Chest Radiograph Interpretation: Online Teaching Resources for Non-Radiologists.

Chest radiographs provide vital information to clinicians. Medical professionals need to be proficient in interpreting chest radiographs to care for patients. This review examines online methods for teaching chest radiograph interpretation to non-radiologists. An online database search of PubMed and the Cochrane Databases of Systematic Reviews revealed 25 potential evidence sources. After using the similar articles tool on PubMed, eight evidence sources met the inclusion criteria. Three sources supported the use of online learning to increase students' confidence regarding chest radiograph interpretation. The evidence suggests that through self-directed online learning, students can learn skills to diagnose disease processes as well as to confirm the placement of invasive lines and tubes. Using online learning for teaching radiograph interpretation to non-radiologists is an evolving practice. A flexible schedule is needed when implementing the electronic learning process for busy students. Monitoring module completion and postlearning assessment of knowledge is important. Further research is warranted on electronic teaching of chest radiograph interpretation in nurse anesthesia programs. A list of potential online resources for teaching chest radiograph interpretation is presented.

Retire the Conventional Laryngoscope?

Video laryngoscopy is useful when direct laryngoscopy fails. However, should video laryngoscopy replace conventional laryngoscopy? We sought evidence updating previous systematic reviews examining whether video laryngoscopy should replace direct laryngoscopy for routine adult intubations performed by experienced anesthesia providers in the operating room. Six randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. All trials compared the success of various video laryngoscopes to Macintosh laryngoscopes. The primary outcome was the first-pass success rate. The secondary outcomes were time to successful intubation and oropharyngeal trauma occurrence. Overall, the evidence suggests there is no difference between video laryngoscopy versus direct laryngoscopy in first-pass endotracheal success rate, time to tracheal intubation, and occurrence of oropharyngeal trauma for adult intubations performed in the operating room. However, an important consideration in interpreting the evidence is that the studies were not uniformly powered to measure the outcomes of interest. Anesthesia providers should consider continuing the use of conventional laryngoscopy for adults not suspected of being difficult to intubate however, a video laryngoscope should be readily available. Future large-scale studies examining the use of the video laryngoscope for all adult intubations are needed.

Using Anesthesia Machines as Critical Care Ventilators During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Somewhere between 30% and 89% of patients with COVID-19 admitted to a critical care unit require invasive mechanical ventilation. Concern over the lack of adequate numbers of critical care ventilators to meet this demand led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to authorize the use of anesthesia machines as critical care ventilators. The use of anesthesia machines for ventilating patients with COVID-19 is overseen by an anesthesia provider, but respiratory therapists may encounter their use. This article reviews the fundamental differences between anesthesia machines and critical care ventilators, as well as some common problems encountered when using an anesthesia machine to ventilate a patient with COVID-19 and steps to mitigate these problems.

Ketamine and Treatment-Resistant Depression.

Major depressive disorder affects tens of millions of people each year. One-third of those affected have depression that is resistant to conventional pharmacologic, psychologic, or somatic treatments. Patients with treatment-resistant depression have few remedies other than electroconvulsive therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation. Recent research has highlighted the promising antidepressant effects of subanesthetic ketamine infusions. This journal course examines the efficacy of ketamine for treatment-resistant depression. Evidence from 10 systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials suggest that most of the researchers concluded ketamine significantly decreased depression severity ratings at short-term assessment intervals, whereas evidence examining the long-term effects is lacking. Ketamine infusion therapy was generally well tolerated, with minimal untoward effects. Large, randomized controlled trials are needed to discern the longer-term efficacy, tolerance, and dependence profiles of ketamine infusions. Optimal dosing schedules to best prolong the antidepressant effects of ketamine have yet to be determined.

Pharmacologic Methods for Preventing Pruritus in Patients Receiving Intrathecal Opioids for Cesarean Delivery.

