Steven J. Lisco

Lessons learned: critical care management of patients with Ebola in the United States.

Objective:This report will describe the preparations for and the provision of care of two patients with Ebola virus disease in the biocontainment unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Data Sources:Patient medical records. Study Selection:Not applicable. Data Extraction:Not applicable. Data Synthesis:Not applicable. Conclusions:Safe and effective care of patients with Ebola virus disease requires significant communication and planning. Adherence to a predetermined isolation protocol is essential, including proper donning and doffing of personal protective equipment. Location of the patient care area and the logistics of laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging, and the removal of waste must be considered. Patients with Ebola virus disease are often dehydrated and need adequate vascular access for fluid resuscitation, nutrition, and phlebotomy for laboratory sampling. Advanced planning for acute life-threatening events and code status must be considered. Intensivist scheduling should account for the significant amount of time required for the care of patients with Ebola virus disease. With appropriate precautions and resources, designated hospitals in the United States can safely provide care for patients with Ebola virus disease.

Safety considerations in the laboratory testing of specimens suspected or known to contain Ebola virus.

Reference to the Ebola virus causes concern among all individuals, whether from the public or within the medical community. Realization that patients with Ebola virus disease (EVD) have now been recognized in the United States in response to the major outbreak occurring in West Africa has heightened this fear. Recently, the World Health Organization declared the Ebola epidemic to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern to provide containment of this major international health threat. In response to this threat to public health, the United States has stepped up efforts to provide care for infected patients, which include bringing individuals with EVD into the United States for treatment. These activities, along with the increased possibility of having more individuals recognized with EVD in the United States, have caused hospitals to evaluate how to contain and care for patients suspecting of having EVD. As a part of this response, laboratorians have been asked to be prepared to test specimens from persons under investigation (PUIs) for EVD or patients known to have EVD. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided an interim guideline followed by a supplemental document for how US laboratories could safely manage specimens from …

Critical Care for Multiple Organ Failure Secondary to Ebola Virus Disease in the United States.

Objective:This report describes three patients with Ebola virus disease who were treated in the United States and developed for severe critical illness and multiple organ failure secondary to Ebola virus infection. The patients received mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, invasive monitoring, vasopressor support, and investigational therapies for Ebola virus disease. Data Sources:Patient medical records from three tertiary care centers (Emory University Hospital, University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas Hospital). Study Selection:Not applicable. Data Extraction:Not applicable. Data Synthesis:Not applicable. Conclusion:In the severe form, patients with Ebola virus disease may require life-sustaining therapy, including mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapy. In conjunction with other reported cases, this series suggests that respiratory and renal failure may occur in severe Ebola virus disease, especially in patients burdened with high viral loads. Ebola virus disease complicated by multiple organ failure can be survivable with the application of advanced life support measures. This collective, multicenter experience is presented with the hope that it may inform future treatment of patients with Ebola virus disease requiring critical care treatment.

Early Goal-directed Therapy for Sepsis: A Novel Solution for Discordant Survival Outcomes in Clinical Trials

Objectives: Early goal-directed therapy has shown discordant survival outcomes in sepsis studies. We aim to find the reasons for this discordance. Design: Random-effects and Bayesian hierarchical analyses. Setting: Studies that evaluated early goal-directed therapy. Subjects: Patients with severe sepsis and/or septic shock. Interventions: Early goal-directed therapy. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 19,998 patients were included in the main analysis: 31 observational (n = 15,656) and six randomized (n = 4,342) studies. The analysis from 37 studies showed that early goal-directed therapy was associated with a 23% reduction in the risk of death: relative risk = 0.77 (95% CI, 0.71–0.83); p value of less than 0.0001. Mortality reduction was seen with observational studies: relative risk = 0.73 (0.67–0.80); p value of less than 0.0001 but not with randomized studies: relative risk = 0.92 (0.78–1.07); p = 0.268. Meta-regression analysis showed lower risk of death in observational compared with randomized studies: relative risk = 0.81 (0.68–0.95); p = 0.01. Differences in age, country, hospital location, era, systolic pressure, mean arterial pressure, lactate, bundle compliance, amount of fluid administered, and hemodynamic goal achievements were not associated with survival differences between studies. Factors associated with mortality differences between early goal-directed therapy and control included Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (relative risk = 1.05 [1.02–1.09]; p = 0.003), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (relative risk = 1.09 [1.00–1.18]; p = 0.04), presence of shock (relative risk = 1.007 [1.002–1.013]; p = 0.006), time-to-first antibiotic (relative risk = 1.22 [1.09–1.36]; p = 0.0006), antibiotic administration within 6 hours (relative risk = 0.20 [0.09–0.45]; p = 0.0001), 4 hours (relative risk = 0.16 [0.06–0.39]; p = 0.0001), and 3 hours (relative risk = 0.09 [0.03–0.27]; p < 0.0001). The only factors that explained mortality differences between randomized and observational studies were time-to-first antibiotic (R 2 = 87%), antibiotic administration within 6 hours (R 2 = 94%), 4 hours (R 2 = 99%), 3 hours (R 2 = 99%), and appropriate antibiotic use (R 2 = 96%). Conclusions: Survival discordance was not associated with differences in early goal-directed therapy bundle compliance or hemodynamic goal achievement. Our results suggest that it was associated with faster and more appropriate antibiotic co-intervention in the early goal-directed therapy arm compared with controls in the observational studies but not in the randomized trials. Early goal-directed therapy was associated with increased mortality in patients with high-disease severity.

