J.-L. Ducassé

Is there an ideal morphine dose for prehospital treatment of severe acute pain? A randomized, double-blind comparison of 2 doses.

STUDY OBJECTIVEnWe aimed to determine the best intravenous morphine titration protocol by comparing 2 protocols for prehospital treatment of patients with severe acute pain.nnnMETHODSnEligible patients with a numerical rating scale (NRS) score of 60/100 or higher were randomly allocated to receive either 0.05 mg/kg morphine then 0.025 mg/kg every 5 minutes (group A) or 0.1 mg/kg morphine then 0.05 mg/kg every 5 minutes (group B) intravenously. The protocol-defined primary outcome measure was the percentage of patients with pain relief (with a NRS score of 30/100 or lower) 30 minutes after the first injection.nnnRESULTSnA total of 106 consecutive patients were randomized. Thirty minutes after the injection, 66% of the patients in group A had an NRS of 30 or lower vs 76% of those in group B (P = .25). Ten minutes after the injection, 17% of the patients in group A had an NRS score of 30 or lower vs 40% of those in group B, (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-8.8; P < .01). Patients in group B were significantly more satisfied with their analgesia. In addition, there were no serious complications in either group. However, patients in group B did experience almost twice the incidence of adverse effects overall and in particular 4 times the level of emesis, although neither of these observations were statistically significant. Using univariate and multivariate analysis, only an initial NRS score of 100 was an independent predictive factor for failure of analgesia (odds ratio, 0.125; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.68; P < .05).nnnCONCLUSIONnThe high-dose morphine regimen showed a similar analgesic response pattern to the low-dose one in severe acute pain in a prehospital setting. Patients in the high-dose group were more likely to experience pain relief 10 minutes after the injection. In the interests of achieving rapid pain relief, an initial dose of 0.05 mg/kg should no longer be recommended for treating severe acute pain in a prehospital setting. Another important message arising from our study is that a regimented dose of morphine, with an initial dose and strictly administered lower doses at regular intervals, is safe in the prehospital setting.

Clinical Assessment of Ischemia-modified Albumin and Heart Fatty Acid–binding Protein in the Early Diagnosis of Non-ST-elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Emergency Department

OBJECTIVESnHeart fatty acid-binding protein (h-FABP) and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) have recently been evaluated, but to the best of our knowledge, no study has reported an analysis of these two markers for the detection of early myocardial infarction and myocardial ischemia in a large cohort of consecutive patients presenting to an emergency department (ED). This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy and the clinical utility of h-FABP and IMA for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS) diagnosis in the first hour of management in an ED.nnnMETHODSnIn a prospective 11-month study, 677 patients admitted to the ED with chest pain and suspected non-ST-segment elevation ACS were enrolled. On presentation, blood samples were obtained for the measurement of the biomarkers h-FABP (immunodetection with CardioDetect) and IMA (albumin cobalt-binding test). Two physicians, blinded to the results of the markers, independently categorized patients as having or not having non-ST-segment elevation ACS.nnnRESULTSnOf the 677 patients who were prospectively recruited, non-ST-segment elevation ACS was diagnosed in 185 (27.3%). While IMA was not predictive of the ACS diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.23; 95% CI = 0.87 to 1.81), h-FABP was predictive of ACS diagnosis (OR = 4.65; 95% CI = 2.39 to 9.04) with specificity at 96.8% (95% CI = 95.4% to 98.1%) and sensitivity at 13.5% (95% CI = 10.9% to 16.1%). However, h-FABP did not add significant additional information to a predictive model that included the usual diagnostic tools for non-ST-elevation ACS management (p = 0.40).nnnCONCLUSIONSnIn this study on a large cohort of patients admitted to an ED for chest pain, IMA and h-FABP did not provide valuable information for ACS diagnosis.

Predictors of pain relief and adverse events in patients receiving opioids in a prehospital setting.

OBJECTIVEnThe aim of the study was to analyze factors predicting pain relief and adverse events in patients receiving opioids for acute pain in a prehospital setting.nnnMETHODSnIn this prospective, observational clinical study, adult patients with a numerical rating scale (NRS) score of 5 of 10 or higher who required treatment with intravenous opioids for pain control were included. The primary outcome variable was final analgesia defined by an NRS score of 3 of 10 or lower upon arrival to the emergency department. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify predictive factors of pain relief and adverse effects.nnnRESULTSnIn total, 277 patients (age, 49 ± 22 years), 205 (74%) of whom were male and 154 (56%) with a traumatic pain were included in the analysis. Median (interquartile range) NRS scores at baseline and at discharge were 8 of 10 (7-10) and 3 of 10 (2-5), respectively. The final model had 3 independent variables reaching significance. Physician-staffed ambulance transportation (odds ratio [OR], 2.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-5.49) was the only independent predictor of patients final pain relief. High initial pain scores and acetaminophen use were predictive factors for failure of analgesia (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.68-0.93 for one unit/10; P < .01; and OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.21-0.77; P < .01, respectively). In the entire sample, 25 (9.0%) presented one adverse effect, all mild to moderate in severity, with no significant predictive factors.nnnCONCLUSIONnDespite advancement in prehospital pain management, pain relief at discharge is still inadequate in some patients. Finally, one important message of our study is that patients in pain have to be transported by well-equipped and staffed ambulances to reevaluate and alleviate pain.

