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Biomedical subjects

Jill A Rebuck

Publications and source records attributed to Jill A Rebuck.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Case report: Morgagni hernia.

The case reported here is a 32-year-old man with a sudden onset of chest pain and an acute deterioration of lung function. An incarcerated Morgagni hernia was diagnosed with a computer tomographic CT scan, and repaired electively via a midline laparotomy. Morgagni hernia is a rare type of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, which may not be symptomatic until adulthood when the patient presents with acute symptoms or incarceration.

Adult↗

Survival of propofol infusion syndrome in a head-injured patient.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical progression of an adult patient with traumatic brain injury who survived propofol infusion syndrome. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Tertiary care surgical intensive care unit. PATIENT: A 21-yr-old male with traumatic brain injury was administered high doses of propofol for sedation and intracranial pressure control combined with vasopressor therapy to maintain cerebral perfusion pressure >60 mmHg. He developed a significant metabolic acidosis with a lactic acid level of 10.9 mmol/L. INTERVENTIONS: Exploratory laparotomy, discontinuation of propofol infusion. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: An exploratory abdominal laparotomy was negative for traumatic injury. During the procedure, the propofol infusion was considered a possible cause and was discontinued. On review, it became apparent that a combination of high-dose propofol and catecholamines were responsible for the lactic acidosis. An echocardiogram revealed severe left ventricular dysfunction and cardiomyopathy, which resolved within 19 days. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose propofol should be avoided and alternative agents should be instituted for sedation and intracranial pressure management. The use of catecholamine infusions to maintain cerebral perfusion pressure in the setting of a high-dose propofol infusion may be pharmacologically unsound and may be a triggering factor for propofol infusion syndrome. Identification of the syndrome and discontinuation of propofol resulted in complete reversal of symptoms in the case described.

Acidosis, Lactic↗

Propylene glycol-induced lactic acidosis in a patient with normal renal function: a proposed mechanism and monitoring recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of severe propylene glycol-induced lactic acidosis not attributable to renal dysfunction that was secondary to administration of high-dose intravenous lorazepam. CASE SUMMARY: A 24-year-old female with community-acquired pneumonia presented with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. To maintain adequate sedation and ventilation and reduce airway pressure, several relaxation strategies were used including high-dose intravenous lorazepam, fentanyl, and cisatracurium. After 18 days of high-dose continuous infusion of lorazepam (maximum dose 50 mg/h), the patient developed severe lactic acidosis secondary to propylene glycol toxicity, the main diluent of lorazepam. The acidosis temporarily resolved with bicarbonate administration and discontinuation of lorazepam. Her renal function remained stable for a time (serum creatinine 0.5 mg/dL, blood urea nitrogen 10 mg/dL, urine output 100-200 mL/h). However, after several more days, the patient's condition deteriorated, and she ultimately died. DISCUSSION: Previous cases of propylene glycol toxicity secondary to high-dose lorazepam infusion have occurred in patients with compromised renal function. Our patient's renal function remained stable throughout the hospital course, which caused us to look further for an explanation for the propylene glycol-induced lactic acidosis. Based on the Naranjo probability scale, propylene glycol was determined to be the probable cause of lactic acidosis. Since this case occurred, our intensive care unit has instituted recommendations for the prevention of lorazepam-associated propylene glycol toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Our case highlights the development of propylene glycol-induced lactic acidosis secondary to high-dose lorazepam infusion not associated with renal dysfunction.