Liver Transplantation: Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography Findings and Relationship to Major Postoperative Adverse Cardiac Events

OBJECTIVE The primary aim of the study was to describe the most common intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) findings during the 3 separate phases of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The secondary aim of the study was to determine if the abnormal TEE findings were associated with major postoperative adverse cardiac events (MACE) and thus may be amenable to future management strategies. DESIGN Data were collected retrospectively from the electronic medical record and institutional echocardiography database. SETTING Single university hospital. PARTICIPANTS A total of 100 patients undergoing OLT via total cavaplasty technique. INTERVENTIONS Intraoperative TEE was performed in all 3 phases of OLT. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS TEE findings of 100 patients who had TEE during OLT during the dissection, anhepatic, and reperfusion phases of transplantation were recorded after blind review. Findings then were analyzed to see if those findings were predictive of postoperative MACE. Intraoperative TEE findings varied among the different phases of OLT. Common TEE findings at reperfusion were microemboli (n = 40, 40%), isolated right ventricular dysfunction (n = 22, 22%), and intracardiac thromboemboli (n = 20, 20%). CONCLUSIONS Intraoperative echocardiography findings during liver transplantation varied during each phase of transplantation. The presence of intracardiac thromboemboli or biventricular dysfunction on intraoperative echocardiography was predictive of short- and long-term major postoperative adverse cardiac events.

Cumulative Total Effective Whole-Body Radiation Dose in Critically Ill Patients

BACKGROUND Uncertainty exists about a safe dose limit to minimize radiation-induced cancer. Maximum occupational exposure is 20 mSv/y averaged over 5 years with no more than 50 mSv in any single year. Radiation exposure to the general population is less, but the average dose in the United States has doubled in the past 30 years, largely from medical radiation exposure. We hypothesized that patients in a mixed-use surgical ICU (SICU) approach or exceed this limit and that trauma patients were more likely to exceed 50 mSv because of frequent diagnostic imaging. METHODS Patients admitted into 15 predesignated SICU beds in a level I trauma center during a 30-day consecutive period were prospectively observed. Effective dose was determined using Hudas method for all radiography, CT imaging, and fluoroscopic examinations. Univariate and multivariable linear regressions were used to analyze the relationships between observed values and outcomes. RESULTS Five of 74 patients (6.8%) exceeded exposures of 50 mSv. Univariate analysis showed trauma designation, length of stay, number of CT scans, fluoroscopy minutes, and number of general radiographs were all associated with increased doses, leading to exceeding occupational exposure limits. In a multivariable analysis, only the number of CT scans and fluoroscopy minutes remained significantly associated with increased whole-body radiation dose. CONCLUSIONS Radiation levels frequently exceeded occupational exposure standards. CT imaging contributed the most exposure. Health-care providers must practice efficient stewardship of radiologic imaging in all critically ill and injured patients. Diagnostic benefit must always be weighed against the risk of cumulative radiation dose.

