Accelerated management of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in the ED

Purposes

The objective of this study was to evaluate improvement opportunities in the emergency department for timely ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction management and evaluated the new process flow.

Basic Procedures

In a prospective study, we compared time from door to cath laboratory before and after implementation of a new ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) protocol. The new protocol included a blend of strategies to reduce door to cath laboratory time.

Main Findings

We included 55 patients. After implementing a new STEMI protocol, we included 54 patients. Time to cath laboratory was 21 (interquartile range, 9-40) minutes before and 10 (interquartile range 5-25) minutes after initiation of the new protocol (P = .02). A door to cath laboratory time less than 15 minutes was reached in 36% of our patients in phase 1 and in 61% in phase 2 (odds ratio; 0.36, 95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.81; P = .01).

Principal Conclusion

Simple changes in organizational strategies resulted in a significantly faster care for patients with acute uncomplicated STEMI.     

Factors associated with prehospital delay in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction in China

Background

Prehospital delay is the most critical factor to prognosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Few study had examined a series of predictors of prehospital delay by multivariate analysis of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, onset features, and symptom condition of STEMI in China.

Methods

A total of 1088 hospitalized STEMI participants were screened to collect sociodemographic data, medical history information, and symptom onset status from clinical medical records. Factors associated with prehospital delay were examined using bivariate and multivariate analysis method.

Results

The median prehospital delay time (PDT) was 130 minutes in STEMI participants. Multivariate regression models examining 8 predictors were associated with prehospital delay, including senior high school or above educational level, myocardial infarction (MI) history, vertigo onset symptom, ambulance transportation, onset in daytime (6:00-18:00), onset at home, anterior wall MI, and posterior wall MI. Mortality in PDT more than 120 minutes group was 5.5%, whereas it was 4.3% in PDT 120 minutes of less group without significant statistically difference (P > .05).

Conclusions

Multivariate analysis results found that symptom onset–related variables strongly influenced PDT. Onset-related status of STEMI needed to be combined into interventions of participants, and more emergency education should be recommended to both participants and their relatives. Most importantly, more efforts should be taken to educate the public about the symptoms and signs to increase the recognition of STEMI.     

How accurately can the aetiology of cardiac arrest be established in an out-of-hospital setting? Analysis by "concordance in diagnosis crosscheck tables"

Introduction

Several previous studies have focused on establishing the cause of cardiac arrest (CA) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) provided in an out-of-hospital setting.

Objectives

To analyze the ability of professional advanced life support providers to correctly establish the aetiology of cardiac arrest during out-of-hospital CPR.

Study design

A retrospective cohort study analysing 211 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Method

The aetiology assumed by out-of-hospital physicians was compared with the diagnosis that was later established by clinicians or pathologists.

Results

Cases were sorted into five diagnostic groups and the overall diagnostic concordance was 74.4% (157 of 211 cases). The cardiac aetiology was presumed in 132 out of 211 patients and confirmed in 135 out of 211 patients.However, an analysis of individual cases of the cardiac causes of cardiac arrest revealed diagnostic matches in only 112 cases. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or pulmonary embolism (PE), both of which represent cases that can be potentially influenced by thrombolytic therapy, were presumed in 74 (53 + 21) and confirmed in 97 (77 + 20) cases, however with individual diagnostic matches in only 55 cases.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the importance of analysing concordance in presumed and definitive diagnosis of individual cases, since an overall comparison in a cohort of cases may be highly misleading. It introduces the method of the crosscheck table for visualization and comparison of presumed and final diagnoses. The two alternative approaches of inclusion rule for applying the thrombolytic therapy in out-of-hospital care were discussed with regard to the recent TROICA study.     

