Evaluation of the Aortic Arch from the Suprasternal Notch View Using Focused Cardiac Ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: The suprasternal notch view (SSNV) is an additional echocardiographic view not routinely used by emergency physicians (EPs) performing focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS). OBJECTIVE: This pilot study determined the ease and self-perceived accuracy of the SSNV as performed by EPs. Additionally, we assessed the accuracy of FOCUS including the SSNV in thoracic aortic measurements compared to chest CT angiography (CTA). METHODS: This was a prospective, observational, pilot study of adult patients undergoing chest CTA. Thoracic aortic measurements were recorded at the sinus of Valsalva, sinotubular junction, and ascending aorta at its widest diameter in the parasternal long axis (PSL) view and SSNV. EPs rated ease of acquisition and self-perceived accuracy of thoracic aorta measurements. Two blinded radiologists performed thoracic aortic CTA measurements at predefined locations corresponding to the ultrasound measurements. RESULTS: Of the 79 patients (median age 57 years) enrolled, the SSNV was obtained in 97% of cases. EPs rated the ease of obtaining the SSNV as "easy" in 64.5% of cases and "very difficult" in 7.6% of cases. The mean difference between ultrasound (FOCUS plus SSNV) and CTA measurements were 1.2 mm (95% limits of agreement -2.9 to 5.3) at the sinus of Valsalva, 1.0 mm (95% limits of agreement -5.5 to 3.6 mm) at the sinotubular junction, 0.8 mm (95% limits of agreement -6.2 to 4.6 mm) at the proximal ascending aorta, and 0.6 mm (95% limits of agreement -2.8 to 4.0) at the aortic arch. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the SSNV is an easily attainable and accurate view of the thoracic aorta that can be obtained by EPs in the majority of ED patients.

Bedside ultrasound diagnosis of a spontaneous splenic hemorrhage after tissue plasminogen activator administration.

Emergency physicians (EPs) can use bedside ultrasound to diagnosis of intraabdominal free fluid in a variety of clinical scenarios.The purpose of this study is to review the sonographic appearance of intraabdominal free fluid and incidence of spontaneous splenic rupture. An EP used bedside ultrasound to diagnose spontaneous splenic rupture in a patient who had received tissue plasminogen activator for suspected acute ischemic stroke. Bedside ultrasound by a physician trained in basic ultrasound and the focused assessment with sonography for trauma can diagnose intraabdominal free fluid, facilitating appropriate and more rapid consultation, advanced imaging, and treatment.

Management of pediatric patients with concussion by emergency medicine physicians.

OBJECTIVE: Despite an increase in concussion diagnoses among pediatric patients, little is known about the management of pediatric patients with concussion in emergency departments (EDs). The objective of this study was to assess strategies used by emergency medicine physicians when treating pediatric patients with concussions. METHODS: A 17-item questionnaire was e-mailed to members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Emergency Medicine. Two serial e-mails were distributed at 2-week intervals to nonresponders. The survey included multiple-choice and free-text questions that were created by the team of investigators on the basis of prior surveys of family practitioners and physical trainers. We collected demographic information and specific information regarding the use of medications, neuropsychological testing, neuroimaging, return-to-play decision making, and use of published guidelines. Simple descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-five (29%) physicians completed the questionnaire, of which 52% had been an attending physician for more than 10 years. Ninety-nine percent of the respondents reported managing concussions, with the majority (76%) seeing more than 24 patients with concussion per year. Most clinicians (81%) reported using a published guideline in their management of concussions. The symptoms most likely to prompt head imaging in the ED included a focal neurological deficit (92%), altered mental status (82%), and intractable vomiting (80%). Most (91%) respondents reported using medications to manage the symptoms of patients with concussion, mainly acetaminophen (78%) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (77%), whereas 54% of the respondents used ondansetron and 7% of the respondents used narcotics. More than half (56%) of the respondents referred patients with concussion for neuropsychological testing from the ED. Of those, nearly half (49%) of the respondents refer their patients to a sports concussion clinic, whereas 5% of the respondents refer their patients to a neuropsychologist. When discussing discharge instructions, 86% of the clinicians recommended follow-up with a primary care physician, 62% of the clinicians recommended follow-up with a sports concussion clinic, and 11% of the clinicians recommend follow-up with a neurologist. Most respondents (70%) have access to a designated sports concussion clinic. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly all emergency medicine physicians surveyed care for pediatric patients with concussion, most by using published guidelines. Emergency medicine physicians routinely use medications to treat the symptoms of concussion and often refer patients to primary care physicians as well as designated sports concussion clinics for follow-up.

