Gary D. Peksa

Dosing algorithm for concomitant administration of sirolimus, tacrolimus, and an azole after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients are at risk of invasive fungal infections and prophylaxis with azole agents is common practice. The concomitant use of these agents with sirolimus and tacrolimus for the prevention of graft-versus-host disease may result in excessive immunosuppression or toxicity. Methods This retrospective study identified hospitalized patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation between August 2009 and April 2011 at Rush University Medical Center. From this group, patients who underwent concomitant tacrolimus, sirolimus, and azole therapy were included for evaluation. The immunosuppression dosing in conjunction with azole use at discharge was analyzed to develop a dosing algorithm dependent on whether fluconazole, posaconazole, or voriconazole was used. Results A total of 36 patients were screened for inclusion, of which 8 were excluded due to acute renal failure and/or hemolysis. The remaining patients were stratified by the azole they were concomitantly taking with tacrolimus and sirolimus. The fluconazole arm required the lowest magnitude of dose reductions, while voriconazole required the greatest. Conclusion Dose reductions of 50–75% for both sirolimus and tacrolimus, in combination with standard dosing of azole antifungal agents, were necessary to achieve therapeutic drug concentrations for immunosuppressants and potentially avoid toxicities.

Comparison of the loop technique with incision and drainage for soft tissue abscesses: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Skin and soft tissue infections are a common presentation to the emergency department. Traditional management of abscesses involves a linear incision through the center of the abscess with packing placed. The loop drainage technique (LDT) is an alternate approach that may reduce pain and scarring, as well as decrease the number of follow up visits needed. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to compare the efficacy of the LDT with conventional incision and drainage (CID) in the treatment of soft tissue abscesses. Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and bibliographies of selected articles were assessed for all retrospective, prospective, or randomized controlled trials comparing the LDT to CID with an outcome of treatment failure, as defined by the individual study. Data were double extracted into a predefined worksheet and quality analysis was performed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Data were summarized and a meta‐analysis was performed with subgroup analyses by adult versus pediatric age groups. Results: This systematic review identified four studies comprising 470 total patients. Overall, the CID technique failed in 25 of 265 cases (9.43%). The LDT failed in 8 of 195 cases (4.10%). There was an odds ratio of 2.63 (95% CI 1.04 to 6.63) in favor of higher failures in the CID group. Funnel plot analysis demonstrated no evidence of publication bias. Subgroups analysis by age group demonstrated improved efficacy of the LDT in pediatric patients, but the adult subgroup did not reach statistical significance. Discussion: The existing literature suggests that LDT is associated with a lower failure rate than CID. However, the data is limited by small sample sizes and predominantly retrospective study designs. Given the potential for less pain, decreased scarring, and lower associated healthcare costs, this technique should be considered for the treatment of skin and soft tissue abscesses in the ED setting, but further studies are needed.

A Comparison of Insulin Doses for the Treatment of Hyperkalemia in Patients with Renal Insufficiency

To compare the safety and efficacy of 5 units versus 10 units of insulin for the treatment of hyperkalemia in patients with renal insufficiency.

Ultrasonography for the Confirmation of Endotracheal Tube Intubation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Study objective: Intubation is routinely performed in the emergency department, and rapid, accurate confirmation is essential to avoid potentially serious adverse outcomes. The number of studies assessing ultrasonography for the verification of endotracheal tube placement has expanded rapidly in recent years. We performed this systematic review and meta‐analysis to determine the sensitivity and specificity of transtracheal ultrasonography for the verification of endotracheal tube location. Methods: PubMed, the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health, Scopus, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature database, the Cochrane databases, and bibliographies of selected articles were assessed for all prospective and randomized controlled trials evaluating the accuracy of transtracheal ultrasonography for identifying endotracheal tube location. Data were dual extracted into a predefined worksheet and quality analysis was performed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies–2 tool. Data were summarized and a meta‐analysis was performed with subgroup analyses by location, specialty, experience, transducer type, and technique. Time to confirmation was assessed as a secondary outcome. Results: This systematic review identified 17 studies (n=1,595 patients). Overall, transtracheal ultrasonography was 98.7% sensitive (95% confidence interval [CI] 97.8% to 99.2%) and 97.1% specific (95% CI 92.4% to 99.0%), with a positive likelihood ratio of 34.4 (95% CI 12.7 to 93.1) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.01 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.02). Subgroup analyses did not demonstrate a significant difference by location, provider specialty, provider experience, transducer type, or technique. Mean time to confirmation was 13.0 seconds. Conclusion: Transtracheal sonography is rapid to perform, with an acceptable degree of sensitivity and specificity for the confirmation of endotracheal intubation. Ultrasonography is a valuable adjunct and should be considered when quantitative capnography is unavailable or unreliable.

