Jose Cardenas-Garcia

Safety of peripheral intravenous administration of vasoactive medication

BACKGROUND Central venous access is commonly performed to administer vasoactive medication. The administration of vasoactive medication via peripheral intravenous access is a potential method of reducing the need for central venous access. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of vasoactive medication administered through peripheral intravenous access. METHODS Over a 20-month period starting in September 2012, we monitored the use of vasoactive medication via peripheral intravenous access in an 18-bed medical intensive care unit. Norepinephrine, dopamine, and phenylephrine were all approved for use through peripheral intravenous access. RESULTS A total of 734 patients (age 72 ± 15 years, male/female 398/336, SAPS II score 75 ± 15) received vasoactive medication via peripheral intravenous access 783 times. Vasoactive medication used was norepinephrine (n = 506), dopamine (n = 101), and phenylephrine (n = 176). The duration of vasoactive medication via peripheral intravenous access was 49 ± 22 hours. Extravasation of the peripheral intravenous access during administration of vasoactive medication occurred in 19 patients (2%) without any tissue injury following treatment, with local phentolamine injection and application of local nitroglycerin paste. There were 95 patients (13%) receiving vasoactive medication through peripheral intravenous access who eventually required central intravenous access. CONCLUSIONS Administration of norepinephrine, dopamine, or phenylephrine by peripheral intravenous access was feasible and safe in this single-center medical intensive care unit. Extravasation from the peripheral intravenous line was uncommon, and phentolamine with nitroglycerin paste were effective in preventing local ischemic injury. Clinicians should not regard the use of vasoactive medication is an automatic indication for central venous access.

The Effect of Point-of-Care Ultrasonography on Imaging Studies in the Medical ICU: A Comparative Study

BACKGROUND Point-of-care ultrasonography performed by frontline intensivists offers the possibility of reducing the use of traditional imaging in the medical ICU (MICU). We compared the use of traditional radiographic studies between two MICUs: one where point-of-care ultrasonography is used as a primary imaging modality, the other where it is used only for procedure guidance. METHODS This study was a retrospective 3-month chart review comparing the use of chest radiographs, CT scans (chest and abdomen/pelvis), transthoracic echocardiography performed by the cardiology service, and DVT ultrasonography studies performed by the radiology service between two MICUs of similar size and acuity and staffing levels. RESULTS Total number of admissions, patient demographics, and disease acuity were similar between MICUs. Comparing the non-point-of-care ultrasonography MICU with the point-of-care ultrasonography MICU, there were 3.75 ± 4.6 vs 0.82 ± 1.85 (P < .0001) chest radiographs per patient, 0.10 ± 0.31 vs 0.04 ± 0.20 (P = .0007) chest CT scans per patient, 0.17 ± 0.44 vs 0.05 ± 0.24 (P < .0001) abdomen/pelvis CT scans per patient, 0.20 ± 0.47 vs 0.02 ± 0.14 (P < .0001) radiology service-performed DVT studies per patient, and 0.18 ± 0.40 vs 0.07 ± 0.26 (P < .0001) cardiology service-performed transthoracic echocardiography studies per patient, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The use of point-of-care ultrasonography in an MICU is associated with a significant reduction in the number of imaging studies performed by the radiology and cardiology services.

Bedside Ultrasonography for the Intensivist

Critical care ultrasonography is a bedside technique performed by the frontline clinician at the point of care. Point-of-care ultrasonography is conceptually related to physical examination. The intensivist uses visual assessment, auscultation, and palpation on an ongoing basis to monitor the patient. Ultrasonography adds to traditional physical examination by allowing the intensivist to visualize the anatomy and function of the body in real time. Initial, repeated, and goal-directed ultrasonography is an extension of the physical examination that allows the intensivist to establish a diagnosis and monitor the condition of the patient on a regular basis.

Bronchial leiomyoma, a case report and review of literature

A 44 year old male former smoker from Ecuador presented with productive cough for 3 weeks, positive tuberculin skin test, 40 lbs weight loss and right lower lobe collapse. He denied wheezing or hemoptysis. He was treated with antibiotics and ruled out for tuberculosis with negative sputum smear. Bronchoscopy showed an endobronchial lesion at the distal end of bronchus intermedius as cause of the collapse. Endobronchial biopsy of the lesion revealed an endobronchial leiomyoma, a rare cause of endobronchial tumor. The patient underwent bilobectomy as definite therapy for the leiomyoma due to its large size and possible extra-luminal extension, which made it not amenable to bronchoscopic resection or bronchoplasty. Differential diagnoses of endobronchial lesions are discussed along with clinical, radiographic, pathologic characteristics and various treatment modalities for endobronchial leiomyomas.

Evidence-Based Assessment of Bronchial Thermoplasty in Asthma: Mechanisms and Outcomes

Purpose of ReviewAsthma is a heterogenous, chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation, obstruction, and hyperresponsiveness that results in debilitating respiratory symptoms. Despite advances in management strategies, severe asthmatics are often not responsive to the standard management and are disproportionately impacted. Bronchial thermoplasty offers a treatment option for this subgroup of severe asthmatics.Recent FindingsMultiple clinical studies have examined bronchial thermoplasty effectiveness and safety in severe asthma. Recent post-market and translational studies have brought new insights into the mechanism of action behind bronchial thermoplasty.SummaryBronchial thermoplasty is a treatment option for severe asthmatics who are not adequately controlled on their current treatment regimen.

A man in his 50s with septic shock from an occult source.

A previously healthy man in his 50s presented to an ED complaining of a 1-week history of generalized malaise, weakness, subjective fevers, chills, decreased appetite, and nonbloody diarrhea. He was given a diagnosis of a viral illness and discharged with acetaminophen and ibuprofen. His symptoms continued, and follow-up with his primary physician revealed an elevated serum creatinine level (5.84 mg/dL) from a previously normal baseline. He was referred to the ED.