Prevalence of anaphylaxis among adults admitted to critical care for severe asthma exacerbation

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 623-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayobami T Akenroye ◽  
Abayomi Ajala ◽  
Elham Azimi-Nekoo ◽  
Gabriele S de Vos

BackgroundIn asthmatics, making a diagnosis of anaphylaxis could be challenging as respiratory symptoms are a common feature of both conditions. Identifying anaphylaxis is important to providing appropriate care. A prior study showed that anaphylaxis is sometimes misdiagnosed as acute asthma in children. We sought to identify the percentage of adults admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with asthma exacerbations who met criteria for anaphylaxis.MethodsRetrospective chart review of adults admitted with acute asthma to the ICU at Jacobi Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma centre in Bronx, New York. Study period was January 2012 to December 2014. Using the criteria outlined in the World Allergy Organization’s Anaphylaxis Guidelines, we identified patients who met criteria for anaphylaxis.Results105 patients were identified: 17 were excluded because their main reason(s) for admission was not asthma. 7 (8%) of the 88 cases eligible for the study met diagnostic criteria for anaphylaxis while 3 (3.4%) were highly likely to have had anaphylaxis. The baseline characteristics of the seven patients were similar to that of the overall population studied. They however had shorter onset of symptoms (median (IQR): 3.5 (2–6) vs 24 hours (12–72), p<0.001), were more likely to have been intubated (71%vs31%, p=0.04), received intramuscular epinephrine by the emergency medical services or in the emergency room (86%vs42%, p=0.04) and received antihistamines (28.6%vs1.2%, p=0.02). None of these seven patients died. Only one of the seven patients was prescribed an epinephrine pen injector and referred to an allergist at discharge.ConclusionIn this single-centre retrospective review, 3.4% of adults admitted to the ICU for acute severe asthma also met criteria for anaphylaxis.

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Uday P. Patil ◽  
Sean M. Bailey ◽  
Elena V. Wachtel ◽  
Evan Orosz ◽  
Rebecca Zarchin ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectives:Antacid medications are frequently administered to preterm infants. These medications can change gastric pH levels and can affect regular gastrointestinal function and gut micro-bacterial flora. We hypothesized that preterm infants exposed to antacid medications are at a greater risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and sepsis, and set out to determine any association, as well as to assess the clinical efficacy of these medications.Materials and methods:Retrospective chart review of preterm infants ≤30 weeks’ gestational age or birth weight ≤1250 g over a 2-year period at New York University Langone Medical Center. Subjects were divided into two groups: those who had been treated with antacid medications and those who had not. We then examined for any difference in NEC (≥Bell stage 2) or culture proven sepsis.Results:The study comprised 65 eligible neonates, 28 in antacid treatment group and 37 in control. The incidence of NEC (21.4% vs. 2.7%, P=0.04) was significantly higher in the antacid group, but these infants tended to be born more prematurely than control subjects. There was a trend toward more culture proven sepsis cases in the antacid group. We found no difference in signs generally associated with neonatal reflux (apnea, bradycardia, and desaturation events) in subjects treated with antacid medications after treatment began.Conclusions:Treatment of preterm infants with antacid medications is potentially associated with a higher risk of NEC, and possibly sepsis, while appearing to provide little benefit.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Andrew McCracken ◽  
Mohamed Nakeshbandi ◽  
Jeffrey Arace ◽  
Wayne J Riley ◽  
Roopali Sharma

