyond residency.

A retrospective study of pulseless electrical activity, bedside ultrasound identifies interventions during resuscitation associated with improved survival to hospital admission. A REASON Study.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine whether organized or disorganized cardiac activity is associated with increased survival in patients who present in pulseless electrical activity (PEA) treated with either 1) standard advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) medications or 2) other interventions. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a prospective, multi-center observational study utilizing ultrasound in out-of-hospital or inemergency department PEA arrest. Bedside ultrasound was performed as ACLS protocol started and during pulse checks. Only cases with visible cardiac activity on ultrasound were included in the present analysis. Cardiac activity was categorized as disorganized (agonal twitching) or organized (contractions with changes in ventricular dimensions). Patients were categorized as receiving either standard bolus ACLS medications or alternative medications during the resuscitation (continuous adrenergic agents, thrombolytics, others). The primary outcome was survival to hospital admission. The secondary outcome was return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Multivariate modeling was performed to assess association between survival to hospital admission in patients with intravenous adrenergic agents and cardiac activity. RESULTS: In our cohort of 225 patients in PEA cardiac arrest with cardiac activity on ultrasound, the overall survival rate was higher in patients with organized cardiac activity than with disorganized cardiac activity. PEA cardiac arrest patients with organized cardiac activity treated with standard ACLS interventions demonstrated improved survival to hospital admission compared to those with disorganized activity (37.7% (95%CI 24.8-50.2%) versus 17.9% (95%CI 10.9-28%). PEA cardiac arrest patients with organized cardiac activity who received continuous adrenergic agents during the resuscitation and prior to ROSC demonstrated higher survival to hospital admission 45.5% (95%CI 26.9-65.4%) and ROSC 90.9% (95%CI 71.0-98.7%) compared to those with disorganized cardiac activity who received continuous adrenergic agents during the resuscitation 0% (95%CI 0-23.0%) and 47.1% (95%CI 26-69%). Regression analysis demonstrates an association between increased survival in patients receiving intravenous adrenergic agents and organized cardiac activity. CONCLUSION: Survival in patients following PEA arrest is higher in patients with organized cardiac activity. The initiation of continuous adrenergic agents during PEA was associated with improved survival to hospital admission in patients with organized cardiac activity on bedside ultrasound, but this improvement was not seen in patients in PEA with disorganized cardiac activity. Bedside ultrasound may identify a subset of patients that respond differently to ACLS interventions.

Emergency department point-of-care ultrasound in out-of-hospital and in-ED cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: Point-of-care ultrasound has been suggested to improve outcomes from advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), but no large studies have explored how it should be incorporated into ACLS. Our aim was to determine whether cardiac activity on ultrasound during ACLS is associated with improved survival. METHODS: We conducted a non-randomized, prospective, protocol-driven observational study at 20 hospitals across United States and Canada. Patients presenting with out-of-hospital arrest or in-ED arrest with pulseless electrical activity or asystole were included. An ultrasound was performed at the beginning and end of ACLS. The primary outcome was survival to hospital admission. Secondary outcomes included survival to hospital discharge and return of spontaneous circulation. FINDINGS: 793 patients were enrolled, 208 (26.2%) survived the initial resuscitation, 114 (14.4%) survived to hospital admission, and 13 (1.6%) survived to hospital discharge. Cardiac activity on US was the variable most associated with survival at all time points. On multivariate regression modeling, cardiac activity was associated with increased survival to hospital admission (OR 3.6, 2.2-5.9) and hospital discharge (OR 5.7, 1.5-21.9). No cardiac activity on US was associated with non-survival, but 0.6% (95% CI 0.3-2.3) survived to discharge. Ultrasound identified findings that responded to non-ACLS interventions. Patients with pericardial effusion and pericardiocentesis demonstrated higher survival rates (15.4%) compared to all others (1.3%). CONCLUSION: Cardiac activity on ultrasound was the variable most associated with survival following cardiac arrest. Ultrasound during cardiac arrest identifies interventions outside of the standard ACLS algorithm.

Identification of lipohemarthrosis with point-of-care emergency ultrasonography: case report and brief literature review.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic knee pain is a common complaint in the emergency department (ED). Conventional radiographs are often ordered as the initial screening study, but might not be readily available or always identify significant fractures. Ultrasonography has been shown to be useful in the evaluation of knee fractures not identified by radiography. OBJECTIVES: To discuss and briefly review the literature regarding the use of suprapatellar bursal ultrasonography to detect lipohemarthrosis (LH) as a surrogate marker for an intraarticular knee fracture. CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old man presented to the ED after a traumatic knee injury. Bedside ultrasonography demonstrated the characteristic triple layer sign of LH, raising the suspicion for an intraarticular fracture. The diagnosis was later confirmed with radiography and computed tomography (CT). CONCLUSIONS: The sonographic finding of LH may be used as a sensitive surrogate marker for intraarticular knee fracture in the ED. Ultrasound can be considered as an adjunct modality in ED patients with suspicion for fracture and negative knee radiographs.

