Simulation analysis of three intubating supraglottic devices during infant chest compression.

Current guidelines for pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation suggest that supraglottic devices are alternatives for tracheal intubation with minimal interruption of chest compression. We examined the utility of three intubating supraglottic devices, air-Q® (air-Q), Ambu® aura-i (aura-i), and i-gel® (i-gel), utilizing manikin simulation. Twenty-two novice physicians performed securing of airway on an infant manikin with the three devices. We measured the rate of success on ventilation and the insertion time with or without chest compression. Successful ventilation rate did not significantly decrease with chest compression in the three devices (without chest compression: air-Q, 21/22; aura-i, 20/22; i-gel, 20/22, during chest compression: air-Q, 20/22; aura-i, 20/22; i-gel, 18/22). The insertion time with air-Q and aura-i did not extend significantly for chest compression. In contrast, the insertion time with i-gel was significantly extended in chest compression (P < 0.05). Air-Q and aura-i are more useful for airway management during chest compression than i-gel.

Comparison of the Miller Laryngoscope and Videolaryngoscope for Tracheal Intubation by Novice Doctors during Neonatal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Randomized Crossover Simulation Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Recent guidelines for neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation emphasize the importance of adequate ventilation. In cases of failed resuscitation with positive pressure ventilation, tracheal intubation and chest compressions are recommended. The present study compared the utility of the Miller laryngoscope (Mil) and the videolaryngoscope Pentax-AWS Airway Scope (AWS; Hoya, Tokyo, Japan) with an infant or neonatal-sized Intlock (AWS-N; Pentax) during chest compressions on a neonatal manikin. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 23 novice doctors performed tracheal intubation on a neonatal manikin using the Mil and AWS-N, with or without chest compressions. RESULTS: In the Mil trials, all participants secured the airway without chest compressions, but nine failed with compressions (p < 0.001). In AWS-N trials, all participants succeeded regardless of whether chest compressions were performed or not. Intubation time was significantly longer with chest compressions with the Mil (p < 0.001), but not with the AWS-N. Laryngoscopy difficulty, as assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS), increased significantly with chest compressions with the Mil, but not with the AWS-N, while the VAS for tube passage through the glottis increased with compressions with the Mil, but not with the AWS-N. CONCLUSION: The AWS-N is an effective device for endotracheal intubation during chest compressions in neonatal simulations performed by novice doctors.

Evaluation of chest compression effect on airway management with air-Q, aura-i, i-gel, and Fastrack intubating supraglottic devices by novice physicians: a randomized crossover simulation study.

PURPOSE: In the 2010 American Heart Association guidelines, supraglottic devices (SGDs) such as the laryngeal mask are proposed as alternatives to tracheal intubation for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Some SGDs can also serve as a means for tracheal intubation after successful ventilation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chest compression on airway management with four intubating SGDs, aura-i (aura-i), air-Q (air-Q), i-gel (i-gel), and Fastrack (Fastrack), during cardiopulmonary resuscitation using a manikin. METHODS: Twenty novice physicians inserted the four intubating SGDs into a manikin with or without chest compression. Insertion time and successful ventilation rate were measured. For cases of successful ventilation, blind tracheal intubation via the intubating SGD was performed with chest compression and success or failure within 30 s was recorded. RESULTS: Chest compression did not decrease the ventilation success rate of the four intubating SGDs (without chest compression (success/total): air-Q, 19/20; aura-i, 19/20; i-gel, 18/20; Fastrack, 19/20; with chest compression: air-Q, 19/20; aura-i, 19/20; i-gel, 16/20; Fastrack, 18/20). Insertion time was significantly lengthened by chest compression in the i-gel trial (P < 0.05), but not with the other three devices. The blind intubation success rate with chest compression was the highest in the air-Q trial (air-Q, 15/19; aura-i, 14/19; i-gel, 12/16; Fastrack, 10/18). CONCLUSIONS: This simulation study revealed the utility of intubating SGDs for airway management during chest compression.

