Stress-Induced (Not Diabetic) Hyperglycemia Is Associated With Mortality in Geriatric Trauma Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Stress-induced hyperglycemia (SIH) is associated with worse outcomes among trauma patients. It is also known that injured geriatric patients have higher mortality when compared to younger patients. We sought to investigate the association of all levels of SIH with mortality among geriatric trauma patients at a level 1 academic trauma center. We hypothesized that SIH in the geriatric trauma population would be associated with increased mortality. METHODS: A retrospective review of all geriatric patients admitted to our level 1 trauma center over a 3-year period (January 2018-December 2020) was performed using the institutional trauma database. Data collected included demographics, injury severity score (ISS), emergency department (ED) blood glucose level, ED systolic blood pressure (SBP), and mortality. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on emergency room blood glucose level, as follows: normoglycemic (<120 mg/dL), mild hyperglycemia (120-150 mg/dL), moderate hyperglycemia (151-199 mg/dL), and severe hyperglycemia (≥200 mg/dL). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of SIH and in-hospital mortality adjusting for ISS, age, comorbidities, and ED SBP. RESULTS: A total of 4432 geriatric trauma patients were admitted during the study period, of which 3358 patients (75.8%) were not diabetic. There were 2206 females (65.7%), 2993 were White (89.2%), with a mean age of 81.5 y. There were 114 deaths (3.4%). Univariate results showed that there was a statistically significant association between mortality and glucose groups (P < 0.01). The number of deaths in the four glucose groups were, as follows: 30 (2.0%), 32 (3.8%), 20 (6.2%), and 10 (12.2%), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis results showed that compared to the normoglycemic group, the risk of death was higher in the mild, moderate, and severe glucose groups, as follows: mild group (OR 1.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-3.13, P 0.04), moderate group (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.34-4.80, P < 0.01), and severe group (OR 5.04, 95% CI 2.18-11.67, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Mild, moderate, and severe SIH are statistically significant predictors of death among geriatric trauma patients independently of ISS, age, comorbidities, and SBP.

Factors Predictive of Mortality among Geriatric Patients Sustaining Low-Energy Blunt Trauma.

Background: In geriatric trauma patients, higher mortality rate is observed compared to younger patients. A significant portion of trauma sustained by this age group comes from low-energy mechanisms (fall from standing or sitting). We sought to investigate the outcome of these patients and identify factors associated with mortality. Methods: A retrospective review of 1285 geriatric trauma patients who came to our level 1 trauma center for trauma activation (hospital alert to mobilize surgical trauma service, emergency department trauma team, nursing, and ancillary staff for highest level of critical care) after sustaining low-energy blunt trauma over a 1-year period. IRB approval was obtained, data collected included demographics, vital signs, laboratory data, injuries sustained, length of stay and outcomes. Patients were divided into three age categories: 65−74, 75−84 and >85. Comorbidities collected included a history of chronic renal failure, COPD, Hypertension and Myocardial Infarction. Results: 1285 geriatric patients (age > 65 years) presented to our level 1 trauma center for trauma activation with a low-energy blunt trauma during the study period; 34.8% of the patients were men, 20.5% had at least one comorbidity, and 89.6% were white. Median LOS was 5 days; 37 (2.9%) patients died. Age of 85 and over (OR 3.44 with 95% CI 1.01−11.7 and 2.85 with 95% CI 1.0−6.76, when compared to 65−74 and 75−84, respectively), injury severity score (ISS) (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.15) and the presence of more than one comorbidity (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.26 to 5.68) were independently predictive of death on multi-variable logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Age more than 85 years, higher injury severity score and the presence of more than one comorbidity are independent predictors of mortality among geriatric patients presenting with low-energy blunt trauma.

