Challenges of extended venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in medical and surgical patients.

Patients hospitalized for acute medical and surgical illnesses are at risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) during hospitalization and after discharge. Extended pharmacological prophylaxis beyond the hospital stay is recommended for patients undergoing surgeries at high risk for VTE and for selected groups of hospitalized medical patients. This practice involves several challenges, from identification of at-risk populations eligible for extended prophylaxis to choice of the most appropriate anticoagulant and definition of the ideal duration of use. This review will present the main VTE risk assessment models for hospitalized medical and surgical patients, the current recommendations for use of extended prophylaxis, and its limitations and benefits.

Adult Advanced Life Support: 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations.

This 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations for advanced life support includes updates on multiple advanced life support topics addressed with 3 different types of reviews. Topics were prioritized on the basis of both recent interest within the resuscitation community and the amount of new evidence available since any previous review. Systematic reviews addressed higher-priority topics, and included double-sequential defibrillation, intravenous versus intraosseous route for drug administration during cardiac arrest, point-of-care echocardiography for intra-arrest prognostication, cardiac arrest caused by pulmonary embolism, postresuscitation oxygenation and ventilation, prophylactic antibiotics after resuscitation, postresuscitation seizure prophylaxis and treatment, and neuroprognostication. New or updated treatment recommendations on these topics are presented. Scoping reviews were conducted for anticipatory charging and monitoring of physiological parameters during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Topics for which systematic reviews and new Consensuses on Science With Treatment Recommendations were completed since 2015 are also summarized here. All remaining topics reviewed were addressed with evidence updates to identify any new evidence and to help determine which topics should be the highest priority for systematic reviews in the next 1 to 2 years.

Use of a Portable Mechanical Ventilator during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is Feasible, Improves Respiratory Parameters, and Prevents the Decrease of Dynamic Lung Compliance. / O Uso de um Ventilador Mecânico Portátil na Ressuscitação Cardiopulmonar é Viável, Melhora os Parâmetros Respiratórios e Previne a Redução da Complacência Pulmonar Dinâmica.

BACKGROUND: For practical and protective ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a 150-grams mechanical ventilator (VLP2000E) that limits peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) during simultaneous ventilation with chest compressions was developed. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility of VLP2000E ventilation during CPR and to compare monitored parameters versus bag-valve ventilation. METHODS: A randomized experimental study with 10 intubated pigs per group. After seven minutes of ventricular fibrillation, 2-minute CPR cycles were delivered. All animals were placed on VLP2000E after achieving return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). RESULTS: Bag-valve and VLP2000E groups had similar ROSC rate (60% vs. 50%, respectively) and arterial oxygen saturation in most CPR cycles, different baseline tidal volume [0.764 (0.068) vs. 0.591 (0.123) L, p = 0.0309, respectively] and, in 14 cycles, different PIP [52 (9) vs. 39 (5) cm H2O, respectively], tidal volume [0.635 (0.172) vs. 0.306 (0.129) L], ETCO2[14 (8) vs. 27 (9) mm Hg], and peak inspiratory flow [0.878 (0.234) vs. 0.533 (0.105) L/s], all p < 0.0001. Dynamic lung compliance (≥ 0.025 L/cm H2O) decreased after ROSC in bag-valve group but was maintained in VLP2000E group [0.019 (0.006) vs. 0.024 (0.008) L/cm H2O, p = 0.0003]. CONCLUSIONS: VLP2000E ventilation during CPR is feasible and equivalent to bag-valve ventilation in ROSC rate and arterial oxygen saturation. It produces better respiratory parameters, with lower airway pressure and tidal volume. VLP2000E ventilation also prevents the significant decrease of dynamic lung compliance observed after bag-valve ventilation. Further preclinical studies confirming these findings would be interesting.