Utilization and impact on fellowship training of non-physician advanced practice providers in intensive care units of academic medical centers: a survey of critical care program directors☆ , ☆☆ ,★

BACKGROUND Non-physician advanced practice providers (APPs) such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants are being increasingly utilized as critical care providers in the United States. The objectives of this study were to determine the utilization of APPs in the intensive care units (ICU)s of academic medical centers (AMCs) and to assess the perceptions of critical care fellowship program directors (PDs) regarding the impact of these APPs on fellowship training. METHODS A cross-sectional national survey questionnaire was distributed to program directors of 331 adult Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-approved critical care fellowship training programs (internal medicine, anesthesiology and surgery) in US AMCs. RESULTS We received 124 (37.5%) PD responses. Of these, 81 (65%) respondents indicated that an APP was part of the care team in either the primary ICU or any ICU in which the fellow trained. The majority of respondents reported that patient care was positively affected by APPs with nearly two-thirds of PDs reporting that fellowship training was also positively impacted. CONCLUSIONS Our survey revealed that APPs are utilized in a large number of US AMCs with critical care training programs. Program director respondents believed that patient care and fellowship training were positively impacted by APPs.

The development of a perioperative echocardiography consult service: the Nebraska experience.

From the *Department of Anesthesiology; and †Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska. The administrative development of a perioperative echocardiography consult service at the University of Nebraska Medical Center was supported by the 2012 Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Foundation Kaplan Leadership Grant. Address reprint requests to Sasha K. Shillcutt, MD, FASE, 984455 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-4455. E-mail: sshillcu@ unmc.edu

Trainee experience and success of urgent airway management.

BACKGROUND There are limited data regarding emergent, non-operating room, intubations performed by all levels of anesthesia residents. This study was a large retrospective review of all non-operating room emergent intubations performed at a single tertiary medical center. The study evaluated the rate of difficult intubations by level of resident training, compared success rates for direct versus video laryngoscopy and evaluated the rate and success of rescue video laryngoscopy following failed direct laryngoscopy. METHODS All emergent non-operating room intubations at a tertiary university medical center from July 1, 2009, to August 1, 2012, were reviewed and all study data were collected from the medical records. Intubations were classified as being initiated with either direct or video methods. The total number of attempts required and the rate of success were compared by resident year and intubation type. RESULTS Out of a total of 788 emergent intubations, 741 were performed by anesthesia residents. The higher level anesthesia residents (CA-2 and CA-3) had a statistically significant decrease in the number of attempts needed when compared to CA-1 residents. Rate of success did not vary by resident training year, but success rates were higher for cases initiated with video laryngoscopy. Among direct initiated cases, 8% failed initial direct laryngoscopy and were then successfully intubated with rescue video laryngoscopy. CONCLUSIONS During emergent, non-operating room intubations, senior level residents used fewer attempts at intubations with direct laryngoscopy. Successful intubation was improved by beginning residents when video laryngoscopy was utilized. Complications were not affected by the presence of the attending anesthesiologist.

Comparison of five video-assisted intubation devices by novice and expert laryngoscopists for use in the aeromedical evacuation environment

BackgroundThe critically ill or injured patient undergoing military medical evacuation may require emergent intubation. Intubation may be life-saving, but it carries risks. The novice or infrequent laryngoscopist has a distinct disadvantage because experience is critical for the rapid and safe establishment of a secured airway. This challenge is compounded by the austere environment of the back of an aircraft under blackout conditions. This study determined which of five different video-assisted intubation devices (VAIDs) was best suited for in-flight use by U.S. Air Force Critical Care Air Transport Teams by comparing time to successful intubation between novice and expert laryngoscopists under three conditions, Normal Airway Lights on (NAL), Difficult Airway Lights on (DAL) and Difficult Airway Blackout (DAB), using manikins on a standard military transport stanchion and the floor with a minimal amount of setup time and extraneous light emission.MethodsA convenience sample size of 40 participants (24 novices and 16 experts) attempted intubation with each of the 5 different video laryngoscopic devices on high-fidelity airway manikins. Time to tracheal intubation and number of optimization maneuvers used were recorded. Kruskal-Wallis testing determined significant differences between the VAIDs in time to intubation for each particular scenario. Devices with significant differences underwent pair-wise comparison testing using rank-sum analysis to further clarify the difference. Device assembly times, startup times and the amount of light emitted were recorded. Perceived ease of use was surveyed.ResultsNovices were fastest with the Pentax AWS in all difficult airway scenarios. Experts recorded the shortest median times consistently using 3 of the 5 devices. The AWS was superior overall in 4 of the 6 scenarios tested. Experts and novices subjectively judged the GlideScope Ranger as easiest to use. The light emitted by all the devices was less than the USAF-issued headlamp.ConclusionsNovices intubated fastest with the Pentax AWS in all difficult airway scenarios. The GlideScope required the shortest setup time, and participants judged this device as the easiest to use. The GlideScope and AWS exhibited the two fastest total setup times. Both devices are suitable for in-flight use by infrequent and seasoned laryngoscopists.