Baseline haemoglobin and thromboelastometry are predictive of red blood cell requirements and one-year mortality in liver transplantation

BackgroundTo determine the predictive capacity of baseline haemoglobin and maxim clot firmness (MCF) EXTEM thromboelastometry for intraoperative red blood cell (RBC) requirements and its influence on mortality.Methods591 adult liver transplant (LT) recipients from ten Spanish centres were reviewed. The main outcomes were the percentage of patients who received RBC and massive transfusion (≥ 6 RBC units), RBC units transfused, and mortality.Results76 % received a donor after brain death graft and 24 % a controlled donor after circulatory death graft. Median (interquartile ranges) RBC transfusion was 2 (0–4) units, and 63 % of patients were transfused. Comparing transfused and non-transfused patients, mean (standard deviation) for baseline haemoglobin was 10.4 (2.1) vs. 13.0 (1.9) g/dl (p = 0.001), EXTEM MCF was 51(11) vs. 55(9) mm (p = 0.001). Haemoglobin and EXTEM MCF were inversely associated with the need of transfusion odds ratio (OR) of 0.558 (95 % CI 0.497–0.627, p < 0.001) and OR 0.966 (95 % CI0.945–0.987, p = 0.002), respectively. Pre-operative baseline haemoglobin ≤ 10 g/dL predicted RBC transfusion, sensitivity of 93 % and specificity of 47 %. Massive transfusion (MT) was received by 19 % of patients. Haemoglobin ≤10 g/dL predicted MT with sensitivity 73 % and specificity of 52 %. One-year patient and graft survival were significantly lower in patients who required MT (78 % and 76 %, respectively) vs. those who did not (94 % and 93 %, respectively).Discussionwhereas EXTEM MCF is less dreterminant predicting RBC requirements, efforts are required to improve preoperative haemoglobin up to 10 g/dl in patients awaiting LT.     

T HE P RACTICE OF C LINICAL E CHOCARDIOGRAPHY,S ECOND E DITION

Abstract

Background. Multiple studies have demonstrated varying rates of successful endotracheal intubation (ETI). Until the application of video laryngoscopy, little information regarding prehospital intubation could be analyzed objectively by individuals other than the provider performing the ETI. Objective. To evaluate the association of variables recorded during video laryngoscopy and successful ETI attempts, defined as placing the endotracheal tube in the trachea. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed intubations performed by a single helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) using a video larygoscope from March 1, 2010, to October 1, 2010. All videos were de-identified and analyzed by a single researcher. Time intervals (e.g., attempt time) and intubation process variables (e.g., Cormack-Lehane [C-L] view) were abstracted from all videos. Time intervals were begun when the laryngoscope blade passed the lips and entered the oral cavity (entry). We describe variables using means and standard deviations (continuous), medians with interquartile ranges (ordinal), and percentages with 95% confidence intervals (categorical). We then looked at univariate associations between these variables and ETI success using logistic regression. Results. We recorded 116 intubations during the study period. Twenty-nine recordings were either incomplete (n = 26) or of insufficient quality for analysis (n = 3). The remaining 87 videos represented 87 different patients with a total of 102 attempts at laryngoscopy. Thirty-six providers performed 64 cases, with the majority of providers (n = 21) performing only one intubation. The first-pass success rate in this series was 76% (n = 66), with 98% success within three attempts. Successful ETI attempts had lower entry–to–percentage of glottic opening (POGO) times (16.6 sec vs. 32.1 sec, p = 0.013), entry–to–first view of the endotracheal tube or entry-to-tube times (17.6 sec vs. 27.4 sec, p = 0.04), higher POGO scores (76 vs. 39, p < 0.001), and a lower C-L view (one vs. three, p < 0.001). Recognized esophageal intubation was more likely to occur during unsuccessful ETI attempts (43% vs. 8%, p < 0.001). Conclusion. Video laryngoscopy can measure multiple components of ETI performance. Successful ETI attempts have significantly shorter entry-to-POGO times and entry-to-tube times, obtain better views of the glottic opening (POGO and C-L view), and have a lower incidence of recognized esophageal intubation.     