Neuraxial anesthesia with the addition of opioids is the preferred technique for cesarean delivery because of the safety and efficacy of the technique compared with general anesthesia. However, pruritus associated with neuraxial opioids is reported by patients to be one of the most distressing side effects and is a source of patient dissatisfaction. The incidence of pruritus has been reported to be as high as 100%. This review examines the efficacy of different medications for the prevention of pruritus. An online database search of PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Google Scholar revealed 127 potential evidence sources. Fifteen randomized controlled studies met the inclusion criteria. Mixed opioid agonist-antagonists and dopaminer-gic receptor antagonists were found to be effective. Antihistamines, opioid antagonists, corticosteroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were found to be ineffective for the prevention of pruritus. Results conflicted regarding the efficacy of serotonin receptor antagonists and γ-aminobutyric acid receptor agonists for the prevention of pruritus caused by intrathecal opioid administration. The most promising evidence supported the use of nalbuphine and perhaps ondansetron. Findings of this review were incorporated into protocols for pain management for patients undergoing cesarean delivery and receiving intrathecal opioids.

Anesthetic Management of a Patient With Type 1 von Willebrand Disease and Uterine Placental Abruption: A Case Report.

Von Willebrand disease is the most common inherited blood disorder, occurring in about 1% of the population. It results from a deficiency in the quality or quantity of von Willebrand factor, which is necessary for adequate hemostasis. An evidenced-based approach is prudent when this derangement is coupled with a potentially fatal obstetric complication. This article examines the anesthetic management of a parturient with a known diagnosis of von Willebrand disease who presented to the labor and delivery unit in active labor and with a suspected uterine placental abruption.

Safe Driving After Propofol Sedation.

PURPOSE: Propofol is a short-acting medication with fast cognitive and psychomotor recovery. However, patients are usually instructed not to drive a motor vehicle for 24 hours after receiving propofol. The purpose of this article was to review the evidence examining when it is safe to drive after receiving propofol for sedation for diagnostic and surgical procedures. DESIGN: This is a systematic review of the literature. METHODS: A search of the literature was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library for the time period 1990 to 2015. FINDINGS: Two randomized controlled trials and two observational studies met the inclusion criteria. Using a simulator, investigators examined driving ability of subjects who received modest doses (about 100 mg) of propofol for endoscopic procedures and surveyed subjects who drove immediately after discharge. There were methodological concerns with the studies such as small sample sizes, modest doses of propofol, and three of the four studies were done in Japan by the same group of investigators limiting generalizability. CONCLUSION: This limited research suggests that it may be safe for patients to drive sooner than 24 hours after receiving propofol. However, large multicenter trials using heterogenous samples using a range of propofol doses are needed to support an evidence-based revision to the current discharge guidelines for patients receiving propofol.

Forced-Air Warmers and Surgical Site Infections in Patients Undergoing Knee or Hip Arthroplasty.

The majority of the evidence indicates preventing inadvertent perioperative hypothermia reduces the incidence of many perioperative complications. Among the results of inadvertent perioperative hypothermia are increased bleeding, myocardial events, impaired wound healing, and diminished renal function. Most researchers agree there is an increased incidence of surgical site infections in patients who experience inadvertent perioperative hypothermia. Forced-air warming is effective in preventing inadvertent perioperative hypothermia. Paradoxically, forced-air warmers have been implicated in causing surgical site infections in patients undergoing total knee or hip arthroplasty. The results of investigations suggest these devices harbor pathogens and cause unwanted airflow disturbances. However, no significant increases in bacterial counts were found when forced-air warmers were used according to the manufacturer's directions. The results of one study suggested the incidence of surgical site infections in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty was increased when using a forced-air warmer. However these researchers did not control for other factors affecting the incidence of surgical site infections in these patients. Current evidence does not support forced-air warmers causing surgical site infections in patients undergoing total knee or hip arthroplasty. Clinicians must use and maintain these devices as per the manufacturer's directions. They may consider using alternative warming methods. Well-conducted studies are needed to help determine the role of forced-air warmers in causing infections in these patients.

Pediatric Tonsillectomy and Ketorolac.

