[Emergency care as a high-risk workplace-Measures to deal with violence against employees]. / Notfallversorgung als risikoreicher Arbeitsplatz ­ Maßnahmen zum Umgang mit Gewalt gegen Beschäftigte.

BACKGROUND: Many employees in the field of emergency care experience verbal and physical violence caused by patients or visitors. The aim of this project is to gain insights into which measures are available to deal with violence in emergency care and how employees subjectively evaluate them. METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional online survey was conducted in 2020. The questionnaire contained items on violence prevention, intervention, and follow-up measures. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and free text data according to Mayring's qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: A total of 349 respondents, including 115 supervisors participated in the survey. The availability of security staff and standardised reporting of incidents were considered important measures for dealing with violence. Of the managers, 67% reported not having a security service, while 56% claimed that reported incidents of violence were not dealt with in a structured way. A high workload in emergency care can impede the implementation of measures. Overall, the demand for increased support by supervisors and the hospital management became clear. CONCLUSION: It is evident that employees consider certain measures to be effective; however, these measures are often not consistently implemented. There is a need for structured reporting of violent incidents against employees to facilitate a realistic recording of the prevalence. In addition to increasing the (nursing) staff, restricting access for visitors can decrease the conflict potential.

Risk of Burnout among Emergency Department Staff as a Result of Violence and Aggression from Patients and Their Relatives.

Emergency department staff are often affected by incidents of violence. The aim of the study was to generate data on the frequency of violence by patients and accompanying relatives and the correlation between experienced aggression, a possible risk of burnout and a high sense of stress. Additionally, the buffering effect of good preventive preparation of care staff by the facility on aggressive visitors and patients was examined. In this cross-sectional study, members of the German Society for Interdisciplinary Emergency and Acute Medicine were surveyed. The investigation of risk factors, particularly experiences of verbal and physical violence, as well as exhaustion and stress, was carried out using ordinal regression models. A total of 349 staff from German emergency departments took part in the survey, 87% of whom had experienced physical violence by patients and 64% by relatives. 97% had been confronted with verbal violence by patients and 94% by relatives. Violence by relatives had a negative effect on perceived stress. High resilience or effective preparation of employees for potential attacks was shown to have a protective effect with regard to the burnout risk and perceived stress. Therefore, management staff play a major role in preventing violence and its impact on employees.

Analysis of risk factors in thoracic trauma patients with a comparison of a modern trauma centre: a mono-centre study.

OBJECTIVES: Thoracic trauma (TT) is the third most common cause of death after abdominal injury and head trauma in polytrauma patients. Its management is still a very challenging task. The purpose of this study was to analyse the risk factors affecting the outcome in a high-volume trauma centre and the efficacy of a specialised trauma team in level 1 trauma centres. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2003 and December 2012, data of all patients admitted to the accident and emergency (A&E) department were prospectively collected at the German Trauma Registry (GTR) and thereafter retrospectively analysed. Patients with chest trauma, an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 18 and an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) > 2 in more than one body region were included. Patients were divided into two groups: group I included patients presenting with thoracic trauma between January 2003 and December 2007. The results of this group were compared with the results of another group (group II) in a later 5-year period (Jan. 2008-Dec. 2012). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed, and differences with p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were 630 patients (56%) with thoracic trauma. A total of 540 patients (48%) had associated extrathoracic injuries. Group I consisted of 285 patients (197 male, mean age 46 years). Group II consisted of 345 patients (251 male, mean age 49 years). Overall 90-day mortality was 17% (n = 48) in group I vs. 9% (n = 31) in group II (p = 0.024). Complication rates were higher in group I (p = 0.019). Higher Injury Severity Scores (ISSs) and higher Abbreviated Injury Acale (AIS) scores in the thoracic region yielded a higher rate of mortality (p < 0.0001). Young patients (< 40 years) were frequently exposed to severe thoracic injury but showed lower mortality rates (p = 0.014). Patients with severe lung contusions (n = 94) (15%) had higher morbidity and mortality (p < 0.001). Twenty-three (8%) patients underwent emergency thoracotomy in group I vs. 14 patients (4%) in group II (p = 0.041). Organ replacement procedures were needed in 18% of patients in group I vs. 31% of patients in group II (p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of severe lung contusion, a higher ISS and AISthoracic score and advanced age are independent risk factors that are directly related to a higher mortality rate. Management of blunt chest trauma with corrective chest tube insertion, optimal pain control and chest physiotherapy results in good outcomes in the majority of patients. Optimal management with better survival rates is achievable in specialised centres with multidisciplinary teamwork and the presence of thoracic surgical experience.

Global multielectrode contact-mapping plus ablation with a single catheter in patients with atrial fibrillation: Global AF study.