Safety and Appropriateness of Tourniquets in 105 Civilians

Background: The United States military considers tourniquets to be effective for controlling bleeding from major limb trauma. The purpose of this study was to assess whether tourniquets are safely applied to the appropriate civilian patient with major limb trauma of any etiology. Methods: Following IRB approval, patients arriving to a level-1 trauma center between October 2008 and May 2013 with a prehospital (PH) or emergency department (ED) tourniquet were reviewed. Cases were assigned the following designations: absolute indication (operation within 2 hours for limb injury, vascular injury requiring repair/ligation, or traumatic amputation); relative indication (major musculoskeletal/soft-tissue injury requiring operation 2–8 hours after arrival, documented large blood loss); and non-indicated. Patients with absolute or relative indications for tourniquet placement were defined as indicated, while the remaining were designated as non-indicated. Complications potentially associated with tourniquets, including amputation, acute renal failure, compartment syndrome, nerve palsies, and venous thromboembolic events, were adjudicated by orthopedic, hand or trauma surgical staff. Univariate analysis was performed to compare patients with indicated versus non-indicated tourniquet placement. Results: A total of 105 patients received a tourniquet for injuries sustained via sharp objects, i.e., glass or knives (32%), motor vehicle collisions (30%), or other mechanisms (38%). A total of 94 patients (90%) had indicated tourniquet placement; 41 (44%) of which had a vascular injury. Demographics, mechanism, transport, and vitals were similar between patients that had indicated or non-indicated tourniquet placement. 48% of the indicated tourniquets placed PH were removed in the ED, compared to 100% of the non-indicated tourniquets (p < 0.01). The amputation rate was 32% among patients with indicated tourniquet placement (vs. 0%; p = 0.03). Acute renal failure (3.2 vs. 0%, p = 0.72), compartment syndrome (2.1 vs. 0%, p = 0.80), nerve palsies (5.3 vs. 0%; p = 0.57), and venous thromboembolic events (9.1 vs. 8.5%; p = 0.65) and were similar in patients that had indicated compared to non-indicated tourniquet placement. After adjudication, no complication was a result of tourniquet use. Conclusion: The current study suggests that PH and ED tourniquets are used safely and appropriately in civilians with major limb trauma that occur via blunt and penetrating mechanisms.     

Growth differentiation factor 15 is decreased by kidney transplantation

BackgroundGrowth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is markedly increased in end-stage kidney disease and has been related to increased mortality in patients on dialysis. We hypothesized that kidney transplantation would decrease both GDF15 and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and that GDF-15 decrease relates to post-kidney transplantation allograft function.MethodsEnd-stage kidney disease patients on dialysis awaiting a living donor kidney transplantation (n = 39), and those expected to be on the deceased donor waitlist for at least 12 months (n = 43) were enrolled at three transplant centers. Serum GDF15 and NT-proBNP were measured at 0, 3, and 12 months post-kidney transplantation or post-enrollment. Change in serum GDF15 and NT-proBNP concentrations, and their relation to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were assessed by non-parametric tests and regression analyses.ResultsMedian baseline GDF15 was 4744 pg/ml and 5451 pg/ml for the kidney transplantation and dialysis groups, respectively (p = 0.09). Kidney transplantation resulted in a significant decrease in GDF15 (month 12 median 1631 pg/ml, p < 0.0001 vs. baseline), whereas there was no change for the dialysis group (month 12 median 5658 pg/ml, p = 0.31). Post-kidney transplantation NT-proBNP highly correlated with GDF15 (ρ = 0.64, p < 0.0001). GDF15 inversely correlated with post-transplant eGFR for the kidney transplantation group (ρ = −0.42, p = 0.0081). Month 12 NT-proBNP explained 15.8% and 40.1% of the variance in month 12 GDF15 in the dialysis and kidney transplantation groups, respectively. The relationship of GDF15 with eGFR was no longer significant when NT-proBNP was included in the models.ConclusionsKidney transplantation significantly decreases serum GDF15 concentrations. The post-kidney transplantation association of GDF15 with NT-proBNP is consistent with a gradient of post- kidney transplantation cardiovascular risk.     

