Introduction: Lightning strikes cause a unique spectrum of cutaneous burn injuries that differ substantially from conventional thermal or high-voltage electrical burns. Despite the well-documented systemic lethality of lightning injuries, the burn-specific sequelae—including airway involvement and its contribution to ventilatory failure—remain underreported in the burn literature. Case Report: We present a 31-year-old woman who sustained multiple cutaneous burns following a lightning strike, including a circumferential necklace-pattern burn to the neck, a large midline torso burn, and burns to the right lower extremity and foot. Following resuscitation from ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest, she required mechanical ventilation and experienced three sequential extubation failures before ultimately requiring tracheostomy. We propose that direct supraglottic and glottic injury, together with airway mucosal edema from localized thermal and electrical injury of the neck, compounded further by systemic inflammatory and infectious complications, contributed to her inability to sustain independent ventilation. Conclusions: In lightning strike victims with burns involving the neck or thorax, direct upper airway injury should be actively considered, excluded when possible, and closely monitored as a potential cause of extubation failure. A low threshold for early bronchoscopic airway assessment and conservative extubation protocols is warranted.

IntroductionGlycemic variability is common in critical illness and can obscure the prognostic significance of premorbid glycemic status. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) reflects chronic glycemia and may improve risk stratification beyond acute glucose measurements. We examined whether HbA1c-defined glycemic phenotypes were associated with in-hospital complications and mortality among critically ill adults.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study using MIMIC-IV (v3.1), a de-identified database of ICU admissions at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (2008-2019). Adults (≥18 years) with a documented HbA1c during the index hospitalization and first ICU admission were included (N = 13,552). Patients were classified into eight mutually exclusive groups based on diabetes diagnosis status and HbA1c: healthy (≤5.7% without diabetes), undiagnosed prediabetes (5.8%-6.4%), undiagnosed diabetes (≥6.5%), and five diagnosed-diabetes strata (<6.0%, 6.0%-6.9%, 7.0%-7.9%, 8.0%-8.9%, ≥9.0%). Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age and sex compared each group with healthy controls for composite complications and in-hospital mortality.ResultsHbA1c was available in 20.7% of first ICU admissions; 40.7% of included patients had diagnosed diabetes and 2.6% had undiagnosed diabetes. Compared with healthy controls, odds of any complication were higher in undiagnosed prediabetes (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.11-1.48; p < .001) and several diagnosed-diabetes strata (OR range 1.31-1.90; all p ≤ .006). Renal complications showed the most consistent elevation across dysglycemic groups, including very poor glycemic control (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.95-2.53; p < .001). Sepsis-related complications were increased across all diabetes-range groups; undiagnosed diabetes had OR 2.08 (95% CI 1.53-2.83; p < .001). In-hospital mortality was highest in undiagnosed diabetes (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.73-3.14; p < .001).ConclusionAmong ICU patients in whom HbA1c was measured, HbA1c-defined dysglycemia, particularly undiagnosed diabetes, was associated with substantially higher ICU morbidity and mortality. Because HbA1c testing was selective and provided limited incremental prognostic value beyond established severity scores, these findings should be considered hypothesis-generating and require prospective validation before supporting routine HbA1c screening.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) approach to the surgical patient optimizes perioperative care to improve outcomes and facilitate recovery. Despite the success of ERAS in many surgical specialties, neurosurgery has been reluctant to adopt ERAS. The aim of this review was to examine recently published ERAS protocols for elective neurosurgical procedures with a focus on brain and spine surgeries. RECENT FINDINGS:There were few ERAS protocols published for brain and spine surgery in comparison to other surgical specialties. ERAS elements specific to brain surgery seem to address thromboprophylaxis planning, antiepileptic management, steroid administration, strict blood pressure control, and avoidance of mannitol. When implemented, protocols have yielded similar results to protocols for other surgical specialties, including reduced morbidity, hospital length of stay, and health care cost. However, widespread implementation was limited by difficulties in obtaining a consensus agreement on ERAS elements to include, achieving adoption across neurosurgeons, and protocol adherence. SUMMARY:While the adoption of ERAS in neurosurgery remains limited, emerging evidence supports its feasibility and effectiveness, particularly in reducing hospitalization costs and postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate whether elevated preoperative glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels predict postoperative infections and related clinical outcomes following spinal surgery. DESIGN:Retrospective cohort analysis utilizing the publicly available MIMIC-IV database. SETTING:Single-center academic medical institution with intensive care capability. PATIENTS:A total of 246 adult patients undergoing spinal surgery with recorded preoperative HbA1c levels. INTERVENTIONS:None. MEASUREMENTS:The primary outcome was clinician-suspected postoperative infection within 24 h after surgery, defined by culture orders plus antibiotic initiation. Secondary outcomes included Sepsis-3 criteria-defined sepsis, SIRS sepsis, septic shock, and hospital length of stay. MAIN RESULTS:Elevated preoperative HbA1c (≥6.5 %) was independently associated with significantly increased odds of clinician-suspected postoperative infection (OR 3.20; 95 % CI 1.22-8.36; p = 0.018), after controlling for comorbidity burden and surgical complexity. However, elevated HbA1c did not independently predict more severe outcomes such as Sepsis-3 sepsis or septic shock. CONCLUSIONS:Elevated preoperative HbA1c substantially increases the likelihood of early clinician suspicion and empirical treatment of postoperative infections after spinal surgery. Routine HbA1c screening should therefore be considered during preoperative evaluations, especially for elective instrumented spinal procedures known for higher infection risks. While these findings support existing clinical guidelines recommending perioperative glycemic optimization, elevated HbA1c alone may not predict severe infection or septic complications once comorbidity burden is considered.