FUNDAMENTOS: Para ventilação prática e protetora durante a ressuscitação cardiopulmonar (RCP), desenvolveu-se um ventilador mecânico (VLP2000E) de 150 gramas que limita o pico de pressão inspiratória (PPI) durante ventilação e compressões torácicas simultâneas. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a viabilidade da ventilação com VLP2000E durante RCP e comparar os parâmetros monitorados versus ventilação com bolsa-válvula. MÉTODOS: Estudo experimental randomizado com 10 porcos intubados por grupo. Após sete minutos de fibrilação ventricular, iniciaram-se ciclos de RCP de 2 minutos. Todos os animais foram ventilados com VLP2000E após o retorno da circulação espontânea (RCE). RESULTADOS: Os grupos bolsa-válvula e VLP2000E apresentaram taxa de RCE (60% vs. 50%, respectivamente) e saturação arterial de oxigênio similares na maioria dos ciclos de RCP, volume corrente basal diferente [0,764 (0,068) vs. 0,591 (0,123) L, p = 0,0309, respectivamente] e, em 14 ciclos, diferentes PPI [52 (9) vs. 39 (5) cm H2O, respectivamente], volume corrente [0,635 (0,172) vs. 0,306 (0,129) L], ETCO2 [14 (8) vs. 27 (9) mm Hg], e pico de fluxo inspiratório [0,878 (0,234) vs. 0,533 (0,105) L/s], todos p < 0,0001. A complacência pulmonar dinâmica (≥ 0,025 L/cm H2O) diminuiu após o RCE no grupo bolsa-válvula, mas se manteve no grupo VLP2000E [ 0,019 (0,006) vs. 0,024 (0,008) L/cm H2O, p = 0,0003]. CONCLUSÕES: Ventilação com VLP2000E durante RCP é viável e equivalente a ventilação com bolsa-válvula quanto à taxa de RCE e saturação arterial de oxigênio. Esse ventilador produz melhores parâmetros respiratórios, com pressão das vias aéreas e volume corrente menores. Ventilação com VLP2000E também previne a redução significante da complacência pulmonar dinâmica observada após ventilação com bolsa-válvula. Seria interessante realizar mais estudos pré-clínicos para confirmar esses resultados.

What else in times of COVID-19? The role of minimally invasive autopsy for the differential diagnosis of acute respiratory failure in a case of kala-azar.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic vector-borne zoonotic disease caused by trypanosomatids, considered endemic in 98 countries, mainly associated with poverty. About 50,000-90,000 cases of VL occur annually worldwide, and Brazil has the second largest number of cases in the world. The clinical picture of VL is fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and pancytopenia, progressing to death in 90% of cases due to secondary infections and multi-organ failure, if left untreated. We describe the case of a 25-year-old female who lived in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo, who had recently taken touristic trips to several rural areas in Southeastern Brazil and was diagnosed post-mortem. During the hospitalization in a hospital reference for the treatment of COVID-19, the patient developed acute respiratory failure, with chest radiographic changes, and died due to refractory shock. The ultrasound-guided minimally invasive autopsy diagnosed VL (macrophages containing amastigote forms of Leishmania in the spleen, liver and bone marrow), as well as pneumonia and bloodstream infection by gram-negative bacilli.

InsulinAPP application protocol for the inpatient management of type 2 diabetes on a hospitalist-managed ward: a retrospective study.

Introduction: We assessed metrics related to inpatient glycemic control using InsulinAPP, an application available for free in Brazil, on the hospitalist-managed ward of our hospital. Subjects and methods: We performed a retrospective study of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) admitted from November 2018 to October 2019. InsulinAPP recommends NPH and regular insulins three times a day, in bolus-correction or basal-bolus schemes. Parameters that included BG within range of 70-180 mg/dL, insulin treatment regimen and frequency of hypoglycemia were evaluated. Results: A total of 147 T2D individuals (23% medicine and 77% surgery) were included (mean age 62.3 ± 12.7 years, HbA1c: 8.3 ± 3.0%). The initial insulin regimen was 50% bolus-correction, 47% basal-bolus and 3% with sliding scale insulin. During hospitalization, 71% patients required a bolus-basal regimen. In the first 10 days of the protocol, 71% BG measurements were between 70-180 mg/dL and 26% patients experienced one or more episodes of hypoglycemia < 70 mg/dL, and 5% with BG < 54 mg/dL. Conclusion: The results of this retrospective study indicate the InsulinAPP application using human insulin formulations was effective and safe for the management of hyperglycemia on a hospitalist-managed ward, with more than 70% BG measurements within the therapeutic range and a low rate of hypoglycemia.

Discrepancies Between Clinical and Autopsy Diagnoses in Rapid Response Team-Assisted Patients: What Are We Missing?

OBJECTIVES: The rapid response team (RRT) assists hospitalized patients with sudden clinical deterioration. There is scarce evidence of diagnostic accuracy in this scenario, but it is possible that a considerable rate of misdiagnosis exists. Autopsy remains a valuable tool for assessing such question. This study aimed to compare clinical (premortem) and autopsy (postmortem) diagnoses in patients assisted by the RRT and describe major discrepancies. METHODS: We reviewed 104 clinical data and autopsies from patients assisted by the RRT during a cardiac arrest event in a tertiary care hospital in Brazil. Clinical and autopsy diagnostic discrepancies were classified using the Goldman criteria. Other clinical and pathological data were described, and the group with major diagnostic discrepancies was further analyzed. RESULTS: We found 39 (37.5%) patients with major diagnostic discrepancies. Most frequent immediate causes of death in this group determined by autopsy were sepsis (36%), pulmonary embolism (23%) and hemorrhagic shock (21%). Pulmonary embolism was the cause of death significantly more frequent in the major discrepancy group than in the minor discrepancy group (23% versus 3%, P = 0.002). We individually described all major diagnostic discrepancies. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high rate (37.5%) of major misdiagnosis in autopsies from patients assisted by the RRT in a tertiary teaching hospital. Pulmonary embolism was the most inaccurate fatal diagnosis detected by autopsy.