超声造影对移植肾功能延迟恢复的早期预测价值

目的:探讨超声造影定量分析对移植肾功能延迟恢复(delayed graft function, DGF)的早期预测价值。方法:选择2017年4月至2018年3月复旦大学附属中山医院泌尿外科收治的行同种异体肾移植术的肾移植患者68例,患者术后第1天行常规超声和超声造影检查。根据术后肾功能恢复情况将患者分为移植肾功能正常恢复(NGF)组(n=58)和DGF组(n=10)。记录所有患者常规多普勒超声检查测得的移植肾大小、段间动脉和叶间动脉收缩期峰值流速(PSV)及阻力指数(resistance index, RI),并通过超声造影定量分析移植肾皮质区时间-强度曲线(time-intensity curve, TIC),测得TIC曲线上升时间(rise time, RT)、上升斜率(k)、峰值强度(peak intensity, PI)、达峰时间(time to peak, TTP)、平均通过时间(mean transit time, mTT)及曲线下面积(AUC)。结果:常规多普勒超声显示,DGF组段间动脉和叶间动脉RI高于NGF组,且差异具有统计学意义(P0.01)。超声造影显示,DGF组PI和AUC小于NGF组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。其余超声检查结果在两组间差异无统计学意义。结论:超声造影可定量分析移植肾皮质微血流灌注情况,且具有无创、可重复性高等优点,对于肾移植术后早期诊断DGF具有较大的临床价值。     

A new method of modelling early plasma creatinine changes predicts 1-year graft function after kidney transplantation

Background: Delayed graft function after renal transplantation is associated with inferior long-term outcome. To evaluate the impact of slow onset graft function, we aimed to model and correlate early changes in plasma creatinine (p-cr) with long-term graft function. Materials: In a single centre observational study of 100 kidney transplants we identified all p-cr measurements from the time of transplantation until 30 days post-transplant or last post-transplant dialysis, and correlated this with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 1 year after transplantation. The initial changes in p-cr were modelled for each patient using an exponential, logistic, or linear model, and the time to a 50% decrease in p-cr (tCr50) was estimated. Results: Linear regression analysis showed a negative correlation between tCr50 and eGFR 1 year post-transplant (n?=?96, r = ?0.369, β = ?0.112, p?=?0.0002). The correlation was maintained when corrected for the relevant recipient and donor characteristics. tCr50 correlated positively with the number of hospitalisation days, the number of graft ultrasound examinations, and the number of biopsies. Conclusions: A modelled time to a 50% decrease in p-cr predicts 1-year graft function. tCr50 may be a relevant surrogate endpoint in renal transplant studies aimed at improving long-term function by reducing the incidence of slow onset graft function.     

Early age at menarche is associated with insulin resistance: a systemic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: We aimed to conduct a systemic review and meta-analysis of the relevant studies to further investigate the association between age at menarche and insulin resistance.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science (SCI) databases were systemically searched until December 2017. Observational studies comparing the incidences of insulin resistance in patients with early, average, and late menarchal ages were identified. Weighted mean difference (WMD) for HOMA-IR scores and fasting serum insulin levels in early vs late, early vs average. and average vs late comparisons were calculated with a random- or fixed-effects model.

Results: A total of eight articles involving 5504 subjects were finally included. In the analysis of HOMA-IR, the pooled WMDs in five studies were 0.45 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31–0.60, p < 0.001), 0.40 (95% CI 0.28–0.52, p < 0.001), and ?0.01 (95% CI ?0.09 to 0.07, p = 0.854) for early vs late, early vs average, and average vs late comparisons, respectively. The fasting serum insulin levels in eight studies were analyzed, and it was significantly higher in subjects with earlier age at menarche (WMD 1.28, 95% CI 0.92–1.63, p < 0.001 for early vs late comparison, WMD 1.28, 95% CI 1.13–1.43, p < 0.001 for early vs average comparison) with mild and acceptable heterogeneity (I² = 42.5% and 7.4%, respectively). Publication bias was not detected via funnel plots and Egger’s tests.

Conclusions: Our study revealed that earlier age at menarche was significantly associated with insulin resistance.

