Arterial Occlusion Effectiveness of Space Blanket‒Improvised Tourniquets for the Remote Setting.

INTRODUCTION: Control of severe extremity hemorrhage by tourniquet can save lives. In remote areas or in mass casualty incidents with multiple severely bleeding victims, lack of conventional tourniquets may make it necessary to improvise tourniquets. METHODS: Occlusion of the radial artery and delayed onset of capillary refill time resulting from windlass-type tourniquets were experimentally investigated by comparing a commercial tourniquet and a space blanket‒improvised tourniquet with a carabiner as a rod. This observational study was conducted on healthy volunteers in optimal application circumstances. RESULTS: Operator-applied Combat Application Tourniquets were deployed more swiftly (27 s, 95% CI: 25.7-30.2 vs 94 s, 95% CI: 81.7-114.4) and achieved 100% complete radial occlusion compared with improvised tourniquets, as assessed by Doppler sonography (P<0.001). When space blanket‒improvised tourniquets were used, traces of radial perfusion persisted in 48% of the applications. In Combat Application Tourniquets, capillary refill times were significantly delayed (7 s, 95% CI: 6.0-8.2 vs 5 s, 95% CI: 3.9-6.3) compared with those when using improvised tourniquets (P=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Improvised tourniquets should be considered only in dire circumstances with uncontrolled extremity hemorrhage and when no commercial tourniquets are available. Complete arterial occlusion was achieved in only half of the applications using a space blanket‒improvised tourniquet when a carabiner was used as a windlass rod. The speed of application was inferior to that for Combat Application Tourniquets. Similar to Combat Action Tourniquets, the correct assembly and application of space blanket‒improvised tourniquets on upper and lower extremities have to be trained. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: BASG No.: 13370800/15451670.

Rescue Blankets as Multifunctional Rescue Equipment in Alpine and Wilderness Emergencies-A Narrative Review and Clinical Implications.

The utilization of rescue blankets in pre-hospital emergency medicine exceeds protection from hypothermia and enhanced visibility by far. In this narrative review, we focus on emphasizing the alternative applications of these fascinating multifunctional tools in the pre-hospital setting. A literature search in PubMed® and Web of ScienceTM yielded 100 results (last update was on 8 July 2022), a total number of 26 of which were included in this narrative review. Nine articles assessing alternative functions of rescue blanket were further evaluated and described in more detail. In addition, we performed various experimental and observational trials to test the functionality of rescue practice in mountain emergency medicine. Newly fabricated rescue blankets proved to possess impressive robustness. We evaluated rescue blankets in their applicability to not only protect from hypothermia, but also as practical tools to treat catastrophic hemorrhage and bleeding limbs, to perform open pneumothorax chest seals in sucking chest wounds, to prevent damage to unprotected eyes on the glacier and as alternative instruments for transportation in the inaccessible areas. Rescue blankets are important rescue equipment in alpine and wilderness emergencies with multifunctional applications, and must be part of every personal medical kit.

Electromagnetic Interference from Heated Gloves May Compromise Avalanche Transceiver Function.

INTRODUCTION: Rapid location of avalanche victims by companions using avalanche transceivers is of utmost importance to prevent asphyxiation. The objective was to determine whether electromagnetic interference from heating elements in gloves worn by rescuers or victims can impair the receiving or transmitting function of avalanche beacons. METHODS: Commercially available heated gloves from 3 different manufacturers were examined during a simulated search with 3 common brands of avalanche transceivers. Distance to target beacon at first signal detection and accuracy of direction to target, as indicated by the arrow from the direction indicator, were evaluated. RESULTS: Preliminary tests showed that transmitting and receiving signals are degraded by electromagnetic interference caused by rectangular pulses emitted by activated heating elements. Field tests revealed significantly reduced distances of first signal detection when heated gloves were turned on near receiving avalanche transceivers (P<0.001; Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Decreased distance to target beacon ranged between 1.9 m (5%) and 41.5 m (94%) at first detection, depending on the avalanche transceiver used. CONCLUSIONS: Avalanche transceivers are susceptible to electromagnetic interference from gloves with electric heating elements. We do not recommend using heated gloves when performing a transceiver search for avalanche victims because it can lead to a delay in rescue.

Rescue blankets as multifunctional rescue equipment in alpine and wilderness emergencies: a commentary.