Management strategies and medication use for treating paediatric patients with concussions.

AIM: To assess management strategies for paediatric patients suffering from concussions. METHODS: A 17-item questionnaire was distributed to 1305 section members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Sections on Adolescent Health, Sports Medicine and Fitness, Community Pediatrics and School Health. The use of medications, neuropsychological testing, neuroimaging and published guidelines in concussion management was queried. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty respondents (17%) completed the questionnaire, of which 64% had been an attending for greater than 10 years. A majority of respondents (92%) managed patients with concussions, with 26% treating more than 24 patients per year. Most paediatricians (84%) reported using a published guideline. The majority of respondents (89%) manage the symptoms of concussed patients with medications, most commonly acetaminophen (62%) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (54%). The use of prescriptions medications such as tricyclic antidepressants (23%), amantadine (10%) and methylphenidate (8%) was also commonly reported. Paediatricians treating >16 patients per year with concussion were more likely to prescribe tricyclic antidepressants, stimulants and agents used for sleep disturbance. CONCLUSION: Paediatricians nationwide routinely use medications when managing patients with concussions. The pharmacological agents used differ according to number of patients treated per year. In addition, most paediatricians use published guidelines in concussion management.

Defining safe rehabilitation for ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction of the elbow: a biomechanical study.

BACKGROUND: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction of the elbow using a variety of techniques has been successful in enabling overhead athletes with ulnar collateral ligament insufficiency to return to competition. Most current postoperative rehabilitation programs begin with a period of motion restriction, including limiting elbow extension, that is followed by a transition from elbow strengthening to an interval throwing program, to competition. Motion restrictions early in the postoperative period may increase the risk for contractures. There is limited information to support current motion restrictions. PURPOSE: (1) To determine strain on the reconstructed ulnar collateral ligament during a rehabilitation protocol that includes passive range of motion, isometric muscle contraction, and varus and valgus torques. (2) To develop guidelines for a safe initial rehabilitation protocol. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Eight cadaveric elbows underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction with the docking technique using a gracilis tendon graft. Differential variable reluctance transducers on the anterior and posterior bands of the reconstructed anterior bundle of the ulnar collateral ligament were used to measure strain, while an optical motion tracking system monitored elbow motion. Strain was measured in the following 3 settings: passive range of motion, 22.2 N isometric flexion and extension contractions, and 3.34 N x m varus and valgus torques with the arm at 90 degrees of flexion. RESULTS: Range of motion from maximum extension to 50 degrees of flexion produced 3% or less strain in both bands of the reconstructed ligament. Forearm rotation did not significantly affect strain in the anterior or posterior bands (P = .336 and P = .357). Strain at 90 degrees approached 7% in the posterior band (upper 95% confidence interval). Isometric muscle contractions had no measurable effect on strain. Varus torques decreased and valgus torques increased strain significantly (P < .05). CONCLUSION: In the immediate postoperative period, full extension is safe, while flexion beyond 50 degrees may place deleterious strain on the reconstruction. Isometric flexion and extension exercises do not increase ligament strain but may be unsafe at 90 degrees of flexion, while valgus exercises (internal rotation at the shoulder) can increase strain in the reconstructed ligament. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results have implications for the development of appropriate rehabilitation protocols after ulnar collateral ligament reconstructive surgery.