Trial Registration Number: CRD42018083874     

Establishing biennial paramedic experience benchmarks

Objective. Since stroke symptoms are often vague, and acute therapies for stroke are more recently available, it has been hypothesized that stroke patients may not be treated with the same urgency as myocardial infarction (MI) patients by emergency medical services (EMS). To examine this hypothesis, EMS transport times were examined for both stroke and MI patients who used a paramedic-level, county-based EMS system for transportation to a single hospital during 1999. Methods. Patients were first identified by their hospital discharge diagnosis as stroke (ICD-9 430–436, n = 50) or MI (ICD-9 410, n = 55). Trip sheets with corresponding transport times were retrospectively obtained from the 911 center. A separate analysis was performed on patients identified by dispatchers with a chief complaint of stroke (n = 85) or MI (n = 372). Results. Comparing stroke and MI patients identified by ICD-9 codes, mean EMS transport times in minutes did not meaningfully differ with respect to dispatch to scene arrival time (8.3 vs 8.9, p = 0.61), scene time (19.5 vs 21.4, p = 0.23), and transport time (13.7 vs 16.2, p = 0.10). Mean total call times in minutes from dispatch to hospital arrival were similar between stroke and MI patients (41.5 vs 46.4, p = 0.22). Results were similar when comparing patients identified by dispatchers with a chief complaint indicative of stroke or MI. Conclusion. In this single county, EMS response times were not different between stroke and MI patients. Replication in other EMS settings is needed to confirm these findings.     

SD大鼠正常胰腺MRI表现

目的 观察SD大鼠正常胰腺MRI表现。方法 对9只健康SD大鼠行MR平扫及增强扫描，观察胰腺形态、分布、位置毗邻及信号特点。之后处死大鼠，观察其胰腺解剖及组织学表现。结果 共8只大鼠顺利完成MR扫描，1只因麻醉死亡。MRI显示胰腺位于胃、脾脏及左肾之间，分为胃叶、脾叶及十二指肠叶，汇合于胰腺结合部；脾叶信号强度 > 十二指肠叶 > 胃叶。胰腺轮廓呈横置"Y"型，T1WI信号强度高于毗邻脾脏及同层肌肉信号（P均<0.01）；T2WI信号强度低于毗邻脾脏信号而高于同层肌肉信号（P均<0.01）；增强后胰腺强化程度与脾脏无明显差异（P>0.05），但高于同层面肌肉强化程度（P<0.01）。HE染色见胰腺组织结构完整。结论 MRI显示大鼠正常胰腺效果良好。大鼠胰腺呈横置"Y"型，其信号特点与脾脏及同层肌肉有所差异。     

A N E MERGENCY M EDICAL S ERVICES P ROGRAM OF A LTERNATE D ESTINATION OF P ATIENT C ARE

Objective: The emergency department (ED) is ideally reserved for urgent health needs. The ED, however, is often the site of care for nonurgent conditions. The authors investigated whether emergency medical technicians could decrease ED use by patients with nonurgent concerns who use 911 by appropriately identifying and triaging them to alternate care destinations. Methods: From August 2000 through January 2001, two King County fire-based emergency medical services (EMS) agencies participated in an alternate care destination program for patients with specific low-acuity diagnosis codes (intervention group). Eligible patients were offered care at a clinic-based destination as an alternate to the ED (n = 1,016). The frequency of the destination of care (ED, clinic, or home) for the intervention group was compared with a matched control group that was comprised of a preintervention historical cohort of EMS encounters from the same two fire-based agencies and with the same acuity and diagnosis criteria and seasonal interval (n = 2,617). Results: Compared with the preintervention group, a smaller proportion of patients in the intervention group received care in the ED (44.6% vs. 51.8%, p = 0.001), while a greater proportion of patients in the intervention group received clinic care (8.0% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.001) or home care (no transport) (47.4 vs. 43.7%, p = 0.043). Results were comparable when adjusted for other patient characteristics. Similar relationships were not evident among nonparticipating King County EMS agencies. Based on physician review and patient interview, the alternate care intervention appeared to be safe and satisfactory. Conclusion: An EMS-based program may represent one approach to limiting nonurgent ED use.     

Comparison of Crashes Involving Ambulances with Those of Similar-Sized Vehicles

Objective. To describe the characteristics andassociated occupant injuries of motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) involving ambulances as compared with MVCs involving similar-sized vehicles. Methods. Motor vehicle crash data in Pennsylvania from 1997–2001 were analyzed to compare the characteristics of crashes involving ambulances with those involving vehicles of a similar size. Crash demographics (e.g., location of crash, roadway conditions, intersection type) andassociated injuries were examined andcompared using chi-square tests andFisher's exact test. Results. 2,038 ambulance MVCs and23,155 crashes involving similar-sized vehicles were identified. Weather androad surface conditions were similar, but ambulance MVCs occurred with increased frequency on evenings andweekends. Ambulances were more likely to be involved in four-way intersection crashes (43% vs. 23%, p = 0.001), angled collisions (45% vs. 29%, p = 0.001), andcollisions at traffic signals (37% vs. 18%, p = 0.001). More people were involved in ambulance MVCs (p = 0.001), with 84% of ambulance MVCs involving three or more people and33% involving five or more people. Injuries were reported in more ambulance MVCs (76% vs. 61%, p = 0.001). Pedestrian involvement was rare (< 5% in both groups). Conclusion. Ambulance crashes occur more frequently at intersections andtraffic signals andinvolve more people andmore injuries than those of similar-sized vehicles.     