Acidosis, Lactic↗

Dexmedetomidine does not improve patient satisfaction when compared with propofol during mechanical ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: Dexmedetomidine (DEX) may provide a sedation level that enables sleep and communication, with less amnesia and pain medication requirements, during mechanical ventilation. Our study directly assessed patient-perceived satisfaction with coronary artery bypass graft surgery after administration of DEX or propofol for intensive care unit (ICU) sedation. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical study with subsequent questionnaire administration. SETTING: Tertiary care surgical ICU. PATIENTS: A total of 89 adult, nonemergent, coronary artery bypass graft patients with an expected length of intubation of <24 hrs. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to either DEX or propofol; drug administration was performed via standardized anesthesia and nursing protocols. MEASUREMENTS: Patients reported perceptions of their ICU experience after mechanical ventilation with a modified numerical-scale Hewitt questionnaire, validated specifically for ICU patients. Patients were questioned regarding awareness, recall, generalized comfort, level of pain, ability to interact with healthcare providers and family, feelings of agitation and anxiety, perceived ease of extubation, ability to sleep or rest, and satisfaction with ICU experience. MAIN RESULTS: Groups were well matched at baseline, with a mean +/- sd age of 63.0 +/- 10.4 yrs and weight of 88.7 +/- 16.7 kg. No difference was observed for length of surgery, length of intubation, or ICU stay (p > .05). DEX patients perceived a shorter length of intubation (p = .044). A deeper sedation level was found in the propofol group (p = .021), with similar morphine and midazolam requirements (p = .317). Patient-rated level of overall awareness as a marker of amnesia did not differ between groups (p = .653). The ability to rest or sleep trended toward significance favoring propofol (p = .051). On evaluation of questionnaire ratings, DEX patients expressed more discomfort (p = .046), pain (p = .096), and sleeping difficulty (p = .036). Similar comfort levels were reported during extubation (p = .179). CONCLUSIONS: Despite theoretical advantages of DEX to improve overall patient satisfaction, the two agents provide similar responses to amnesia and pain control. According to our findings, DEX does not seem to have any advantage compared with propofol for short-term sedation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Coronary Artery Bypass↗

A needs assessment for regionalization of trauma care in a rural state.

Systems of trauma care in urban areas have a demonstrated survival benefit. Little is known of the benefit of trauma system organization in rural areas. We hypothesized that examination of all trauma deaths during a 1-year period would provide opportunities to improve care in our rural state. We used a medical examiner database of trauma deaths occurring during a 1-year period. Five board-certified surgeons analyzed deaths as preventable (P), potentially preventable (PP), and non-preventable (NP) using modified Delphi technique. There were 223 trauma deaths during a 1-year period. Most (63%) died at the scene prior to any medical intervention. Adjudication of the deaths demonstrated 5 P (2%; 95% CI 1-5%), 36 PP (16%; 95% CI 12-27%), and 179 NP (81%; 95% CI 76-86%). Agreement among trauma surgeons was only moderate with a k of 0.46. Suicide accounted for a significant number of the overall trauma deaths at 32 per cent. Rural trauma system design should focus on discovery, as that is where the majority of deaths occur. Suicide is a significant problem in this rural state that should be aggressively targeted with prevention programs.

Female↗

Effect of once-daily dosing vs. multiple daily dosing of tobramycin on enzyme markers of nephrotoxicity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of nephrotoxicity of once-daily dosing (ODD) and multiple daily dosing (MDD) regimens of tobramycin in critically ill patients. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective clinical trial. SETTING: : Adult intensive care units at two university hospitals. PATIENTS: Fifty-eight critically ill patients with a suspected or documented aerobic Gram-negative infection. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to receive tobramycin by ODD (7 mg/kg) or MDD. Baseline urine aliquots and 24-hr urine collections were collected on days 3, 7, and 11 during therapy and on days 3, 7, and 11 following discontinuation of therapy for measurement of alanine aminopeptidase (AAP), N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase (NAG), and creatinine. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were evaluable (ODD n = 25; MDD n = 29). The groups were similar with regard to demographic and clinical variables. The tobramycin dose was higher in the ODD group compared with the MDD group (425 +/- 122.5 mg vs. 312.8 +/- 116.6 mg, p <.001). Patients in the MDD group received a mean of 3.89 +/- 1.14 mg.kg(-1)day(-1) at intervals of 11.92 +/- 3.12 hrs. In the ODD group, patients had a higher measured creatinine clearance at the end of therapy compared with MDD group (70 +/- 18.6 vs. 64.8 +/- 17.5 mL/min, p =.047). Fewer patients in the ODD group developed nephrotoxicity than the MDD group (5 vs. 12, p =.142). Although there were increases in urinary enzymes in both treatment groups (AAP, 8.7 +/- 2.9 vs. 5.2 +/- 2.1 units/24 hrs, p <.01 MDD vs. ODD; NAG, 14.7 +/- 4.9 vs. 6.8 +/- 3.1, p <.01 MDD vs. ODD), the increases in the ODD group were significantly lower than in the MDD group. CONCLUSIONS: : The ODD tobramycin regimen appeared to be less nephrotoxic than the MDD regimen despite significantly higher doses. Tobramycin administered by ODD may be the preferred dosing method in selected critically ill medical patients to reduce the incidence and extent of renal damage.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Prevention of stress ulceration: current trends in critical care.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the level of current intensivist's knowledge regarding risk assessment and intensive care unit (ICU) clinical practice pertaining to stress-related mucosal bleeding, including pharmacologic approaches for stress ulcer prevention. DESIGN: A nationwide survey of critical care physicians. STUDY POPULATION: Two thousand random physician members of the Society of Critical Care Medicine. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The response rate was 519 (26%) of 2000, with data analysis from 501 (25.1%) usable surveys. Respondents were affiliated with internal medicine (44.3%), surgery (42.3%), and anesthesiology (12.6%). Gut ischemia was indicated as the perceived major cause of stress ulceration (59.7%). The estimated incidence of clinically important bleeding was 2% or less by 62% of respondents; however, 28.6% of physicians surveyed initiate stress ulcer prophylaxis in all ICU patients, regardless of bleeding risk. Respiratory failure was most frequently indicated as a reason for stress ulcer prophylaxis (68.6%), followed by shock/hypotension (49.4%), sepsis (39.4%), and head injury/major neurologic insult (35.2%). The first-line agents selected for stress ulcer prophylaxis include histamine-2 receptor antagonists (63.9%), followed by proton pump inhibitors (23.1%), and sucralfate (12.2%). Concern for nosocomial pneumonia was regarded as more prevalent with antisecretory therapies in those who chose sucralfate (61%) as initial therapy compared with overall respondents (26.9%) (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of intensivists surveyed recognize stress-related mucosal bleeding as a relatively infrequent event; however, implementation of a stress ulcer prophylaxis risk stratification scheme for ICU patients is necessary. Histamine-2 receptor antagonists are consistently perceived as appropriate initial agents, although proton pump inhibitors have become first-line therapy in an increasing percentage of critical care patients, despite limited data regarding their use in this population.

