Times to endovascular treatment following two triage models.

INTRODUCTION: Debate is ongoing regarding the best service model for achieving a prompt recanalization in LVO ischemic stroke with an indication for thrombectomy. We aim to assess differences between two of the existing models within our region. METHODS: We work in a cluster of three public hospitals (one hub and two spokes) forming a single functional neurology service in Madrid (Spain). Upon a LVO case out of regular hours, the interventional neuroradiologist drives to the hub hospital following the drive-the-doctor paradigm (DD). For any of the spokes, the patient is transferred to the nearest endovascular-capable hospital (drip-and-ship-DS) following the Madrid Stroke Plan. We compared times to endovascular procedures between cases managed under each model. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients in the period April 2014-March 2021 meet the inclusion criteria (DD 27; DS 11). While baseline characteristics are comparable between groups, we observed a notable difference in the time delays favoring those managed under the DD model; with differences between median times of 105 min for hospital arrival-groin puncture (DD 140 [110-181]; DS 245 [222-310], p 0.0004); 122 min for CT-groin puncture (DD 100 [85-144]; DS 222 [200-255], p = 0.0001); and 98 min for hospital arrival-recanalization (DD 180 [140-209]; DS 278 [241-360], p = 0.0014). No differences were observed for NIHSS or mRS on discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the drip-and-ship, the drive-the-doctor triage model for patients with LVO ischemic stroke in primary centers seems to guarantee a shorter time to the start of the endovascular procedure and to recanalization in our region.

Postural lung recruitment assessed by lung ultrasound in mechanically ventilated children.

BACKGROUND: Atelectasis is a common finding in mechanically ventilated children with healthy lungs. This lung collapse cannot be overcome using standard levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and thus for only individualized lung recruitment maneuvers lead to satisfactory therapeutic results. In this short communication, we demonstrate by lung ultrasound images (LUS) the effect of a postural recruitment maneuver (P-RM, i.e., a ventilatory strategy aimed at reaerating atelectasis by changing body position under constant ventilation). RESULTS: Data was collected in the operating room of the Hospital Privado de Comunidad, Mar del Plata, Argentina. Three anesthetized children undergoing mechanical ventilation at constant settings were sequentially subjected to the following two maneuvers: (1) PEEP trial in the supine position PEEP was increased to 10 cmH2O for 3 min and then decreased to back to baseline. (2) P-RM patient position was changed from supine to the left and then to the right lateral position for 90 s each before returning to supine. The total P-RM procedure took approximately 3 min. LUS in the supine position showed similar atelectasis before and after the PEEP trial. Contrarily, atelectasis disappeared in the non-dependent lung when patients were placed in the lateral positions. Both lungs remained atelectasis free even after returning to the supine position. CONCLUSIONS: We provide LUS images that illustrate the concept and effects of postural recruitment in children. This maneuver has the advantage of achieving recruitment effects without the need to elevate airways pressures.