Effect of vital signs on advanced life support interventions for prehospital patients

Objective. Routine vital signs assessment is considered a fundamental component of patient assessment. This study was undertaken to determine whether advanced life support (ALS) emergency medical services (EMS) providers depend on vital signs information in managing their patients.

Methods. Emergency medical technician-paramedics (EMT-Ps) and EMT-Intermediates (EMT-Is) were presented with 20 randomized patient scenarios that did not included vital signs information. The participants were asked to identify all of the interventions they would perform for each hypothetical patient. At least six weeks later the same scenarios were presented in a new order, with vital signs information, and the participants again identified the interventions they would perform. The participants' estimations of the patients' blood pressures, as well as the frequencies with which 18 specific interventions were performed, were compared for the no-vital signs and the vital signs groups using chi-square or Fisher's exact test, with an alpha value of 0.05 considered significant.

Results. Fourteen EMT-Ps and 16 EMT-Is completed both the no-vital signs and vital signs portions of the study, for a total of 1,160 hypothetical patient encounters. When vital signs were given, the EMT-Is were more likely to apply a cardiac monitor (65.2% vs 80.1%, p = 0.000), more likely to start at least one intravenous (IV) line (82.1% vs 87.8%, p = 0.038), and more likely to administer a medication (1.3% vs 5.6%, p = 0.003). The EMT-Ps were also more likely to apply a cardiac monitor (84.4% vs 90.3%, p = 0.041), more likely to run an IV at a “wide open” rate (9.5% vs 19.0%, p = 0.004), and less likely to identify patients as being hypotensive (39.9% vs 26.4%, p = 0.004).

Conclusion. The presence or absence of vital signs information does influence some of the patient care decisions of EMS providers; however, the clinical implications of these decisions are unclear. Further studies are needed to determine whether ALS providers can adequately manage actual patients without obtaining vital signs.     

Pancreas preservation time as a predictor of prolonged hospital stay after pancreas transplantation

ObjectiveLength of hospital stay is a sensitive indicator of short-term prognosis. In this retrospective study, we investigated how pancreas preservation time affects length of hospital stay after pancreas transplantation.MethodsPatients receiving pancreas transplantation (1998.7–2018.6) were identified from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database and grouped according to pancreas preservation time. We analyzed the relationship of pancreas preservation time with graft and patient survival and prolonged length of stay (PLOS; i.e., hospital stay ≥20 days).ResultsWe included 18,099 pancreas transplants in the survival analysis. Pancreas preservation time >20 hours had a significantly higher risk of graft failure than 8 to 12 hours. Pancreas preservation time was not significantly associated with patient survival. We included 17,567 pancreas transplants in the analysis for PLOS. Compared with 8 to 12 hours, pancreas preservation time >12 hours had a significantly higher PLOS risk, which increased with increased pancreas preservation time. In simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplantation, we also found that pancreas preservation time was positively associated with PLOS risk with pancreas preservation time >12 hours.ConclusionPancreas preservation time is a sensitive predictor of PLOS. Transplant centers should minimize pancreas preservation time to optimize patient outcomes.     

