Effect of pulmonary embolism location on electrocardiological parameters.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary thromboembolism is a disease with high morbidity and mortality. Various changes occur on the electrocardiogram secondary to pulmonary thromboembolism. The objective of this study was to investigate variations in QT dispersion, Tpeak-Tend duration, and Tpeak-Tend/QT ratio in relation to pulmonary thromboembolism localization and their impacts on 30-day mortality. METHODS: This study was carried out in a tertiary emergency medicine clinic between December 1, 2019 and November 30, 2020. We evaluated correlations between radiological outcomes of patients, QT dispersions, T-wave dispersions, Tpeak-Tend durations, and Tpeak-Tend/QT ratios. We sought statistically significant disparities between these values, considering the presence or localization of pulmonary thromboembolism. The 30-day mortality in pulmonary thromboembolism-diagnosed patients was reassessed. RESULTS: Electrocardiogramfindings revealed that T-wave dispersion (p<0.001), Tpeak-Tend duration (p=0.034), and Tpeak-Tend/corrected QT ratio (p=0.003) were lower in patients than controls. Conversely, QT dispersion (p=0.005) and corrected QT dispersion (p<0.001) were higher in patients. CONCLUSION: Electrocardiogram findings such as T-wave dispersion, QT duration, Tpeak-Tend time, and Tpeak-Tend/corrected QT ratio can detect pulmonary thromboembolism. More studies with larger cohorts are required to further understand the role of QT and corrected QT dispersion in pulmonary thromboembolism patient mortality.

Violence in the Emergency Department: What Can We Do?

BACKGROUND:  Violence in healthcare settings is a problem around the world, with hospital emergency departments (EDs) being the most common sites. The most important step in preventing violence is to determine the causes and characteristics of the problem. However, there is not enough information in the literature about the particular areas of EDs in which violence occurs. OBJECTIVES:  We aim to produce results that can contribute to violence prevention activities by gathering detailed information about violent incidents in EDs and the intensity of this violence. METHODS:  Our study was planned as a retrospective and descriptive study at a tertiary emergency medicine clinic. Our data include "code white" data between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019. The characteristics and types of violence were recorded and categorized. RESULTS:  We evaluated 141 incidences of severe violence reported during the study period. We determined that 55.2% of the violence was directed at physicians and 21.3% at nurses. Verbal violence was by far the most common type of violence, comprising 98.6% of the cases. We found that the violence cases occurred in examination rooms, observation areas, and triage units of the ED (58.2%, 24.1%, and 11.3%, respectively). CONCLUSION:  We determined that violence in the ED is most common after standard working hours, and the most frequent exposure to violence is in examination rooms, observation areas, and triage areas. These findings may be useful in determining preventive measures in EDs, where violence is most common.

Comparison of Jaw-Thrust Maneuver and Standard Method for Airway Management with Laryngeal Mask Airway by Paramedics during Chest Compression: A Randomized, Crossover, Manikin Study.

INTRODUCTION: The first priority of the primary survey of trauma care is airway management. For patients who have a known or suspected cervical spine injury, using the jaw-thrust maneuver is critical. It was hypothesized that the jaw-thrust maneuver would ease the insertion of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) by moving the tongue forward from the palate and posterior pharyngeal wall. STUDY OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of jaw-thrust maneuver on LMA insertion times of the paramedics with or without chest compression and with or without cervical stabilization in a manikin. METHODS: Eleven experienced paramedics inserted LMA in jaw-thrust position and standard position in chest compression without cervical stabilization scenario, chest compression with cervical stabilization scenario, cervical stabilization without chest compression scenario, and the scenario where neither cervical stabilization nor chest compression were performed. The primary outcome of the study was the comparison of LMA insertion times for each method. The secondary outcome measures were first-pass success rates and the comparison of the difficulty level of each method. RESULTS: During the LMA placement, performing the jaw-thrust maneuver instead of the standard method did not shorten the LMA insertion times. Adding chest compression and/or cervical stabilization did not complicate the LMA insertion. All of the LMA insertion attempts during the jaw-thrust maneuver and standard method were successful. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that LMA insertion might be attempted both during the jaw-thrust maneuver and standard position in patients with or without chest compression and with or without cervical stabilization.

Short-term effects of fibrinolytic therapy on the hemodynamic parameters of patients with intermediate- and high-risk pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the effect of fibrinolytic therapy on hemodynamic parameters at 4 hours after treatment and bleeding complications in patients with intermediate- and high-risk pulmonary embolism. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective, cohort study included patients with intermediate- and high-risk pulmonary embolism treated with fibrinolytics. Their demographic and clinical characteristics, complications, and vital signs at the initiation of and 4 hours after fibrinolytic therapy were evaluated. The primary outcome was the change in the patients' vital signs at 4 hours after fibrinolytic therapy, compared by the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were included in this study. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the high-risk group at 4 hours after fibrinolytic therapy were higher than those at the initiation of fibrinolytic therapy (80 mmHg vs. 99 mmHg, P = 0.029; 49 mmHg vs. 67 mmHg, P = 0.011, respectively). In the intermediate-risk group, the oxygen saturation increased (94% vs. 96%, P = 0.004) and pulse rate decreased (104 beats/min vs. 91 beats/min, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Blood pressure at 4 hours after fibrinolytic therapy increased in patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism. Also, oxygen saturation and pulse rate improved in intermediate-risk patients.