Continuous positive airway pressure for cardiogenic pulmonary edema: a randomized study.

STUDY OBJECTIVEnThe purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to determine the immediate and delayed effects of noninvasive ventilation for patients in acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPE) in addition to aggressive usual care in a medical prehospital setting.nnnMETHODSnOut-of-hospital patients in severe ACPE were eligible for the study. Patients were randomized to receive either usual care, including conventional optimal treatment with furosemide, oxygen, and high-dose boluses of isosorbide dinitrate plus oxygen, or conventional medications plus out-of-hospital continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The primary outcome was the treatment success defined as all of respiratory rate less than 25 breaths per minute and oxygen saturation of greater than 90% at the end of 1-hour study. Secondary end points included death during 30 days after inclusion. Lengths of intensive care unit and hospital stays were also recorded.nnnRESULTSnIn total, 124 patients were enrolled into the study. The 2 groups had similar baseline characteristics. For the primary outcome analysis, 22 (35.5%) of 62 patients were considered as experiencing a treatment success in the usual care group vs 19 (31.7%) of 60 in the CPAP group (P = .65). Seven patients died within 30 days in the usual care group vs 6 in the CPAP group (P = .52). There were no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups for length of stay either in hospital or in the intensive care unit.nnnCONCLUSIONnIn the prehospital setting, in spite of its potential advantages for patients in ACPE, CPAP may not be preferred to a strict optimal intravenous treatment.

Sufentanil Is Not Superior to Morphine for the Treatment of Acute Traumatic Pain in an Emergency Setting: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Out-of-Hospital Trial

STUDY OBJECTIVEnWe determine the best intravenous opioid titration protocol by comparing morphine and sufentanil for adult patients with severe traumatic acute pain in an out-of-hospital setting, with a physician providing care.nnnMETHODSnIn this double-blind randomized clinical trial, patients were eligible for inclusion if aged 18 years or older, with acute severe pain (defined as a numeric rating scale score ≥ 6/10) caused by trauma. They were assigned to receive either intravenous 0.15 μg/kg sufentanil, followed by 0.075 μg/kg every 3 minutes or intravenous 0.15 mg/kg morphine and then 0.075 mg/kg. The primary endpoint of the study was pain relief at 15 minutes, defined as a numeric rating scale less than or equal to 3 of 10. Secondary endpoints were time to analgesia, adverse events, and duration of analgesia during the first 6 hours.nnnRESULTSnA total of 108 patients were included, 54 in each group. At 15 minutes, 74% of the patients in the sufentanil group had a numeric rating scale score of 3 or lower versus 70% of those in the morphine group (Δ4%; 95% confidence interval -13% to 21%). At 9 minutes, 65% of the patients in the sufentanil group experienced pain relief versus 46% of those in the morphine group (Δ18%; 95% confidence interval 0.1% to 35%). The duration of analgesia was in favor of the morphine group. Nineteen percent of patients experienced an adverse event in both groups, all mild to moderate.nnnCONCLUSIONnIntravenous morphine titration using a loading dose of morphine followed by strictly administered lower doses at regular intervals remains the criterion standard. Moreover, this study supports the idea that the doses studied should be considered for routine administration in severe pain protocols.

Rupture of splenic artery aneurysm during early pregnancy: a rare and catastrophic event.

Spontaneous rupture of splenic artery aneurysm during pregnancy is a rare, life-threatening event with a catastrophic prognosis. Splenic artery aneurysm, known to be more frequent in women, especially among multiparous ones, is generally asymptomatic until rupture. Because of increased blood flow and hormonal modifications, this rupture occurs frequently during pregnancy, most often at the end of the third trimester. We present the case of a second parous woman in early pregnancy with a rupture of splenic artery aneurysm initially diagnosed as a complicated ectopic pregnancy, which profoundly modifies surgical treatment. Through this case report, we want to draw attention to the fact that even if complicated ectopic pregnancy is much more frequent, ruptured splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) needs to be considered as a part of differential diagnosis of hemoperitoneum during the first trimester as well.

Usefulness of initial glucose level to improve acute coronary syndrome diagnosis in the emergency department.

