-
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma,... Apr 2024The likelihood of return of spontaneous circulation with conventional advanced life support is known to have an exponential decline and therefore neurological outcome... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
BACKGROUND
The likelihood of return of spontaneous circulation with conventional advanced life support is known to have an exponential decline and therefore neurological outcome after 20 min in patients with a cardiac arrest is poor. Initiation of venoarterial ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) during resuscitation might improve outcomes if used in time and in a selected patient category. However, previous studies have failed to significantly reduce the time from cardiac arrest to ECMO flow to less than 60 min. We hypothesize that the initiation of Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (ECPR) by a Helicopter Emergency Medical Services System (HEMS) will reduce the low flow time and improve outcomes in refractory Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) patients.
METHODS
The ON-SCENE study will use a non-randomised stepped wedge design to implement ECPR in patients with witnessed OHCA between the ages of 18-50 years old, with an initial presentation of shockable rhythm or pulseless electrical activity with a high suspicion of pulmonary embolism, lasting more than 20, but less than 45 min. Patients will be treated by the ambulance crew and HEMS with prehospital ECPR capabilities and will be compared with treatment by ambulance crew and HEMS without prehospital ECPR capabilities. The primary outcome measure will be survival at hospital discharge. The secondary outcome measure will be good neurological outcome defined as a cerebral performance categories scale score of 1 or 2 at 6 and 12 months.
DISCUSSION
The ON-SCENE study focuses on initiating ECPR at the scene of OHCA using HEMS. The current in-hospital ECPR for OHCA obstacles encompassing low survival rates in refractory arrests, extended low-flow durations during transportation, and the critical time sensitivity of initiating ECPR, which could potentially be addressed through the implementation of the HEMS system. When successful, implementing on-scene ECPR could significantly enhance survival rates and minimize neurological impairment.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Clinicaltyrials.gov under NCT04620070, registration date 3 November 2020.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Humans; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Emergency Medical Services; Hospitals; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest; Retrospective Studies; Time Factors
PubMed: 38632661
DOI: 10.1186/s13049-024-01198-x -
American Journal of Respiratory and... Apr 2024
PubMed: 38631024
DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202308-1496IM -
The American Journal of Case Reports Apr 2024BACKGROUND A paradoxical air embolism (PAE) occurs when air entering the central venous circulation reaches the systemic circulation, occurring through an intracardiac...
BACKGROUND A paradoxical air embolism (PAE) occurs when air entering the central venous circulation reaches the systemic circulation, occurring through an intracardiac shunt or intrapulmonary shunting. Patients presenting for liver transplantation often have intrapulmonary shunting due to pulmonary arterial vasodilation, even in the absence of hepatopulmonary syndrome. Here, we present a case of hemodynamic collapse believed to be caused by a PAE, which was diagnosed intraoperatively with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). CASE REPORT A 60-year-old man who was diagnosed with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis presented for deceased donor orthotopic liver transplantation with utilization of normothermic machine perfusion. Following reperfusion of the liver allograft, TEE detected intrapulmonary shunting resulting in air within the left atrium, left ventricle, and ascending aorta. The patient developed severe biventricular dysfunction with ST-segment changes on electrocardiography monitoring and became acutely hypotensive with significant hepatic congestion 5 min after liver reperfusion. High doses of inotropic and vasopressor support were used as well as inhaled nitric oxide. The patient recovered after 30 min of medical management. The liver transplantation operation was successfully completed and the patient was discharged home on postoperative day 7. CONCLUSIONS Intracardiac air at the time of reperfusion during liver transplantation can originate from the donor allograft and result in PAE in the setting of intrapulmonary shunting. PAE can result in intracoronary air and should be considered in cases of hemodynamic instability in liver transplantation, especially if air is seen within the left atrium, left ventricle, and ascending aorta.