Natural History of Patients Undergoing Therapeutic Endoscopies for Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

When endoscopy is performed for acute GI bleeding, therapeutic endoscopic procedures are infrequently required (only 6% of cases). We sought to determine the natural history of GI hemorrhage in patients who have undergone therapeutic endoscopy. We queried our hospital database for inpatients with acute GI bleeding who underwent therapeutic endoscopy between 2015 and 2017. The primary endpoints were recurrence of bleeding and the subsequent need for repeated endoscopic interventions, angioembolization, or surgery. Demographic information was collected. We reviewed 205 hospitalized patients: mean age was 70 years, 58 per cent were male, and mean hemoglobin was 9 g/dL. Patients had medical conditions predisposing them to bleeding in 59 per cent and history of previous GI bleeding in 37 per cent of cases. Sixty per cent were on antiplatelet/anticoagulation medications, and 10 per cent were receiving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Blood transfusions were given to 78 per cent of patients, with an average of 2.3 units of packed red blood cells transfused per patient before intervention. Recurrence of hemorrhage after therapeutic endoscopy was seen in 9 per cent of patients. Only 2 per cent underwent a second therapeutic endoscopic procedure, and 5 per cent had surgery or angioembolization (half of these patients then had a further recurrence of bleeding). In total, seven patients died (3%). Recurrence of GI bleeding after therapeutic endoscopies is uncommon (9%). Surgery and angioembolization are not commonly necessary, but when used are only successful in 50 per cent of cases.

Confirmation of endotracheal tube placement using disposable fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the emergent setting.

BACKGROUND: Patients intubated in the prehospital setting require quick and definitive confirmation of endotracheal (ET) tube placement upon arrival to the emergency department (ED). Direct and adjunct strategies exist, but each has limitations and there is no definitive gold standard. The utility of bronchoscopy in ED intubation has been studied, but scant literature exists on its use for ET tube confirmation. This study aims to assess effectiveness, ease and speed with which ET tube placement can be confirmed with disposable fiberoptic bronchoscopy. METHODS: Emergency medicine residents recruited from a 3-year urban residency program received 5 minutes of active learning on a simulation mannequin using a disposable, flexible Ambu aScope interfaced with a monitor. With residents blinded, the researcher randomly placed the ET tube in the trachea, esophagus or right mainstem. Residents identified ET tube position by threading the bronchoscope through the tube and viewing distal anatomy. Each resident underwent 4 trials. Accuracy, speed and perceptions of difficulty were measured. RESULTS: Residents accurately identified the location of the ET tube in 88 out of 92 trials (95.7%). The median time-to-guess was 7.0 seconds, IQR (5.0-10.0). Average perceived difficulty was 1.6 on a scale from 1-5 (1 being very easy and 5 being very difficult). No tubes were damaged or dislodged. CONCLUSION: While simulation cannot completely replicate the live experience, fiberoptic bronchoscopy appears to be a quick and accurate method for ET tube confirmation. Further studies directly comparing this novel approach to established practices on actual patients are warranted.

How low can you go: Achieving postoperative outpatient pain control without opioids.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative outpatient narcotic overprescription plays a significant role in the opioid epidemic. Outpatient opioid prescription ranges from 150 to 350 oral morphine equivalent (OME) for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy or appendectomy, with 75 OME (10 pills of 5 mg of oxycodone) being the lowest recommendation (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2018). We hypothesized that the addition of nonopioid medications to the outpatient pain control regimen would decrease the need for narcotics. METHODS: In this prospective, observational pilot study, we prescribed a 3-day regimen of ibuprofen and acetaminophen to patients after uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomies and appendectomies. An additional opioid prescription for 5 pills of 5 mg of oxycodone (37.5 OME) was written for breakthrough pain. During their postoperative visit, we evaluated patients' adherence to the pain control regime, their postdischarge opioid use, and the adequacy of their pain control. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were included in the study (52% male). The majority (80%) of surgeries were performed urgently or emergently. The visual analog scale pain score at home was significantly better than upon discharge (3.7 vs. 5.5, p = 0.001). The average number of oxycodone pills taken postdischarge was 1.8 pills. Half (51%) of the patients did not take any opioids. All but four patients reported that their pain was adequately controlled. No patient required additional opioid prescriptions or visited the emergency department. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that opioids can be eliminated in at least half of the patients and that five pills of 5 mg of oxycodone (37.5 OME) is sufficient for outpatient pain control when a 3-day course of ibuprofen and acetaminophen is prescribed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level V.

The use of finger-stick blood to assess lactate in critically ill surgical patients.

