Treating status migrainosus in the emergency setting: what is the best strategy?

Background: in the last years, ultrasound technology has entered in clinical practice as a tank and today, it has also allowed to no-cardiologists to extend and to deep their medical examination without the needing to call the consultant and having a good profile of diagnostic accuracy. The ultrasound bedside does not replace the consultant but it allows not to perform inappropriate consultations with more savings for hospitals. Objective: The aim was to review recently published literature to inform the clinician about the most up to date management of use bedside echography in emergency setting. In this short review we focused on two types of syndromes, no traumatichypotension and dyspnea, common to the three holistic disciplines of medicine, showing the main and basic questions and answers that ultrasound can give us for rapid identification of the problem Methods: We conducted a systematic review using Pubmed/Medline, Ovid/Willey and Cochrane Library, combining key terms such as “cardiac ultrasound, “cardiac diseases”,“emergency medicine”,“pocus”, “dyspnea”,“ hypotension”. We selected the most relevant clinical trials and review articles (excluding case reports) published in the last 19 years and in our opinion 59 publications appeared the best choice according to the PRISMA statement. In additional papers identified from individual article reference lists were also included. Conclusion: Recent studies have shown promise in establishing best practices for evaluation of heart, lung abdomen and deep vessels At the moment bedside US is widely used in an integrated ultrasound vision just like the holistic view have internal medicine, intensive care and emergency medicine and many medical schools in Europe and the USA are inserting ultrasonography into the core curriculum but we still have to find a standard method for the training program for minimum competence acquisition.

Download Full-text

An Approach to diabetic ketoacidosis in an emergency setting.

Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials ◽

10.2174/1574887115666200709172402 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Dario Pitocco ◽

Mauro Di Leo ◽

Linda Tartaglione ◽

Emanuele Gaetano Rizzo ◽

Salvatore Caputo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Blood Glucose ◽

Diabetic Ketoacidosis ◽

Blood Glucose Concentration ◽

Diabetic Complication ◽

Emergency Setting ◽

Online Activity

Background: Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is one of the most commonly encountered diabetic complication emergencies. It typically affects people with type 1 diabetes at the onset of the disease. It can also affect people with type 2 diabetes, although this is uncommon. Methods: Research and online content related to diabetes online activity is reviewed. DKA is caused by a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin and elevated levels of counter regulatory hormones. Results: Goals of therapy are to correct dehydration, acidosis and to reverse ketosis, gradually restoring blood glucose concentration to near normal. Conclusion: Furthermore it is essential to monitor potential complications of DKA and if necessary, to treat them and any precipitating events.

Download Full-text

A Review on the Use of Reversal Agents of Direct Oral Anticogulant Drugs in Case of Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials ◽

10.2174/1574887115666200624193938 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Veronica Ojetti ◽

Angela Saviano ◽

Mattia Brigida ◽

Luisa Saviano ◽

Alessio Migneco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Bleeding ◽

Major Bleeding ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Medical Emergency ◽

Management Approach ◽

Emergency Setting ◽

Reversal Agents ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Andexanet Alfa

Background : Major bleeding is a life-threatening condition and a medical emergency with high mortality risk. It is often the complication of anticoagulant’s intake. Anticoagulants are commonly used for the prevention and the treatment of thrombotic events. The standard therapy with vitamin K antagonist (warfarin) has been frequently replaced by direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). The latter agents (rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, dabigatran, betrixaban) showed a better efficacy and safety compared to standard warfarin treatment and they are recommended for the reduction of ischemic stroke. Literature data reported a high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding with DOACs, in particular with dabigatran and rivaroxaban. In case of life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding, these patients could benefit from the use of reversal agents. Methods: We performed an electronic search on PUBMED of the literature concerning reversal agents for DOACs and gastrointestinal bleeding in the Emergency Department from 2004 to 2020. AIM: This review summarizes the current evidences about three reversal agents idarucizumab, andexanet alfa and ciraparantag, and the use of the first two in the emergency setting in patients with an active major bleeding or who need urgent surgery to offer physicians indications for a better management approach in order to increase patient’s safety. Conclusion: Although these agents have been marketed for five years (idarucizumab) and two years (andexanet alfa) respectively, and despite guidelines considering antidotes as first-line agents in treating life-threatening hemorrhage when available, these antidotes seem to gain access very slowly in the clinical practice. Cost, logistical aspects and need for plasma level determination of DOAC for an accurate therapeutic use probably have an impact on this phenomenon.. An expert multidisciplinary bleeding team should be established so as to implement international guidelines based on local resources and organization.

Download Full-text

Imaging Evaluation of Pulmonary and Non-Ischaemic Cardiovascular Manifestations of COVID-19

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11071271 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 1271

Author(s):

Sebastiano Cicco ◽

Antonio Vacca ◽

Christel Cariddi ◽

Rossella Carella ◽

Gianluca Altamura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Myocardial Injury ◽

Nuclear Imaging ◽

Emergency Setting ◽

Imaging Evaluation ◽

Coagulation Abnormalities ◽

Cardiovascular Involvement ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Inflammatory Syndrome ◽

Inflammatory Burden

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a pandemic challenge for the last year. Cardiovascular disease is the most described comorbidity in COVID-19 patients, and it is related to the disease severity and progression. COVID-19 induces direct damage on cardiovascular system, leading to arrhythmias and myocarditis, and indirect damage due to endothelial dysfunction and systemic inflammation with a high inflammatory burden. Indirect damage leads to myocarditis, coagulation abnormalities and venous thromboembolism, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, Kawasaki-like disease and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Imaging can support the management, assessment and prognostic evaluation of these patients. Ultrasound is the most reliable and easy to use in emergency setting and in the ICU as a first approach. The focused approach is useful in management of these patients due its ability to obtain quick and focused results. This tool is useful to evaluate cardiovascular disease and its interplay with lungs. However, a detailed echocardiography evaluation is necessary in a complete assessment of cardiovascular involvement. Computerized tomography is highly sensitive, but it might not always be available. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance and nuclear imaging may be helpful to evaluate COVID-19-related myocardial injury, but further studies are needed. This review deals with different modalities of imaging evaluation in the management of cardiovascular non-ischaemic manifestations of COVID-19, comparing their use in emergency and in intensive care.