Abstract Background Available studies are lacking in analysis of baseline demographics and hospital presentation of patients at risk of expiring due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly Black American patients. We conducted a retrospective chart review to determine similarities in demographics and hospital presentation among patients who expired due to COVID-19 at an academic medical center in Brooklyn, New York.Study design and methods This is a retrospective observational study of 200 patients who expired due to complications of COVID-19. Patients were included in this study if they had laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and expired during their admission. Data were collected on patients who expired between March 17 and April 16, 2020. Results A vast majority of patients were Black Americans (89%) with no history of international travel who had more than one comorbidity (81%), with the most common comorbidities being hypertension (84·5%), diabetes mellitus (57·5%), and obesity (41·5%). Fifty-five percent of our patient population had three or more comorbidities. Among patients with available data, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and ferritin values were elevated above normal limits at admission. Dyspnea was the most common presenting symptom (92·5%). Most (90·5%) presented within the first week of symptoms, with a median time of symptoms prior to expiration being 8·42 days (IQR 5·57 – 12·72). Interpretation Socioeconomic status and healthcare inequalities have greatly affected the Black population of Brooklyn, New York, and these disparities become even more apparent in COVID-19 infection. Patients presenting with numerous comorbidities and elevated inflammatory markers represent a population at high risk of in-hospital mortality.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S87-S87
Author(s):  
Celestine Ishiekwene ◽  
Maxine Seales Kasangana ◽  
Monica Ghitan ◽  
Margaret Kuhn-Basti ◽  
Edward Chapnick ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Candida remains the most common cause of invasive fungal infections, with an attributable morality of 15–35%. Although five Candida species (C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, and C. krusei) account for 92% of cases of candidemia, Candida albicans remains the most common cause of candidemia. However, recent studies report that the frequency of non albicans species are increasing globally and the distribution of Candida spp. varies significantly among different geographic regions and hospitals units. Objective We determine the distribution of Candida species causing candidemia at an adult level 1 Trauma Center in Brooklyn, New York and compared the trends of Candida species between 2005 and 2014. The results were compared with trends of US data collected in 2004 and 2012. Knowledge of the frequency of causative species would facilitate appropriate selection of empiric antifungal therapy. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with candidemia who were admitted in 2005 and 2014. We determined the frequency of Candida species and compared 2005 data with those in 2014. Results In total, 226 and 109 patients with candidemia were admitted to our hospital in 2005 and 2014, respectively. Although, C. albicans was the most common species (43% of candidemia in 2005), its frequency decreased to 33% in 2014. The frequencies of C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis increased in 2014 compared with those in 2005 (24% vs. 16% and 33% vs. 26%, respectively). Figure 1 compared the proportion of Candida species in Maimonides Medical Center to National data. Conclusion Our finding of an increase in non-albicans spp. causing candidemia is consistent with published reports. We saw more cases of C. parapsilosis compared with published data. Our results may be used to inform empiric antifungal therapy. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S239-S239
Author(s):  
Olga Kaplun ◽  
Beth Lemaitre ◽  
Zeena Lobo ◽  
George Psevdos

Abstract Background Long Island, New York, is highly endemic for tick borne illnesses (TBI) with rising numbers of cases in the past years. Thrombocytopenia is a known complication of babesiosis caused by Babesia microti, anaplasmosis caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis. We identified cases of thrombocytopenia attributed to TBI in our institution. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis from 2000 to 2017 at Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Demographics, method of diagnosis (PCR/serologies), CBC/chemistries, treatment choices, and outcomes were analyzed. Results Thirty-two veterans (VETS) were identified with the following TBI: Babesiosis 22, Ehrlichiosis 6, Anaplasmosis 4. The majority of cases (19) were from Suffolk County, Long Island. The median (MED) age of this group was 62 years (range 31–89). Ninety-one percent were Caucasian, 9% Black. 37.5% had history of tick bite. The MED temperature on presentation was 101.9°F (range 97.6–105.2°F). 56% had HTN, 6% DM, 37% HLD, 9% hepatitis C, 3% HIV. Laboratory studies: MED platelet count 88,000/µL (36,000–161,000); MED hemoglobin 12 gm/dL (5.6–15.6); MED ALT 41 IU/L (6–330); MED LDH 335 IU/L (193–1,322). Twelve VETS had positive C6 peptide. The peak MED B. microti parasitemia was 1.4% (0.1–3%). PCR tests were available in the later years of the study period: three were positive for E. chaffeensis, two for A. phagocytophilum, and 14 for B. microti. The majority of the cases (19) were observed after year 2010. Morulae were seen in only one case. Haptoglobin in eight VETS was undetectable. One veteran with history of splenectomy and babesiosis with 3% parasitemia required exchange transfusion with 12 units of PRBCs. Two other babesiosis cases required regular transfusion of PRBCs. 20 babesiosis cases were treated with azithromycin-atovaquone and two with clindamycin-primaquine. Doxycycline was used in the other cases. One patient developed NSTEMI and required coronary stent placement. Platelet counts returned to baseline levels with treatment. No deaths occurred. Conclusion The incidence of TBI in Long Island, New York is rising. PCR testing for TBI can be utilized in our VETS presenting with febrile illness and thrombocytopenia to help identify the possible tick borne pathogen during the months of high tick activity. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Andrew McCracken ◽  
Mohamed Nakeshbandi ◽  
Jeffrey Arace ◽  
Wayne J Riley ◽  
Roopali Sharma

