Daniel D. Price

The safety of etomidate for emergency rapid sequence intubation of pediatric patients

Objective To determine whether pediatric patients given etomidate for rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in the ED develop clinically important hypotension or adrenal insufficiency. Methods Retrospective review of 100 consecutive patients younger than age 10 years given etomidate for RSI in the ED at two academic medical centers. Data were abstracted from ED and in-patient medical records. Clinically important hypotension was defined as a decrease in systolic blood pressure (BP) measurement to below one standard deviation (SD) of mean normal for age. Clinically important adrenal insufficiency was defined as the need for exogenous corticosteroid replacement for suspected adrenal insufficiency at any time during hospitalization. Results BP measurements before and within 20 minutes after etomidate administration for RSI were recorded on 84 intubations (84%). The mean change in BP between pre-intubation and post-intubation measurements was a decrease of 1 mmHg (95% CI: −6 mmHg to +7 mmHg, P = 0.83). When expressed as a percentage of normal BP for age, the mean change in BP was a decrease of 1% (95% CI: −7% to +6%, P = 0.82). Four patients (4.8%; 95% CI: 1.3–11.7%) had a systolic BP decrease to below one SD of mean normal for age. Fourteen patients received corticosteroids during hospitalization, but none (0/99, 95% CI: 0–3.7%) for suspected adrenal insufficiency. Conclusions We found no evidence of clinically important adrenocorticoid suppression and a low incidence of clinically important hypotension when using etomidate for emergent pediatric RSI. Because other induction agents may also result in hypotension, prospective comparison studies are needed to further evaluate the safety of etomidate in this patient population.

Trauma ultrasound feasibility during helicopter transport

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of performing a standard four-view focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) examination during helicopter transport using a hand-carried ultrasound machine. METHODS In this prospective observational study, actual and simulated trauma patients were evaluated using the SonoSite 180 ultrasound machine by two air transport programs serving Level I trauma centers. FAST examinations were performed in flight by emergency medicine faculty, residents, flight nurses, and ultrasound technologists, who rated the difficulty posed by various factors using Likert scales (0 = not difficult to 5 = impossible). BK 117, Bell 230, and BO 105 medical helicopters flew in all aviating modes. Pilots were queried regarding avionics variations throughout the flights. RESULTS Ten flight sonographers performed 21 FAST examinations on 14 patients (five actual, nine simulated). The median Likert value for each parameter was 0 except for patient position, which was 1 (somewhat difficult). Interquartile ranges were 0-0 for vibration, bedding, IV catheters, monitor cables, and ventilator; 0-0.5 for backboard straps; and 0-1 for sunlight, patient position, spider straps, gurney straps, and clothing. Mean examination duration, was 3.0 minutes (range 1.5 to 5.5 minutes, SD 1.3). Pilots reported no effects on avionics in any flight mode. CONCLUSION The FAST examination using the SonoSite 180 in flight was rated by 10 evaluators to be performed easily. Examinations were conducted quickly and did not interfere with helicopter avionics. This digital ultrasound machine is the first one small enough to be used in most medical helicopters.

Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus nerve block vs procedural sedation for the treatment of upper extremity emergencies

BACKGROUND Emergency physicians often treat patients who require procedural sedation for the management of upper extremity fractures, dislocations, and abscesses (upper extremity emergencies). Unfortunately, procedural sedation is associated with several rare but potentially serious adverse effects and requires continuous hemodynamic monitoring and several dedicated staff members. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus nerve blocks in the emergency department (ED) as an alternative to procedural sedation for the management of upper extremity emergencies. METHODS In a prospective trial, a convenience sample of ED patients with upper extremity emergencies that would normally require procedural sedation were assigned to receive either procedural sedation or an ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus nerve block. Emergency department length of stay (ED LOS) was the primary outcome measure and was analyzed using a paired 2-tailed Student t test. RESULTS A total of 12 subjects were enrolled. Average ED LOS for subjects receiving the brachial plexus nerve block was 106 minutes (95% confidence interval, 57-155 minutes). Average ED LOS for subjects receiving procedural sedation was 285 minutes (95% confidence interval, 228-343 minutes). The ED LOS was significantly shorter in the nerve block group (P < .0005). Patient satisfaction was high in both groups, and no significant complications occurred in either group. CONCLUSIONS In our population, ultrasound-guided brachial plexus nerve blocks resulted in shorter ED LOS compared to procedural sedation for patients with upper extremity fractures, dislocations, or abscesses.

Survival of seriously injured patients first treated in rural hospitals.