BACKGROUND: The use of ketorolac in children undergoing tonsillectomy remains limited because of the concern about postoperative bleeding. METHODS: A search was performed addressing the question: For patients undergoing a surgical tonsillectomy, does a weight-appropriate single dose of intravenous ketorolac affect the incidence of postoperative hemorrhage? RESULTS: Five systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. A Cochrane Review included 15 studies with 1,101 pediatric subjects and focused on perioperative bleeding requiring intervention. Many of the systematic reviews appraised the same studies. Subgroup analysis often allowed assessment of the effects of ketorolac administration. FINDING: There was no consensus on the increased risk of bleeding when nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ketorolac are given to pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy. The conclusions varied from ketorolac should not be used to it is safe to use with these patients. CONCLUSIONS: The perianesthesia team must carefully weigh the risks and benefits before deciding to use ketorolac with this subset of patients.

Evidence-Based Selection of Sedation Agents for Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography.

Sedating patients undergoing advanced endoscopic procedures such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is challenging for the endoscopy team. Considering these challenges and concerns with the use of propofol for deep sedation of older adults and high-risk patients, colleagues of one of the authors (AS) were interested in the identification of techniques for the anesthetic management of subjects undergoing therapeutic ERCP. A search strategy revealed a total of 7 evidence sources. The appraised evidence examined the efficacy and sedation-related effects of anesthesia regimens. Deep sedation with propofol was identified as the most commonly used anesthetic technique for subjects undergoing therapeutic ERCP. The sedation-related unwanted effects of propofol appear to be dose-related and occur more frequently in the high-risk and elderly populations. However, the data were inconclusive in identifying an ideal agent offering superior efficacy with fewer unwanted sedation-related effects. Providers should strongly consider the subject's age, history of coexisting illness, and the pharmacological effects of selected anesthetic agents when choosing an appropriate anesthetic technique. Larger randomized controlled studies are needed to identify risk factors associated with sedation-related complications and to identify alternative options for the anesthetic management of subjects undergoing ERCP.

The Information Age and Hot Air.

Forced-air warmers have been used for over twenty years to help prevent and treat inadvertent perioperative hypothermia. One result of hypothermia can be an increased risk of surgical site infection. Paradoxically, the question has been raised about the role of forced-air warmers in causing surgical site infections. A manufacturer of a competing device has been sending information directly to clinicians with warnings about using forced-air warmers with patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty. Three reviews have been published and none of these condemned the use of forced-air warmers in the operating room including with patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty. Clinicians must continue to seek information about this problem from peer-reviewed journals and not rely on interpretation by others such as manufacturers.

Methods to Improve Success With the GlideScope Video Laryngoscope.

Occasionally intubation of patients is difficult using a video laryngoscope (GlideScope, Verathon Medical) because of an inability to guide the endotracheal tube to the glottis or pass the tube into the trachea despite an adequate view of the glottis. We examined methods to improve success when this difficulty occurs. A literature search revealed 253 potential sources, with 25 meeting search criteria: 7 randomized controlled trials, 4 descriptive studies, 8 case series, and 6 case reports. Findings from the randomized controlled trials suggested that using a flexible-tipped endotracheal tube with a rigid stylet (GlideRite, Verathon Medical) improved intubation success, whereas other methods did not, such as using a forceps-guided endotracheal tube exchanger. If a malleable stylet was used, a 90 degrees bend above the endotracheal tube cuff was preferable to a 60 degrees bend. Evidence from lower-level sources suggested that several interventions were helpful, including using a controllable stylet, a fiberoptic bronchoscope in conjunction with the GlideScope, or an intubation guide, and twisting the endotracheal tube to facilitate passage into the trachea. Providers must consider the risks and benefits of any technique, particularly if the device manufacturer does not recommend the technique. Further rigorous investigations should be conducted examining methods to increase success.

Novel preoperative pharmacologic methods of preventing postoperative sore throat due to tracheal intubation.