BACKGROUND: Using finger-stick capillary blood to assess lactate from the microcirculation may have utility in treating critically ill patients. Our goals were to determine how finger-stick capillary lactate correlates with arterial lactate levels in patients from the surgical intensive care unit, and to compare how capillary and arterial lactate trend over time in patients undergoing resuscitation for shock. METHODS: Capillary whole blood specimens were obtained from finger-sticks using a lancet, and assessed for lactate via a handheld point-of-care device as part of an "investigational use only" study. Comparison was made to arterial blood specimens that were assessed for lactate by standard laboratory reference methods. RESULTS: 40 patients (mean age 68, mean APACHEII 18, vasopressor use 62%) were included. The correlation between capillary and arterial lactate levels was 0.94 (p < 0.001). Capillary lactate measured slightly higher on average than paired arterial values, with a mean difference 0.99 mmol/L. In patients being resuscitated for septic and hemorrhagic shock, capillary and arterial lactate trended closely over time: rising, peaking, and falling in tandem. Clearance of capillary and arterial lactate mirrored clinical improvement, normalizing in all patients except two that expired. CONCLUSION: Finger-stick capillary lactate both correlates and trends closely with arterial lactate in critically ill surgical patients, undergoing resuscitation for shock.

Maintaining quality of care 24/7 in a nontrauma surgical intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Most surgical critical care literature reflects practices at trauma centers and tertiary hospitals. Surgical critical care needs and practices may be quite different at nontrauma center teaching hospitals. As acute care surgery develops as a component of surgical critical care and trauma, the opportunities and challenges of the nontrauma centers should be considered. METHODS: In 2001, a new surgical critical care service was created for an 800-bed urban teaching hospital with a 12-bed surgical intensive care unit (SICU). Consults, daily rounds, daily notes, and adherence to best practices were standardized over the next 9 years for a team of postgraduate year-1 and -2 surgical residents, physician assistants and surgical intensivists. The Fundamentals of Critical Care Support course was given as basic introduction, and published guidelines for ventilators, hemodynamics, cardiac, infections, and nutrition management were implemented. A "beyond FCCS" curriculum was repeated every resident rotation. A 12-bed stepdown unit was developed for the more stable patients, mostly run by SICU physician assistants with SICU attending coverage. The first 5 years, night coverage was by the daytime intensivist from home. The last 4 years, night coverage was in-unit surgical intensivists or cardiac surgeons. RESULTS: Data for 13,020 patients drawn from 152,154 operations over 9 years is reported. Surgery grew 89% to 24,000 cases/year in 2010. Half the patients were general, gastrointestinal oncology, or vascular surgery. Ninety-two percent were perioperative. The 8% nonoperative patients were mostly gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, or pancreatitis. In the first year, annual SICU mortality decreased from an average of 4.5% the 5 previous years to 1.96% (2002) and remained 1.75% (2003), 2.1% (2004), 1.9% (2005), 1.5% (2006), 1.5% (2007), 2.2% (2008), 2.4% (2009), and 2.1% (2010). CONCLUSION: Annual mortality immediately improved at a busy nontrauma hospital with rapid, structured consultation by the SICU team, comprehensive daily rounds guided by critical care best practices, and daytime in-unit surgical intensivists. Low mortality was maintained over 9 years as surgery volume nearly doubled but did not improve further with 24/7 in-unit coverage by surgical intensivists and cardiac surgeons. The process of care in an SICU may be more important than 24 hour a day, 7 days a week intensivists. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level II.

Epinephrine-induced posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: a case report.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare disorder that is usually associated with hypertensive crises. It is often missed but may be diagnosed by head computed tomographic (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging. An adolescent man presented for elective right shoulder arthroscopic bankart repair. Arthroscopy was performed using a solution of normal saline with 3.3 mg/L of epinephrine for irrigation. Postoperatively, the patient presented with hypertension and epileptiform activity. A CT scan of the head showed PRES.

Cryptococcal myositis and vasculitis: an unusual necrotizing soft tissue infection.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans is an opportunistic yeast that typically infects immunocompromised patients. METHODS: A case report and review of the pertinent English-language literature are presented. RESULTS: Necrotizing vasculitis associated with cryptococcal invasion was identified in 1986. Until now, only 24 cases of cryptococcal cellulitis have been reported, including one case of cryptococcal necrotizing fasciitis and one case of necrotizing vasculitis. We report an unusual case of occult disseminated cryptococcosis presenting as necrotizing cellulitis, fasciitis, and myositis. CONCLUSIONS: Cryptococcal soft tissue infection serves as a marker of disseminated cryptococcosis in immunocompromised hosts. Owing to its rarity as a cause of soft tissue infections, diagnosis is difficult and mortality is high.