Introduction The aim of the study was to analyse the incremental usefulness of high blood glucose level for non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS) diagnosis in patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) for chest pain and suspected ACS. Methods A post hoc analysis of a prospective, observational study of 11u2005months duration was carried out. Initial glucose levels were analysed in 672 consecutive patients admitted to the ED with chest pain and suspected non-ST elevation ACS. A cut-off glucose level (>140u2005mg/dl) for high glucose level diagnosis was defined. Based on hospital diagnostic test results, patients were classified as having non-ST elevation ACS by two independent physicians. The association and performance of high glucose level for ACS diagnosis were studied by univariate and multivariate analysis and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. Results Out of the 672 eligible patients who were recruited, 181 (26.9%) had a confirmed non-ST elevation ACS. The independent factors associated with a diagnosis of ACS were age, previous coronary artery disease, hyperlipidaemia, smoking status and glucose level >140u2005mg/dl (OR 1.98 95% CI 1.14 to 3.45). In addition to a predictive model that included the usual diagnostic tools for non-ST elevation ACS management, a glucose level >140u2005mg/dl added significant incremental information (p=0.03). However, the addition of blood glucose level >140u2005mg/dl to the conventional diagnostic tool resulted in small increases in the ability to classify ACS, as measured by the c-statistic (0.82, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.85). Conclusion An initial serum glucose level >140u2005mg/dl is associated with non-ST elevation ACS in patients admitted to an ED for chest pain but added moderately to conventional tools used for ACS diagnosis. Clinical trial number NCT00714298.

User satisfaction with maritime telemedicine

We assessed the satisfaction of onboard caregivers with the maritime telehealth service provided by the Centre de Consultations Médicales Maritimes (CCMM). We conducted a survey of captains and caregivers by email. Of the 385 surveys sent out, 165 (43%) were completed. Eighty four percent of responders (n = 110) thought that waiting time was satisfactory or very satisfactory, and 97% (n = 128) were satisfied or very satisfied with their relationship with the remote physician. Thirty eight per cent of participants (n = 50) considered that the physician understood the medical problem very well; understanding was good in 58% of cases (n = 76) and bad in only 4% of cases (n = 5). Sixty two per cent of participants (n = 83) sent pictures before consultation. The respondents were also satisfied with the telephone advice overall, the competence of the physicians providing the advice, the length of time spent waiting, the verbal prescription and the medical advice given. Onboard caregivers were generally well satisfied with the maritime teleconsultations and the advice provided by the CCMM physicians.

New diploma in emergency medicine in France: the students' perspective.

French emergency medicine (EM) has undergone rapid changes with the establishment of a diploma in emergency medicine (DES). We aimed to question medicine students on their knowledge of and apprehensions regarding this new DES. We conducted an email cross-sectional survey among second-cycle medical students before their choice of resident speciality. This included a demographic study and an evaluation of the willingness to choose emergency specialization. Two thousand and three fully completed questionnaires were analysed. Twenty-six per cent of the students (n=524) planned to choose emergency specialization and 54% of the students (n=1084) knew that emergency specialization would be proposed as a full speciality. Seventy-six per cent of students considered it tough to practice as an entire career. This study clearly shows that EM represents an attractive option for medical students. The establishment of DES represents a major step in the improvement of EM.

Management of non-traumatic chest pain by the French Emergency Medical System: Insights from the DOLORES registry.

BACKGROUNDnThe early recognition of acute coronary syndromes is a priority in health care systems, to reduce revascularization delays. In France, patients are encouraged to call emergency numbers (15, 112), which are routed to a Medical Dispatch Centre where physicians conduct an interview and decide on the appropriate response. However, the effectiveness of this system has not yet been assessed.nnnAIMnTo describe and analyse the response of emergency physicians receiving calls for chest pain in the French Emergency Medical System.nnnMETHODSnFrom 16 November to 13 December 2009, calls to the Medical Dispatch Centre for non-traumatic chest pain were included prospectively in a multicentre observational study. Clinical characteristics and triage decisions were collected.nnnRESULTSnA total of 1647 patients were included in the study. An interview was conducted with the patient in only 30.5% of cases, and with relatives, bystanders or physicians in the other cases. A Mobile Intensive Care Unit was dispatched to 854 patients (51.9%) presenting with typical angina chest pains and a high risk of cardiovascular disease. Paramedics were sent to 516 patients (31.3%) and a general practitioner was sent to 169 patients (10.3%). Patients were given medical advice only by telephone in 108 cases (6.6%).nnnCONCLUSIONSnEmergency physicians in the Medical Dispatch Centre sent an effecter to the majority of patients who called the Emergency Medical System for chest pain. The response level was based on the characteristics of the chest pain and the patients risk profile.