Utility of the Pentax-AWS Airwayscope and Macintosh laryngoscope for airway management during chest compressions in 27° left-lateral tilt: a manikin simulation study of maternal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

PURPOSE: American Heart Association (AHA) 2010 cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines recommend high-quality chest compressions (minimum interruption, a pace >100 compressions/min, and a depth more than 5 cm). They propose minor changes for pregnant women: manual left deviation of the uterus or a left-lateral incline of 27°-30° to alleviate pressure on the inferior vena cava. We examined the performance of the Pentax-AWS Airwayscope (AWS) and Macintosh laryngoscope (McL) for airway management during chest compressions on a 27° left-lateral tilt (27 LLT) operating table. METHODS: The study included 18 novice doctors in our anesthesia department. They performed tracheal intubation on a manikin positioned on a 27 LLT operating table using the AWS or McL with or without chest compressions. We measured the intubation time and success rate for tracheal intubation. RESULTS: Intubation success rate with the McL decreased with chest compressions compared to without chest compressions (12/18 vs. 18/18, P < 0.05). Intubation time with the McL was lengthened with chest compressions compared to without chest compressions (18.9 ± 4.0 s vs. 11.1 ± 1.0 s, P < 0.05). Intubation success rate was the same for the AWS with and without chest compressions (18/18 in both cases), and intubation time did not increase significantly without compressions compared to with compressions (11.6 ± 1.4 s vs. 12.6 ± 1.2 s, NS). CONCLUSIONS: The AWS is an effective tool for airway management during chest compressions in 27 LLT in a manikin, suggesting that the AWS may be a useful device for airway management during maternal resuscitation.

Comparison of Pentax-AWS Airwayscope, Airtraq and Miller laryngoscope for tracheal intubation by novice doctors during infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation simulation: a randomized crossover trial.

Recent guidelines for infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation emphasize that all rescuers should minimize interruption of chest compressions, even for endotracheal intubation. We compared the utility of the Pentax-AWS Airway Scope (AWS) with an infant-sized Intlock (AWS-I), Airtraq laryngoscope (ATQ) and Miller laryngoscope during chest compressions on an infant manikin. Twenty-three novice doctors performed tracheal intubation on an infant manikin using the AWS-I, ATQ and Miller laryngoscope, with or without chest compressions. In Miller laryngoscope trials, one participant failed to secure the airway without chest compressions, while nine failed with compressions (P < 0.05). In ATQ trials, none of the participants failed without compressions, while six failed with compressions (P < 0.05). In AWS-I trials, all participants succeeded regardless of chest compressions. Intubation time was significantly longer with chest compressions with the Miller laryngoscope and ATQ, but not with the AWS-I. The AWS-I is an effective device for endotracheal intubation during chest compressions in infant simulations managed by novice doctors.

Comparison of air-Q(®) and Soft Seal(®) laryngeal mask for airway management by novice doctors during infant chest compression: a manikin study.

BACKGROUND: Recent resuscitation guidelines for infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) emphasise that rescuers should minimise the interruption of chest compressions. To that end, supraglottic devices such as laryngeal mask airways (LMAs) are suggested as a backup for airway management during infant CPR. We therefore compared the utility of the air-Q(®) LMA (air-Q) with that of the Soft Seal(®) LMA (Soft Seal) for infant CPR in an infant manikin. METHODS: Twenty-four novice doctors in the anaesthesia department performed insertion and ventilation with air-Q and Soft Seal on an infant manikin with or without chest compression. RESULTS: Two doctors failed to insert the Soft Seal without chest compression, while nine failed during chest compression (P<0.05). However, only one doctor failed to insert the air-Q without chest compression, and two doctors failed during chest compression. Insertion time was not significantly increased with chest compression using either device. Insertion time during chest compression was significantly shorter for the air-Q than for the Soft Seal (P<0.05). The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate difficulty of use (0mm (extremely easy) to 100mm (extremely difficult)). VAS scores did not change significantly by the addition of chest compression with either device; however, VAS scores during chest compression were significantly higher with Soft Seal than with the air-Q device. CONCLUSION: We conclude that novice doctors find the air-Q easier to use than Soft Seal for emergency airway management during chest compression in infants, in an infant manikin.

Addition of a video camera system improves the ease of Airtraq(®) tracheal intubation during chest compression.