Emergency physician-initiated cath lab activation reduces door to balloon times in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients

Objectives

We evaluated the impact of emergency physician (EP)-initiated primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) via a single-group page on door to balloon (D2B) interval times in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods

Consecutive ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients presenting to the emergency department between February 2004 and September 2008 were divided into 4 groups: group 1, PCI performed on an ad hoc basis after cardiology consultation; group 2, primary PCI activated via a single-group page only on-call cardiology consultation; group 3, primary PCI with EP cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) activation via the same page strategy; group 4, prehospital CCL activation based on prehospital diagnostic electrocardiogram. Composite D2B and relevant time intervals were measured for each time group.

Results

A total of 295 consecutive patients undergoing emergent angiography were included. Times decreased for most time intervals from groups 1 to 4. Although there was no significant change in composite D2B or any measured interval time with the introduction of PCI after emergent cardiology consultation, each decreased significantly after implementing an EP-initiated PCI strategy except CCL2B (D2B 95 to 77 minutes, D2E 14 to 10 minutes, D2CCL 71 to 50 minutes). Further significant reductions in D2B time were achieved among all patients after the institution of emergency medicine services activation of the CCL (D2B 77 to 64 minutes, D2CCL 50 to 38 minutes, CCL2B 28 to 22 minutes).

Conclusions

A systematic process of initiating D2B recommendations, including EP-initiated CCL activation via a single-group page, significantly reduces D2CCL and D2B times.     

‘It got right to the spot’ The patient experience of primary angioplasty: A qualitative study

Background

Primary angioplasty is becoming an established treatment for myocardial infarction. Yet we have a limited understanding of patients' attitudes toward this treatment and their experiences of receiving it in practice.

Aims

Exploration of patients' experiences and perceptions of primary angioplasty as treatment for their heart attack.

Methods

Qualitative study of a purposive sample of patients admitted to a tertiary cardiology unit in east London, UK. Participants were interviewed either in their own homes or in hospital. Recruitment continued until no new substantial themes emerged. Eleven men and four women aged 35 to 74 years who had sustained a myocardial infarction were interviewed 13 to 90 days after primary angioplasty. We used the framework method of analysis to identify and explore emerging themes.

Results

Informants were expecting open-heart surgery as treatment for their heart attack. They were impressed by the service they actually received. They were generally not engaged in decisions about their treatment in the acute setting and this passivity sometimes persisted after discharge. Expectations of follow up in primary care were not often met.

Conclusions

Patients are satisfied with the primary angioplasty as treatment for acute myocardial infarction but have poor understanding of the management of this condition.     

The impact of prehospital activation of the cardiac catheterization team on time to treatment for patients presenting with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction

Objective

We sought to evaluate the accuracy of emergency medical services (EMS) activation of the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and its impact on treatment intervals from dispatch to reperfusion.

Methods

We conducted a before-and-after cohort study of patients presenting via EMS with prehospital electrocardiogram findings consistent with STEMI. Before August 20, 2007, percutaneous coronary intervention was initiated after patient arrival. Afterward, EMS providers could activate the CCL if the prehospital electrocardiogram automated interpretation indicated STEMI. All interval times from EMS dispatch to percutaneous coronary intervention were measured via synchronized timepieces.

Results

A total of 53 patients, 14 before and 39 after prehospital activation, were included. Emergency medical services CCL activation was 79.6% sensitive (95% confidence interval [CI], 65.2%-89.3%) and 99.7% specific (95% CI, 99.1%-99.9%). Mean door-to-hospital electrocardiogram and mean CCL-to-reperfusion times were unaffected by the intervention. Prehospital activation of the CCL significantly improved mean door-to-balloon (D2B) time by 18.2 minutes (95% CI, 7.69-28.71 minutes; P = .0029) and door-to-CCL by 14.8 minutes (95% CI, 6.20-23.39 minutes; P = .0024). Improvements in D2B were independent of presentation during peak hours (F ratio = 17.02, P < .0001). There were significant time savings reflected in all EMS intervals: 20.7 minutes (95% CI, 9.1-32.3 minutes; P = .0015) in mean dispatch-to-reperfusion time, 22.2 minutes (95% CI, 11.45-32.95 minutes; P = .0003) in mean first medical contact-to-reperfusion time, and 20 minutes (95% CI, 10.95-29.05 minutes; P = .0001) in recognition-to-reperfusion time.