Topics: Male; Humans; Middle Aged; Liver Transplantation; Embolism, Air; Liver Cirrhosis; Echocardiography, Transesophageal
PubMed: 38627956
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943042 -
Lab on a Chip Apr 2024Gas embolism is a medical condition that occurs when gas bubbles are present in veins or arteries, decreasing blood flow and potentially reducing oxygen delivery to...
Gas embolism is a medical condition that occurs when gas bubbles are present in veins or arteries, decreasing blood flow and potentially reducing oxygen delivery to vital organs, such as the brain. Although usually reported as rare, gas embolism can lead to severe neurological damage or death. However, presently, only limited understanding exists regarding the microscale processes leading to the formation, persistence, movement, and resolution of gas emboli, as modulated by microvasculature geometrical features and blood properties. Because gas embolism is initially a physico-chemical-only process, with biological responses starting later, the opportunity exists to fully study the genesis and evolution of gas emboli using microfluidic networks mimicking small regions of microvasculature. The microfluidics networks used in this study, which aim to mimic microvasculature geometry, comprise linear channels with T-, or Y-junction air inlets, with 20, 40, and 60 μm widths (arterial or venous), and a 30 μm width honeycombed network (arterial) with three bifurcation angles (30°, 60°, and 90°). Synthetic blood, equivalent to 46% haematocrit concentrations, and water were used to study the modulation of gas embolism-like events by liquid viscosity. Our study shows that (i) longer bubbles with lower velocity occur in narrower channels, , with 20 μm width; (ii) the resistance of air bubbles to the flow increases with the higher haematocrit concentration; and lastly (iii) the propensity of gas embolism-like events in honeycomb architectures increases for more acute, , 30°, bifurcation angles. A dimensionless analysis using Euler, Weber, and capillary numbers demarcated the conditions conducive to gas embolism. This work suggests that experimentation using microfluidic devices with microvascular tissue-like structures could assist medical guidelines and management in preventing and mitigating the effects of gas embolism.
Topics: Embolism, Air; Microvessels; Humans; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices
PubMed: 38623600
DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00087k -
The American Journal of Case Reports Apr 2024BACKGROUND There has been an increase in the use of inhalation methods to abuse drugs, including freebasing crack cocaine (alkaloid) and inhaling methamphetamine vapor....
BACKGROUND There has been an increase in the use of inhalation methods to abuse drugs, including freebasing crack cocaine (alkaloid) and inhaling methamphetamine vapor. This report is of a 25-year-old man with a history of substance abuse presenting with pneumomediastinum due to methamphetamine vapor inhalation. Acute pneumomediastinum is an extremely rare complication of methamphetamine use. CASE REPORT A 25-year-old man was treated for polysubstance abuse following 9 days of methamphetamine abuse. EKG did not show any ST &T change. D-dimer was normal, at 0.4 mg/L, so we did not do further work-up for pulmonary embolism. His chest pain worsened in the Emergency Department (ED), and a physical exam demonstrated crepitation of the posterior neck, trapezius, and right scapula. A portable chest X-ray revealed subcutaneous air over the right scapular region, in addition to pneumomediastinum. The urine drug screen test was positive for methamphetamine. A chest CT was ordered, which showed a moderate-volume pneumomediastinum with soft-tissue air tracking into the lower neck and along the right chest wall. The patient underwent an esophagogram, which showed no air leak, and Boerhaave's syndrome was ruled out. His symptoms improved and he did not require any surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS Considering the higher rates of illicit substance use, especially methamphetamine, it is important to pay attention to the associated pathologies and to keep spontaneous pneumomediastinum on the list of differentials for patients using methamphetamine, particularly those who inhale it, which can cause pneumomediastinum, even without Boerhaave's syndrome.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adult; Mediastinal Emphysema; Substance-Related Disorders; Chest Pain; Thoracic Wall; Esophageal Diseases; Mediastinal Diseases; Rupture, Spontaneous
PubMed: 38616415
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.941509 -
Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine :... 2024An arterial gas embolism (AGE) is a potentially fatal complication of scuba diving that is related to insufficient exhalation during ascent. During breath-hold diving,...