Single-dose sodium polystyrene sulfonate for hyperkalemia in chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease

Abstract Background The use of sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) for the treatment of hyperkalemia lacks sufficient efficacy data in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD); however, use remains widespread. Recent evidence suggests that this population may be at risk for serious gastrointestinal adverse effects with SPS. Methods. We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study. Adult patients with CKD Stages 4, 5, or ESRD maintained on renal replacement therapy with serum potassium >5u2009mEq/L and receipt of SPS were screened for inclusion. Our primary outcome was decrease in potassium within 24u2009h post-30u2009g oral SPS suspended in 33% sorbitol. Secondary outcomes included decrease in potassium within 24u2009h from 15 or 30u2009g SPS doses and gastrointestinal adverse events. Results Of 596 records, 114 were included for analysis. At the first serum potassium level within 24u2009h post-30u2009g oral SPS the median potassium decrease was 0.8u2009mEq/L [interquartile range (IQR) 0.4–1.1; Pu2009<u20090.001]. At the first potassium level within 24u2009h post-15 or 30u2009g SPS, the median potassium decrease was 0.7u2009mEq/L (IQR 0.4–1.0; Pu2009<u20090.001]. Post-SPS potassium levels occurred 14–16u2009h post-SPS. Gastrointestinal side effects occurred within 30u2009days of SPS in 5% of patients, although only two cases were classified as possibly associated. Conclusions The use of single-dose SPS monotherapy resulted in a significant decrease in serum potassium levels within 24u2009h in patients with CKD Stage 4, 5, or ESRD. However, it remains unclear if SPS is associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal injury in this population.

Comparison of Short- vs Long-axis Technique for Ultrasound-guided Peripheral Line Placement: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous line (PIV) placement is associated with increased success rates, decreased time to cannulation, and fewer skin punctures than traditional, landmark-based techniques. However, it is unclear which technique is best. This review compares the short-axis (SA) and long-axis (LA) techniques for PIV placement. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and bibliographies of selected articles were assessed for prospective trials evaluating the first pass success rate of SA vs LA ultrasound-guided PIV placement. Secondary outcomes included time to placement, number of needle passes, and incidence of posterior wall puncture. Data were double extracted into a predefined worksheet and quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Three studies (n = 198) were identified. SA was successful in 125/128 placements (97.7%) and LA technique was successful in 114/128 placements (89.1%). There was an odds ratio of 5.35 (95% CI: 1.46-19.58) in favor of the SA technique. There was no difference in the mean number of needle passes. Time to insertion varied between studies. The existing literature suggests that the SA technique is associated with greater success than the LA technique. Based upon the data, short-axis may be considered as the first approach for ultrasound-guided PIV placement among providers comfortable with both techniques, though further studies are needed.

Systemic Antibiotics for the Treatment of Skin and Soft Tissue Abscesses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Study objective The addition of antibiotics to standard incision and drainage is controversial, with earlier studies demonstrating no significant benefit. However, 2 large, multicenter trials have recently been published that have challenged the previous literature. The goal of this review was to determine whether systemic antibiotics for abscesses after incision and drainage improve cure rates. Methods PubMed, the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scopus, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and bibliographies of selected articles were assessed for all randomized controlled trials comparing adjuvant antibiotics with placebo in the treatment of drained abscesses, with an outcome of treatment failure assessed within 21 days. Data were dual extracted into a predefined worksheet and quality analysis was performed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Results Four studies (n=2,406 participants) were identified. There were 89 treatment failures (7.7%) in the antibiotic group and 150 (16.1%) in the placebo group. The calculated risk difference was 7.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.8% to 12.1%), with an odds ratio for clinical cure of 2.32 (95% CI 1.75 to 3.08) in favor of the antibiotic group. There was also a decreased incidence of new lesions in the antibiotic group (risk difference –10.0%, 95% CI –12.8% to –7.2%; odds ratio 0.32, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.44), with a minimally increased risk of minor adverse events (risk difference 4.4%, 95% CI 1.0% to 7.8%; odds ratio 1.29, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.58). Conclusion The use of systemic antibiotics for skin and soft tissue abscesses after incision and drainage resulted in an increased rate of clinical cure. Providers should consider the use of antibiotics while balancing the risk of adverse events.