Conclusions

Emergency medical service providers can appropriately activate the CCL for patients with STEMI before emergency department arrival, significantly reducing mean D2B time. Significant reduction is demonstrated throughout EMS intervals.     

Predicting Fitness to Drive in People With Cognitive Impairments by Using DriveSafe and DriveAware

Kay LG, Bundy AC, Clemson LM. Predicting fitness to drive in people with cognitive impairments by using DriveSafe and DriveAware.

Objectives

To examine the psychometric properties of DriveSafe and DriveAware and their predictive validity.

Design

Prospective study compared screening tests with criterion standard.

Setting

Two driving rehabilitation centers affiliated with a university and a geriatric rehabilitation facility.

Participants

Consecutive sample of drivers with functional impairments (n=115) and subgroup of drivers with cognitive impairments (n=96) referred for a driving assessment.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measure

Driving performance was measured by a standardized assessment in real traffic.

Results

Rasch analysis provided evidence for construct validity and internal reliability of both tests. Tests trichotomized drivers into unsafe, safe, and further testing categories. The optimal lower cutoff identified unsafe drivers with a specificity of 97% (95% confidence interval [CI], 83-100) in the test sample and 96% (95% CI, 80-100) in the validation sample. The optimal upper cutoff identified safe drivers with a sensitivity of 93% (95% CI, 77-99) and 95% (95% CI, 76-100), respectively.

Conclusions

By using DriveSafe and DriveAware, drivers with cognitive impairments referred for a driving assessment can be categorized as unsafe, safe, or requiring further testing, with only 50% needing an on-road assessment. Before clinical practice is changed, these findings should be replicated.     

Cognitive determinants of pain and disability in patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder: A cross-sectional observational study

Objective

To delineate the relative extent to which specific cognitive factors are related to levels of pain and disability in patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder.

Design

Cross-sectional observation study.

Setting

Three secondary care physiotherapy departments in the Greater Manchester region of the UK.

Participants

All patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder referred to the participating departments were invited to take part in the study. In total, 124 patients were invited to participate, and 63 (51%) agreed to do so. Complete data were available for 55 (44%) of those invited to participate in the study.

Main outcome measures

Pain and disability, as assessed by the Neck Disability Index.

Results

Cognitive factors were strongly related to levels of disability (R² change = 0.39, P < 0.001). Specifically, greater catastrophising (β = 0.41, P < 0.01) and lower functional self-efficacy beliefs (β = −0.47, P < 0.001) were significantly related to greater levels of disability. Significant univariate correlations were seen between the cognitive factors and current pain intensity. However, no significant associations were seen between the cognitive factors and current pain intensity in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Interventions which aim to reduce catastrophising and enhance functional self-efficacy beliefs should be included alongside conventional physiotherapy interventions when treating patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder.     

Pre-hospital delay in patients with acute coronary syndrome: Factors associated with patient decision time and home-to-hospital delay

Background

Pre-hospital delays in patients experiencing acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remain unacceptably long.

Aims

To examine simultaneously a wide range of clinical, sociodemographic and situational factors associated with total pre-hospital delay and its two components.

Methods

Pre-hospital delay data were collected from 228 patients with ACS using patient's medical notes and semi-structured interviews. Total pre-hospital delay (symptom onset to hospital admission) was divided into 2 components: decision time (symptom onset to call for medical help), and home-to-hospital delay (call for help to hospital admission).

Results

Shorter total pre-hospital delays and decision times were associated with ST segment myocardial infarction (STEMI), recognizing symptoms as cardiac in origin, being married, symptom onset outside the home and the presence of a bystander. Shorter home-to-hospital delays were more likely among younger patients, those experiencing an STEMI, and patients reporting a greater number of symptoms. Initial contact with emergency medical services was related to shorter total delays and decision times.