An arterial gas embolism (AGE) is a potentially fatal complication of scuba diving that is related to insufficient exhalation during ascent. During breath-hold diving, an arterial gas embolism is unlikely because the volume of gas in the lungs generally cannot exceed the volume at the beginning of the dive. However, if a diver breathes from a gas source at any time during the dive, they are at risk for an AGE or other pulmonary overinflation syndromes (POIS). In this case report, a breath-hold diver suffered a suspected AGE due to rapidly ascending without exhalation following breathing from an air pocket at approximately 40 feet.
Topics: Humans; Embolism, Air; Breath Holding; Respiration; Diving; Exhalation
PubMed: 38615358
DOI: No ID Found -
Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine :... 2024Ultrasound imaging is commonly used in decompression research to assess venous gas emboli (VGE) post-dive, with higher loads associated with increased decompression...
PURPOSE
Ultrasound imaging is commonly used in decompression research to assess venous gas emboli (VGE) post-dive, with higher loads associated with increased decompression sickness risk. This work examines, for the first time in humans, the performance of a novel electrical impedance spectroscopy technology (I-VED), on possible detection of post-dive bubbles presence and arterial endothelial dysfunction that may be used as markers of decompression stress.
METHODS
I-VED signals were recorded in scuba divers who performed standardized pool dives before and at set time points after their dives at 35-minute intervals for about two hours. Two distinct frequency components of the obtained signals, Low-Pass Frequency-LPF: 0-0.5 Hz and Band-Pass Frequency-BPF: 0.5-10 Hz, are extracted and respectively compared to VGE presence and known flow-mediated dilation trends for the same dive profile for endothelial dysfunction.
RESULTS
Subjects with VGE counts above the median for all subjects were found to have an elevated average LPF compared to subjects with lower VGE counts, although this was not statistically significant (p=0.06), as well as significantly decreased BPF standard deviation post-dive compared to pre-dive (p=0.008).
CONCLUSIONS
I-VED was used for the first time in humans and operated to provide qualitative in-vivo electrical impedance measurements that may contribute to the assessment of decompression stress. Compared to ultrasound imaging, the proposed method is less expensive, not operator-dependent and compatible with continuous monitoring and application of multiple probes. This study provided preliminary insights; further calibration and validation are necessary to determine I-VED sensitivity and specificity.
Topics: Humans; Electric Impedance; Embolism, Air; Vascular Diseases; Arteries; Decompression
PubMed: 38615356
DOI: No ID Found -
Clinical Medicine & Research Mar 2024Goldenhar syndrome, a rare congenital anomaly, manifests as craniofacial malformations often necessitating intricate surgical interventions. These procedures, though...
Goldenhar syndrome, a rare congenital anomaly, manifests as craniofacial malformations often necessitating intricate surgical interventions. These procedures, though crucial, can expose patients to diverse postoperative complications, including hemorrhage or infection. A noteworthy complication is stroke, potentially linked to air embolism or local surgical trauma. We highlight a case of a male patient, aged 20 years, who experienced a significant postoperative complication of an ischemic stroke, theorized to be due to an air embolism, after undergoing orthognathic procedures for Goldenhar syndrome. The patient was subjected to LeFort I maxillary osteotomy, bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy of the mandible, and anterior iliac crest bone grafting to the right maxilla. He suffered an acute ischemic stroke in the left thalamus post-surgery, theorized to stem from an air embolism. Advanced imaging demonstrated air pockets within the cavernous sinus, a rare and concerning finding suggestive of potential air embolism. This case underscores the intricate challenges in treating Goldenhar syndrome patients and the rare but significant risk of stroke due to air embolism or surgical trauma. Limited literature on managing air embolism complications specific to Goldenhar syndrome surgeries exists. Generally, management includes immediate recognition, positional adjustments, air aspiration via central venous catheters, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, hemodynamic support, and high-flow oxygen administration to expedite air resorption. Our patient was conservatively managed post-surgery, and at a 3-month neurology follow-up, he showed significant improvement with only residual right arm weakness. It emphasizes the imperative of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach.