Emergency applications of rescue blankets go far beyond protection from hypothermia. In this review alternative applicabilities of these remarkable multifunctional tools were highlighted. Newly fabricated rescue blankets prove impressive robustness. The high tensile strength along with its low weight enable further applications, e.g. immobilization of injured extremities, splinting, wound dressing, a makeshift chest seal in sucking chest wounds, amongst others. Furthermore, the foil can be used as a vapour barrier, as eye protection and it can even be used to construct a stopgap bivouac sack, as alternative tool for transportation in the remote area and a wind shield or a water reservoir in the wilderness. During search-and-rescue missions the light reflection from the gold surface enhances visibility and increases the chance to be found. Rescue blankets are essential parts of first aid kits and backpacks in alpine and wilderness environment with multifunctional applicabilities. In this commentary to a review we want to evaluate the numerous applicabilities of rescue blankets in the treatment of emergencies by wilderness medicine and pre-hospital EMS.

Pathogenetic Mechanism of Procalcitonin in COVID-19.

How to cite this article: Wiedermann FJ. Pathogenetic Mechanism of Procalcitonin in COVID-19. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(5):594.

Procedural sedation and analgesia for percutaneous trans-hepatic biliary drainage: Randomized clinical trial for comparison of two different concepts.

Procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) is important during painful dilatation and stenting in patients undergoing percutaneous trans-hepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). A prospective, nonblinded randomized clinical trial was performed comparing different analgesic regimens with regard to the patient's comfort. Patients were randomly assigned to two treatment groups in a parallel study, receiving either remifentanil or combined midazolam, piritramide, and S-ketamine. The primary study endpoint was pain intensity before, during, and after the intervention using the numerical rating scale (0, no pain; 10, maximum pain). The secondary study endpoint was the satisfaction of the interventional radiologist. Fifty patients underwent PTBD of whom 19 (38.0%) underwent additional stenting. During intervention, the two groups did not differ significantly. After the intervention, the need for auxiliary opioids was higher (12.5% vs 7.7%; p = 0.571) and nausea/vomiting was more frequently observed (33.4% vs 3.8%; p = 0.007) in patients with remifentanil than in patients with PSA. Overall, 45 patients (90.0%) needed additional administration of non-opioid analgesics during postinterventional observation. Remifentanil and combined midazolam, piritramide, and S-ketamine obtained adequate analgesic effects during PTBD. After the intervention, medications with antiemetics and long-acting analgesics were more frequently administered in patients treated with remifentanil (EudraCT No. 2006-003285-34; institutional funding).

High Tensile Strength Increases Multifunctional Use of Survival Blankets in Wilderness Emergencies.

INTRODUCTION: Metallic survival blankets are multifunctional medical devices frequently used to provide thermal insulation in sport and leisure activities and in emergency care. To assess further properties of survival blankets, we investigated their breaking strength under laboratory conditions. METHODS: An experimental study was performed with 2 commercially available survival blankets used by emergency medical services. Breaking strength measured with a tensile testing machine was determined consecutively with 10 tests conducted per brand. RESULTS: Breaking strength (mean±SD) of the tested brands was 3.8±0.4 kN, (range: 2.8-4.1 kN) and 4.0±0.5 kN (range: 3.2-4.6 kN). When using the windlass of a commercially available tourniquet for the longitudinally folded survival blanket, the windlass bent at a force of 0.8 kN; when using a carabiner, the force exceeded 3.6 kN before failure occurred in both blanket brands. CONCLUSIONS: Both brands of survival blankets show impressive tensile strength, indicating that they have the potential to serve as temporary pelvic binders or even as makeshift tourniquets when urgent bleeding control is needed.

Severe Craniofacial Trauma After Multiple Pistol Shots.

A 48-year-old woman suffered from life-threatening injuries in head and chest caused by six pistol shots fired at close range in an attempted homicide. We report here on our successful airway management and bleeding control at the scene of crime and the multidisciplinary surgical treatment of the associated head and neurovascular injuries.

Successful Resuscitation Using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation of 2 Patients With Severe Liver Rupture: A Case Report.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a rescue treatment for respiratory or cardiac failure. Its use is limited in patients predisposed to bleeding due to heparin administration. We present 2 patients with deranged coagulation after liver rupture successfully treated by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. One patient with cardiac arrest developed a liver laceration during resuscitation. Liver suture was performed, but acute respiratory distress syndrome (PaO2/fraction of inspired oxygen, 50) necessitated venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The other patient suffered hemothorax, thoracic aorta dissection, and liver rupture. Liver segments VI and VII were resected. Endovascular aneurysm repair of aortic dissection and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were performed. Both patients survived without neurological sequelae.

Effects of Arginine Vasopressin on Migration and Respiratory Burst Activity in Human Leukocytes.