Conclusions

Different factors were associated with shorter times in the 2 component phases. Greater understanding of the factors impacting on the component phases may help target interventions more effectively and reduce pre-hospital delays.     

Inappropriate dispatcher decision for emergency medical service users with acute myocardial infarction

Objectives

Current guidelines recommend utilization of prehospital emergency medical services (EMSs) by patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aims of this study were to estimate the percentage of inappropriate initial dispatcher decisions and determine their impact on delays in reperfusion therapy for EMS users with STEMI.

Methods

As part of a prospective regional registry of patients with STEMI, we analyzed the original data for 245 patients who called a university hospital-affiliated EMS call center in France. The primary study outcome was time to reperfusion therapy calculated from the documented date and time of the first patient call.

Results

The initial EMS dispatcher's decision was appropriate (ie, dispatching a mobile intensive care unit staffed by an emergency or critical care physician) for 171 (70%) patients and inappropriate for 74 (30%) patients. Inappropriate decisions included referring the patient to a family physician (n = 59), providing medical advice (n = 9), and dispatching an ambulance (n = 6). Inappropriate initial decisions resulted in increased median time to reperfusion for 140 patients receiving fibrinolysis (95 vs 53 minutes; P < .001) and 91 patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (170 vs 107 minutes; P < .001). In-hospital mortality was not different between the 2 study groups (6.8% vs 9.9%; P = .42).

Conclusion

The initial dispatcher's decision is inappropriate for 30% of EMS users with STEMI and results in substantial delays in time to reperfusion therapy. Accuracy of telephone triage should be improved for patients who activate EMSs in response to symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome.     

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention and thrombolysis improve survival in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and pre-hospital resuscitation

Background

Patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) surviving pre-hospital resuscitation represent a selected subgroup of patients with a very high adverse event rate. Only few data on the outcome of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (primary PCI) and thrombolysis in such patients are available.

Methods

We analysed the Maximal Individual Therapy of Acute Myocardial Infarction (MITRA) Plus registry. 1529 survivors of pre-hospital resuscitation with STEMI were included. 593 (38.8%) of those patients did not receive early reperfusion therapy, 793 (51.9%) patients received thrombolysis and 143 (9.4%) patients received primary PCI. Hospital mortality in patients receiving primary PCI or thrombolysis was adjusted for confounding factors with a propensity score analysis.

Results

Primary PCI as well as thrombolysis in survivors of pre-hospital resuscitation with STEMI were associated with a significant reduction of hospital mortality (OR: 0.29, 95% CI 0.17-0.50; and 0.74, 95% CI 0.54-0.99, respectively), while primary PCI was superior compared to thrombolysis (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.30-0.84).

Conclusion

Reperfusion therapy improves mortality of patients with STEMI surviving pre-hospital resuscitation, while primary PCI seems to be more effective than thrombolysis.     

Determinants of markedly increased B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background

A modestly increased plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level of greater than 80 pg/mL has been associated with increased mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the prognostic significance of larger increases in BNP during STEMI has not been reported.

Methods

A total of 420 patients with STEMI were identified from an administrative database, and 91 were found to have a BNP level measured within 24 hours of hospitalization. All patients underwent detailed angiographic and echocardiographic evaluation. Charts were abstracted in a blinded fashion to the BNP results.

Results

The mean ± SD age of the participants was 64 ± 13 years, and 53 (58%) of the participants were men. The median, 25th percentile, and 75th percentile of the BNP value were 366, 142, and 1011 pg/mL, respectively. The BNP level increased progressively in 1-, 2-, and 3-vessel coronary disease with medians of 253, 351, and 818 pg/mL, respectively (P = .009). Patients with grade 3/4 diastolic dysfunction had significantly increased median BNP values vs all others, 786 vs 306 pg/mL (P = .03). Eight (9%) patients died during their hospitalization. The median BNP values for 83 (91%) survivors and 8 (9%) nonsurvivors were 344 and 1420 pg/mL, respectively (P = .007). By multiple logistic regression, BNP level more than 500 pg/mL was independently associated with female sex, increased number of vessels diseased (>75% stenosis), lower ejection fraction, higher creatine kinase level, and lower body mass index.