Topics: Humans; Male; Goldenhar Syndrome; Ischemic Stroke; Orthognathic Surgery; Embolism, Air; Stroke; Intraoperative Complications
PubMed: 38609140
DOI: 10.3121/cmr.2024.1882 -
Journal of Community Hospital Internal... 2023SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with myocardial inflammation, new onset cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmias. Here, we describe the utilization of POCUS and management of...
INTRODUCTION
SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with myocardial inflammation, new onset cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmias. Here, we describe the utilization of POCUS and management of concurrent new onset atrial tachycardia and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HfrEF) in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
PRESENTATION
An 80-year-old female with multiple medical problems presented with sudden onset of shortness of breath and cough. She tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Initially, she was hypoxic on room air and her heart rhythm was sinus tachycardia. CT angiogram of the chest showed consolidation, pleural effusion, and absence of pulmonary embolism. Because of persistent tachycardia, repeat EKGs and POCUS were performed. Subsequent EKGs showed intermittent atrial tachycardia and sinus tachycardia. Initially, home beta blockers were continued on admission, and additional dosages were considered for rate control, but Cardiac POCUS revealed HfrEF and was subsequently confirmed by comprehensive cardiac echocardiogram, consistent with SARS-CoV-2 infection-related cardiomyopathy. Beta blockers were discontinued, and treatment with amiodarone and furosemide showed improvement in symptoms. The patient was discharged with oral amiodarone and supplemental oxygen. Additionally, once the patient's hemodynamics improved, oral carvedilol was also started as part of GDMT for HfrEF. Follow-up echocardiogram 4 months later showed recovery of systolic EF to 60%.
CONCLUSION
It is essential to consider new onset HFrEF in the evaluation and management of new onset tachyarrhythmias since IV fluids and AV nodal blocking agents can be harmful in decompensated HFrEF. With the advent of POCUS, HFrEF can be quickly identified, and therapy can be tailored to that diagnosis.
PubMed: 38596561
DOI: 10.55729/2000-9666.1261 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2024Air embolism is a known risk during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and is associated with an incomplete deairing of the delivery system despite the saline...
BACKGROUND
Air embolism is a known risk during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and is associated with an incomplete deairing of the delivery system despite the saline lavage recommended by the instructions for use (IFU). As the delivery systems are identical and residual air remains frequently in the abdominal aortic aneurysm sac, endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) can be used to examine the effectiveness of deairing maneuvers. We aimed to evaluate whether increasing the flush volume can result in a more complete deairing.
METHODS
Patients undergoing EVAR were randomly assigned according to flushing volume (Group A, 1× IFU; Group B, 4× IFU). The Terumo Aortic Anaconda and Treo and Cook Zenith Alpha Abdominal stent grafts were randomly implanted in equal distribution (10-10-10). The quantity of air trapped in the aneurysm sac was measured using a pre-discharge computed tomography angiography (CTA). Thirty patients were enrolled and equally distributed between the two groups, with no differences observed in any demographic or anatomical factors.
RESULTS
The presence of air was less frequent in Group A compared to that in Group B [7 (47%) vs. 13 (87%), = .02], and the air volume was less in Group A compared to that in Group B (103.5 ± 210.4 vs. 175.5 ± 175.0 mm, = .04). Additionally, the volume of trapped air was higher with the Anaconda graft type ( = .025).
DISCUSSION
These findings suggest that increased flushing volume is associated with a higher amount of trapped air; thus, following the IFU might be associated with a reduced risk of air embolization. Furthermore, significant differences were identified between devices in terms of the amount of trapped air.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
[NCT04909190], [ClinicalTrials.gov].
PubMed: 38586170
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1335903