Abstract Background Available studies are lacking in analysis of baseline demographics and hospital presentation of patients at risk of expiring due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly Black American patients. We conducted a retrospective chart review to determine similarities in demographics and hospital presentation among patients who expired due to COVID-19 at an academic medical center in Brooklyn, New York. Study design and methods This is a retrospective observational study of 200 patients who expired due to complications of COVID-19. Patients were included in this study if they had laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and expired during their admission. Data were collected on patients who expired between March 17 and April 16, 2020. Results A vast majority of patients were Black Americans (89%) with no history of international travel who had more than one comorbidity (81%), with the most common comorbidities being hypertension (84·5%), diabetes mellitus (57·5%), and obesity (41·5%). Fifty-five percent of our patient population had three or more comorbidities. Among patients with available data, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and ferritin values were elevated above normal limits at admission. Dyspnea was the most common presenting symptom (92·5%). Most (90·5%) presented within the first week of symptoms, with a median time of symptoms prior to expiration being 8·42 days (IQR 5·57 – 12·72). Interpretation Socioeconomic status and healthcare inequalities have greatly affected the Black population of Brooklyn, New York, and these disparities become even more apparent in COVID-19 infection. Patients presenting with numerous comorbidities and elevated inflammatory markers represent a population at high risk of in-hospital mortality.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 689-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
LaVerne W. Thompson ◽  
Kathryn D. Bass ◽  
Justice O. Agyei ◽  
Hibbut-Ur-Rauf Naseem ◽  
Elizabeth Borngraber ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVETraumatic brain injury is a major sequela of nonaccidental trauma (NAT) that disproportionately affects young children and can have lasting sequelae. Considering the potentially devastating effects, many hospitals develop parent education programs to prevent NAT. Despite these efforts, NAT is still common in Western New York. The authors studied the incidence of NAT following the implementation of the Western New York Shaken Baby Syndrome Education Program in 1998.METHODSThe authors performed a retrospective chart review of children admitted to our pediatric hospital between 1999 and 2016 with ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes for types of child abuse and intracranial hemorrhage. Data were also provided by the Safe Babies New York program, which tracks NAT in Western New York. Children with a diagnosis of abuse at 0–24 months old were included in the study. Children who suffered a genuine accidental trauma or those with insufficient corroborating evidence to support the NAT diagnosis were excluded.RESULTSA total of 107 children were included in the study. There was a statistically significant rise in both the incidence of NAT (p = 0.0086) and the incidence rate of NAT (p = 0.0235) during the study period. There was no significant difference in trendlines for annual NAT incidence between sexes (y-intercept p = 0.5270, slope p = 0.5263). When stratified by age and sex, each age group had a distinct and statistically significant incidence of NAT (y-intercept p = 0.0069, slope p = 0.0374).CONCLUSIONSDespite educational interventions targeted at preventing NAT, there is a significant rise in the trend of newly reported cases of NAT, indicating a great need for better injury prevention programming.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maike Grootenhaar ◽  
Dominique Lamers ◽  
Karin Kamphuis-van Ulzen ◽  
Ivo de Blaauw ◽  
Edward C. Tan

Abstract Background Non-operative management (NOM) is generally accepted as a treatment method of traumatic paediatric splenic rupture. However, considerable variations in management exist. This study analyses local trends in aetiology and management of paediatric splenic injuries and evaluates the implementation of the guidelines proposed by the American Paediatric Surgical Association (APSA) in a level 1 trauma centre. Methods The charts of paediatric patients with blunt splenic injury (BSI) who were admitted or transferred to a level 1 trauma centre between 2003 and 2020 were retrospectively assessed. Information pertaining to demographics, mechanism of injury, injury description, associated injuries, intervention and outcomes were analysed and compared to international literature. Results There were 130 patients with BSI identified (63.1% male), with a mean age of 11.3 ± 4.0 and a mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 21.6 ± 13.7. Bicycle accidents were the most common trauma mechanism (23.1%). Sixty-four percent were multi-trauma patients, 25% received blood transfusions, and 31% were haemodynamically unstable. Mean injury grade was 3.0, with 30% of patients having a high-grade injury. In total, 75% of patients underwent NOM with a 100% efficacy rate. Total splenectomy rate was 6.2%. Four patients died due to brain damage. Patients with a high-grade BSI (grades IV–V) had a significantly higher ISS and longer bedrest and more often presented with an active blush on computed tomography (CT) scans than patients with a low-grade BSI (grades I–III). Non-operative management was mainly the choice of treatment in both groups (76.6% and 79.5%, respectively). Haemodynamic instability was a predictor for operative management (OM) (p = 0.001). Predictors for a longer length of stay (LOS) included concomitant injuries, haemodynamic instability and OM (all p < 0.02). Interobserver agreement in the grading of BSI is moderate, with a Cohens Kappa coefficient of 0.493. Conclusion Non-operative management has proven to be a realistic management approach in both low- and high-grade splenic injuries. Consideration for operative management should be based on haemodynamic instability. Compared to the anticipated length of bedrest and hospital stay outlined in the APSA guidelines, the Netherlands can reduce the length of bedrest and hospital stay through their non-operative management. Level of evidence Therapeutic study, level III


