Kurt Pfeifer

An Assessment of the Impact of Multimedia, Technology-Based Learning Tools on the Cardiac Auscultation Skills of Third-Year Medical Students

Abstract: Background: Previous studies have shown that medical students and post-graduate trainees need to improve their proficiency in cardiac auscultation. Technologic advances have created new learner-centered opportunities to enhance proficiency in this important physical examination skill. Objectives: We sought to determine if technology-based, self-directed learning tools improved the cardiac auscultation skills of third-year medical students. Methods: Sixteen (16) third-year medical (M3) students were exposed to three educational inter-ventions: a one-hour cardiac auscultation lecture that featured computer-generated heart sounds, a PDA-based heart sounds/murmur form and a web-based cardiac auscultation program. Thirteen (13) internal medicine (IM) residents who served as a comparison group attended a cardiac auscultation lecture identical in content and format to the student lecture. At the end of the study period, we evaluated the ability of both groups to accurately identify heart sounds and cardiac murmurs via a twelve-item performance-based examination utilizing computer-generated heart sounds. Results: Following our teaching interventions, findingsM3 students correctly identified 80% of the computer-simulated heart sounds/murmurs while the comparison group of IM residents accurately detected 60% of the same cardiac findings (p<. 005). Conclusions: The combination of traditional lecture and multi-media, technology-based, self-directed learning tools appears to be an effective and efficient strategy for teaching and reinforcing cardiac auscultation skills to third year medical students.

Risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications: an update of the literature

Abstract Perioperative medicine is a growing area of research that brings together internists, anesthesiologists, surgeons, and hospitalists. A medical team approach to ensure the best possible patient outcomes has fostered collaborative strategies across disciplines. Perioperative pulmonary complications are common and can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Effective strategies to identify and reduce risks of pulmonary complications can improve patient outcomes. We review the new literature (2013 to early 2014) in the field of perioperative pulmonary medicine that reports new strategies to improve outcomes in the area of perioperative pulmonary care.

An Unusual Case of Statin-Induced Myopathy: Anti-HMGCoA Necrotizing Autoimmune Myopathy

ABSTRACTStatins are some of the most widely prescribed medications, and though generally well tolerated, can lead to a self-limited myopathy in a minority of patients. Recently, these medications have been associated with a necrotizing autoimmune myopathy (NAM). Statin-associated NAM is characterized by irritable myopathy on electromyography (EMG) and muscle necrosis with minimal inflammation on muscle biopsy. The case presented is a 63-year-old woman who has continued elevation of creatine kinase (CK) after discontinuation of statin therapy. She has irritable myopathy on EMG and NAM is confirmed by muscle biopsy. She subsequently tests positive for an experimental anti-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (anti-HMGCoA) antibody that is found to be present in patients with statin-associated NAM. Though statin-associated NAM is a relatively rare entity, it is an important consideration for the general internist in patients who continue to have CK elevation and weakness after discontinuation of statin therapy. Continued research is necessary to better define statin-specific and dose-dependent risk, as well as optimal treatment for this condition.

Recommendations for preoperative management of frailty from the Society for Perioperative Assessment and Quality Improvement (SPAQI)

Frailty is an age-related, multi-dimensional state of decreased physiologic reserve that results in diminished resiliency and increased vulnerability to stressors. It has proven to be an excellent predictor of unfavorable health outcomes in the older surgical population. There is agreement in recommending that a frailty evaluation should be part of the preoperative assessment in the elderly. However, the consensus is still building with regards to how it should affect perioperative care. The Society for Perioperative Assessment and Quality Improvement (SPAQI) convened experts in the fields of gerontology, anesthesiology and preoperative assessment to outline practical steps for clinicians to assess and address frailty in elderly patients who require elective intermediate or high risk surgery. These recommendations summarize evidence-based principles of measuring and screening for frailty, as well as basic interventions that can help improve patient outcomes.