[Impact of a program for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in hospitalized patients in four hospitals in Salvador]. / Impacto de um programa para profilaxia de tromboembolismo venoso em pacientes clínicos em quatro hospitais de Salvador.

UNLABELLED: There is a discrepancy between guideline recommendations and practice of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in hospitals worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To implement a program using a risk-assessment tool (RAT) for VTE and educational lectures based on the Brazilian Guidelines for VTE Prophylaxis for Medical Patients and to evaluate the impact of these tools on adequacy of VTE prophylaxis in 4 hospitals in Salvador, Bahia. METHODS: We performed two cross-sectional surveys before and after the implementation of the program to compare the proportion of patients at-risk of VTE and the changes in the adequacy of VTE prophylaxis. RESULTS: We compared the data of 219 medical patients before with 292 patients after the program. The rates of patients with at least one risk factor for VTE and with contraindications (CI) for heparins were similar: 95% vs. 98% (p=0.13), and 42% vs. 34% (p=0.08), respectively. In both studies, 75% vs. 82% (p=0.06) were candidates for prophylaxis, and 44% vs. 55% (p =0.02) were candidates for prophylaxis and had no CI for heparin. After the program there was an increase in the use of mechanical prophylaxis 0.9% vs. 4.5% (p=0.03) and a decrease in pharmacological prophylaxis, 55.3% vs. 47.9% (p=0.04). However, there was a significant increase of use of the recommended doses of heparins, 53% vs. 75 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: There is underutilization of VTE prophylaxis in Brazilian hospitals. Strategies based on passive distribution of RAT and educational lectures were not sufficient to improve the practice of prophylaxis, but improved the adequacy of VTE prophylaxis in hospitalized patients.

Adult Advanced Life Support: 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science with Treatment Recommendations.

This 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations for advanced life support includes updates on multiple advanced life support topics addressed with 3 different types of reviews. Topics were prioritized on the basis of both recent interest within the resuscitation community and the amount of new evidence available since any previous review. Systematic reviews addressed higher-priority topics, and included double-sequential defibrillation, intravenous versus intraosseous route for drug administration during cardiac arrest, point-of-care echocardiography for intra-arrest prognostication, cardiac arrest caused by pulmonary embolism, postresuscitation oxygenation and ventilation, prophylactic antibiotics after resuscitation, postresuscitation seizure prophylaxis and treatment, and neuroprognostication. New or updated treatment recommendations on these topics are presented. Scoping reviews were conducted for anticipatory charging and monitoring of physiological parameters during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Topics for which systematic reviews and new Consensuses on Science With Treatment Recommendations were completed since 2015 are also summarized here. All remaining topics reviewed were addressed with evidence updates to identify any new evidence and to help determine which topics should be the highest priority for systematic reviews in the next 1 to 2 years.

Kidney injury and other complications related to colonoscopy in inpatients at a tertiary teaching hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical complications related to colonoscopy in inpatients with multiple diseases. Among the known complications, acute kidney injury was the primary focus. METHODS: This was an observational retrospective study of 97 inpatients. Data relating to age; gender; comorbidities; current medication; blood tests (renal function, blood glucose and LDL cholesterol levels); length of hospital stay; indication, results, and complications of colonoscopies; and time to the development of kidney injury were collected between June 2011 to February 2012. RESULTS: A total of 108 colonoscopies (9 screening and 88 diagnostic) were conducted in 97 patients. Renal injury occurred in 41.2% of the patients. The univariate analysis revealed that kidney injury was related to the use of diuretics, statins, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor; however, the multivariate analysis showed that only the use of diuretics was associated with kidney injury. The occurrence of kidney injury and the time to its development were independent of the previous glomerular filtration rate as calculated with the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. CONCLUSIONS: The use of diuretics was the only independent variable associated with the development of kidney injury in inpatients with multiple comorbidities who underwent colonoscopy. The occurrence of kidney injury and the time to its development were independent of previous CKD-EPI-based assessments of renal function. These results highlight the increased risk of colonoscopy in such patients, and its indication should be balanced strictly and perhaps avoided as a screening test.