Recent resuscitation guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation emphasize that rescuers should perform tracheal intubation with minimal interruption of chest compressions. We evaluated the use of video guidance to facilitate tracheal intubation with the Airtraq (ATQ) laryngoscope during chest compression. Eighteen novice physicians in our anesthesia department performed tracheal intubation on a manikin using the ATQ with a video camera system (ATQ-V) or with no video guidance (ATQ-N) during chest compression. All participants were able to intubate the manikin using the ATQ-N without chest compression, but five failed during chest compression (P < 0.05). In contrast, all participants successfully secured the airway with the ATQ-V, with or without chest compression. Concurrent chest compression increased the time required for intubation with the ATQ-N (without chest compression 14.8 ± 4.5 s; with chest compression, 28.2 ± 10.6 s; P < 0.05), but not with the ATQ-V (without chest compression, 15.9 ± 5.8 s; with chest compression, 17.3 ± 5.3 s; P > 0.05). The ATQ video camera system improves the ease of tracheal intubation during chest compressions.

Comparison of Pentax-AWS Airwayscope video laryngoscope, Airtraq optic laryngoscope, and Macintosh laryngoscope during cardiopulmonary resuscitation under cervical stabilization: a manikin study.

PURPOSE: The 2010 American Heart Association or European Resuscitation Council guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation emphasize that rescuers should minimize interruption of chest compressions, even for endotracheal intubation. Cervical stabilization should also be maintained during traumatic cardiac arrest. The utility of the Pentax-AWS Airwayscope (AWS) video laryngoscope and Airtraq (ATQ) optic laryngoscope for airway management has been reported under cervical stabilization. We first evaluated ATQ utility during chest compression with or without cervical stabilization and then compared the AWS, ATQ, and Macintosh laryngoscope (McL) during chest compressions under cervical stabilization in a manikin. METHODS: In the first trial, 19 novice doctors performed tracheal intubation with ATQ during chest compression with or without cervical stabilization. In the second trial, 21 novice doctors performed tracheal intubation on a manikin with cervical stabilization using AWS, ATQ, and McL with or without chest compression in a manikin. The rate of successful intubation, time to intubation, and subjective difficulty of use (visual analog scale) were recorded. RESULTS: In the first trial, intubation time during chest compression was significantly shortened under cervical stabilization compared to without cervical stabilization (P < 0.05). In the second trial, using McL, 3 participants failed to perform tracheal intubation without chest compression and 11 failed during chest compression (P < 0.05). Using ATQ, all intubations were successful without chest compression, but 5 failed during chest compression (P < 0.05). Intubation time was significantly prolonged by chest compression using McL or ATQ (P < 0.05). All participants successfully secured the airway with AWS regardless of chest compression, and chest compression did not prolong intubation time. Chest compression worsened the score on the visual analog scale of laryngoscopy in the McL trial (P < 0.05), but not in ATQ or AWS trials. Difficulty of tube passage through the glottis increased with chest compression with the McL and ATQ (P < 0.05) but not with AWS. CONCLUSION: The AWS was superior to McL and ATQ for endotracheal intubation during simulated cervical stabilization and chest compression.

Backboard insertion in the operating table increases chest compression depth: a manikin study.

The quality of chest compression (CC) is influenced by the surface supporting the patient. The present study compared chest compression depth with and without a rigid backboard on an operating table with a pressure-distributing mattress. We hypothesized that the presence of a backboard would result in an increased depth of chest compression on the operating table with a pressure-distributing mattress. In a randomized crossover trial, we simulated in-hospital cardiac arrest in a Resusci Anne SkillReporter model placed on a standard operating table with a 6-cm-thick pressure-distributing mattress. A total of 25 male doctors performed CC 30 times, with or without the rigid backboard. Mean chest compression depth increased from 4.9 ± 0.4 to 5.4 ± 0.3 mm (P < 0.0001) when a backboard was present. Mean proportion of compressions >50 mm increased significantly with the presence of a backboard (53.6% ± 32.3%-81.8% ± 15.0%, P < 0.0001). Applying a backboard significantly increased CC depth during cardiopulmonary resuscitation of a manikin model on an operating table with a pressure-distributing mattress.

Comparison of optic laryngoscope Airtraq(®) and Miller laryngoscope for tracheal intubation during infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: Recent resuscitation guidelines for infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) emphasize that all rescuers should minimize interruption of chest compressions, even for endotracheal intubation. We compared the utility of the Miller laryngoscope (Mil) with Airtraq (ATQ) during chest compression in an infant manikin. METHODS: Twenty staff doctors in intensive care and emergency medicine performed tracheal intubation on an infant manikin with Mil and ATQ with or without chest compression. RESULTS: In Mil trials, no participants failed without chest compression, but 6 of them failed during chest compression (P < 0.05). In ATQ trials, all participants successfully secured the airway regardless of chest compression. Intubation time was significantly lengthened due to chest compression in Mil trials, but not in ATQ trials. The visual analog scale (VAS) for laryngoscope image did not significantly change due to chest compression for ATQ or Mil trials. In contrast, chest compression worsened VAS scores for tube passage through the glottis in Mil trials, but not in ATQ trials. CONCLUSION: We conclude that ATQ performed better than Mil for endotracheal intubation during chest compression in infant simulations managed by expert doctors.