Postoperative sore throat (POST) is usually self-limiting but was rated by patients as one of the top 10 most undesirable anesthetic outcomes. Pharmacologic interventions that have been suggested to decrease the incidence of POST include application of local anesthetics and corticosteroids to the cuff of the endotracheal tube. These interventions often require extra steps during induction of general anesthesia. We sought evidence for using nonsteroidal, nonlocal anesthetic, topical pharmacologic interventions conveniently implemented preoperatively to decrease the incidence of POST. One hundred seventeen potential evidence sources were located, with 11 randomized controlled trials meeting inclusion criteria. The evidence examined ketamine, aspirin, and azulene gargle; benzydamine gargle or oral spray; dexpanthenol pastilles; and lozenges containing amyl-m-cresol or magnesium. Although there were methodologic concerns with the studies, the evidence suggested that all the treatment medications decreased the incidence of POST at early and late intervals. The severity of POST was also typically reduced. Preoperative ketamine and aspirin gargle are probably the most promising for providers practicing in the United States. However, before these agents are recommended for general use, large multicenter trials should be done exploring not only efficacy but also dose-response relationships and side effects.

An update: use of laryngeal mask airway devices in patients in the prone position.

Some providers advocate using laryngeal mask airways (LMAs) for procedures performed in the prone position to meet the demands of quicker operating room turnover time requirements, staffing reductions and the desire to expedite patient recovery in the postoperative period. We provide an update to a 2010 systemic review examining the use of LMAs in patients in the prone position. Six peer-reviewed articles described the use of LMAs in prone patients: a randomized controlled trial, 2 description studies, a case series, and 2 case reports. The risk of publication bias was possibly high. This evidence, mostly from lower level sources, supports the use of the LMA in this setting, with risks comparable to when LMAs are used in patients in the supine position. Experienced providers should carefully select patients and procedures when considering using LMAs for patients in the prone position. There must be a plan to control the airway if problems are encountered with the LMA. These devices might be considered as a bridge device when a prone patient is accidentally extubated. Additional rigorous studies are needed before use of LMAs in this manner can be widely recommended.

An evidence-based review of epinephrine administered via the intraosseous route in animal models of cardiac arrest.

OBJECTIVES: Intraosseous (IO) access, enabling the rapid administration of epinephrine during cardiac arrest (CA), is crucial in promoting optimal postresuscitation outcomes in patients with poor vascular access. There is a question whether IO-administered epinephrine is equivalent to intravenously administered epinephrine during CA. METHODS: The question guiding this evidence-based review was as follows: in adults suffering CA given epinephrine via the IO route, what is the resulting serum concentration of the drug compared to when administered intravenously? A search was conducted and the evidence appraised and leveled. RESULTS: Four animal studies met the inclusion criteria. The sources showed no definitive evidence supporting equivalence between intravenous and IO epinephrine administered during CA. Intravenously administered epinephrine provides increased and faster appearing serum concentrations than IO-administered epinephrine. Evidence indicated epinephrine given via the sternal IO route more closely approaches equivalence with intravenously administered epinephrine than when administered by the tibial IO route. CONCLUSIONS: The clinician should consider using proximal IO infusion sites such as the sternum or humerus when administering advanced cardiac life support drugs to rapidly achieve maximal therapeutic concentrations. Further studies are needed to determine the differences seen when epinephrine is administered by these routes during CA.

A review of the evidence for active preoperative warming of adults undergoing general anesthesia.

Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia, a common occurrence in the operating suite, is associated with many adverse outcomes. It is the nurse anesthetist's goal to attenuate the incidence of this problem. Although active intraoperative warming is a widely accepted practice, active preoperative warming may be a less explored option for temperature maintenance. A search strategy to identify systematic reviews and investigations in peer-reviewed journals was undertaken to identify evidence examining the efficacy of preoperative warming. Evidence sources meeting the search criteria were randomized controlled trials and a cohort study using historical controls. Most of the studies support the implementation of active preoperative warming by demonstrating that subjects were warmer during the perioperative period. Overall, these differences were statistically significant and likely clinically significant. Future clinical trials should examine shorter warming times and lower warming unit settings, should include appropriate sample sizes, and should consistently employ trained staff using calibrated biometric instruments to measure temperature.