Meng-Che Wu

Real-time tracheal ultrasonography for confirmation of endotracheal tube placement during cardiopulmonary resuscitation

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of tracheal ultrasonography for assessing endotracheal tube position during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). METHODS We performed a prospective observational study of patients undergoing emergency intubation during CPR. Real-time tracheal ultrasonography was performed during the intubation with the transducer placed transversely just above the suprasternal notch, to assess for endotracheal tube positioning and exclude esophageal intubation. The position of trachea was identified by a hyperechoic air-mucosa (A-M) interface with posterior reverberation artifact (comet-tail artifact). The endotracheal tube position was defined as endotracheal if single A-M interface with comet-tail artifact was observed. Endotracheal tube position was defined as intraesophageal if a second A-M interface appeared, suggesting a false second airway (double tract sign). The gold standard of correct endotracheal intubation was the combination of clinical auscultation and quantitative waveform capnography. The main outcome was the accuracy of tracheal ultrasonography in assessing endotracheal tube position during CPR. RESULTS Among the 89 patients enrolled, 7 (7.8%) had esophageal intubations. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of tracheal ultrasonography were 100% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 94.4-100%), 85.7% (95% CI: 42.0-99.2%), 98.8% (95% CI: 92.5-99.0%) and 100% (95% CI: 54.7-100%), respectively. Positive and negative likelihood ratios were 7.0 (95% CI: 1.1-43.0) and 0.0, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Real-time tracheal ultrasonography is an accurate method for identifying endotracheal tube position during CPR without the need for interruption of chest compression. Tracheal ultrasonography in resuscitation management may serve as a powerful adjunct in trained hands.

Primary gastric synovial sarcoma.

Synovial sarcoma is a malignant soft tissue neoplasm that may arise from a variety of sites in the human body. It is typically characterized by its biphasic histological pattern, but a monophasic type composed entirely of spindle cells also exists. The diagnosis of monophasic synovial sarcoma can be very challenging and often requires molecular diagnostic techniques, especially for tumors arising in rare locations such as the gastrointestinal tract. We report here the case of a 38-year-old woman with a primary gastric monophasic synovial sarcoma confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction that revealed t(X;18) (SYT-SSX1) translocation. To our knowledge, only 11 synovial sarcomas arising in the stomach have previously been reported. The pathologic features, differential diagnoses, and clinical manifestations are discussed.

Target blood pressure for hypotensive resuscitation.

BACKGROUND Good outcomes have resulted from hypotensive resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock patients. We hypothesized that mean arterial pressure (MAP) 60mmHg is the target blood pressure for hypotensive resuscitation during uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock in trauma. METHODS To determine the effective target MAP for hypotensive resuscitation during uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock, we randomly assigned 80 rats to one of 8 treatment groups (n=10 for each group). We then observed the effects of different target MAPs (control, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90mmHg, and sham) on fluid resuscitation of uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock. Blood pressure, serum lactate, hematocrit, fluid therapy, blood loss, and plasma cytokine levels were measured at 0, 30, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300min after the start of the surgical procedure. RESULTS A target MAP of 90, 80 and 70mmHg had increased blood loss and decreased hematocrit and IL-6 and TNF-α production. A target MAP of 60, 50 and 40mmHg had lower blood loss, good hematocrit, higher IL-6 and TNF-α production, and decreased animal survival. Only target MAPs of 40 and 50 had and decreased animal survival. The differences in blood loss, hematocrit, lactate, post-resuscitation MAP, survival, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α production between rats with a target MAP of 60mmHg and those with a target MAP of 70mmHg were not significant. The amount of fluid therapy in the BP 60 groups was less than in the BP 70 groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSION A MAP of 60mmHg should be considered for evaluation in human studies as a target for hypotensive resuscitation.

Hypothermia decreases postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion formation.