O Uso de um Ventilador Mecânico Portátil na Ressuscitação Cardiopulmonar é Viável, Melhora os Parâmetros Respiratórios e Previne a Redução da Complacência Pulmonar Dinâmica / Use of a Portable Mechanical Ventilator during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is Feasible, Improves Respiratory Parameters, and Prevents the Decrease of Dynamic Lung Compliance

Resumo Fundamentos Para ventilação prática e protetora durante a ressuscitação cardiopulmonar (RCP), desenvolveu-se um ventilador mecânico (VLP2000E) de 150 gramas que limita o pico de pressão inspiratória (PPI) durante ventilação e compressões torácicas simultâneas. Objetivos Avaliar a viabilidade da ventilação com VLP2000E durante RCP e comparar os parâmetros monitorados versus ventilação com bolsa-válvula. Métodos Estudo experimental randomizado com 10 porcos intubados por grupo. Após sete minutos de fibrilação ventricular, iniciaram-se ciclos de RCP de 2 minutos. Todos os animais foram ventilados com VLP2000E após o retorno da circulação espontânea (RCE). Resultados Os grupos bolsa-válvula e VLP2000E apresentaram taxa de RCE (60% vs. 50%, respectivamente) e saturação arterial de oxigênio similares na maioria dos ciclos de RCP, volume corrente basal diferente [0,764 (0,068) vs. 0,591 (0,123) L, p = 0,0309, respectivamente] e, em 14 ciclos, diferentes PPI [52 (9) vs. 39 (5) cm H2O, respectivamente], volume corrente [0,635 (0,172) vs. 0,306 (0,129) L], ETCO2 [14 (8) vs. 27 (9) mm Hg], e pico de fluxo inspiratório [0,878 (0,234) vs. 0,533 (0,105) L/s], todos p < 0,0001. A complacência pulmonar dinâmica (≥ 0,025 L/cm H2O) diminuiu após o RCE no grupo bolsa-válvula, mas se manteve no grupo VLP2000E [ 0,019 (0,006) vs. 0,024 (0,008) L/cm H2O, p = 0,0003]. Conclusões Ventilação com VLP2000E durante RCP é viável e equivalente a ventilação com bolsa-válvula quanto à taxa de RCE e saturação arterial de oxigênio. Esse ventilador produz melhores parâmetros respiratórios, com pressão das vias aéreas e volume corrente menores. Ventilação com VLP2000E também previne a redução significante da complacência pulmonar dinâmica observada após ventilação com bolsa-válvula. Seria interessante realizar mais estudos pré-clínicos para confirmar esses resultados.

Abstract Background For practical and protective ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a 150-grams mechanical ventilator (VLP2000E) that limits peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) during simultaneous ventilation with chest compressions was developed. Objectives To evaluate the feasibility of VLP2000E ventilation during CPR and to compare monitored parameters versus bag-valve ventilation. Methods A randomized experimental study with 10 intubated pigs per group. After seven minutes of ventricular fibrillation, 2-minute CPR cycles were delivered. All animals were placed on VLP2000E after achieving return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Results Bag-valve and VLP2000E groups had similar ROSC rate (60% vs. 50%, respectively) and arterial oxygen saturation in most CPR cycles, different baseline tidal volume [0.764 (0.068) vs. 0.591 (0.123) L, p = 0.0309, respectively] and, in 14 cycles, different PIP [52 (9) vs. 39 (5) cm H2O, respectively], tidal volume [0.635 (0.172) vs. 0.306 (0.129) L], ETCO2[14 (8) vs. 27 (9) mm Hg], and peak inspiratory flow [0.878 (0.234) vs. 0.533 (0.105) L/s], all p < 0.0001. Dynamic lung compliance (≥ 0.025 L/cm H2O) decreased after ROSC in bag-valve group but was maintained in VLP2000E group [0.019 (0.006) vs. 0.024 (0.008) L/cm H2O, p = 0.0003]. Conclusions VLP2000E ventilation during CPR is feasible and equivalent to bag-valve ventilation in ROSC rate and arterial oxygen saturation. It produces better respiratory parameters, with lower airway pressure and tidal volume. VLP2000E ventilation also prevents the significant decrease of dynamic lung compliance observed after bag-valve ventilation. Further preclinical studies confirming these findings would be interesting.

What else in times of COVID-19? The role of minimally invasive autopsy for the differential diagnosis of acute respiratory failure in a case of kala-azar

ABSTRACT Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic vector-borne zoonotic disease caused by trypanosomatids, considered endemic in 98 countries, mainly associated with poverty. About 50,000-90,000 cases of VL occur annually worldwide, and Brazil has the second largest number of cases in the world. The clinical picture of VL is fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and pancytopenia, progressing to death in 90% of cases due to secondary infections and multi-organ failure, if left untreated. We describe the case of a 25-year-old female who lived in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo, who had recently taken touristic trips to several rural areas in Southeastern Brazil and was diagnosed post-mortem. During the hospitalization in a hospital reference for the treatment of COVID-19, the patient developed acute respiratory failure, with chest radiographic changes, and died due to refractory shock. The ultrasound-guided minimally invasive autopsy diagnosed VL (macrophages containing amastigote forms of Leishmania in the spleen, liver and bone marrow), as well as pneumonia and bloodstream infection by gram-negative bacilli.

