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Introduction: Nexfin (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) allows for noninvasive continuous monitoring of blood pressure (ABPNI) and cardiac output (CONI) by measuring finger arterial pressure (FAP). To evaluate the accuracy of FAP in measuring ABPNI and CONI as well as the adequacy of detecting changes in ABP and CO, we compared FAP to intra-arterially measured blood pressure (ABPIA) and transpulmonary thermodilution (COTD) in postcardiac surgery patients during a fluid challenge (FC). Methods: Twenty sedated patients post cardiac surgerywere included, and 28 FCs were performed.Measurements of ABP and CO were simultaneously collected before and after an FC, and we compared CO and blood pressure. Results: Finger arterial pressure was obtainable in all patients.When comparing ABPNI with ABPIA, biaswas2.7mm Hg (limits of agreement [LOA], ±22.2), 4.9 mm Hg (LOA, ±13.6), and 4.2 mm Hg (LOA, ±13.7) for systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure, respectively. Concordance between changes in ABPNI and ABPIA was 100%. Mean bias between CONI and COTD was -0.26 (LOA, ±2.2), with a percentage error of 38.9%. Concordance between changes in CONI vs COTD and was 100%. Conclusion: Finger arterial pressure reliably measures ABP and adequately tracks changes in ABP. Although CONI is not interchangeable with COTD, it follows changes in CO closely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The doublecortin-like kinase (DCLK) gene is crucially involved in neuronal plasticity and microtubule-guided retrograde transport of signaling molecules. We have explored the possibility that DCLK is involved in pain-induced signaling events in adult male Wistar rats. Our results show that both DCLK-short and DCLK-long splice variants are present in the cell body and proximal dendrites of neurons in stress-related nuclei, ie, the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and the non-preganglionic Edinger-Westphal nucleus (npEW) in the rostroventral periaqueductal grey. We found that DCLK-long but not DCLK-short is phosphorylated in its serine/proline-rich domain. Furthermore, we demonstrate that phosphorylation of DCLK-long in the npEW is increased by acute pain, whereas DCLK-long phosphorylation in the PVN remains unaffected. This is the first report revealing that DCLK isoforms in the PVN and npEW occur in the adult mammalian brain and that pain differentially affects DCLK-long-mediated neuronal plasticity in these 2 stress-sensitive brain centers. Perspective: Pain is a burden for society and the individual, and although the mechanisms underlying pain are relatively well known, its treatment remains difficult and incomplete. Pain stress can lead to diseases like chronic pain and depression. The differential DCLK-phosphorylation in stress-sensitive brain areas is a potential novel therapeutic target in pain research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Visceral nociception readily sensitizes the central nervous system, causing referred somatic pain and hyperalgesia via somato-visceral convergence. Hyperalgesia in the perioperative period may increase vulnerability to subsequent development of chronic pain. The study aim is to investigate the role of angina pectoris, an ischemic visceral pain, in long-term pain after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). We sent questionnaires to 369 patients who underwent CABG surgery in 2003. Questions were asked about angina pectoris and other pain in the period before surgery, the first week postoperatively (= acute pain), and the period after 3 months after surgery (= chronic pain). We obtained results from 256 patients (response rate = 69%). The point prevalence of chronic pain after CABG was 27% after a mean follow-up of 16 months (SD ± 3 months). Patients with chronic pain after CABG had more angina pectoris than those without chronic pain: Before surgery (P = .07), early on postoperatively (P = .004), and more than 3 months after surgery (P = .000004). We found cumulative prevalences of chronic pain after CABG at 3 months of 39%, and of 32% after 6 months. Other predictive factors for chronic pain after CABG were acute postoperative pain (P = .00002) and younger age (P = .002). Angina pectoris is associated with chronic pain after CABG surgery. Other predictive factors include acute postoperative pain and younger age. Perspective: The influence of postoperative angina pectoris for chronic pain after CABG surgery has not been described in the literature to date. Visceral nociception may play an important role in the development of chronic pain after surgery and should be taken into account in future studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Due to advancements in technology, the use of a portable ultrasound (US) machine in the out-of-hospital setting is increasingly feasible. It has diagnostic and therapeutic advantages and may improve the management and treatment of patients. It can be used in-flight and can be easily taught to flight clinicians who have little previous experience with this modality. Study Objectives: The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of ultrasound chest examinations on the care of patients treated by a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS). Methods: Since 2007, portable US has been used by the HEMS of Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Data on every air medical flight are routinely collected in a database. Every portable US examination of the chest performed between 2007 and 2010 was reviewed for this study. Data on patient characteristics, properties of US examinations, US diagnoses, and impact on medical treatment were collected and analyzed. Results: Of a total of 2572 patients, 326 portable US examinations of the chest were performed on 281 (11%) patients. The mean duration of a portable US examination was 2.77 (SD 1.30) min, and the duration decreased over time. After the US examination, the plan for treatment changed in 60 (21%) patients. In 10 patients (4%) the plan to place a chest tube was abandoned. In 10 patients (4%) the initially selected destination for definitive care changed, and it changed to a lower-level hospital more often than to a higher-level one. In 9 patients (3%), cardiopulmonary resuscitation was stopped and in 31 patients there were other changes. Conclusion: Out-of-hospital US examinations can alter and improve treatment decisions and destinations for definitive care. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Aim: Feedback during CPR may facilitate quality in chest compressions, but has also been associated with caregiver complaints such as stiff wrists, the need for more force and increased fatigue. This concern about extra work is, when using the CPREzy™ with its own spring-loaded surface, particularly relevant in the face of an increased number of successive compressions. This manuscript evaluates the objective workloads for caregivers with and without the CPREzy™. Materials and methods: An air pressure driven, piston device was used to generate controlled compressions in a manikin model. The pressure was applied for chest compressions with each of the following: the cylindrical end of the piston, a wooden block as dummy for the CPREzy™, and the CPREzy™ itself. Three manikins with subjectively different spring compliances were selected for the tests. Series of 20 compressions were performed over a wide range of pressures. Results: No additional force is required to achieve a given depth of compression with or without the CPREzy™. However, some additional work is required, ranging from 21 to 26.5%. This work is caused by the longer compression distance associated with the need to compress two springs (e.g. the CPREzy™ and the chest wall) instead of one (e.g. the chest wall). Conclusion: The subjective feeling of increased rescuer fatigue with the CPREzy™ can, at least in part, be attributed to the extra work required for compressing the spring of the CPREzy™. Improved accuracy in chest compression depth is likely to be another, more significant, factor in rescuer fatigue. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Study objective: The study objective is to investigate the effects of a simple price list sticker placed on vaporizers on anesthetic use and costs. The price list only showed the cost per hour of the annually most expensive drugs, which had a low-cost alternative. Design: The design is a prospective database study with historical controls. Setting: The setting is at operating rooms. Patients: All patients are undergoing a surgical procedure under anesthesia in both study periods, except cardiothoracic and day care patients. Interventions: The intervention is application of a price list sticker on the vaporizers. Measurements: Monthly cost and amount of anesthetic agents used during the 9 months before and after the intervention. Main results: After application of the price stickers, the use of both the annuallymost expensive agents and the anesthetic budget decreased substantially. Most notable was a decrease of 28% in the use of sevoflurane. Conclusions: Price sticker on vaporizersmay be an effective, simple, and cheapmethod to reduce anesthetic costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Reliable, non-invasive detection of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) with minimal interruptions to chest compressions would be valuable for high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We investigated the potential of photoplethysmography (PPG) to detect the presence of a spontaneous pulse during automated CPR in an animal study. Methods: Twelve anesthetized pigs were instrumented to monitor circulatory and respiratory parameters. Here we present the simultaneously recorded PPG and arterial blood pressure (ABP) signals. Ventricular fibrillation was induced, followed by 20min of automated CPR and subsequent defibrillation. After defibrillation, pediatric-guidelines-style life support was given in cycles of 2min. PPG and ABP waveforms were recorded during all stages of the protocol. Raw PPG waveforms were acquired with a custom-built photoplethysmograph controlling a commercial reflectance pulse oximetry probe attached to the nose. ABP was measured in the aorta. Results: In nine animals ROSC was achieved. Throughout the protocol, PPG and ABP frequency content showed strong resemblance. We demonstrate that (1) the PPG waveform allows for the detection of a spontaneous pulse during ventilation pauses, and that (2) frequency analysis of the PPG waveform allows for the detection of a spontaneous pulse and the determination of the pulse rate, even during ongoing chest compressions, if the pulse and compression rates are sufficiently distinct. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the potential of PPG as a non-invasive means to detect pulse presence or absence, as well as pulse rate during CPR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Objective: To determine the incidence and success rate of out-of-hospital tracheal intubation (TI) and ventilation of children, taking account of the type of healthcare provider involved. Methods: A prospective observational study to analyse a consecutive group of children for which a helicopter-transported medical team (HMT) was called. In all cases, the emergency medical service (EMS)-paramedics arrived at the scene first. Data regarding type of incident, physiological parameters, treatment, and survival until hospital discharge were collected and subsequently analysed. Results: Of the 300 children examined and treated by the HMT on scene, 155 (52%) children required out-of-hospital tracheal intubation. Ninety-five children had an initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) rating of 3–4: the EMS-paramedics performed bag-valve-mask-ventilation (BVMV) until arrival with subsequent TI carried out by the HMT (54 children, survival 63%) or the EMS-paramedics performed TI themselves (41 children, subsequent correction of tube/ventilation by HMT in 37% and survival rate 5%). Two hundred and five children had an initial GCS of 5–15, from which 60 children required TI (survival rate 67%) and 145 children required no TI (survival rate 100%). Conclusion: We do not recommend early TI by EMS-paramedics in children with a GCS of 3–4. The rate of complications of this procedure is unacceptably high. BVMV is the preferred choice for ventilation by paramedics, whenever possible. Out-of-hospital TI performed by HMT is safe and effective. The HMT has skills in advanced airway management not provided by the EMS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are prospective empirical studies used to investigate the effect of a particular medical intervention. The design of a clinical trial is a delicate decision process, as each of the decisions that are taken in this process influences the eventual result of the clinical trial. Despite the efforts that are put into trial design, many trials fail to show an effect of the intervention. In some of these situations the intervention may be truly ineffective, however, more often this is caused by problems with the inclusion of patients and a resulting lack of statistical power to show the effect. To avoid this problem, in the design of a trial, the statistical power that can be achieved with the current design choices is calculated and balanced with economic considerations. In the choice of the entry criteria however, an important step in the design process, the influence of the chosen criteria on statistical power and number of eligible patients is not quantified. As these criteria influence the characteristics of the study population and the number of patients that will be eligible for the trial, and thereby the chances of finding an effect of the intervention, we believe that also in the choice of entry criteria explicit estimates of the number of eligible patients should be made. This paper presents a method to arrive at precise, objective estimates of statistical power and the number of eligible patients, using a registry database. Furthermore, we describe how this method is incorporated in the process of choosing entry criteria for a clinical trial. We illustrate the method with an example in the area of severe sepsis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]