BACKGROUND Patients injured in rural counties are hypothesized to have improved survival if local hospitals are categorized as Level III, Level IV, and Level V trauma centers. METHODS Data were abstracted on patients with brain, liver, or spleen injuries who were first treated in 16 rural hospitals in Oregon (with categorized trauma centers) and 16 hospitals in Washington (without categorized trauma centers). Logistic regression models evaluated survival up to 30 days after hospital discharge. RESULTS Among Oregons 642 study patients, 63% were transferred to another hospital. Among Washingtons 624 patients, a higher proportion, 70%, were transferred. Risk-adjusted odds of death for Washington patients (reference odds, 1) were the same as for Oregon patients (odds ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.53-1.28). Most patients died after transfer to another hospital. CONCLUSION In states with a prevailing practice of promptly transferring brain-injured patients, survival of these patients may not be enhanced by categorization of hospitals as rural trauma centers. To further improve the outcome of these patients, policy makers should adjust statewide trauma system guidelines to enhance integration and to perfect coordination among sequential decision makers.

The heart of the matter: utility of ultrasound of cardiac activity during traumatic arrest.

BACKGROUND The clinical utility of determining cardiac motion on ultrasound has been reported for patients presenting in pulseless medical cardiac arrest. However, the relationship between ultrasound-documented cardiac activity and the probability of surviving pulseless electrical activity has not been examined in populations with trauma. We hypothesized that cardiac activity on ultrasound predicts survival for patients presenting in pulseless traumatic arrest. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis at our university-based urban trauma center of adult patients with trauma, who were pulseless on hospital arrival. Results of cardiac ultrasound performed during trauma resuscitations were compared with the electrocardiogram (EKG) rhythm and survival. RESULTS Among 318 pulseless patients with trauma, 162 had both EKG tracings and a cardiac ultrasound, and 4.3% of these 162 patients survived to hospital admission. Survival was higher for those with cardiac motion than for those without it (23.5% vs. 1.9% for patients with EKG electrical activity, p = 0.002, and 66.7% vs. 0% for patients without EKG electrical activity, p < 0.001). The sensitivity of ultrasound cardiac motion to predict survival to hospital admission was 86% (specificity, 91%; positive predictive value, 30%; negative predictive value, 99%). When examined by mechanism, sensitivity was 100% for the 111 patients with penetrating trauma and 75% for the 50 patients with blunt trauma. CONCLUSION Survival in pulseless traumatic arrest is very low, but survival for patients with no cardiac motion on ultrasound is also exceedingly rare. Cardiac ultrasound had a negative predictive value approaching 100% for survival to hospital admission. For patients with prolonged prehospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ultrasound evaluation of cardiac motion in pulseless patients with trauma may be a rapid way to help determine which patients have no chance of survival in the setting of lethal injuries, so that futile resuscitations can be stopped. (J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2012;73: 102–110. Copyright

Ultrasound assessment of extraocular movements and pupillary light reflex in ocular trauma

We present the case of a 26-year-old man with significant periorbital trauma after blunt head trauma. Ultrasound techniques for evaluation of extraocular movements and pupillary light reflex are described as a proposed adjunct to physical examination and manual retraction of the eyelids.

An initial description of a sonographic sign that verifies intrathoracic chest tube placement

PURPOSE An initial description of a sonographic finding predictive of intrathoracic chest tube placement. METHODS This was a prospective observational study using unembalmed cadaveric models. Chest tubes were randomly placed intra- and extrathoracically and evaluated using ultrasound. Chest tube location was confirmed using blunt dissection followed by tactile and visual confirmation. Sonographers were blinded to chest tube position. Sonographic images obtained in a transverse orientation revealed a subcutaneous hyperechoic arc, created by the chest tube, at the insertion site. The path of the hyperechoic arc was followed cephalad. Disappearance of the hyperechoic arc signified intrathoracic chest tube placement. In contrast, continuation of a subcutaneous hyperechoic arc for the full length of the chest tube signified extrathoracic chest tube placement (the Disappearance/Intrathoracic, Continuation/Extrathoracic sign). RESULTS Ultrasound was used to evaluate 48 chest tube placements. All chest tube locations were identified correctly. In differentiating intra- vs extrathoracic chest tube placement, the Disappearance/Intrathoracic, Continuation/Extrathoracic sign revealed a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval, 83%-100%) and a specificity of 100% (95% confidence interval, 83%-100%). CONCLUSIONS In this small study, bedside ultrasound appears to be highly sensitive and specific in differentiating intra- versus extrathoracic chest tube placement.