Daniel R. Schimmel

Use of simulation-based education to improve resident learning and patient care in the medical intensive care unit: a randomized trial.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of simulation-based education on the knowledge and skills of internal medicine residents in the medical intensive care unit (MICU). METHODS AND MATERIALS From January 2009 to January 2010, 60 first-year residents at a tertiary care teaching hospital were randomized by month of rotation to an intervention group (simulator-trained, n = 26) and a control group (traditionally trained, n = 34). Simulator-trained residents completed 4 hours of simulation-based education before their medical intensive care unit (MICU) rotation. Topics included circulatory shock, respiratory failure, and mechanical ventilation. After their rotation, residents completed a standardized bedside skills assessment using a 14-item checklist regarding respiratory mechanics, ventilator settings, and circulatory parameters. Performance of simulator-trained and traditionally trained residents was compared using a 2-tailed independent-samples t test. RESULTS Simulator-trained residents scored significantly higher on the bedside skills assessment compared with traditionally trained residents (82.5% ± 10.6% vs 74.8% ± 14.1%, P = .027). Simulator-trained residents were highly satisfied with the simulation curriculum. CONCLUSIONS Simulation-based education significantly improved resident knowledge and skill in the MICU. Knowledge acquired in the simulated environment was transferred to improved bedside skills caring for MICU patients. Simulation-based education is a valuable adjunct to standard clinical training for residents in the MICU.

Single-Center Experience Using AngioVac with Extracorporeal Bypass for Mechanical Thrombectomy of Atrial and Central Vein Thrombi

The AngioVac device (AngioDynamics, Inc, Queensbury, New York), a commercially available large-diameter aspiration cannula using extracorporeal venovenous bypass, is designed to facilitate en bloc mechanical thrombectomy of massive thrombi of the central vasculature. Between February 2014 and January 2015, seven consecutive patients, each presenting with large central thrombi of the iliac veins, vena cava, right atrium, or pulmonary artery, underwent thrombectomy. Partial or complete clot abatement was achieved in all instances. All patients survived the procedure. One case was complicated by embolization of septic thrombi. At most recent follow-up, one patient had died of causes unrelated to venous thrombosis; all other patients were living (median follow-up time 8 mo). Several technical and therapeutic insights were gained from our centers early experience.

Targeting clinical outcomes: Endovascular simulation improves diagnostic coronary angiography skills

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of simulation‐based medical education (SBME) on the skills required to perform coronary angiography in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.

Simulation-based education leads to decreased use of fluoroscopy in diagnostic coronary angiography

The aim of this study is to determine whether simulation‐based education (SBE) translates into reduced procedure time, radiation, and contrast use in actual clinical care.

Endovascular Management of Massive and Submassive Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Current Trends in Risk Stratification and Catheter-Directed Therapies

Purpose of ReviewAcute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. Prior studies have evaluated the role of systemic fibrinolysis and catheter-directed therapy (CDT) in the management of PE. In this review, we examine current data on risk stratification and the appropriate allocation of systemic fibrinolysis and CDT in acute PE patients with elevated risk of adverse outcomes.Recent FindingsClassification of pulmonary embolism is based on risk of adverse events, and relies on clinical parameters, imaging findings, and biomarkers. The synthesis of this data permits appropriate risk stratification of acute PE patients, and is the foundation upon which treatment decisions are made. While systemic thrombolytics remain the frontline therapy for hemodynamically unstable PE patients, studies have suggested that CDT has a significant promise as the primary modality for treating hemodynamically stable patients at increased risk for clinical decompensation and as an alternative therapy for hemodynamically unstable patients who may not tolerate systemic thrombolytics.SummaryThe appropriate use of CDT in patients with acute PE is dependent on accurate risk stratification. CDT offers the potential to reduce excessive bleeding while maintaining the efficacy of systemic thrombolytics, but will require data from larger randomized trials to support its use prior to widespread adoption as the frontline therapy for PE in patients at elevated risk of adverse outcomes.