INTRODUCTION: The critical question for technological advancement of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is whether a creative new concept can combine and even improve the options of single-tip catheters with the simplicity of the use of balloon catheters. Herein are described the results from the first clinical study of a new multielectrode contact-mapping plus ablation array (Globe) offering such a complete solution. METHODS AND RESULTS: The multielectrode Globe array consists of 16 flat ribs with 122 gold-plated electrodes. Each electrode can record electrograms, ablate, pace, and can measure tissue contact and temperature. Single-shot pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is possible with temperature-guided ablation of up to 24 electrodes simultaneously with automatic, individual power control of every electrode. Sixty patients with symptomatic AF underwent PVI using the Globe. In all sixty patients, acute PVI was achieved in 232 of 234 attempted PVs (99.1%). In 34 patients treated with "single-hot-shot" ablation, PVI was achieved in 136 of 136 PVs (100%). Single-procedure 12-month freedom from AF off antiarrhythmic drugs in the "single-hot-shot" group was 75.5% and freedom from AF/atrial tachycardia 72.3%. In two patients, pericardial tamponade was observed, one after a transseptal puncture, and one during array insertion with an over-advanced sheath. There were no other device-related serious adverse events, including stroke, PV stenosis, esophageal perforation, or phrenic nerve palsy. CONCLUSIONS: In this first clinical series, the Globe catheter was found to be an easy-to-use system for single-shot PVI. The continuously updated multielectrode voltage and activation mapping data indicate future options for mapping and ablation beyond PVI.

A novel ablation approach in atrial fibrillation patients undergoing fibrotic-based substrate modification: Targeting the Bachmann's bundle?

INTRODUCTION: Box isolation of fibrotic areas (BIFA) is a promising ablation approach for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. However, complete isolation of fibrotic anteroseptal left atrial area, where Bachmann's bundle is blending into the left atrial myocardium, is very specific and complex. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 34 AF patients with anteroseptal fibrosis, circumferential BIFA was performed in addition to pulmonary vein isolation. In 8 of 34 patients, complete isolation of the fibrotic area was achieved with BIFA alone. In 26 of 34 patients, a decrease in voltage amplitude with or without conduction delay was observed after box ablation but no complete isolation. Activation mapping and characteristic unipolar potentials revealed earliest activation inside the box from one (73%), two (15%), or three (12%) remaining inputs, in the region of Bachmann's bundle insertion. Focal ablation inside the box (mean radiofrequency impulses: 1.7 ± 0.4, mean radiofrequency time: 70 ± 19 seconds) led to complete isolation of the fibrotic area in 25 of 26 patients. Overall, 97% of anteroseptal boxes were completely isolated with additional focal ablation in the study group compared to 21% in the control group with BIFA alone (33/34 vs. 7/34, P < 0.001). Time of left atrial activation decreased significantly by 25% after complete box isolation (P < 0.001). After a single procedure, 12-month arrhythmia-free survival was 82% with additional focal ablation compared to 71% in the control group (P = 0.2). CONCLUSION: Targeted and focal ablation in the region of Bachmann's bundle is a novel and feasible technique to achieve complete isolation of the left atrial anteroseptal fibrotic area.

Box Isolation of fibrotic areas: A substrate modification approach in atrial fibrillation patients.

In the last years, atrial fibrosis was shown to be an independent predictor of procedural failure in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation. Ablation strategies have been developed to improve the outcome of catheter ablation by targeting detected areas of fibrosis, based either on endocardial voltage mapping or cardiac magnetic resonance. Box isolation of fibrotic areas (BIFA) is a new and promising patient-tailored ablation strategy for atrial fibrillation patients targeting substantial fibrotic areas by circumferential isolation of left atrial fibrosis.

Global multielectrode contact mapping plus ablation with a single catheter: Preclinical and preliminary experience in humans with atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: One question for the technological advancement of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is whether a creative new concept can combine and even improve the diagnostic mapping options of single-tip and basket catheters with the simplicity of the use of balloon catheters for ablation. Herein, we describe the first in-human experience with a single catheter offering such a complete solution. METHODS AND RESULTS: A new catheter (Globe® ) with a distal multielectrode array consisting of 16 ribs with 122 gold-plated electrodes was used. Each electrode can ablate, pace, and can measure tissue contact, temperature, current, and intracardiac electrograms. The Globe was deployed and removed without difficulty in all 3 patients. Complete pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was achieved in all 12 veins. In 10 veins, PVI was achieved with a single placement in front of the respective vein ("single circle isolation"). In one subject, the device was repositioned due to the esophagus location. In the other subject, a single gap was observed after circumferential ablation of the right inferior PV. After precise gap identification, the device was adjusted slightly for improved contact at that region, and reablation resulted in immediate PVI. CONCLUSIONS: PVI isolation could be performed with the new multielectrode array Globe in all 12 PVs offering the option for easy handling and fast "single-shot" PVI. Several continuously updated mapping types from 122 electrodes even in real time during ablation demonstrate the capability to go beyond PVI for voltage mapping plus substrate modification, and for rotor mapping plus rotor ablation.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation with box isolation of fibrotic areas: Lessons on fibrosis distribution and extent, clinical characteristics, and their impact on long-term outcome.