Membranoproliferative pattern of glomerular injury associated with complement component 9 deficiency due to Arg95Stop mutation.

BACKGROUND: Arg95Stop mutation of exon 4 in complement component 9 (C9) gene is common in individuals in Japan with C9 deficiency (C9D); however, understanding of the influences of C9D on human glomerulonephritis remains elusive. METHODS: A total of 1288 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were recruited from the hospitals in Niigata prefecture. They were screened for the Arg95Stop mutation of C9 gene by allele-specific PCR. RESULTS: We identified two individuals with C9D among 1,288 CKD patients, a frequency comparable to that of the general Japanese population (0.16%). Case 1 involved a 44-year-old man presenting with nephrotic proteinuria. The hemolytic activity of CH50 was low, and the concentration of C9 was not detected. Sequencing of exon 4 of the C9 gene showed the Arg95Stop mutation. Renal biopsy revealed diffuse global mesangial proliferation with extensive duplication of glomerular capillary walls. Mesangial, subendothelial and subepithelial deposits were noticed with light and electron microscopy. Immunofluorescent study showed predominant mesangial IgA deposition. Case 2 involved a 62-year-old man presenting with proteinuria and hematuria. His CH50 level was decreased. Renal biopsy revealed diffuse global mesangial proliferation with extensive duplication of glomerular capillary walls. Immune deposits were also confirmed. The percentage of C9D among patients with mesangial proliferation and duplication of GBM in this study was 5.1%. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the lack of membrane attack complex because of an Arg95Stop mutation of the C9 gene predisposed patients to pathognomonic glomerulonephritis.

Comparison of Supreme(®) and Soft Seal(®) laryngeal masks for airway management during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in novice doctors: a manikin study.

PURPOSE: In the 2005 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, the laryngeal mask (LMA) was proposed as an alternative to tracheal intubation for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We compared the utility of a newly developed LMA, the Supreme(®) (Supreme), with a conventional LMA, the Soft Seal(®) (Soft Seal). METHODS: A total of 19 novice doctors in our anesthesia department performed insertion of the Supreme or Soft Seal on a manikin with or without chest compression. Insertion time and number of attempts for successful ventilation were measured. After successful ventilation, the amount of air entering the stomach and maximum ventilation pressure were measured. The subjective difficulty of using the devices was also measured. RESULTS: The ventilation success rate of first insertion did not differ between the Supreme and Soft Seal without chest compression. However, the success rate was significantly lower with the Soft Seal than the Supreme during chest compression. Insertion time was lengthened by chest compression with the Soft Seal, but not with the Supreme. Maximum ventilation pressure was higher with the Supreme than the Soft Seal. The amount of air entering the stomach was significantly lower with the Supreme than the Soft Seal. The Supreme also scored better than the Soft Seal on a visual analog scale of subjective difficulty in insertion. CONCLUSIONS: The Supreme is an effective device for airway management during chest compression.

Validation of the Pentax-AWS Airwayscope utility as an intubation device during cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the ground.

PURPOSE: The 2005 American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation emphasize that all rescuers should minimize interruption of chest compressions even for endotracheal intubation. We previously reported that the utility of the Pentax-AWS Airwayscope (AWS) was superior to that of the Macintosh laryngoscope (McL) for securing airways during chest compression in "on the bed" simulated circumstances. However, because most cardiopulmonary arrest happens "on the ground" in the real world, we compared the utility of the McL and the AWS during chest compression on the ground and on the bed. METHODS: Fourteen doctors training in the anesthesia department performed tracheal intubation on a manikin with the McL and the AWS in simulations "on the bed" and "on the ground". RESULTS: In the McL trial, 6 participants failed on the bed, and 10 of them also failed on the ground during chest compression. In the AWS trial, all participants successfully secured the airway regardless of chest compression both on the bed and on the ground. With the AWS, intubation time was not lengthened because of chest compression either on the bed or on the ground. The AWS scored better than the McL on the visual analog scale in laryngoscopy and tube passage of the glottis both on the bed and on the ground. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the AWS is an effective device for endotracheal intubation during chest compression not only on the bed but also on the ground.