BACKGROUND Hypothermia may decrease postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion. We sought to determine the most suitable temperature for hypothermia for decreasing postoperative adhesion formation. METHODS One hundred and twenty male BALB/c mice weighing 25 to 30 g were randomized into 5 groups: adhesion model with infusion of cold saline at (I) 15°C; (II) 10°C; or (III) 4°C; (IV) adhesion model without infusion of saline; and (V) sham operation without infusion of saline. Adhesion scores, incidence of adhesion, and serum cytokine levels were measured at postoperative days 1, 3, 7, and 14. RESULTS Adhesion scores among groups I, II, and III did not differ significantly. Interleukin-6 was significantly decreased in groups I, II, and III, compared to the levels in groups IV and V (P < .05). Tumor necrosis factor-α levels in groups I and II were significantly decreased compared to those in groups III, IV, and V (P < .05). CONCLUSION We suggest that 15°C is the appropriate temperature for induction of hypothermia to decrease postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion formation.

Administration of Hypertonic Solutions for Hemorrhagic Shock: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Clinical Trials

BACKGROUND: Several clinical trials on hypertonic fluid administration have been completed, but the results have been inconclusive. The objective of this study is to summarize current evidence for treating hypovolemic patients with hypertonic solutions by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Major electronic databases were searched from inception through June 2014. We included only randomized controlled trials involving hemorrhagic shock patients treated with hypertonic solutions. After screening 570 trials, 12 were eligible for the final analysis. Pooled effect estimates were calculated with a random effect model. RESULTS: The 12 studies included 6 trials comparing 7.5% hypertonic saline (HS) with 0.9% saline or Ringer’s lactate solution and 11 trials comparing 7.5% hypertonic saline with dextran (HSD) with isotonic saline or Ringer’s lactate. Overall, there were no statistically significant survival benefits for patients treated with HS (relative risk [RR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82–1.12) or HSD (RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.80–1.06). Treatment with hypertonic solutions was also not associated with increased complications (RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.78–1.36). Subgroup analysis on trauma patients in the prehospital or emergency department settings did not change these conclusions. There was no evidence of significant publication bias. Meta-regression analysis did not find any significant sources of heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence does not reveal increased mortality when the administration of isotonic solutions is compared to HS or HSD in trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock. HS or HSD may be a viable alternative resuscitation fluid in the prehospital setting. Further studies are needed to determine the optimum volume and regimen of intravenous fluids for the treatment of trauma patients.

Hypothermia Increases Tissue Plasminogen Activator Expression and Decreases Post-Operative Intra-Abdominal Adhesion.

Background Therapeutic hypothermia during operation decreases postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion formation. We sought to determine the most appropriate duration of hypothermia, and whether hypothermia affects the expression of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Methods 80 male BALB/c mice weighing 25–30 g are randomized into one of five groups: adhesion model with infusion of 15°C saline for 15 minutes (A); 30 minutes (B); 45 minute (C); adhesion model without infusion of cold saline (D); and sham operation without infusion of cold saline (E). Adhesion scores and tPA levels in the peritoneum fluid levels were analyzed on postoperative days 1, 7, and 14. Results On day 14, the cold saline infusion groups (A, B, and C) had lower adhesion scores than the without infusion of cold saline group (D). However, only group B (cold saline infusion for 30 minutes) had a significantly lower adhesion scores than group D. Also, group B was found to have 3.4 fold, 2.3 fold, and 2.2 fold higher levels of tPA than group D on days 1, 7, and 14 respectively. Conclusions Our results suggest that cold saline infusion for 30 minutes was the optimum duration to decrease postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion formation. The decrease in the adhesion formations could be partly due to an increase in the level of tPA.