BackgroundThe preoperative carbohydrate load (PCL) is intended to improve surgical outcomes by reducing the catabolic state induced by overnight fasting. However, there is disagreement on the optimal PCL prescription, leaving local institutions without a standardized PCL recommendation. Results from studies that do not prescribe PCL in identical ways cannot be pooled to draw larger conclusions on outcomes affected by the PCL. The aim of this systematic review is to catalog prescribed PCL characteristics, including timing of ingestion, percentage of carbohydrate contribution, and volume, to ultimately standardize PCL practice.MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Randomized controlled trials were included if they studied at least one group of patients who were prescribed a PCL and the PCL was described with respect to timing of ingestion, carbohydrate contribution, and total volume.ResultsA total of 67 studies with 6551 patients were included in this systematic review. Of the studies, 49.3% were prescribed PCL on the night before surgery and morning of surgery, whereas 47.8% were prescribed PCL on the morning of surgery alone. The mean prescribed carbohydrate concentration was 13.5% (+/- 3.4). The total volume prescribed was 648.2 ml (+/- 377).ConclusionVariation in PCL practices prevent meaningful data pooling and outcome analysis, highlighting the need for standardized PCL prescription. Efforts dedicated to the establishment of a gold standard PCL prescription are necessary so that studies can be pooled and analyzed with respect to meaningful clinical end points that impact surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Background/Objectives: Elevated glycemic variability (GV) has been associated with postoperative morbidity. Traditional preoperative fasting guidelines may contribute to high GV by driving the body into catabolism. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols that include a preoperative carbohydrate load (PCL) reduce hospital length of stay and healthcare costs; however, it remains unclear whether PCL improves GV in surgical patients. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the effect of a PCL on postoperative GV in diabetic and non-diabetic patients having gynecological surgery. Methods: Retrospective data were collected on patients who had gynecological surgery before and after the rollout of an institutional ERAS protocol that included PCL ingestion. The intervention group included patients who underwent surgery in 2019 and were enrolled in the ERAS protocol and, therefore, received a PCL. The control group included patients who underwent surgery in 2016 and, thus, were not enrolled in the protocol. The primary endpoint was GV, calculated by the coefficient of variance (CV) and glycemic lability index (GLI). Results: A total of 63 patients in the intervention group and 45 in the control were analyzed. GV was not statistically significant between the groups for CV (19.3% vs. 18.6%, p = 0.65) or GLI (0.58 vs. 0.54, p = 0.86). Postoperative pain scores (4.5 vs. 5.2 p = 0.23) and incentive spirometry measurements (1262 vs. 1245 p = 0.87) were not significantly different. A subgroup analysis of patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus revealed no significant differences in GV for any of the subgroups. Conclusions: This retrospective review highlights the need for additional GV research, including consensus agreement on a gold standard GV measurement. Large-scale prospective studies are needed to test the effectiveness of the PCL in reducing GV.