Conclusion

In patients with STEMI, markedly increased BNP level seems to reflect the extent of coronary disease, the degree of associated systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and a higher risk of in-hospital mortality.     

An observational study of physiotherapists’ use of cognitive-behavioural principles in the management of patients with back pain and neck pain

Objectives

This study investigated the extent to which physiotherapists collaborating in a randomised trial comparing the McKenzie approach with a Solution Finding Approach (SFA) for back pain or neck pain involved patients in the consultation, and empowered patients to develop self-management strategies. The aims were to develop a tool for this purpose and to identify any observed differences between the consultations in these two approaches.

Design

An observational study, conducted within a randomised trial (McKABI trial).

Setting

Patients referred to seven National Health Service physiotherapy departments in West and East Yorkshire.

Participants

The observational study collected data from 10 of the 28 physiotherapists participating in the McKABI trial.

Main outcome measures

The involvement and empowerment scales of the Involvement and Empowerment of Patients in Physiotherapy Assessment Rating Tool (IMPART).

Results

Although not widely used, physiotherapists employed significantly more patient involvement and empowerment strategies with the SFA compared with the McKenzie approach. The median (interquartile range)/total possible scores were: SFA 19 (18), McKenzie 10 (4.5)/60 for involvement; and SFA 27 (8), McKenzie 11 (10)/64 for empowerment.

Conclusions

Most physiotherapists were able to switch between the two approaches without significant overlap in techniques. Psychosocial questioning and goal-setting were under-utilised by most physiotherapists. Implementing the SFA protocol appeared to be more difficult than the McKenzie approach, possibly because the SFA was less reliant on a structured format. Physiotherapists may have required more training to enable them to deliver the SFA effectively. The IMPART was a reliable measure of physiotherapists’ involvement and empowerment strategies.     

Aeromedical transfer to reduce delay in primary angioplasty

Background

Aeromedical transfer can reduce transfer times for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Delays in dispatch of the helicopter and landing-reperfusion can reduce the benefits of air travel. The ad hoc nature of these transfers may compound delays. A formal aeromedical transfer service, with rapid dispatch protocols and rapid landing to balloon times could significantly reduce reperfusion times.

Methods

A standard operating procedure (SOP) was developed using a field assessment team (doctor, aircrew paramedic) and a cardiologist-led multidisciplinary team meeting the incoming aircraft. The aeromedical SOP for STEMI care was implemented when anticipated land journey >30 min to the nearest PPCI centre. Reperfusion times for actual air travel and estimated virtual land journeys from the same location were compared.

Results

Between April and December 2009, 8 patients were managed according to the aeromedical SOP. Median air distance 49 miles and road, 40 miles. All subsequent data shown in median minutes (range). Call-balloon time 109 (97-116). Call-aeromedical activation 13 (9-26). Aeromedical activation-arrive scene 12 (9-16). Time at scene 29 (24-52). Call-depart scene 57 (45-75). Air journey 25 (18-30) and landing-balloon 21 (8-22). Call-arrive at PPCI centre for air 85 (70-95); estimated virtual road call-arrive at PPCI centre 102 (85-104).

Conclusions

This SOP delivered sub 120 min call-balloon times in all cases undergoing PPCI from difficult locations where anticipated land journeys were >30 min. With longer anticipated land journeys (or more remote locations) the proportional gains with air transfer will be greater. Subject to a formal SOP and very rapid landing-balloon times, aeromedical transfer can significantly reduce the number of patients suffering long reperfusion delays in acute myocardial infarction.     