Anti-Ulcer Agents↗

H(2) antagonist-induced thrombocytopenia: is this a real phenomenon?

Critically ill patients routinely receive H(2) antagonists for stress ulcer prophylaxis while at risk for gastrointestinal bleeding. In these patients it is often difficult to assess accurately the cause of adverse effects such as thrombocytopenia. We evaluate the literature to better define thrombocytopenia related to H(2) antagonist administration and discuss mechanism, potential as a risk factor and case reports describing the severity and duration of thrombocytopenia.

Cimetidine↗

Randomized evaluation of adverse events and length-of-stay with routine emergency department use of phenytoin or fosphenytoin.

Intravenous phenytoin has come under increased scrutiny with the introduction of the prodrug, fosphenytoin. We evaluated adverse events and length-of-stay using parenteral the two drugs in routine emergency department use. Open-label randomization of phenytoin or fosphenytoin in 256 Emergency Department patients prescribed 279 parenteral doses of a phenytoin-equivalent. All phenytoin was administered intravenously, and fosphenytoin was given intravenously or intramuscularly (physician preference). Adverse events and Emergency Department length-of-stay were recorded; re-presentation to the Emergency Department within three months was reviewed for evidence of the purple glove syndrome. Nonparametric statistics were used to analyze the data. Seventy-seven patients received phenytoin and 202 fosphenytoin; 28 (10.0%) received intramuscular fosphenytoin. The mean phenytoin-equivalent dose was similar between the groups. Eighteen patients required reduction in infusion rates because of an adverse event (phenytoin = 6.5%, fosphenytoin = 6.4%; OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.4 2.6; p = 1.0). Adverse events occurred with similar frequency (phenytoin 9.1%, fosphenytoin 15.8%; OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.3 1.4; p = 0.3). The most common events were: pruritus, pain on infusion, and paresthesias. One patient developed hypotension (fosphenytoin); there were no other serious adverse events, including phlebitis. Median Emergency Department length-of-stay was 6.7 h for phenytoin and 5.7 h for fosphenytoin (p = 0.6). In routine Emergency Department use, our data do not support formulary conversion from phenytoin to fosphenytoin, based on the incidence of adverse events or Emergency Department length-of-stay.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetics of intravenous and oral levofloxacin in critically ill adults in a medical intensive care unit.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To characterize the pharmacokinetic disposition of intravenous and oral levofloxacin in critically ill adults. DESIGN: Prospective, open-label study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty critically ill patients in a medical intensive care unit (ICU). INTERVENTIONS: All patients received levofloxacin as part of their routine medical care. Pharmacokinetic evaluations were performed in 28 patients receiving intravenous levofloxacin. Ten of these patients subsequently were switched to oral levofloxacin and underwent a second pharmacokinetic evaluation during oral therapy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mean +/- SD levofloxacin half-life, clearance at steady state, and volume of distribution in all 28 patients were 8.0 +/- 1.7 hours, 134 +/- 35 ml/minute, and 1.2 +/- 0.3 L/kg, respectively Maximum and minimum serum concentrations (Cmax and Cmin) and area under the serum concentration-time curve from 0-24 hours (AUC(0-24)) in patients receiving levofloxacin 500 mg intravenously were 7.5 +/- 0.8 mg/L, 1.0 +/- 0.5 mg/L, and 66.1 +/- 15.7 mg x hour/L, respectively Observed Cmax, Cmin, and time at which maximum concentration was achieved after oral doses of levofloxacin 500 mg were 5.5 +/- 1.1 mg/L, 0.8 +/- 0.4 mg/L, and 1.3 +/- 0.4 hours, respectively. These values were significantly different (p < 0.05) from those observed after intravenous dosing in the same patients; other pharmacokinetic parameters were similar. Statistically significant increases (p < 0.05) in Cmax, Cmin, half-life, and AUC(0-24) were found in critically ill patients administered multiple doses of intravenous levofloxacin compared with historical data from healthy volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: The dosage regimen of intravenous levofloxacin 500 mg once/day appears adequate for most pathogens found in critically ill patients with normal renal function. Less susceptible pathogens may require an increased daily dose for more optimal therapy. Orally administered levofloxacin appears to be well absorbed in selected ICU patients and has pharmacokinetics similar to those of intravenously administered levofloxacin.