Lambert, Donald H. MD, PhD; Mustafa, Wissam MD; Rendon, Luis F. MD; Hartman, Ciana MPH; Xu, Lan PhD; Canelli, Robert MD Author Information

Cocaine consumption has increased over the last decade. The potent sympathomimetic effects of the drug can lead to serious neurovascular complications in the form of ischemic stroke (IS), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This systematic review and meta-analysis were designed to describe the clinical features and outcomes of patients suffering from IS, ICH, or SAH occurring in the context of cocaine use. The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science libraries were queried in December 2022. Studies were included if they provided information regarding the epidemiology, clinical presentation, or outcomes in cocaine-associated strokes. Odds ratios (OR) were pooled using a random-effects model. A total of 36 papers were included. Strokes associated with cocaine use were more prevalent in younger populations and those of African American descent. Cocaine use increased the odds of IS, ICH, or SAH (OR = 5.05, p < 0.001). The odds of mortality (OR = 1.77, p = 0.0021), vasospasm (OR = 2.25, p = 0.0037), and seizures (OR = 1.61, p < 0.001) were also worse when strokes were associated with cocaine use. In addition to counseling patients on the benefits of drug cessation, clinicians should remain vigilant of the potential complications in patients who are hospitalized with cocaine-associated strokes.

The detrimental effects of both diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperglycemia in the perioperative period are well established and have driven extensive efforts to control blood glucose concentration (BGC) in a variety of clinical settings. It is now appreciated that acute BGC spikes, hypoglycemia, and high glycemic variability (GV) lead to more endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress than uncomplicated, chronically elevated BGC. In the perioperative setting, fasting is the primary approach to reducing the risk for pulmonary aspiration; however, prolonged fasting drives the body into a catabolic state and therefore may increase GV. Elevated GV in the perioperative period is associated with an increased risk for postoperative complications, including morbidity and mortality. These challenges pose a conundrum for the management of patients typically instructed to fast for at least 8 h before surgery. Preliminary evidence suggests that the administration of an oral preoperative carbohydrate load (PCL) to stimulate endogenous insulin production and reduce GV in the perioperative period may attenuate BGC spikes and ultimately decrease postoperative morbidity, without significantly increasing the risk of pulmonary aspiration. The aim of this scoping review is to summarize the available evidence on the impact of PCL on perioperative GV and surgical outcomes, with an emphasis on evidence pertaining to patients with DM. The clinical relevance of GV will be summarized, the relationship between GV and postoperative course will be explored, and the impact of PCL on GV and surgical outcomes will be presented. A total of 13 articles, presented in three sections, were chosen for inclusion. This scoping review concludes that the benefits of a PCL outweigh the risks in most patients, even in those with well controlled type 2 DM. The administration of a PCL might effectively minimize metabolic derangements such as GV and ultimately result in reduced postoperative morbidity and mortality, but this remains to be proven. Future efforts to standardize the content and timing of a PCL are needed. Ultimately, a rigorous data-driven consensus opinion regarding PCL administration that identifies optimal carbohydrate content, volume, and timing of ingestion should be established.