Airway obstruction in children aged less than 5 years: : The prehospital experience

Background

Treatment of choking in children has been well studied, but few data are available on the various causes of the choking episodes in the pediatric population.

Objectives

To assess frequency and to stratify etiologies of children less than 5 years of age who had a 911 advanced life support (ALS) ambulance response for airway obstruction.

Methods

A prehospital database was searched and information was collected defining type of obstruction, age of the child, parents' action, paramedic treatment, and incident outcome.

Results

There were 182 patients with airway obstruction under 5 years of age, of whom 99 (55%) were less than 1 year old. Liquid obstructions (i.e., formula, juices) were most common in the youngest children, whereas solid food and nonfood solid obstructions were most prevalent in children over 1 year old. One hundred seven (59%) of these obstructions resolved before paramedic arrival (69% of liquid obstructions, 72% of food, and 36% of nonfood solid objects). Interventions used by parents included bulb suction (3%), finger sweeps (6%), Heimlich maneuver (3%), and back blows (12%). Paramedics used ALS skills in only three cases. After paramedic evaluation, 47% of parents refused transport against medical advice (AMA).

Conclusions

Although most episodes of pediatric airway obstruction will have been resolved by the time of paramedic arrival, age-specific and item-specific treatment skills need to be reinforced with parents and prehospital providers.     

Intracoronary versus intravenous bolus abciximab application in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: 6-month effects on infarct size and left ventricular function

Background

Administration of abciximab during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Intracoronary (IC) abciximab bolus application during PCI results in high local drug concentration, improved perfusion, reduction of infarct size, and less microvascular obstruction early after infarction. Aim of this study was to investigate whether the early benefits of an IC abciximab administration in STEMI patients undergoing PCI are sustained at 6?months.

Methods

We performed 6-month follow-up of 154 STEMI patients undergoing PCI, who were randomised to either IC (n?=?77) or intravenous (IV) (n?=?77) bolus abciximab administration with subsequent 12-h intravenous infusion. The primary endpoint was infarct size at 6-month follow-up as assessed by delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical end points were MACEs within 6?months after infarction.

Results

The median infarct size after 6?months was significantly reduced in the IC abciximab group (16.7 vs. 24.1%, p?=?0.002). A significant recovery of LV function was only observed in the IC abciximab group (p?<?0.001), and IC abciximab group patients had significantly less adverse remodelling as compared to standard IV abciximab treatment (p?=?0.03). These beneficial effects also translated into a strong trend towards a reduced MACE rate in the IC abciximab group at 6-month follow-up (10 vs. 21%, p?=?0.07).

Conclusions

Intracoronary abciximab application in STEMI patients undergoing PCI is superior to standard IV treatment with respect to infarct size, recovery of LV function and reverse remodelling 6?months after infarction.     

Shoulder ultrasound abnormalities, physical examination findings, and pain in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury

Brose SW, Boninger ML, Fullerton B, McCann T, Collinger JL, Impink BG, Dyson-Hudson TA. Shoulder ultrasound abnormalities, physical examination findings, and pain in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.

Objectives

To investigate the presence of ultrasound (US) abnormalities in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) using a quantitative Ultrasound Shoulder Pathology Rating Scale (USPRS). To investigate physical examination (PE) findings using a quantitative Physical Examination of the Shoulder Scale (PESS), and to obtain data about pain and other subject characteristics such as age, years with SCI, and weight.

Design

Case series.

Setting

National Veterans' Wheelchair Games 2005 and 2006.

Participants

Volunteer sample of manual wheelchair users with SCI participating in the National Veterans' Wheelchair Games.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Presence of relationships between US findings, PE findings, pain, and subject characteristics.

Results

The USPRS correlated with age, duration of SCI, and weight (all P<.01), and showed a positive trend with the total Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI) score (r=.258, P=.073). Several US findings related to presence of PE findings for specific structures. The PESS score correlated with the WUSPI (r=.679, P<.001) and duration of SCI (P<.05). The presence of untreated shoulder pain that curtailed activity was noted in 24.5% of subjects, and this was related to increased WUSPI scores (P=.002).