CT纹理分析鉴别诊断胰腺导管腺癌、胰腺神经内分泌肿瘤及实性假乳头状肿瘤

目的 探讨CT纹理特征诊断及鉴别诊断胰腺导管腺癌（PDAC）、胰腺神经内分泌肿瘤（PNET）及实性假乳头状瘤（SPTP）的可行性。方法 回顾性分析经病理证实的98例PDAC、62例SPTP及39例PNET患者的CT资料，于肿瘤横断面最大层面沿肿瘤边界手动勾画ROI，提取46个CT纹理特征。按二分类（PDAC vs rest；SPTP vs rest；PNET vs rest）和三分类（PDAC vs SPTP vs PNET）分组方式将数据分组。以单因素回归分析每个纹理特征鉴别二分类各组的诊断效能，并计算AUC；基于随机森林算法选择特征后，采用6种机器学习分类器（LDA、K-NN、RF、Adabost、NB、NN）对二分类和三分类分组进行分类，以多因素回归分析分类器的诊断效能，基于十折交叉验证标准计算AUC。结果 采用单个纹理特征鉴别胰腺肿瘤时，低密度短域补偿和灰度不均匀性分别对PDAC vs rest和SPTP vs rest有较好鉴别能力（AUC=0.73、0.79，P<0.01），而总和均值对PNET vs rest具有极好鉴别能力（AUC=0.90，P<0.01）。分类器鉴别PDAC vs rest、SPTP vs rest、PNET vs rest的诊断效能很好或极好，最大AUC分别为0.88（RF）、0.86（RF）和0.94（Adaboost）。分类器鉴别三分类分组的准确率均较好，以RF最高（0.80）。结论 CT纹理分析可鉴别PDAC、SPTP和PNET；采用机器学习算法可进一步提高鉴别诊断效能。     

Dietary intake of polyphenols and risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma–A case-control study from Iran

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to examine the relationship between dietary polyphenols’ classes and individual polyphenol subclasses and also the risk of Colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal adenomas (CRA).DesignA hospital-based case-control study on the association between CRC and CRA and dietary polyphenols was conducted.SettingOverall, 129 colorectal cancers, 130 colorectal adenoma cases and 240 healthy controls were studied in three major general hospitals in Tehran province, Iran.ResultsIn a multivariate-adjusted model for potential confounders, higher consumption of stilbenes (OR 0.49 for the highest vs. the lowest quartile; 95% CI = 0.24−0.99; p for trend = 0.013) was associated with the decreased risk of CRA. Moreover, an inverse association between the risk of CRC and the intake of total polyphenols (OR 0.05 for the highest vs. the lowest quartile; 95% CI = 0.01−0.19; p for trend=<0.001), total flavonoids (OR 0.36 for the highest vs. the lowest quartile; 95% CI = 0.16−0.79; p for trend = 0.005), total phenolic acids (OR 0.24 for the highest vs. the lowest quartile; 95% CI = 0.10−0.56; p for trend = 0.002), anthocyanin (OR 0.21 for the highest vs. the lowest quartile; 95% CI = 0.08−0.55; p for trend = 0.001) and flavanols (OR 0.38 for the highest vs. the lowest quartile; 95% CI = 0.17−0.85; p for trend = 0.001) was observed.ConclusionThe present study showed that a higher intake of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, total phenolic acids anthocyanin and flavanols was related to the decreased risk of CRC. The higher consumption of stilbenes was also inversely associated with the risk of CRA.     

Integrating Medical Students’ Goals,Self-Assessment and Preceptor Feedback in an Ambulatory Clerkship

Background: Self-assessment and feedback are important elements for improving performance. However, coordinating their content remains elusive. Purpose: The purpose is to determine whether student self-assessment and preceptor feedback correlate with course outcomes and whether preceptor feedback informs student self-assessment. Methods: Our students generate initial and midterm goals and preceptors provide midterm feedback. We coded goals and feedback as clinical subsets, knowledge, career oriented, and attitudinal. We assessed associations with exams and evaluations using correlations, chi-square, and comparisons of means. Results: Students usually listed clinical goals (72%), whereas preceptors noted attitudes (50%). Students’ self-assessments had little association with exams, evaluations, or preceptor feedback. Students cited by preceptors for clinical strengths scored higher on exams (77.2 vs. 72.7, p < .01). Those cited for knowledge received more honors and high pass (78 vs. 60%, p = .05) evaluations. Conclusions: Students and preceptors emphasize different aspects of performance. Student self-assessments were not associated with outcomes, but preceptor feedback was. Student self-assessment seemed resistant to feedback.     

Vitamin D deficiency at admission is not associated with 90-day mortality in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock: Observational FINNAKI cohort study

Introduction Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with increased mortality in patients that are critically ill. This study explored whether vitamin D levels were associated with 90-day mortality in severe sepsis or septic shock.

Methods Plasma vitamin D levels were measured on admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) in a prospective multicentre observational study.