Desafios da profilaxia estendida do tromboembolismo venoso em pacientes clínicos e cirúrgicos / Challenges of extended venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in medical and surgical patients

Resumo Pacientes hospitalizados por doenças clínicas e cirúrgicas agudas estão sob risco de desenvolvimento de tromboembolismo venoso (TEV) durante a hospitalização e após a alta. A profilaxia farmacológica estendida além do período da hospitalização é recomendada para pacientes submetidos a cirurgias de alto risco de TEV e para grupos selecionados de pacientes clínicos hospitalizados. Diversos desafios envolvem essa prática, desde o reconhecimento das populações de risco elegíveis para a extensão da profilaxia até a escolha do anticoagulante mais adequado e a definição do tempo ideal de utilização. Os principais modelos de avaliação de risco de TEV em pacientes clínicos e cirúrgicos hospitalizados, as recomendações atuais para uso da profilaxia estendida e suas limitações e benefícios serão apresentados nesta revisão.

Abstract Patients hospitalized for acute medical and surgical illnesses are at risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) during hospitalization and after discharge. Extended pharmacological prophylaxis beyond the hospital stay is recommended for patients undergoing surgeries at high risk for VTE and for selected groups of hospitalized medical patients. This practice involves several challenges, from identification of at-risk populations eligible for extended prophylaxis to choice of the most appropriate anticoagulant and definition of the ideal duration of use. This review will present the main VTE risk assessment models for hospitalized medical and surgical patients, the current recommendations for use of extended prophylaxis, and its limitations and benefits.

InsulinAPP application protocol for the inpatient management of type 2 diabetes on a hospitalist-managed ward: a retrospective study

ABSTRACT Objective: We assessed metrics related to inpatient glycemic control using InsulinAPP, an application available for free in Brazil, on the hospitalist-managed ward of our hospital. Subjects and methods: We performed a retrospective study of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) admitted from November 2018 to October 2019. InsulinAPP recommends NPH and regular insulins three times a day, in bolus-correction or basal-bolus schemes. Parameters that included BG within range of 70-180 mg/dL, insulin treatment regimen and frequency of hypoglycemia were evaluated. Results: A total of 147 T2D individuals (23% medicine and 77% surgery) were included (mean age 62.3 ± 12.7 years, HbA1c: 8.3 ± 3.0%). The initial insulin regimen was 50% bolus-correction, 47% basal-bolus and 3% with sliding scale insulin. During hospitalization, 71% patients required a bolus-basal regimen. In the first 10 days of the protocol, 71% BG measurements were between 70-180 mg/dL and 26% patients experienced one or more episodes of hypoglycemia < 70 mg/dL, and 5% with BG < 54 mg/dL. Conclusion: The results of this retrospective study indicate the InsulinAPP application using human insulin formulations was effective and safe for the management of hyperglycemia on a hospitalist-managed ward, with more than 70% BG measurements within the therapeutic range and a low rate of hypoglycemia.

Refractory hypoglycemia in a patient with functional adrenal cortical carcinoma.

Adrenacarcinomas are rare, and hypoglycemic syndrome resulting from the secretion of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) by these tumors have been described infrequently. This study describes the case of a young woman with severe persistent hypoglycemia and a large adrenal tumor and discusses the physiopathological mechanisms involved in hypoglycemia. The case is described as a 21-year-old woman who presented with 8 months of general symptoms and, in the preceding 3 months, with episodes of mental confusion and visual blurring secondary to hypoglycemia. A functional assessment of the adrenal cortex revealed ACTH-independent hypercortisolism and hyperandrogenism. Hypoglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, low C-peptide and no ketones were also detected. An evaluation of the GH-IGF axis revealed GH blockade (0.03; reference: up to 4.4 ng/mL), greatly reduced IGF-I levels (9.0 ng/mL; reference: 180-780 ng/mL), slightly reduced IGF-II levels (197 ng/mL; reference: 267-616 ng/mL) and an elevated IGF-II/IGF-I ratio (21.9; reference: ~3). CT scan revealed a large expansive mass in the right adrenal gland and pulmonary and liver metastases. During hospitalization, the patient experienced frequent difficult-to-control hypoglycemia and hypokalemia episodes. Octreotide was ineffective in controlling hypoglycemia. Due to unresectability, chemotherapy was tried, but after 3 months, the patient's condition worsened and progressed to death. In conclusion, our patient presented with a functional adrenal cortical carcinoma, with hyperandrogenism associated with hypoinsulinemic hypoglycemia and blockage of the GH-IGF-I axis. Patient's data suggested a diagnosis of hypoglycemia induced by an IGF-II or a large IGF-II-producing tumor (low levels of GH, greatly decreased IGF-I, slightly decreased IGF-II and an elevated IGF-II/IGF-I ratio). LEARNING POINTS: Hypoglycemyndrome resulting from the secretion of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) by adrenal tumors is a rare condition.Hypoinsulinemic hypoglycemia associated with hyperandrogenism and blockage of the GH-IGF-I axis suggests hypoglycemia induced by an IGF-II or a large IGF-II-producing tumor.Hypoglycemia in cases of NICTH should be treated with glucocorticoids, glucagon, somatostatin analogs and hGH.