Pinpoint targeted immunosuppression: anti-CD20/MMF desensitization with anti-CD25 in successful ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation without splenectomy.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, ABO-incompatible (ABO-I) kidney transplantation began in 1989; these transplantations have flourished because of the lack of cadaveric donors, and more than 600 cases were performed up to 2004. Splenectomy has been considered to be necessary for successful ABO-I kidney transplantation, and the majority of pre-conditioning protocols include splenectomy in Japan. However, we have lost some grafts due to antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) accompanying explosive elevation of anti-A/B antibody (Ab) titer even though the patients had a low pre-operative Ab titer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We utilized two doses of anti-CD20, rituximab, simply combined with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)/low-dose steroid desensitization started 1 month before surgery in ABO-I kidney transplantation. Two sessions of pre-operative Ab removal by double filtration plasmapheresis or plasma exchange were carried out. We performed six ABO-I kidney transplantations without splenectomy. Anti-A/B Ab titers were more than 16 to 32 times before treatment. We did not plan any post-operative repeated Ab removal or intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG). RESULTS: Pre-operative anti-A/B Ab titers were successfully reduced to less than eight times in all cases. Except for one case in which we had to remove the graft due to aspiration pneumonia and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) sepsis, the other five cases did not experience antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). An additional session of post-operative Ab removal and/or IVIG was not necessary. In all patients, B cells (CD19+, CD20+, CD21+) and activated T cells (CD25+) were selectively suppressed, although CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cell populations remained stable, thus we call our protocol "pinpoint targeted immunosuppression." Plasma immunoglobulin level was also successfully suppressed, especially after 6 weeks of surgery. CONCLUSION: Anti-CD20/MMF desensitization is safe and allows successful ABO-I kidney transplantation without splenectomy.

Adult onset anaphylactoid purpura with severe gastrointestinal involvement.

We treated a case of adult-onset severe-form anaphylactoid purpura. This case had been diagnosed as anaphylactoid purpura pathologically by skin biopsy. However, his clinical manifestations were atypical in view of complicated massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Intensive therapy including corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide transiently improved his condition. Nevertheless, the beta-D-glucan value in peripheral blood was gradually elevated. Prophylactic use of fluconazole failed to prevent contraction of invasive mycosis. Finally, he suddenly suffered from diffuse cerebral hemorrhage. Postmortem examination revealed systemic invasive aspergillosis as the cause of death.

Patient with diffuse mesangial and endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis with hypocomplementemia and elevated anti-streptolysin O treated with prednisolone, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, and angiotensin II receptor antagonist.

A 24-year-old woman was admitted to Toyosaka Hospital with proteinuria, hematuria, lymphopenia, hypocomplementemia, positive anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), and elevation of anti-streptolysin O (ASO). Renal biopsy specimen revealed diffuse mesangial and endocapillary glomerulonephritis with crescent formation and duplication of the capillary loop on light microscopic examination. Mild to moderate proliferation of mesangial matrix and cells were observed. On immunofluorescence (IF) examination, deposition of IgG, IgA, IgM, C1q, C3, and C4 to the mesangium and capillary wall were observed. By electron microscopy (EM), mesangial, subendothelial, and subepithelial deposits were recognized. However, microtubular structure in glomerular endothelial cells, fingerprint structures, and circumferential mesangial interposition were not observed by EM. The patient was referred to our hospital, but there was no change in her proteinuria 3 weeks after admission. The elevation of ASO, hypocomplementemia, and endocapillary proliferation suggested acute glomerulonephritis, while lymphocytopenia, positive ANA, the persistent hypocomplementemia, and various deposits detected by IF and EM suggested lupus nephritis; however, she did not fulfill the classification criteria of systemic lupus erythematosus. We started prednisolone (40 mg/day) with the diagnosis of chronic glomerulonephritis revealing diffuse mesangial and endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis, but it was not effective for the proteinuria. Quinapril (10 mg/day) and losartan (25 to 50 mg/day) were administered and the proteinuria decreased. It is possible that this use of an angiotensin converting-enzyme inhibitor and an angiotensin II receptor antagonist was effective in reducing the proteinuria in this patient.