Background Compared to traditional ultrasound machines, emerging handheld point-of-care-ultrasound (HPOCUS) systems exhibit superior portability and affordability. Thus, they have been increasingly embraced in the intensive care setting. However, there is scarce data on patient safety and current regulatory body guidelines are lacking. Here, we critically appraise the literature with a focus on the merits, concerns, and framework of existing POCUS guidelines. Subsequently, we provide recommendations for future regulatory guidelines. Methods A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PubMed database employing the key words “point-of-care/handheld/portable ultrasound” and “guidelines” alone, in combination, and using thesaurus terms. Eligible articles were scrutinized for description of potential benefits and concerns of HPOCUS, especially from a patient safety perspective, as well as currently existing POCUS practice guidelines. Data was extracted, reported thematically using a narrative synthesis approach, then subsequently used to guide our proposed guidelines. Results The most widely reported benefits of HPOCUS include superior portability, affordability, imaging, facilitation of expedited diagnosis and management, and integration with medical workplace flow. However, major barriers to adoption include device security/patient confidentiality and patient safety. Furthermore, except for a policy published by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) in 2018, there are few other national regulatory guidelines pertaining to handheld POCUS. In light of this, we propose a framework for HPOCUS guideline development to address these and other concerns. Such guidelines include training and credentialing, bioengineering approval, and strategic integration with electronic medical record systems. Conclusion HPOCUS can be a powerful tool for expedited diagnosis and management guidance. However, there is limited data regarding patient safety and current regulatory body guidelines are lacking. Our assessment illuminates that there remain many unsolved problems about HPOCUS, and in turn, we propose guidelines to address safe regulation and implementation.

BACKGROUND:Acute respiratory failure from COVID-19 pneumonia is a major cause of death after SARS-CoV-2 infection. We investigated whether PaO2/FiO2, oxygenation index (OI), SpO2/FiO2, and oxygen saturation index (OSI), commonly used to assess the severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), can predict mortality in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients. METHODS:In this single-centered retrospective pilot study, we enrolled 68 critically ill mechanically ventilated adult patients with confirmed COVID-19. Physiological variables were recorded on the day of intubation (day 0) and postintubation days 3 and 7. The association between physiological parameters, PaO2/FiO2, OI, SpO2/FiO2, and OSI with mortality was assessed using multiple variable logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was conducted to evaluate the performance of the predictive models. RESULTS:The ARDS severity indices were not statistically different on the day of intubation, suggesting similar baseline conditions in nonsurviving and surviving patients. However, these indices were significantly worse in the nonsurviving as compared to surviving patients on postintubation days 3 and 7. On intubation day 3, PaO2/FiO2 was 101.0 (61.4) in nonsurviving patients vs. 140.2 (109.6) in surviving patients, p=0.004, and on day 7 106.3 (94.2) vs. 178.0 (69.3), p < 0.001. OI was 135.0 (129.7) in nonsurviving vs. 84.8 (86.1) in surviving patients (p=0.003) on day 3 and 150.0 (118.4) vs. 61.5 (46.7) (p < 0.001) on day 7. OSI was 12.0 (11.7) vs. 8.0 (10.0) (p=0.006) on day 3 and 14.7 (13.2) vs. 6.5 (5.4) (p < 0.001) on day 7. Similarly, SpO2/FiO2 was 130 (90) vs. 210 (90) (p=0.003) on day 3 and 130 (90) vs. 230 (50) (p < 0.001) on day 7, while OSI was 12.0 (11.7) vs. 8.0 (10.0) (p=0.006) on day 3 and 14.7 (13.2) vs. 6.5 (5.4) (p < 0.001) on day 7 in the nonsurviving and surviving patients, respectively. All measures were independently associated with hospital mortality, with significantly greater odds ratios observed on day 7. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for mortality prediction was greatest on intubation day 7 (AUC = 0.775, 0.808, and 0.828 for PaO2/FiO2, OI, SpO2/FiO2, and OSI, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:Decline in oxygenation indices after intubation is predictive of mortality in COVID-19 patients. This time window is critical to the outcome of these patients and a possible target for future interventions. Future large-scale studies to confirm the prognostic value of the indices in COVID-19 patients are warranted.