Selective intubation with endotracheal tube introducer in difficult airway: A randomized, prospective, cross-over study.

BACKGROUND: Selective lung intubation is a life-saving procedure in emergency departments. While various equipment can be used in selective lung intubation, most of this equipment is not readily available; therefore, single-lumen endotracheal intubations are performed for rapid interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was designed as a randomized, prospective, cross-over study using the 90° rotation technique for selective intubation on a manikin model with and without endotracheal tube introducer (ETI) in difficult airway settings. Forty-six emergency physicians were included in the study. The primary outcome was evaluating time to selective intubations, and secondary outcomes were first and second attempt success rates and the self-perceived difficulty level of each method according to the participants. RESULTS: The mean time to the first successful endotracheal intubation was significantly longer for both right selective and left selective intubations with ETI utilization than without ([39.71 ± 9.83 vs. 21.86 ± 5.94 s], [P < 0.001]), ([42.2 ± 10.81 vs. 26.23 ± 7.97 s], [P < 0.001], respectively). The first-pass success rate did not differ for right selective intubation with or without an ETI (45/46 [97.8%] and 45/46 [97.8%], respectively). However, the first-pass success rate for left selective intubation was significantly higher with ETI as compared to without an ETI (30/46 [65.2%] and 13/46 [28.3%], respectively) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: While the success rates of right selective intubation were the same, the left selective intubation success rates with ETI are higher than the styletted endotracheal tube, which can be strong evidence for this method's applicability in practice. Expanding the use of ETI and increasing the experience of the practitioners can contribute to further success.

Comparison of BPAP S/T and Average Volume-Assured Pressure Support Modes for Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: There is limited research into the utility of average volume- assured pressure support (AVAPS), a volume-assured pressure-controlled mode, especially in patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure. AIMS: This study aimed at a randomized comparison of AVAPS and bilevel positive airway pressure spontaneous/timed (BPAP S/T) modes in non-invasive mechanical ventilation application with hypercapnic respiratory failure patients in the emergency department. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. METHODS: Eighty of 140 patients admitted to the emergency department with hypercapnic respiratory failure requiring non-invasive mechanical ventilation were randomly assigned to the AVAPS or S/T groups (33 patients in the S/T group, 47 patients in the AVAPS group) using the sealed envelope method. Data of arterial blood gas, vital parameters, Glasgow Coma Score, additional treatment needs, and clinical outcomes were evaluated, and the treatment success rates of both groups were compared. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients, 33 in the S/T and 47 in the AVAPS group, were analyzed in the study. The pH values improved in the AVAPS group compared to the baseline (0.07 [0.04-0.10] vs 0.03 [0.00-0.11]). PaCO2 (partial pressure of carbon dioxide) excretion was faster in the AVAPS group than in the S/T group in the first hour (10.20 mmHg [6.20-19.20] vs. 4.75 ([-] 0.83-16.88)). The comparison of blood gas measurements showed no significant differences between the groups regarding the changes in PaCO2 and pH values over time (P = .141 and P = .271, respectively). During the emergency department follow-up, 3 (6.4%) patients in the AVAPS group and 5 (15.2%) patients in the S/T group needed intubation [Relative risk: 0.42 (95% CI: 0.11 to 1.64), P = .21]. CONCLUSION: The AVAPS mode is as effective and safe as BPAP S/T in treating patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure in the emergency department.

Can thrombocytosis or thrombocytopenia predict complicated clinical course and 30-days mortality in patients with pneumonia?

Background/aim: While several different scoring systems aim to determine the clinical outcomes for patients with pneumonia, there is limited emphasis on the platelet count. This study investigated the relationships between thrombocyte count and 30-day mortality and complicated clinical course of patients with pneumonia. Materials and methods: This prospective cross-sectional study enrolled patients over 18 years old with a diagnosis of pneumonia in the emergency department for six months. The primary outcome was to establish the relationship between platelet count, mortality, complicated clinical course, and initial vital parameters on admission. The secondary outcome was comparing the platelet count with mortality and complicated clinical course during the hospital stay. Results: Four hundred-five patients were included (58.8% male, mean age 75.1 ± 12.7 years). On admission, thrombocytosis was observed in 14.1% and thrombocytopenia in 4.2%. There was no difference between the 30-day mortality according to the platelet count at admission and follow-up. Patients who developed thrombocytopenia during follow-up needed more intensive care admissions, invasive mechanical ventilation, noninvasive mechanical ventilation, and vasopressor treatment, while patients with thrombocytosis needed invasive mechanical ventilation more frequently. Conclusion: Neither thrombocytopenia nor thrombocytosis is not associated with 30-day mortality in ED patients with pneumonia. Thrombocytopenia during follow-up was associated with a higher incidence for a complicated clinical course.