Arginine vasopressin can bind to high-affinity vasopressin V1a receptors in human leukocytes. This study aims to investigate the effects of arginine vasopressin on migration and chemotaxis of neutrophils and oxygen free radical release by human leukocytes. Neutrophils and monocytes were obtained from peripheral blood samples of ten healthy volunteers. Leukocyte migration was microscopically assessed in a modified 48-blind well microchemotaxis chamber, and respiratory burst activity was estimated using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate in descending concentrations of arginine vasopressin. Arginine vasopressin stimulates migration of monocytes and neutrophils depending on concentration and on interaction with other chemoattractants. The strongest chemotactic responses of monocytes to arginine vasopressin were observed in the micro and nanomolar range and in the nanomolar range for neutrophils (p<0.001). Pre-incubation of leukocytes with arginine vasopressin decreased migration of leukocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Arginine vasopressin did not stimulate release of oxygen free radicals by neutrophils. Arginine vasopressin stimulates in a dose-dependent manner the migration of monocytes and neutrophils. However, pre-incubation of leukocytes with arginine vasopressin decreased the migratory response of monocytes and neutrophils to other chemoattractants. These findings may be of importance in the treatment regimen of patients with septic shock.

Aortic stent graft placement under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in severe multiple trauma.

Placement of an aortic stent graft under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was the life-saving procedure in a case of severe head trauma and traumatic aortic dissection after injured by a railroad engine. Timely access to neurosurgery, heart surgery, and radiology providing minimal invasive interventions increase the chances of a favorable outcome.

Measures to Prevent Air Embolism in Transthoracic Biopsy of the Lung.

OBJECTIVE: Systemic air embolism (AE) is a rare but feared complication of transthoracic biopsy with potentially fatal consequences. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of patient positioning during transthoracic biopsy on preventing systemic AE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared a historical control group of 610 patients (group 1) who underwent transthoracic biopsy before the implementation of measures to prevent systemic AE during transthoracic biopsy and a group of 1268 patients (group 2) who underwent biopsy after the measures were implemented. The patients in group 2 were placed in the ipsilateral-dependent position so that the lesion being biopsied was located below the level of the left atrium. RESULTS: The rate of systemic AE was reduced from 3.77% to 0.16% (odds ratio [OR], 0.040; 95% CI, 0.010-0.177; p < 0.001). Logistic regression analyses identified needle penetration depth, prone position of the patient during biopsy, location above the level of the left atrium, needle path through ventilated lung, and intubation anesthesia as independent risk factors for systemic AE (p < 0.05). Propensity score-matched analyses identified the number of biopsy samples obtained as an additional risk factor (p = 0.003). The rate of pneumothorax was reduced from 15.41% in group 1 to 5.99% in group 2 (OR, 0.374; 95% CI, 0.307-0.546; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Performing transthoracic biopsy with the patient in an ipsilateral-dependent position so that the lesion is located below the level of the left atrium is an effective measure for preventing systemic AE. Needle path through ventilated lung and intubation anesthesia should be avoided whenever possible.

Iatrogenic Cardiac Tamponade During Endovascular Aortic and Mesenteric Stent Grafting: A Case Report.

The authors report a case of left ventricular perforation and cardiac tamponade in a patient undergoing endovascular aortic and mesenteric stent grafting. During the procedure, the anesthetist noticed a sudden increase in central venous pressure and a decrease in blood pressure. Cardiac tamponade was suspected and confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography. Pericardiotomy resulted only in temporary stabilization. Emergency sternotomy revealed left ventricular perforation. Both anesthetists and radiologists have to be aware of such rare but severe complications of interventional procedures.

Systemic air embolism causing acute stroke and myocardial infarction after percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy - a case report.

The air embolism in this case was likely to have been caused by positioning the patient in a prone position, which was associated with the lesion to be biopsied being at a maximum height over the left atrium. Due to the resulting negative pressure, air entered through a fistula that formed between the airspace and the pulmonary vein. The air could have been trapped in the left atrium by positioning the patient in left lateral position. The event itself could have been prevented by positioning the patient in an ipsilateral dependent position during the biopsy. In addition to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the preferred treatment options are positioning maneuvers, administration of pure oxygen, and heparinization.

Standards of anesthesiology practice during neuroradiological interventions.

Interventional radiology is a rapidly growing discipline with an expanding variety of indications and techniques in pediatric and adult patients. Accordingly, the number of procedures during which monitoring either under sedation or under general anesthesia is needed is increasing. In order to ensure high-quality care as well as patient comfort and safety, implementation of anes-thesiology practice guidelines in line with institutional radiology practice guidelines is paramount [1]. However, practice guidelines are no substitute for lack of communi-cation between specialties. Interdisciplinary indications within neurosciences call for efficient co-operation among radiology, neurology, neurosurgery, vascular surgery, anesthesiology and intensive care. Anesthesia team and intensive care personnel should be informed early and be involved in coordinated planning so that optimal results can be achieved under minimized risks and pre-arranged complication management.