Results of a venous thromboembolism prophylaxis program for hospitalized patients.

INTRODUCTION: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the leading cause of preventable death in hospitalized patients. However, existing prophylaxis guidelines are rarely followed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to present and discuss implementation strategies and the results of a VTE prophylaxis program for medical and surgical patients admitted to a large general hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted to describe the strategy used to implement a VTE prophylaxis program in hospitalized medical and surgical patients and to analyze the results in terms of the risk assessment rate within the first 24 hours after admission, adequacy of the prophylaxis prescription, and prevalence of VTE in the discharge records before and after program implementation. We used the Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test for the linear trend of the data analysis and set the significance level to P<0.05. RESULTS: With the support of an institutional VTE prophylaxis committee, a multiple-strategy approach was used in the implementation of the protocol, which included continuing education, complete data recording using computerized systems, and continuous auditing of and feedback to the medical staff and multidisciplinary teams. Approximately 90% of patients were evaluated within the first 24 hours after admission, and no significant difference in this percentage was observed among the years analyzed. A progressive increase in adherence to protocol recommendations, from 63.8% in 2010 to 75.0% in 2014 (P<0.001), was noted. The prevalence of symptomatic VTE in the discharge records of patients decreased from 2.03% in 2009 to 1.69% in 2014 (P=0.033). CONCLUSION: The implementation of a VTE prophylaxis program targeting adult patients admitted to a large hospital employing a multiple-strategy approach achieved high rates of risk assessment within 24 hours of admission, improved the adherence to prophylaxis recommendations in high-risk patients, and reduced the rate of VTE events in the discharge records.

Papel do Instrutor de Pediatric Advanced Life Support na Aplicação das Melhores Práticas em Ressuscitação Pediátrica / The Role of the Pediatric Advanced Life Support Instructor in Applying Best Practices in Pediatric Resuscitation

Resumo: Introdução: A parada cardiorrespiratória é um evento emergencial que requer tanto a identificação precoce de sinais de deterioração clínica quanto ações rápidas e eficazes para a sua reversão. Muitos médicos e enfermeiros que atendem crianças procuram se capacitar no atendimento desses eventos, realizando o curso Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), tornando-se posteriormente instrutores. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi conhecer a percepção do instrutor de PALS sobre seu papel na articulação entre o cenário simulado e o real da ressuscitação pediátrica. Método: Trata-se de uma abordagem qualitativa em que se utilizou a entrevista semiestruturada como técnica de pesquisa. Foram realizadas 12 entrevistas com instrutores do PALS vinculados a variados centros de treinamento em São Paulo. Os dados qualitativos das entrevistas seguiram o método de análise proposto por Minayo, e o marco teórico adotou os conceitos de campo e habitus de Pierre Bourdieu. Resultados: A análise das entrevistas mostrou que os médicos e enfermeiros se sentem reconhecidos e seguros, conduzem melhor a equipe, realizam intervenção construtiva, sugerem mais treinamentos em ressuscitação pediátrica e implantam melhorias nos serviços após se tornarem instrutores do PALS. O habitus incorporado no campo simulado foi reproduzido pelos instrutores no campo da assistência, exceto na aplicação do debriefing. Conclusão: O papel dos instrutores foi de multiplicação das boas práticas, envolvendo as equipes e favorecendo a realização de atendimentos sistematizados e baseados em evidências, com resultados positivos no dia a dia das instituições hospitalares.