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e040778
Author(s):  
Vineet Kumar Kamal ◽  
Ravindra Mohan Pandey ◽  
Deepak Agrawal

ObjectiveTo develop and validate a simple risk scores chart to estimate the probability of poor outcomes in patients with severe head injury (HI).DesignRetrospective.SettingLevel-1, government-funded trauma centre, India.ParticipantsPatients with severe HI admitted to the neurosurgery intensive care unit during 19 May 2010–31 December 2011 (n=946) for the model development and further, data from same centre with same inclusion criteria from 1 January 2012 to 31 July 2012 (n=284) for the external validation of the model.Outcome(s)In-hospital mortality and unfavourable outcome at 6 months.ResultsA total of 39.5% and 70.7% had in-hospital mortality and unfavourable outcome, respectively, in the development data set. The multivariable logistic regression analysis of routinely collected admission characteristics revealed that for in-hospital mortality, age (51–60, >60 years), motor score (1, 2, 4), pupillary reactivity (none), presence of hypotension, basal cistern effaced, traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage/intraventricular haematoma and for unfavourable outcome, age (41–50, 51–60, >60 years), motor score (1–4), pupillary reactivity (none, one), unequal limb movement, presence of hypotension were the independent predictors as its 95% confidence interval (CI) of odds ratio (OR)_did not contain one. The discriminative ability (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (95% CI)) of the score chart for in-hospital mortality and 6 months outcome was excellent in the development data set (0.890 (0.867 to 912) and 0.894 (0.869 to 0.918), respectively), internal validation data set using bootstrap resampling method (0.889 (0.867 to 909) and 0.893 (0.867 to 0.915), respectively) and external validation data set (0.871 (0.825 to 916) and 0.887 (0.842 to 0.932), respectively). Calibration showed good agreement between observed outcome rates and predicted risks in development and external validation data set (p>0.05).ConclusionFor clinical decision making, we can use of these score charts in predicting outcomes in new patients with severe HI in India and similar settings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 892-899
Author(s):  
Ashlesha K. Dayal ◽  
Armin S. Razavi ◽  
Amir K. Jaffer ◽  
Nishant Prasad ◽  
Daniel W. Skupski

AbstractThe global spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the early months of 2020 was rapid and exposed vulnerabilities in health systems throughout the world. Obstetric SARS-CoV-2 disease was discovered to be largely asymptomatic carriage but included a small rate of severe disease with rapid decompensation in otherwise healthy women. Higher rates of hospitalization, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission and intubation, along with higher infection rates in minority and disadvantaged populations have been documented across regions. The operational gymnastics that occurred daily during the Covid-19 emergency needed to be translated to the obstetrics realm, both inpatient and ambulatory. Resources for adaptation to the public health crisis included workforce flexibility, frequent communication of operational and protocol changes for evaluation and management, and application of innovative ideas to meet the demand.


Author(s):  
Kevin Hauck ◽  
Katherine Hochman ◽  
Mark Pochapin ◽  
Sondra Zabar ◽  
Jeffrey A Wilhite ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective New York City was the epicenter of the outbreak of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. As a large, quaternary care medical center, NYU Langone Medical Center was one of many New York medical centers that experienced an unprecedented influx of patients during this time. Clinical leadership effectively identified, oriented, and rapidly deployed a “COVID Army”, consisting of non-hospitalist physicians, to meet the needs of this patient influx. We share feedback from our providers on our processes and offer specific recommendations for systems experiencing a similar influx in the current and future pandemics. Methods In order to assess the experiences and perceived readiness of these physicians (n=183), we distributed a 32-item survey between March and June of 2020. Thematic analyses and response rates were examined in order to develop results. Results Responses highlighted varying experiences and attitudes of our front-line physicians during an emerging pandemic. Thematic analyses revealed a series of lessons learned, including the need to: (1) provide orientations, (2) clarify roles/ workflow, (3) balance team workload, (4) keep teams updated on evolving policies, (5) make team members feel valued, and (6) ensure they have necessary tools available. Conclusions Lessons from our deployment and assessment are scalable at other institutions.


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