Elizabeth Retzer

Patient acuity rating: Quantifying clinical judgment regarding inpatient stability

BACKGROUND New resident work-hour restrictions are expected to result in further increases in the number of handoffs between inpatient care providers, a known risk factor for poor outcomes. Strategies for improving the accuracy and efficiency of provider sign-outs are needed. OBJECTIVE To develop and test a judgment-based scale for conveying the risk of clinical deterioration. DESIGN Prospective observational study. SETTING University teaching hospital. SUBJECTS Internal medicine clinicians and patients. MEASUREMENTS The Patient Acuity Rating (PAR), a 7-point Likert score representing the likelihood of a patient experiencing a cardiac arrest or intensive care unit (ICU) transfer within the next 24 hours, was obtained from physicians and midlevel practitioners at the time of sign-out. Cross-covering physicians were blinded to the results, which were subsequently correlated with outcomes. RESULTS Forty eligible clinicians consented to participate, providing 6034 individual scores on 3419 patient-days. Seventy-four patient-days resulted in cardiac arrest or ICU transfer within 24 hours. The average PAR was 3 ± 1 and yielded an area under the receiver operator characteristics curve (AUROC) of 0.82. Provider-specific AUROC values ranged from 0.69 for residents to 0.85 for attendings (P = 0.01). Interns and midlevels did not differ significantly from the other groups. A PAR of 4 or higher corresponded to a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 68% for predicting cardiac arrest or ICU transfer in the next 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS Clinical judgment regarding patient stability can be reliably quantified in a simple score with the potential for efficiently conveying complex assessments of at-risk patients during handoffs between healthcare members.

One size does not fit all: Case report of two percutaneous closures of aortic pseudoaneurysm and review of the literature

Aortic pseudoaneurysms (PSAs) are common complications following cardiac surgery, and carry significant morbidity and mortality. Surgical management of aortic PSAs is associated with high mortality, however there are emerging reports of transcatheter techniques for closure of aortic PSAs. We present two cases of ascending aorta PSA which developed following cardiac surgery and were treated percutaneously with novel closure devices. We also describe a comprehensive review of the literature of all published cases of ascending aorta PSA which have been closed percutaneously, and report on the success rate and available devices for percutaneous closure.

Mechanical chest compressions improve rate of return of spontaneous circulation and allow for initiation of percutaneous circulatory support during cardiac arrest in the cardiac catheterization laboratory

BACKGROUND Performing advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) is challenging. Mechanical chest compression (MCC) devices deliver compressions in a small space, allowing for simultaneous percutaneous coronary intervention and reduced radiation exposure to rescuers. In refractory cases, MCC devices allow rescuers to initiate percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (MCS) and extracorporeal life support (ECLS) during resuscitation. This study sought to assess the efficacy and safety of MCC when compared to manual compressions in the CCL. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who received ACLS in the CCL at our institution between May 2011 and February 2016. Baseline characteristics, resuscitation details, and outcomes were compared between patients who received manual and mechanical compressions. RESULTS Forty-three patients (67% male, mean age 58 years) required chest compressions for cardiac arrest while in the CCL (12 manual and 31 MCC). Patients receiving MCC were more likely to achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (74% vs. 42%, p=0.05). Of those receiving MCC, twenty-two patients (71%) were treated with MCS. Patients receiving percutaneous ECLS were more likely to achieve ROSC (100% vs. 53%, p=0.003) and suffered no episodes of limb loss or TIMI major bleeding. There were no significant differences in 30-day survival or survival to hospital discharge between groups. CONCLUSIONS Use of MCC during resuscitation of cardiac arrest in the CCL increases the rate of ROSC. Simultaneous implantation of MCS, including percutaneous ECLS, is feasible and safe during MCC-assisted resuscitation in the CCL.

Predictors of survival following trans‐catheter aortic valve closure for left ventricular assist device associated aortic insufficiency

This study sought to assess the long‐term clinical benefits and predictors of survival of trans‐catheter aortic valve closure in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients.

Successful percutaneous trans‐catheter treatment of left ventricular assist device outflow graft stenosis with a covered stent

Left ventricular assist devices improve survival in patients with advanced heart failure but can be associated with significant complication including infection, pump thrombosis, and de novo severe aortic insufficiency. Outflow graft stenosis is a much more rare complication, but one with significant hemodynamic consequences. Surgical repair is often necessary, but many patients are too high risk for further surgical intervention. We describe the first case of left ventricular assist device outflow graft stenosis treated with percutaneous trans‐catheter placement of a covered stent.

Novel transcatheter closure of an iatrogenic perimembranous ventricular septal defect

Iatrogenic membranous ventricular septal defects (VSD) are rare complications of cardiothoracic surgery, most commonly seen as a complication of aortic valve replacements. An iatrogenic VSD can lead to right sided heart failure, systemic hypoxia, and arrhythmias, and closure is often necessary. Given the increased mortality associated with repeat surgical procedures, percutaneous transcatheter closure of these iatrogenic VSDs has increasingly become the preferred choice of therapy. We describe the first case of iatrogenic membranous VSD in the setting of mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve repair, using the newly approved Amplatzer Duct Occluder II Device from an entirely retrograde approach.

TCT-125 Use of a Mechanical Compression Device Increases Return of Spontaneous Circulation in Patients with Cardiac Arrest in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory .

Recent studies suggest that therapies offered in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) can increase survival in patients who have suffered a cardiac arrest. Performing advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) in the CCL is challenging due to the presence of imaging equipment and rescuer fatigue.

TCT-134 Mechanical Chest Compressions as a Bridge to Percutaneous Extracorporeal Life Support Increase Return of Spontaneous Circulation in Patients with Cardiac Arrest

Recent studies have reported that patients with cardiac arrest refractory to advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) may benefit from initiation of percutaneous extracorporeal life support (ECLS) during resuscitation. In order to preserve critical organ function, chest compressions must be performed