Endotracheal epinephrine at standard versus high dose for resuscitation of asystolic newborn lambs

INTRODUCTION

Endotracheal (ET) epinephrine administration is an option during neonatal resuscitation, if the preferred intravenous (IV) route is unavailable.

OBJECTIVES

We assessed whether endotracheal epinephrine achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and maintained physiological stability after ROSC, at standard and higher dose, in severely asphyxiated newborn lambs.

METHODS

Near-term fetal lambs were asphyxiated until asystole. Resuscitation was commenced with ventilation and chest compressions. Lambs were randomly allocated to: IV Saline placebo (5 ml/kg), IV Epinephrine (20 micrograms/kg), Standard-dose ET Epinephrine (100 micrograms/kg), and High-dose ET Epinephrine (1 mg/kg). After three allocated treatment doses, rescue IV Epinephrine was administered if ROSC had not occurred. Lambs achieving ROSC were monitored for 60 minutes. Brain histology was assessed for microbleeds.

RESULTS

ROSC in response to allocated treatment (without rescue IV Epinephrine) occurred in 1/6 Saline, 9/9 IV Epinephrine, 0/9 Standard-dose ET Epinephrine, and 7/9 High-dose ET Epinephrine lambs respectively. Blood pressure during CPR increased after treatment with IV Epinephrine and High-dose ET Epinephrine, but not Saline or Standard-dose ET Epinephrine. After ROSC, both ET Epinephrine groups had lower pH, higher lactate, and higher blood pressure than the IV Epinephrine group. Cortex microbleeds were more frequent in High-dose ET Epinephrine lambs (8/8 lambs examined, versus 3/8 in IV Epinephrine lambs).

CONCLUSIONS

The currently recommended dose of ET Epinephrine was ineffective in achieving ROSC. Without convincing clinical or preclinical evidence of efficacy, use of ET Epinephrine at this dose may not be appropriate. High-dose ET Epinephrine requires further evaluation before clinical translation.

Assessing the influence of abdominal compression on time to return of circulation during resuscitation of asphyxiated newborn lambs: a randomised preclinical study

OBJECTIVE

During neonatal resuscitation, the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) can be achieved using epinephrine which optimises coronary perfusion by increasing diastolic pressure. Abdominal compression (AC) applied during resuscitation could potentially increase diastolic pressure and therefore help achieve ROSC. We assessed the use of AC during resuscitation of asystolic newborn lambs, with and without epinephrine.

METHODS

Near-term fetal lambs were instrumented for physiological monitoring and after delivery, asphyxiated until asystole. Resuscitation was commenced with ventilation followed by chest compressions. Lambs were randomly allocated to: intravenous epinephrine (20 µg/kg, n=9), intravenous epinephrine+continuous AC (n=8), intravenous saline placebo (5 mL/kg, n=6) and intravenous saline+AC (n=9). After three allocated treatment doses, rescue intravenous epinephrine was administered if ROSC had not occurred. Time to achieve ROSC was the primary outcome. Lambs achieving ROSC were ventilated and monitored for 60 min before euthanasia. Brain histology was assessed for micro-haemorrhage.

RESULTS

Use of AC did not influence mean time to achieve ROSC (epinephrine lambs 177 s vs epinephrine+AC lambs 179 s, saline lambs 602 s vs saline+AC lambs 585 s) or rate of ROSC (nine of nine lambs, eight of eight lambs, one of six lambs and two of eight lambs, respectively). Application of AC was associated with higher diastolic blood pressure (mean value >10 mm Hg), mean and systolic blood pressure and carotid blood flow during resuscitation. Cortex and deep grey matter micro-haemorrhage was more frequent in AC lambs.

CONCLUSION

Use of AC during resuscitation increased diastolic blood pressure, but did not impact time to ROSC.

Lung aeration reduces blood pressure surges caused by umbilical cord milking in preterm lambs

Background

Umbilical cord milking (UCM) at birth causes surges in arterial blood pressure and blood flow to the brain, which may explain the high risk of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) in extremely preterm infants receiving UCM. This high risk of IVH has not been reported in older infants.

Objective

We hypothesized that lung aeration before UCM, reduces the surge in blood pressure and blood flow induced by UCM.

Methods

At 126 days' gestation, fetal lambs (N = 8) were exteriorised, intubated and instrumented to measure umbilical, pulmonary, cerebral blood flows, and arterial pressures. Prior to ventilation onset, the umbilical cord was briefly (2-3 s) occluded (8 times), which was followed by 8 consecutive UCMs when all physiological parameters had returned to baseline. Lambs were then ventilated. After diastolic pulmonary blood flow markedly increased in response to ventilation, the lambs received a further 8 consecutive UCMs. Ovine umbilical cord is shorter than the human umbilical cord, with ∼10 cm available for UCMs. Therefore, 8 UCMs/occlusions were done to match the volume reported in the human studies. Umbilical cord clamping occurred after the final milk.