INTRODUCTION: The BIFA concept (box isolation of fibrotic areas) supplementing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was implemented in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with fibrotic atrial cardiomyopathy (FACM) to improve catheter ablation outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ninety-two patients with FACM underwent PVI + BIFA. We investigated patient characteristics (58 persistent/34 paroxysmal, 68 ± 8 years, LA 44 ± 7 mm, CHA2 DS2 -VASc 2.6 ± 1.3, FACM I: 15.2%, II: 53.3%, III: 26.1%, IV: 5.4%), periprocedural data concerning fibrosis extent/distribution, and their impact on outcome. Based on severe fibrosis areas (SFAs) of 13.5 ± 13.9 cm2 detected by voltage mapping, 1.4 ± 0.5 boxes (n = 1-3, 2.2-35.3 cm2 ) were applied in the left atrium. With higher grade FACM, SFAs increased and maximum voltage decreased (I/IV: 6.29/3.18 mV). Anterior (ant.) SFAs were found to be more common and larger than posterior (post.) SFAs (58.3% vs. 42.6%, ant. 8.0 ± 8.0 vs. post. 4.7 ± 6.8 cm2 ). In 40 of 92 (43%) patients, both atrial walls were affected with rare cases of solely post. fibrosis (6 of 92, 6.6%). Women (39 of 92, 42%) showed FACM III+IV more often than men (P = 0.022) and can still present paroxysmal while persistent males are more likely to have FACM I-II. Single and multiple procedure (1.2/patient) success was 69% and 83% after 16 ± 8 months with an unfavorable impact of large SFA size, both-sided fibrosis and reduced maximum voltage, independently of patient characteristics and AF type. CONCLUSION: FACM patients are a challenging AF subgroup for catheter ablation. Women seem to show FACM III+IV more often than men. The distribution of left atrial fibrosis is variable but more pronounced anteriorly. Atrial disease is characterized by SFA size but also maximum voltage reduction, both with implications on ablation outcome. Using BIFA, success rates of patients without fibrosis can be approached but are limited in FACM III+IV.

Therapeutic Approaches to Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Targeting Atrial Fibrosis.

Atrial fibrosis is the fundamental histopathologic finding in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and an important predictor of ablation failure beyond pulmonary vein isolation. There is wide variation in the extent and localization of left atrial fibrosis in patients with paroxysmal and nonparoxysmal AF. Box isolation of fibrotic areas is an effective rhythm control concept in patients with paroxysmal AF despite durable pulmonary vein isolation, and this strategy has recently been implemented successfully in initial AF ablation procedures in addition to pulmonary vein isolation for patients with nonparoxysmal AF. In contrast, the time for "empirical" lines or other nonindividualized substrate modifications seems over.

The role of obesity in atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonly associated with overweight and obesity. Both conditions have been identified as major global epidemics associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Overweight populations have higher incidence, prevalence, severity, and progression of AF compared with their normal weight counterparts. Additionally, weight change appears to accompany alteration of arrhythmia profile, raising overweight, and obesity as potential targets for intervention. Recent clinical data confirm hypothesis drawn from epidemiological studies that durable weight reduction strategies facilitate effective management of AF. Stable weight loss decreases AF burden and AF recurrence following treatment. Structural remodelling in response to weight loss suggests that reverse remodelling of the AF substrate mediates improvement of arrhythmia profile. Obesity often co-exists with multiple AF risk factors that improve in response to weight loss, making a consolidated approach of weight loss and AF risk factor management preferable. However, weight loss for AF remains in its infancy, and its broad adoption as a management strategy for AF remains to be defined.

Box Isolation of Fibrotic Areas (BIFA): A Patient-Tailored Substrate Modification Approach for Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation strategies beyond pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) are less well defined. Increasing clinical data indicate that atrial fibrosis is a critical common left atrial (LA) substrate in AF patients (pts). OBJECTIVE: We applied a new substrate modification concept according to the individual fibrotic substrate as estimated from electroanatomic voltage mapping (EAVM) in 41 pts undergoing catheter ablation of AF. RESULTS: First, EAVM during sinus rhythm was done in redo cases of 10 pts with paroxysmal AF despite durable PVI. Confluent low-voltage areas (LVA) were found in all pts and were targeted with circumferential isolation, so-called box isolation of fibrotic areas (BIFA). This strategy led to stable sinus rhythm in 9/10 pts and was transferred prospectively to first procedures of 31 pts with nonparoxysmal AF. In 13 pts (42%), no LVA (<0.5 mV) were identified, and only PVI was performed. In 18 pts (58%), additional BIFA strategies were applied (posterior box in 5, anterior box in 7, posterior plus anterior box in 5, no box in 1 due to diffuse fibrosis). Mean follow-up was 12.5 ± 2.4 months. Single-procedure freedom from AF/atrial tachycardia was achieved in 72.2% of pts and in 83.3% of pts with 1.17 procedures/patient. CONCLUSIONS: In approximately 40% of pts with nonparoxysmal AF, no substantial LVA were identified, and PVI alone showed high success rate. In pts with paroxysmal AF despite durable PVI and in approximately 60% of pts with nonparoxysmal AF, individually localized LVA were identified and could be targeted successfully with the BIFA strategy.