Abstract: Introduction: Cardiopulmonary arrest is an emergency event that requires both early identification of signs of clinical deterioration and rapid and effective actions for its reversal. Many physicians and nurses who provide care for children seek to training in this area of care by completing the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) course, and subsequently becoming an instructor. The aim of this research was to understand the PALS instructors' views on their role in connecting simulated scenarios to real life pediatric resuscitation situations. Method: The article has a qualitative approach and semi-structured interviews were used as the research technique. Twelve interviews were conducted with PALS instructors linked to various training centers in São Paulo. For qualitative analysis of the interviews the method proposed by Minayo was used, and Pierre Bourdieu's field and habitus theoretical framework was also adopted. Results: Analysis of the interviews showed that after becoming PALS instructors, physicians and nurses feel recognized and self-confident, are better team leaders, make constructive interventions, suggest more training in pediatric emergencies and implement improvements in their services. The built-in habitus in the simulated field was reproduced by the instructors in the field of assistance, except in the debriefing application. Conclusion: The role of the instructors was to multiply best practices, involving the teams and favoring the execution of systematized and evidence-based care, with positive results in the day-to-day of hospital institutions.

Echocardiography for prognostication during the resuscitation of intensive care unit patients with non-shockable rhythm cardiac arrest.

AIM: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) during cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) has been studied in victims of cardiac arrests. Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of TTE in victims of cardiac arrest with non-shockable rhythms hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: This prospective and observational cohort study evaluated ICU patients with CPA in asystole or pulseless electrical activity (PEA). Intensivists performed TTE during intervals of up to 10s as established in the treatment protocol. Myocardial contractility was defined as intrinsic movement of the myocardium coordinated with cardiac valve movement. PEA without contractility was classified as electromechanical dissociation (EMD), and with contractility as pseudo-EMD. The images, the rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and the survival upon hospital discharge and after 180 days were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 49 patients were included. Image quality was considered adequate in all cases and contributed to the diagnosis of CPA in 51.0% of the patients. Of the 49 patients included, 17 (34.7%) were in asystole and 32 (65.3%) in PEA, among which 5 (10.2%) were in EMD and 27 (55.1%) in pseudo-EMD. The rates of ROSC were 70.4% for those in pseudo-EMD, 20.0% for those in EMD, and 23.5% for those in asystole. Survival upon hospital discharge and after 180 days occurred only in patients in pseudo-EMD (22.2% and 14.8%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: TTE conducted during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in ICU patients can be performed without interfering with care protocols and can contribute to the differential diagnosis of CPA and to the identification of a subgroup of patients with better prognosis.

Preliminary in-hospital experience with a fully automatic external cardioverter-defibrillator.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular fibrillation (VF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) are frequently present as initial rhythms during in-hospital cardiac arrest. Although ample evidence exists to support the need for rapid defibrillation, the response to in-hospital cardiac arrest remains without major advances in recent years. The delay between the arrhythmic event and intervention is still a challenge for clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the performance and safety of in-hospital use of a programmable, fully automatic external cardioverter-defibrillator (AECD). METHODS: We conducted a prospective study at the Emergency Department of a university hospital. A total of 55 patients considered to be at risk of sustained VT/VF were included. Patients underwent monitoring of their cardiac rhythm by the AECD. Upon detection of a ventricular tachyarrhythmia, the AECD was programmed to automatically deliver shock therapy. RESULTS: We recorded 19 episodes of VT/VF in 3 patients. The median time between the beginning of the arrhythmia and the first defibrillation was 33.4 s (21-65 s). One episode of spontaneous reversion of VT was documented 20 s after its origin and shock therapy was aborted. The defibrillation success was 94.4% (17/18) for the first shock and 100% (1/1) for the second shock. No case of inappropriate shock discharge was registered during the study period. CONCLUSION: The AECD has the feasibility to combine long-term monitoring with automatic defibrillation safely and effectively. It presents the possibility of providing rapid identification of, and response to, in-hospital ventricular tachyarrhythmias.

Disseminating cardiopulmonary resuscitation training by distributing 9,200 personal manikins.

OBJECTIVES: Community members should be trained so that witnesses of cardiac arrests are able to trigger the emergency system and perform adequate resuscitation. In this study, the authors evaluated the results of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training of communities in four Brazilian cities, using personal resuscitation manikins. METHODS: In total, 9,200 manikins were distributed in Apucarana, Itanhaém, Maringá, and São Carlos, which are cities where the populations range from 80,000 to 325,000 inhabitants. Elementary and secondary school teachers were trained on how to identify a cardiac arrest, trigger the emergency system, and perform chest compressions. The teachers were to transfer the training to their students, who would then train their families and friends. RESULTS: In total, 49,131 individuals were trained (6.7% of the population), but the original strategy of using teachers and students as multipliers was responsible for only 27.9% of the training. A total of 508 teachers were trained, and only 88 (17.3%) transferred the training to the students. Furthermore, the students have trained only 45 individuals of the population. In Maringá and São Carlos, the strategy was changed and professionals in the primary health care system were prepared and used as multipliers. This strategy proved extremely effective, especially in Maringá, where 39,041 individuals were trained (79.5% of the total number of trainings). Community health care providers were more effective in passing the training to students than the teachers (odds ratio [OR] = 7.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.74 to 10.69; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Instruction of CPR using personal manikins by professionals in the primary health care system seems to be a more efficient strategy for training the community than creating a training network in the schools.