US-CAB protocol for ultrasonographic evaluation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: Validation and potential impact

BACKGROUND We previously developed a US-CAB protocol for evaluation of circulatory-airway-breathing status during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This study aimed at validating its application in real CPR scenarios and the potential impact on CPR outcomes. METHODS The US-CAB protocol was implemented at the emergency department of National Taiwan University Hospital since January 2016. The US images, initiation time and operation duration of each US-CAB procedure, and relevant CPR information were recorded for analysis. RESULTS From January 2016 to March 2017, 177 cardiac arrest patients receiving US-CAB were included. The durations of US-C-A-B procedure were 9.0 ± 1.4, 7.5 ± 1.5, and 16.0 ± 1.9 s, respectively. Cardiac activity was identified in 47 cases (26.6%), with higher rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (95.7% vs. 21.5%, p < .0001) and survival to hospital discharge (25.5% vs. 10.0%, p < .01). Detection of cardiac activity after 10 min of CPR exhibited 100% sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for ROSC. Cardiac tamponade was noted in eight patients. ROSC was achieved in two (25.0%) after pericardiocentesis, and aortic dissection was diagnosed in one (12.5%). Confirmation of correct intubation was significantly faster by US than by capnography (7.4 ± 1.4 vs. 38.3 ± 110.2 s, p < .001). US detected 21 (11.9%) esophageal intubations and 3 (1.7%) one-lung intubations. All were promptly corrected. CONCLUSION The US-CAB protocol is feasible in real CPR scenarios. It confers diagnostic value and prognostic implications which potentially impact the efficacy and outcomes of CPR. However, a future prospective multi-center study to validate its feasibility and indicate the need of structured training is mandated.

Poster: Design and Implementation of Mobile E-Learning Platform for Medical Training

This poster proposes an IoT-enabled mobile e-learning platform to enhance the performance of a learning process (i.e., assembling of fragmented learning time for a trainee) and the efficiency of learning material management. The informatics framework and implementation methodology for the proposed platform are described in the poster. The proposed platform has been used in the emergency department of National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) for training junior ultrasound physicians.

Pentoxifylline decreases post-operative intra-abdominal adhesion formation in an animal model

Background Intra-abdominal adhesions develop after nearly every abdominal surgery, commonly causing female infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and small bowel obstruction. Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a methylxanthine compound with immunomodulatory and antifibrotic properties. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PTX can reduce post-operative intra-abdominal adhesion formation via collagen deposition, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) level, inflammation, angiogenesis, and fibrosis. Methods Seventy male BALB/c mice were randomized into one of three groups: (1) sham group without peritoneal adhesion model; (2) peritoneal adhesion model (PA group); (3) peritoneal adhesion model with PTX (100 mg/kg/day i.p.) administration was started on preoperative day 2 and continued daily (PA + PTX group). On postoperative day 3 and day 7, adhesions were assessed using the Lauder scoring system. Parietal peritoneum was obtained for histological evaluation with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and picrosirius red staining. Fibrinolysis was analyzed by tPA protein levels in the peritoneum by ELISA. Immunohistological analysis was also conducted using markers for angiogenesis (ki67+/CD31+), inflammation (F4/80+) and fibrosis (FSP-1+ and α-SMA+). All the comparisons were made by comparing the PA group with the PTX treated PA group, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Intra-abdominal adhesions were markedly reduced by PTX treatment. Compared with the PA group, PTX treatment had lower adhesion scores than the PA group on both day 3 and day 7 (p < 0.05). Histological evaluations found that PTX treatment reduced collagen deposition and adhesion thickening. ELISA analysis showed that PTX treatment significantly increased the level of tPA in the peritoneum. In addition, in the immunohistological analysis, PTX treatment was found to significantly decrease the number of ki67+/CD31+ cells at the site of adhesion. Finally, we also observed that in the PTX treated group, there was a reduction in the expression of F4/80+, FSP-1+, and α-SMA+ cells at the site of adhesion. Conclusion PTX may decrease intra-abdominal adhesion formation via increasing peritoneal fibrinolytic activity, suppressing angiogenesis, decreasing collagen synthesis, and reducing peritoneal fibrosis. Our findings suggest that PTX can be used to decrease post-operative intra-abdominal adhesion formation.

Comparison of outcome and cost among open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgical treatments for rectal cancer: A propensity score matched analysis of nationwide inpatient sample data

Population‐based studies evaluating outcomes of different approaches for rectal cancer are scarce.