A single-center randomized trial in 2018 by Driver et al found an incredible 98% first-pass success for endotracheal intubation in the group randomized to a structured bougie-first approach, compared with 87% in those randomized to stylet. In this podcast, we review a multi-center study by Driver et al examining bougie vs stylet in a wider array of emergency departments and intensive care units.
Subsegmental pulmonary embolism (SSPE) is a controversial entity as they have uncertain clinical significance. As a result, the Chest and ACEP guidelines state that a very select group of patients with isolated SSPE and no deep vein thrombosis may be managed with surveillance rather than anticoagulation. In this podcast, we review SSPE and a new prospective study by Le Gal and colleagues evaluating outcomes after withholding anticoagulation in patients with subsegmental pulmonary embolism (SSPE).
On November 2, 2021, the US CDC Advisory Council on Immunization Practices recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA covid-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. In this podcast we review the data in the Pfizer briefing document to the FDA as well as that presented at the ACIP meeting.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new clinical practice guidelines in August 2021 on the evaluation and management of well-appearing febrile infants ages 8-60 days old (Pantell et al).
On September 24, 2021, the United States’ CDC made recommendations on who should or may receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster. These recommendations overstepped the vote made by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), who voted against the recommendation that those 18-64 who have occupational exposure may receive a booster vaccine. In this podcast, we discuss the current evidence as of September 24, 2021 on boosters as well as the evidence-based risk-benefit analysis from the CDC ACIP meeting. Jeremy’s insights can be found at Inside Medicine.
First, the data presented from Pfizer is minimal and involves a total of 312 individuals who received boosters. We have no insight into effectiveness based on this.
In Israel, boosters were available to those ≥60 who completed the series ≥5 months prior beginning at the end of July. Bar-On et al report on this natural experiment.
The data presented at the CDC ACIP meeting can be found in the presentation slides available here.
In this podcast, we review pulmonary embolism (PE) risk stratification and dive into the use of right ventricular dysfunction as a predictor of mortality. We highlight a patient-level meta-analysis by Becattini et al and discuss guidelines on PE risk stratification.
In this podcast, we summarize a practice-changing article of 2021 that addresses awareness during paralysis, Pappal et al in Annals of Emergency Medicine.
We review a recent paper by Kilaru et al on pharmacy fills by ED patients for naloxone after an opioid-related ED visit. We also discuss harm reduction and the reasons this is important. For more on harm reduction, including patient education materials, see this.
We have several podcasts on the vaccine and specifically in pregnancy. Increasing information on safety has become available, but the basic principles in those podcasts still stand. Podcast on vaccine candidates, podcast on vaccines in pregnancy and lactation, update on vaccines in pregnancy. In May 2021, a large CDC registry of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy was published by Shimabukuro et al. The CDC is tracking pregnant patients who receive the COVID-19 vaccine in 2 ways: (1) the V-safe program (enroll at time of immunization using QR code provided in materials you receive and (2) a pregnancy registry (~5,000 individuals enrolled out of initial V-safe pregnancy population. In the pregnancy registry, the CDC is calling pregnant patients each trimester and post-partum and obtaining records from the obstetric provider. These data have demonstrated no increased risk of pregnancy loss, preterm birth, or congenital anomalies. Of note, many of the pregnancies were not complete at that time, as individuals immunized in the first trimester still had ongoing pregnancies. These data are demonstrated in the graphics below.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) released an updated statement on July 30, 2021 that: recommends that pregnant and lactating individuals be vaccinated against COVID-19. Additionally, the document reinforces that the claims linking COVID-19 vaccines to infertility are unfounded and have no scientific evidence supporting them, recommending vaccination for all eligible people who may consider future pregnancy. Further, although women < 50 years old may receive any COVID-19 vaccine, there is an increased but very rare risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome after the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine and they may opt for an mRNA vaccine instead (Pfizer or Moderna). The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine(SMFM) supports these statements.
A multidisciplinary group at the University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate has created decision aids to help pregnant people decide if the COVID-19 vaccine is right for them, which can be found here in 10 languages.