Caracterização do atendimento do Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência (SAMU) às emergências clínicas / Characterization of the urgency mobile service (Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência, SAMU) for clinical emergencies / Caracterización de la atención del Servicio de Atención Móvil de Urgencias (SAMU) para emergencias clínicas

Objetivo: caracterizar os atendimentos clínicos realizados pelo SAMU de Salvador. Metodologia: trata-se de estudo descritivo, exploratório e transversal cuja amostra foi composta de 465 fichas de atendimentos clínicos realizados pelo SAMU, na cidade de Salvador na Bahia. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de instrumento de coleta de dados e a análise descritiva realizada com o software SPSS, no qual foram processadas frequências relativas e absolutas. Resultados: os usuários atendidos se caracterizaram por serem homens (49,9%) com média de idade de 54 anos [desvio-padrão (DP)=21)]. Os agravos neurológicos (36,1%), cardiológicos (14,4%) e respiratórios (12,9%) foram prevalentes. Unidades de suporte básico foram as mais acionadas (63,7%) e tiveram como principal desfecho o atendimento no local e remoção para um hospital de referência (21,7%), no entanto, recursos como oxigenoterapia e punção venosa não foram utilizados na maior parte dos atendimentos. A média de tempo entre a abertura da ocorrência e saída da base foi de 22 minutos (DP= 20). O tempo resposta teve média de 39 minutos (DP= 25) e a duração total média da ocorrência foi de duas horas (DP= 1:23). Conclusão: os atendimentos clínicos realizados pelo SAMU ocorrem prevalentemente com homens e por agravos neurológicos. Identificou-se discordância entre a necessidade dos pacientes e o envio de recursos, mediante a avaliação da equipe. Os tempos implicados no atendimento pré-hospitalar são elevados.(AU)

Objectives: to characterize the clinical care provided by SAMU of Salvador. Methodology: this is a descriptive, exploratory and cross-sectional study whose sample consisted of 465 records of clinical care performed by the SAMU, in the city of Salvador, Bahia. Data was obtained through a data collection instrument and descriptive analysis was performed with the SPSS software, in which relative and absolute frequencies were processed. Results: the patients attended were characterized by being men (49.9%) with a mean age of 54 years old [Standard Deviation (SD)=21)]. Neurological (36.1%), cardiac (14.4%) and respiratory (12.9%) injuries were prevalent. Basic support units were the most triggered (63.7%) and their main outcome was onsite care and removal to a reference hospital (21.7%); however, resources such as oxygen therapy and venipuncture were not used in most calls. The mean time between the opening of the occurrence and the output was 22 minutes (SD=20). The mean response time was 39 minutes (SD=25) and the total mean duration of occurrence was two hours (SD=1:23). Conclusion: SAMU clinical consultations occur predominantly with men and neurological disorders. Disagreement was identified between the patients' need and the dispatching of resources, according to the team's evaluation. The times involved in pre-hospital care are high.(AU)

Objetivo: caracterizar la atención clínica brindada por el SAMU de Salvador. Metodología: estudio descriptivo, exploratorio y transversal cuya muestra consistió en 465 registros de atención clínica realizadas por el SAMU, en la ciudad de Salvador, Bahía. Los datos se obtuvieron mediante un instrumento de recogida datos y un análisis descriptivo realizado con el software SPSS, en el que se procesaron las frecuencias relativas y absolutas. Resultados: los usuarios atendidos se caracterizaron como varones (49,9%) con edad media de 54 años [desviación estándar (DP) = 21)]. Prevalecieron los problemas neurológicos (36.1%), cardíacos (14.4%) y respiratorios (12.9%). Las unidades de apoyo básicas fueron las más necesitadas (63,7%) y su resultado principal fue la atención in situ y el traslado a un hospital de referencia (21,7%); sin embargo, en la mayoría de los casos, no se utilizaron recursos como la oxigenoterapia y la punción venosa. El tiempo promedio entre la apertura del incidente y la salida de la base fue de 22 minutos (DP = 20). El promedio del tiempo de respuesta fue de 39 minutos (DP = 25) y la duración total promedio del incidente fue de dos horas (DP = 1:23). Conclusión: las casos clínicos atendidos por el SAMU ocurren básicamente entre hombres y por problemas neurológicos. Se identificó un desacuerdo entre la necesidad de los pacientes y el envío de recursos, de acuerdo con la evaluación del equipo. Los tiempos de atención prehospitalaria son elevados.(AU)