Dynamic anatomic relationship of the esophagus and trachea on sonography: implications for endotracheal tube confirmation in children.

OBJECTIVES: Sonographic visualization of an empty esophagus to confirm endotracheal tube placement during intubation may be more reliable than identifying an endotracheal tube within the trachea. Our objective was to determine the frequency in which the normal empty esophagus can be identified at or below the level of the cricoid ring in children. METHODS: A prospective cohort of children and young adults presenting to the emergency department were examined by sonography to determine the dynamic anatomic relationship of the trachea and esophagus at or below the level of the cricoid ring. For children with the esophagus behind or partially behind the trachea, cricoid pressure was applied using a linear array transducer to visualize the presence of lateral sliding of the esophagus from behind the trachea. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients 21 years or younger were examined; 51% (28) were male. Sixty-two percent (34) had esophagi positioned partially to the left of the cricoid ring, 20% (11) completely to the left of the cricoid ring, 16% (9) behind the cricoid ring, and 2% (1) partially to the right of the cricoid ring. When cricoid pressure was applied using the ultrasound transducer, the esophagus was visualized lateral to the trachea in all patients (54 to the left and 1 to the right; n = 55 of 55; 95% confidence interval, 94%-100%). CONCLUSIONS: With cricoid pressure applied using a linear transducer, the esophagus was visualized lateral to the trachea in all children and young adults. Visualizing an empty esophagus by point-of-care sonography may be feasible to confirm endotracheal tube placement by a process of elimination.

Prevalence of undiagnosed hypoxemia in adults and children in an under-resourced district hospital in Zambia.

BACKGROUND: In adequately resourced clinical environments, diagnosis of hypoxemia via pulse oximetry is routine. Unfortunately, pulse oximetry is rarely utilized in under-resourced hospitals in developing countries. AIM: The prevalence of undiagnosed hypoxemia among adults and children with illnesses other than pneumonia in these environments remains poorly described. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis of the prevalence of hypoxemia was conducted in Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia, at the 60-bed District Hospital, which serves a population of 320,000. The resting room air oxygen saturations of two consecutive samples of all adult and pediatric inpatients were measured in December 2008 and March 2009 using handheld pulse oximetry. Hypoxemia was defined as resting room air SpO(2) less than 90%. RESULTS: A total of 192 patients were enrolled: 68 young children (<5 years old), 15 older children (5-17 years old), and 109 adults (≥18 years old). Five young children (7%), 0 older children (0%), and 10 adults (9%) were hypoxemic. No hypoxemic patients were receiving oxygen therapy at the time of diagnosis. Pneumonia, tuberculosis, and malnutrition were the most common conditions among those with hypoxemia. Oximetry data changed clinical management in all observed cases of hypoxemia and several cases of normoxemia, leading to application of supplemental oxygen, initiation of further diagnostic testing, prolongation of inpatient stay, or expedited discharge home. CONCLUSIONS: Undiagnosed hypoxemia is present among inpatients at this district hospital in rural Zambia with high prevalence in both adults and young children. These results support routine screening for hypoxemia in similar facilities in both age groups. Further investigation is warranted into the clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of pulse oximetry, provision of oxygen concentrators, and training on their use in developing countries.

An unusual cause of severe dyspnea: diastolic dysfunction due to calcific constrictive pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: Constrictive pericarditis is a rare cause of dyspnea. This disease shares many signs and symptoms with other causes of cardiac failure as well as gastrointestinal and renal diseases, making it difficult to diagnose. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 73-year-old woman who presented to our Emergency Department (ED) in respiratory failure after a recent history of worsening dyspnea. Constrictive pericarditis was strongly suspected on bedside ultrasonography. Computed tomography scan showed extensive pericardial calcifications and large pleural effusions, supporting the diagnoses. The patient was admitted for treatment and evaluation of constrictive pericarditis, but died of complications during cardiac catheterization. CONCLUSIONS: The etiology and physiology of constrictive pericarditis are reviewed and an ultrasound-centered approach to undifferentiated dyspnea in the ED is discussed.