Download Full-text

Adolescents’ pain and distress during peripheral intravenous cannulation in a paediatric emergency setting

European Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1007/s00431-021-04169-x ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Giorgio Cozzi ◽

Marta Cognigni ◽

Riccardo Busatto ◽

Veronica Grigoletto ◽

Manuela Giangreco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Pain Relief ◽

Local Anaesthesia ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Emergency Setting ◽

Older Children ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Paediatric Emergency Department ◽

Paediatric Emergency ◽

Significant Difference

AbstractThe objective of the study is to investigate pain and distress experienced by a group of adolescents and children during peripheral intravenous cannulation in a paediatric emergency department. This cross-sectional study was performed between November 2019 and June 2020 at the paediatric emergency department of the Institute for Maternal and Child Health of Trieste, Italy. Eligible subjects were patients between 4 and 17 years old undergoing intravenous cannulation, split into three groups based on their age: adolescents (13–17 years), older children (8–12 years), and younger children (4–7 years). Procedural distress and pain scores were recorded through validated scales. Data on the use of topical anaesthesia, distraction techniques, and physical or verbal comfort during procedures were also collected. We recruited 136 patients: 63 adolescents, 48 older children, and 25 younger children. There was no statistically significant difference in the median self-reported procedural pain found in adolescents (4; IQR = 2–6) versus older and younger children (5; IQR = 2–8 and 6; IQR = 2–8, respectively). Furthermore, no significant difference was observed in the rate of distress between adolescents (79.4%), older (89.6%), and younger (92.0%) children. Adolescents received significantly fewer pain relief techniques.Conclusion: This study shows that adolescents experience similar pain and pre-procedural distress as younger children during peripheral intravenous cannulation. What is Known:• Topical and local anaesthesia, physical and verbal comfort, and distraction are useful interventions for pain and anxiety management during intravenous cannulation in paediatric settings. • No data is available on pain and distress experienced by adolescents in the specific setting of the emergency department. What is New:• Adolescents experienced high levels of pre-procedural distress in most cases and similar levels of pain and distress when compared to younger patients• The number of pain relief techniques employed during procedures was inversely proportional to patient’s age, topical or local anaesthesia were rarely used

Download Full-text

Emergent Triple-Branched TEVAR and Redistribution of the Branches to the Supra-Aortic Target Vessels for Treatment of a Contained Ruptured Descending Aortic Aneurysm Associated With a Chronic Type A Aortic Dissection

Journal of Endovascular Therapy ◽

10.1177/1526602820985270 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 152660282098527

Author(s):

Jan Stana ◽

Carlota Fernandes Prendes ◽

Ramin Banafsche ◽

Nikolaos Konstantinou ◽

Barbara Rantner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

False Lumen ◽

Type A ◽

Emergency Setting ◽

Chronic Type ◽

Type A Aortic Dissection ◽

Custom Made ◽

Descending Aortic Aneurysm ◽

Type A Dissection ◽

Open Surgical Approach

Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of urgent endovascular treatment of a chronic type A dissection and contained rupture of the false lumen using a noncustomized triple-branched arch endograft, which necessitated reassignment of the branches to the supra-aortic vessels. Case Report:: A 57-year-old patient with a contained rupture of the descending thoracic aorta, in the setting of a chronic type A dissection and a maximum aortic diameter of 85 mm, was converted to endovascular repair after failure of an open surgical approach. A custom-made triple-branched arch endograft designed for another patient was employed, with concomitant occlusion of the false lumen using a Candy Plug occluder. To adjust the graft’s configuration to the patient’s anatomy, the supra-aortic vessels were not assigned to the originally planned branches. The 12-month follow-up angiography demonstrated a satisfactory result. Conclusion: A noncustomized triple-branched arch endograft can be used in an emergency setting to treat chronic type A dissection, reassigning the branches to the supra-aortic vessels as needed.

Download Full-text

Effect of Undertriage on the Outcomes of Cancer Patients with Febrile Neutropenia, Sepsis, and Septic Shock

Clinical Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/1054773821999688 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 105477382199968

Author(s):

Anas Alsharawneh

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Septic Shock ◽

Length Of Stay ◽

Febrile Neutropenia ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Emergency Setting ◽

Extended Length ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Sepsis And Septic Shock ◽

Timely Treatment

Sepsis and neutropenia are considered the primary life-threatening complications of cancer treatment and are the leading cause of hospitalization and death. The objective was to study whether patients with neutropenia, sepsis, and septic shock were identified appropriately at triage and receive timely treatment within the emergency setting. Also, we investigated the effect of undertriage on key treatment outcomes. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all accessible records of admitted adult cancer patients with febrile neutropenia, sepsis, and septic shock. Our results identified that the majority of patients were inappropriately triaged to less urgent triage categories. Patients’ undertriage significantly prolonged multiple emergency timeliness indicators and extended length of stay within the emergency department and hospital. These effects suggest that triage implementation must be objective, consistent, and accurate because of the several influences of the assigned triage scoring on treatment and health outcomes.

Download Full-text