Results

Both umbilical cord occlusions and UCM caused significant increases in carotid arterial blood flow and pressure. However, the increases in systolic and mean arterial blood pressure (10 ± 3 mmHg vs. 3 ± 2 mmHg, p = 0.01 and 10 ± 4 mmHg vs. 6 ± 2 mmHg, p = 0.048, respectively) and carotid artery blood flow (17 ± 6 ml/min vs. 10 ± 6 ml/min, p = 0.02) were significantly greater when UCM occurred before ventilation onset compared with UCM after ventilation.

Conclusions

UCM after ventilation onset significantly reduces the increases in carotid blood flow and blood pressure caused by UCM.

Single versus continuous sustained inflations during chest compressions and physiological-based cord clamping in asystolic lambs

BACKGROUND

The feasibility and benefits of continuous sustained inflations (SIs) during chest compressions (CCs) during delayed cord clamping (physiological-based cord clamping; PBCC) are not known. We aimed to determine whether continuous SIs during CCs would reduce the time to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and improve post-asphyxial blood pressures and flows in asystolic newborn lambs.

METHODS

Fetal sheep were surgically instrumented immediately prior to delivery at ~139 days' gestation and asphyxia induced until lambs reached asystole. Lambs were randomised to either immediate cord clamping (ICC) or PBCC. Lambs then received a single SI (SIsing; 30 s at 30 cmH2O) followed by intermittent positive pressure ventilation, or continuous SIs (SIcont: 30 s duration with 1 s break). We thus examined 4 groups: ICC +SIsing, ICC +SIcont, PBCC +SIsing, and PBCC +SIcont. Chest compressions and epinephrine administration followed international guidelines. PBCC lambs underwent cord clamping 10 min after ROSC. Physiological and oxygenation variables were measured throughout.

RESULTS

The time taken to achieve ROSC was not different between groups (mean (SD) 4.3±2.9 min). Mean and diastolic blood pressure was higher during chest compressions in PBCC lambs compared with ICC lambs, but no effect of SIs was observed. SIcont significantly reduced pulmonary blood flow, diastolic blood pressure and oxygenation after ROSC compared with SIsing.

CONCLUSION

We found no significant benefit of SIcont over SIsing during CPR on the time to ROSC or on post-ROSC haemodynamics, but did demonstrate the feasibility of continuous SIs during advanced CPR on an intact umbilical cord. Longer-term studies are recommended before this technique is used routinely in clinical practice.

Protocol for a Nested, Retrospective Study of the Australian Placental Transfusion Study Cohort

Background

Neonates, particularly if born preterm or with congenital anomalies, are among the pediatric patients most likely to need blood transfusion. However, they are also particularly vulnerable to adverse consequences of blood transfusion. Aiming to clamp the umbilical cord for at least a minute after birth is a simple safe procedure that is being increasingly adopted worldwide, although may be associated with increased rates of polycythemia and jaundice. It may also reduce the proportion of preterm babies who need a blood transfusion. The mechanisms for this are not fully understood. Potential mechanisms could include an increased volume of blood transfusion from the placenta to the baby after birth, and an overall reduction in the severity of illness in the first weeks after birth, which could lead to fewer blood tests and greater tolerance of anemia, or enhanced erythropoiesis.

Objectives

To investigate the mechanism behind the reduced need for blood transfusions after deferral of cord clamping.

Methodology

This protocol outlines the methods and data analysis plan for a study using nested retrospective data from a large randomized trial combined with additional data collected from patient medical and pathology records. The additional data items to be collected all relate to the receipt of transfusion and the factors that affect the risk for transfusion in preterm babies. The analysis will include all randomized babies from Australia and New Zealand for whom data are available. Causal mediation analysis is planned to estimate the effects of mediators on the relationship between the timing of cord clamping and the need for blood transfusion. The analysis is designed to discern whether initial severity of illness or the magnitude of placental transfusion mediates red blood cell transfusion dependence.

Anticipated outcomes and dissemination

We expect the study will identify potential strategies for reducing blood transfusions and associated negative outcomes in preterm infants. This will be relevant to researchers, clinicians, and parents. The results will be disseminated through publications, presentations, and inclusion in evidence-based guidelines.