Results 610 patients with severe sepsis were included; of these, 178 (29%) had septic shock. Vitamin D deficiency (<50?nmol/L) was present in 333 (55%) patients. The 90-day mortality did not differ among patients with or without vitamin D deficiency (28.3% vs. 28.5%, p?=?0.789). Diabetes was more common among patients deficient compared to those not deficient in vitamin D (30% vs. 18%, p?p?p?>?0.9; and <25?nmol/L: HR 0.44 (95% CI: 0.22–0.87), p?=?0.018).

Conclusions Vitamin D deficiency detected upon ICU admission was not associated with 90-day mortality in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

• Key messages

• In severe sepsis and septic shock, a vitamin D deficiency upon ICU admission was not associated with increased mortality.

• Compared to patients with sufficient vitamin D, patients with deficient vitamin D more frequently exhibited diabetes, elevated C-reactive protein levels, and hospital-acquired infections upon ICU admission, and they more frequently developed acute kidney injury.

     

Severe accidental hypothermia: The need for prolonged aggressive resuscitative efforts

Objectives. The Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) Guidelines for Prehospital Management of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are intended to standardize treatment and improve outcomes in severe TBI patients. The key guideline components focus on airway management, blood pressure support, Glasgow Coma Score assessment, and transport. The purposes of this study were to determine if providers could learn and retain the guidelines (education), assess if providers would use the guidelines in practice (implementation), and evaluate the effect of guideline implementation on patients (outcomes). Methods. Data were collected prospectively on all trauma patients for five months. Providers were then educated on the TBI guidelines over two months, and five additional months of data were collected. A knowledge test was given before and after the course and three months later to assess education. To assess implementation, data were analyzed to determine whether providers were using the key interventions more consistently after education. The clinical courses of TBI patients before and after guideline implementation were measured to assess outcomes. Results. Knowledge of TBI care improved significantly after education and remained elevated at three months (62% vs. 82% vs. 79%, p < 0.001). For the 1,044 patients seen, providers demonstrated higher rates of appropriate care, resulting in lower rates of hypoxia (2.8% vs. 1.1%, p = 0.010) and hypotension (4.8% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.018). Mortality was significantly decreased (34.6% vs. 17.0%, p = 0.039), and rates of patients with maximum functional scores at 14 days significantly increased (Glasgow Outcome Score 44.2% vs. 66.0%, p = 0.025; Rancho Los Amigos Scale 55.9% vs. 77.3%, p = 0.045). Conclusion. Providers were able to learn and implement the BTF guidelines, and outcomes in TBI patients were significantly improved. All emergency medical services providers should be trained in these potentially lifesaving guidelines.     

内镜治疗胆总管结石合并胆总管十二指肠乳头旁瘘的疗效及安全性分析

目的 探讨内镜逆行胰胆管造影术（ERCP）经瘘口或原始乳头治疗胆总管结石合并胆总管十二指肠乳头旁瘘（PCDF）的临床疗效及安全性。方法 回顾性分析2008年1月－2019年12月该院收治的259例胆总管结石合并PCDF患者的临床资料,根据不同取石方式,分为乳头组（n = 141）和瘘口组（n = 118）,比较两组患者一次性取石成功率、总取石成功率、机械碎石率、操作时间、术中扩张或切开使用率和术后并发症发生率。结果 共9 390例患者行ERCP下胆总管结石取石。其中,259例（2.8%）胆总管结石合并PCDF。经瘘口胆管造影成功率为100.0%,145例因各种原因经十二指肠乳头胆总管插管造影,成功率为97.2%（141/145）。两组患者一次性取石成功率［77.1%（91/118）和79.4%（112/141）,P = 0.652］、取石总成功率［86.4%（102/118）和87.9%（124/141）,P = 0.718］、机械碎石率［9.3%（11/118）和8.5%（12/141）,P = 0.819］和操作时间［（19.83±12.24）和（18.52±11.90）min,P = 0.500］比较,差异均无统计学意义。瘘口组术中使用切开或扩张的比例明显低于乳头组［44.9%（53/118）和88.7%（125/141）,P < 0.05］,瘘口组术后急性胰腺炎［0.0%（0/118）和9.2%（13/141）］和并发症总发生率［5.1%（6/118）和22.0%（31/141）］低于乳头组,差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。结论 胆总管结石合并PCDF,经瘘口行ERCP取石,可达到经原始乳头取石的同等疗效,且可降低术后急性胰腺炎发生率,操作更简单。对于胆总管结石合并PCDF患者,行ERCP应优先考虑经瘘口取石。