Updates in perioperative medicine

BACKGROUND As our surgical population becomes older and more medically complex, knowledge of the most recent perioperative literature is necessary to optimize perioperative care. We aim to summarize and critique literature published over the past year with the highest potential to impact the clinical practice of perioperative medicine. METHODS We reviewed articles published between January 2014 and April 2015, identified via MEDLINE search. The final 10 articles selected were determined by consensus among all authors, with criteria for inclusion including scientific rigor and relevance to perioperative medicine practice. RESULTS Key findings include: long term β-blockade should be continued prior to surgery, routine screening with postoperative troponin is not recommended, initiation/continuation of aspirin or clonidine in the perioperative period is not beneficial and may increase adverse outcomes, preoperative diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea may reduce risk of postoperative cardiovascular complications, new pulmonary risk indices are available that accurately estimate postoperative pulmonary complications, postoperative atrial fibrillation is associated with increased long-term stroke risk, risk scores such as the CHADS2 (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥75 years, Diabetes Mellitus, previous stroke or transient ischemic attack) are superior to the Revised Cardiac Risk Index in predicting adverse postoperative outcomes for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, and utilization of bridging anticoagulation comes with a much higher risk of bleeding compared to patients who are not bridged. CONCLUSIONS The body of literature reviewed provides important information for clinicians caring for surgical patients across multiple fronts, including preoperative risk assessment, medication management, and postoperative medical care.

Perioperative Cardiovascular Medicine: An Update of the Literature 2013–2014

Abstract Perioperative medicine is an important and rapidly expanding area of interest across multiple specialties, including internal medicine, anesthesiology, surgery, cardiology, and hospital medicine. A multispecialty team approach that ensures the best possible patient outcomes has fostered collaborative strategies across the continuum of patient care. Staying current in this multidisciplinary field is difficult, because physicians interested in perioperative medicine would need to review multiple specialty journals on a regular basis. To facilitate this process, the authors performed a focused review of this literature published in 2013 and early 2014. In this update, key articles are reviewed that potentially impact clinical practice in perioperative cardiovascular risk prediction and risk management.

Hospital medicine and perioperative care: A framework for high-quality, high-value collaborative care

BACKGROUND: Hospitalists have long been involved in optimizing perioperative care for medically complex patients. In 2015, the Society of Hospital Medicine organized the Perioperative Care Work Group to summarize this experience and to develop a framework for providing optimal perioperative care. METHODS: The work group, which consisted of perioperative care experts from institutions throughout the United States, reviewed current hospitalist‐based perioperative care programs, compiled key issues in each perioperative phase, and developed a framework to highlight essential elements to be considered. The framework was reviewed and approved by the board of the Society of Hospital Medicine. RESULTS: The Perioperative Care Matrix for Inpatient Surgeries was developed. This matrix characterizes perioperative phases, coordination, and metrics of success. Additionally, concerns and potential risks were tabulated. Key questions regarding program effectiveness were drafted, and examples of models of care were provided. CONCLUSIONS: The Perioperative Care Matrix for Inpatient Surgeries provides an essential collaborative framework hospitalists can use to develop and continually improve perioperative care programs.

In reply: Perioperative interruption of dual antiplatelet therapy

We reported on publications from 2016–2017 and, unfortunately, at the time we were writing our paper, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) update on dual anti-platelet therapy[1][1] had not yet been published. We presented the recommendations from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and

Alveolar Recruitment Strategies After Cardiac Surgery

to confounding factors, not a causal influence.2,3 To draw causal inference regarding any risk factor, we concur with major medical groups4 that researchers will need to find commensurate results from multiple methods. For instance, our findings regarding antidepressant use during pregnancy and preterm birth using multiple designs with the large Swedish registers are consistent with the findings by Yonkers and colleagues using a smaller but wellcharacterized sample of pregnant women.5 Ultimately, understanding the causal risk factors for birth and neurodevelopmental problems will require researchers to consider risk factors across numerous domains, while leveraging the advantages and limitations of multiple research designs.

2017 Update in perioperative medicine: 6 questions answered

The authors performed a MEDLINE search to identify articles published between January 2016 and April 2017 that had significant impact on perioperative care. They identified 6 topics for discussion. Topics: cardiac risk assessment, surgery after percutaneous intervention, statins, sleep apnea, bridging anticoagulation, and frailty.