Metoprolol vs. diltiazem in the acute management of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of metoprolol versus diltiazem in the acute management of atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular response (RVR) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods: This retrospective cohort study of patients with HFrEF in AF with RVR receiving either intravenous push (IVP) doses of metoprolol or diltiazem was conducted between January 2012 and September 2016. The primary outcome was successful rate control within 30 min of medication administration, defined as a heart rate (HR) < 100 beats per minute or a HR reduction ≥ 20%. Secondary outcomes included rate control at 60 min, maximum median change in HR, and incidence of hypotension, bradycardia, or conversion to normal sinus rhythm within 30 min. Signs of worsening heart failure were also evaluated. Results: Of the 48 patients included, 14 received metoprolol and 34 received diltiazem. The primary outcome, successful rate control within 30 min, occurred in 62% of the metoprolol group and 50% of the diltiazem group (p = 0.49). There was no difference in HR control at predefined time points or incidence of hypotension, bradycardia, or conversion. Although baseline HR varied between groups, maximum median change in HR did not differ. Signs of worsening heart failure were similar between groups. Conclusions: For the acute management of AF with RVR in patients with HFrEF, IVP diltiazem achieved similar rate control with no increase in adverse events when compared to IVP metoprolol.

Ultrasound‐assisted Lumbar Punctures: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

BACKGROUNDnLumbar punctures (LPs) are a common procedure in emergency medicine. However, studies have found that failed procedure rates can be as high as 50%. Ultrasound has been suggested to improve success rates by visually identifying the location and trajectory for the LP procedure. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to determine whether the use of ultrasound improved the rate of successful LP performance.nnnMETHODSnPubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, LILACS, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and bibliographies of selected articles were assessed for all randomized controlled trials comparing the success rates of ultrasound-assisted LP with landmark-based LP. Secondary outcomes included the rate of traumatic LPs, time to procedural success, number of needle passes, and patient pain score. Data were dual extracted into a predefined worksheet, and quality analysis was performed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Data were summarized and a meta-analysis was performed with subgroup analyses by pediatric versus adult patients and by operator training level.nnnRESULTSnTwelve studies (nxa0=xa0957 total patients) were identified. Ultrasound-assisted LP was successful in 90.0% of patients and landmark-based LP was successful in 81.4% of patients. The calculated risk difference (RD) was 8.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]xa0= 1.2% to 16.7%) with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.22 (95% CIxa0= 1.03 to 4.77) in favor of the ultrasound-assisted group. There were fewer traumatic LPs in the ultrasound-assisted group (10.7% vs. 26.5%; RDxa0= -16.4%, 95% CIxa0= -27.6% to -5.2%; ORxa0= 0.28, 95% CIxa0= 0.18 to 0.45). Ultrasound-assisted LP was also associated with a shorter time to successful LP (6.87 minutes vs. 7.97 minutes), fewer mean needle passes (2.07 vs. 2.66), and lower patient pain scores (3.75 vs. 6.31).nnnCONCLUSIONSnUltrasound-assisted LPs were associated with higher success rates, fewer traumatic LPs, shorter time to successful LP, fewer needle passes, and lower patient pain scores. Ultrasound should be considered prior to performing all LPs, especially in patients with difficult anatomy. Further studies are recommended to determine whether this effect is consistent in both adult and pediatric subgroups, as well as the impact of transducer type and body habitus on this technique.

Utilization of ultrasound for the evaluation of small bowel obstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common presentation to the Emergency Department (ED). While computed tomography (CT) is frequently utilized to confirm the diagnosis, this modality is expensive, exposes patients to radiation, may lead to time delays, and is not universally available. This study aimed to determine the test characteristics of ultrasound for the diagnosis of SBO. Methods PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were assessed for prospective trials evaluating the accuracy of ultrasound for the detection of SBO. Data were double extracted into a predefined worksheet and quality analysis was performed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS‐2) tool. Results This systematic review identified 11 studies comprising 1178 total patients. Overall, ultrasound was found to be 92.4% sensitive (95% CI 89.0% to 94.7%) and 96.6% specific (95% CI 88.4% to 99.1%) with a positive likelihood ratio of 27.5 (95% CI 7.7 to 98.4) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.08 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.11). Discussion The existing literature suggests that ultrasound is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of SBO with a sensitivity and specificity comparable to that of CT. Ultrasound may save time and radiation exposure, while also allowing for serial examinations of patients to assess for resolution of the SBO. It may be particularly valuable in settings with limited or no access to CT. Future studies should include more studies in the Emergency Department setting, comparison of probe choices, and inclusion of more pediatric patients.