Impact of High-Flow Nasal Cannula on Arterial Blood Gas Parameters in the Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen is becoming an integral part of respiratory failure management. Effects of HFNC on arterial blood gas (ABG) parameters especially partial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) require further investigation to provide insight into the efficacy and safety of the treatment. METHODS: Acute respiratory failure patients with sequential ABG parameters before and after initiating HFNC between June 2015 and June 2017 were analyzed in a tertiary academic center. Patients' baseline characteristics were evaluated and sequential ABG changes were compared and subgrouped as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory acidosis, hypercapnia, and high lactate. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were enrolled in the study. There was a significant difference between the mean partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2), lactate, and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) values between sequential ABGs after HFNC (P <0.001). In the COPD group (n=32), there was a significant difference between initial ABG means of PaO2, lactate, and SpO2 values and sequential ABG means (p<0.001). Hypercapnic patients PaCO2 levels were significantly lower after HFNC (p<0.001), while in the COPD group there was no significant change in PaCO2 values (p=0.068). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with HFNC produced improvement of blood gas parameters in subjects with acute respiratory failure in the emergency department (ED). These results suggest that HFNC can be used in hypercapnic patients as well as hypoxemic patients. Further randomized controlled studies required to establish the impact of HFNC in the ED.

The Comparison of Manual and Mechanical Chest Compression on Survival and Long-Term Neurological Outcome of Nontraumatic Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients.

BACKGROUND: High-quality chest compressions are an important determinant for favorable neurological outcome. Associations of long-term mortality and neurological outcomes with chest compression types still require investigation. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate 'mechanical or manual CPR' provided in the emergency department after manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) initiated in prehospital settings until admission. Efficacy of chest compression types on survival and favorable neurological outcomes were compared in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. METHODS: A total of 818 nontraumatic OHCA patients were evaluated (345 in the manual CPR group and 473 in the mechanical CPR group) retrospectively. One-year survival with a modified Rankin scale (mRS) ≤ 3 was accepted as a favorable neurological outcome. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the CPR methods (mechanical CPR vs. manual CPR) in terms of mortality at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (p = 0.353, p = 0.660, p = 0.679, p = 0.034, respectively). mRS ≤ 3, which was accepted as a favorable neurological status, was found to be 12 (3.5%) and 19 (4%) for the manual CPR and mechanical CPR groups, respectively (p = 0.501). CONCLUSION: Comparisons of mechanical and manual chest compressions in terms of survival rates and favorable neurological outcomes showed no significant differences. Further investigation of long-term neurological outcomes with mechanical CPR utilization is required.

Effects of Using an Endotracheal Tube Introducer for Intubation During Mechanical Chest Compressions of a Manikin: Randomized, Prospective, Crossover Study.

BACKGROUND: Airway management methods during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest remain controversial. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the impact of using an endotracheal tube introducer with a Macintosh laryngoscope on the first-pass success rates of final-year medical students on a manikin during continuous chest compressions with a mechanical compression device. METHODS: Fifty-two final-year students of the faculty of medicine performed endotracheal intubations on a manikin using the Macintosh laryngoscope with and without the endotracheal tube introducer during chest compressions. First-pass success rates, the times of endotracheal intubations, the second endotracheal intubation attempt success rates, and the difficulty level of each method according to the participants' perceptions were measured. RESULTS: First-pass success rates did not differ using an endotracheal tube introducer as an adjunct to a Macintosh laryngoscope. Second endotracheal intubation attempt success rates also did not differ by endotracheal tube introducer use. The usage of an endotracheal tube introducer required significantly longer endotracheal intubation time than using only a Macintosh laryngoscope. The perception of difficulty was significantly lower with endotracheal tube introducer use. CONCLUSION: The use of an endotracheal tube introducer as an adjunct to a Macintosh laryngoscope is not associated with higher first-pass success rates during mechanical chest compressions in adult simulations performed by final-year medical students. © 2020 Elsevier Inc.

Invasive mechanical ventilation in the emergency department.

Emergency department (ED) lenght of stay of the patients requiring admission to the intensive care units has increased gradually in recent years. Mechanical ventilation is an integral part of critical care and mechanically ventilated patients have to be managed and monitored by emergency physicians for longer than expected in EDs. This early period of care has significant impact on the outcomes of these patients. Therefore, emergency physicians should have comprehensive knowledge of mechanical ventilation. This review will summarize the current literature of the basic concepts, appropriate clinical applications, monitoring parameters, components and mechanisms of mechanical ventilation in the ED.