Administration, Oral↗

The critical care pharmacist: an essential intensive care practitioner.

Clinical pharmacy services in the critical care setting have expanded dramatically and include assisting physicians in pharmacotherapy decision making, providing pharmacokinetic consultations, monitoring patients for drug efficacy and safety, providing drug information, and offering medical education to physicians, nurses, and patients. Measurable clinical effects of these services include reduced drug errors and adverse drug events, decreased morbidity and mortality rates, and a positive pharmacoeconomic impact by decreasing overall health care costs.

Critical Care↗

Do proton pump inhibitors increase the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia and related infectious complications when compared with histamine-2 receptor antagonists in critically ill trauma patients?

BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) may increase the risk of nosocomial pneumonia caused by profound irreversible gastric acid suppression. The study purpose was to characterize differences in nosocomial pneumonia and related infections in trauma patients administered either histamine2-receptor antagonists (H2RA) or PPI. METHODS: Observational evaluation of consecutive critically ill adult trauma patients administered either omeprazole or famotidine during a 22-month period. Nosocomial infection was evaluated daily based on published CDC definitions. RESULTS: Eighty of 269 patients fulfilled study criteria. The PPI group (n = 40) exhibited increased baseline risk for infection, demonstrated by higher ISS (p = 0.020), more chest tube placements (p = 0.031), and increased chest trauma (p = 0.025). Overall number of patients infected per group included 33% and 40% of patients administered PPI and H2RA, respectively (p = 0.64). Despite baseline differences, the incidence of nosocomial infection was similar (p = 0.87), and extrapolation of pneumonia based on 1000 patient days revealed a ratio 51.7 vs 52.2 in the PPI vs H2RA groups, respectively, which was not significant (p = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Proton pump inhibitor administration does not increase risk of nosocomial pneumonia or other nosocomial infections compared with H2RA therapy in the critically ill trauma patient.

Adolescent↗

Daily evaluation of macroaspiration in the critically ill post-trauma patient.

BACKGROUND: Although critically ill trauma patients represent a high-risk population for macroaspiration, studies of trauma patients have not been explored. The study aims were to quantify rate and associated risks of macroaspiration and explore the pattern of antibiotic use and incidence of aspiration pneumonia within this patient group. METHODS: Consecutive trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were prospectively observed for development of macroaspiration and subsequent aspiration pneumonia. Daily monitoring included chart review, laboratory and radiography results, and nurse inquiries for witnessed macroaspiration events. RESULTS: Seven of 60 patients included experienced a clinically confirmed macroaspiration event (11.7%). The incidence of pneumonia was similar, regardless of macroaspiration occurrence (28.6%: macroaspiration cases vs 17.0%: controls, p > or = 0.05). Patients with macroaspiration required a longer duration of mechanical ventilation (15 vs 9.5 days, p = 0.021) and intensive care unit stay (28 vs 7 days, p = 0.015). Paralytic agent utilization was associated with an increased risk for aspiration (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of macroaspiration within a critically ill trauma population may be less frequent compared with studies performed in other patient populations. Although macroaspiration was associated with a longer duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit stay, this condition may not be associated with an increased rate of pulmonary infection.

Adult↗