Conclusions

PE and US abnormalities are common in manual wheelchair users with SCI. The USPRS and PESS demonstrated evidence for external validity and hold promise as research tools. Untreated shoulder pain is common in manual wheelchair users with SCI, and further investigation of this pain is indicated.     

Low yield of ED magnetic resonance imaging for suspected epidural abscess

Purpose

The aim of this study was to estimate the yield of emergency department (ED) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting spinal epidural abscess (SEA) and to identify clinical factors predicting positive MRI results.

Basic Procedure

We examined a cohort of patients who underwent MRI to rule out SEA, followed by a nested case-control comparison of those with positive results and a sample with negative results. A positive result was defined as osteomyelitis, discitis, or SEA. Predictor variables included temperature, presenting complaint, drug abuse status, history of SEA or back surgery, midline back tenderness, neurologic deficit, MRI level, mean white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein level.

Main Findings

Fourteen of the 120 available MRIs were excluded; 7 (6.6%) of the remaining 106 were positive. Temperature was 1.1°C higher in cases than controls (95% CI, 0.6-1.7).

Conclusion

Emergency department MRI for suspected SEA has a low yield. Clinical guidelines are needed to improve efficiency.     

Disposable stainless steel vs plastic laryngoscope blades among paramedics

Background

Several studies have been published in the literature about intubation methods, but little is available on intubation equipment used in this setting. This is the first prehospital comparison of disposable plastic vs disposable stainless steel laryngoscope blades used by paramedics.

Study Objective

The objective of this study was to compare prehospital intubation success rates on first attempt and overall number of attempts to obtain intubations using disposable plastic laryngoscopes blades vs disposable stainless steel laryngoscope blades.

Methods

A retrospective prehospital cohort study was conducted during two 3-year periods. Two-way contingency table and χ² test were conducted to determine if there was a difference between the 2 types of blades. A proportional odds model with calculated 95% confidence interval (CI) and odd ratios were then calculated.

Results

A total of 2472 paramedic intubations were recorded over the 6-year period. The stainless steel single-use blades had a first attempt success rate of 88.9% vs 78.5% with plastic blades (P = .01; odds ratio, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.17-3.41). The stainless steel single-use laryngoscope blade had a lower number of attempts to successful intubation than the plastic blade (88.8% vs 74.3%, respectively) (P < .01; odds ratio, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.34-2.00).

Conclusions

In the prehospital setting, stainless steel disposable blades were superior to plastic disposable blades in first attempt and overall number of attempts to intubation. Until further research is done, we recommend use of stainless steel blades for intubations in the prehospital setting by paramedics.     

Time to intubation and survival in prehospital cardiac arrest

Objective

To examine the correlation between time to paramedic intubation and survival after prehospital cardiac arrest.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of 693 patients who had paramedic endotracheal intubation for prehospital cardiac arrest in King County, Washington (excluding Seattle), between January 1991 and May 2003. Based on the time from patient collapse until intubation, cases were divided into quartiles. Survival in the slower three quartiles (defined as “slow intubation”) was compared with survival in the fastest quartile (defined as “quick intubation”).

Results

In the quick intubation group (intubation time ≤12 minutes), 46% of the patients survived; in the slow intubation group (intubation time ≥13 minutes), 23% of the patients survived. Logistic regression was used to adjust for possible confounders that affect survival: age, gender, location, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, cardiac rhythm, emergency medical technician response time, and paramedic response time. The fully adjusted odds ratio of survival for the slow intubation group compared with the quick intubation group was 0.42 (95% confidence interval 0.26, 0.69).

Conclusions

This study is the first of its kind to compare survival with the time interval until an aspect of advanced life support is performed. These findings suggest that faster intubation times may increase odds of survival in prehospital cardiac arrest. Future prospective studies are merited to further understand this association.