Effect of maternal oxytocin on umbilical venous and arterial blood flows during physiological-based cord clamping in preterm lambs

BACKGROUND

Delayed umbilical cord clamping (UCC) after birth is thought to cause placental to infant blood transfusion, but the mechanisms are unknown. It has been suggested that uterine contractions force blood out of the placenta and into the infant during delayed cord clamping. We have investigated the effect of uterine contractions, induced by maternal oxytocin administration, on umbilical artery (UA) and venous (UV) blood flows before and after ventilation onset to determine whether uterine contractions cause placental transfusion in preterm lambs.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

At ~128 days of gestation, UA and UV blood flows, pulmonary arterial blood flow (PBF) and carotid arterial (CA) pressures and blood flows were measured in three groups of fetal sheep during delayed UCC; maternal oxytocin following mifepristone, mifepristone alone, and saline controls. Each successive uterine contraction significantly (p<0.05) decreased UV (26.2±6.0 to 14.1±4.5 mL.min-1.kg-1) and UA (41.2±6.3 to 20.7 ± 4.0 mL.min-1.kg-1) flows and increased CA pressure and flow (47.1±3.4 to 52.8±3.5 mmHg and 29.4±2.6 to 37.3±3.4 mL.min-1.kg-1). These flows and pressures were partially restored between contractions, but did not return to pre-oxytocin administration levels. Ventilation onset during DCC increased the effects of uterine contractions on UA and UV flows, with retrograde UA flow (away from the placenta) commonly occurring during diastole.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence that amplification of uterine contractions with oxytocin increase placental transfusion during DCC. Instead they decreased both UA and UV flow and caused a net loss of blood from the lamb. Uterine contractions did, however, have significant cardiovascular effects and reduced systemic and cerebral oxygenation.

Excess cerebral oxygen delivery follows return of spontaneous circulation in near-term asphyxiated lambs

Hypoxic-ischaemia renders the neonatal brain susceptible to early secondary injury from oxidative stress and impaired autoregulation. We aimed to describe cerebral oxygen kinetics and haemodynamics immediately following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and evaluate non-invasive parameters to facilitate bedside monitoring. Near-term sheep fetuses [139 ± 2 (SD) days gestation, n = 16] were instrumented to measure carotid artery (CA) flow, pressure, right brachial arterial and jugular venous saturation (SaO2 and SvO2, respectively). Cerebral oxygenation (crSO2) was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Following induction of severe asphyxia, lambs received cardiopulmonary resuscitation using 100% oxygen until ROSC, with oxygen subsequently weaned according to saturation nomograms as per current guidelines. We found that oxygen consumption did not rise following ROSC, but oxygen delivery was markedly elevated until 15 min after ROSC. CrSO2 and heart rate each correlated with oxygen delivery. SaO2 remained > 90% and was less useful for identifying trends in oxygen delivery. CrSO2 correlated inversely with cerebral fractional oxygen extraction. In conclusion, ROSC from perinatal asphyxia is characterised by excess oxygen delivery that is driven by rapid increases in cerebrovascular pressure, flow, and oxygen saturation, and may be monitored non-invasively. Further work to describe and limit injury mediated by oxygen toxicity following ROSC is warranted.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation of Asystolic Newborn Lambs Prior to Umbilical Cord Clamping; the Timing of Cord Clamping Matters!

Background: Current guidelines recommend immediate umbilical cord clamping (UCC) for newborns requiring chest compressions (CCs). Physiological-based cord clamping (PBCC), defined as delaying UCC until after lung aeration, has advantages over immediate UCC in mildly asphyxiated newborns, but its efficacy in asystolic newborns requiring CC is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the cardiovascular response to CCs given prior to or after UCC in asystolic near-term lambs.

Methods: Umbilical, carotid, pulmonary, and femoral arterial flows and pressures as well as systemic and cerebral oxygenation were measured in near-term sheep fetuses [139 ± 2 (SD) days gestation]. Fetal asphyxia was induced until asystole ensued, whereupon lambs received ventilation and CC before (PBCC; n = 16) or after (n = 12) UCC. Epinephrine was administered 1 min after ventilation onset and in 3-min intervals thereafter. The PBCC group was further separated into UCC at either 1 min (PBCC₁, n = 8) or 10 min (PBCC₁₀, n = 8) after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Lambs were maintained for a further 30 min after ROSC.

Results: The duration of CCs received and number of epinephrine doses required to obtain ROSC were similar between groups. After ROSC, we found no physiological benefits if UCC was delayed for 1 min compared to immediate cord clamping (ICC). However, if UCC was delayed for 10 min after ROSC, we found significant reductions in post-asphyxial rebound hypertension, cerebral blood flow, and cerebral oxygenation. The prevention of the post-asphyxial rebound hypertension in the PBCC₁₀ group occurred due to the contribution of the placental circulation to a low peripheral resistance. As a result, left and right ventricular outputs continued to perfuse the placenta and were evidenced by reduced mean pulmonary blood flow, persistence of right-to-left shunting across the ductus arteriosus, and persistence of umbilical arterial and venous blood flows.

Conclusion: It is possible to obtain ROSC after CC while the umbilical cord remains intact. There were no adverse effects of PBCC compared to ICC; however, the physiological changes observed after ROSC in the ICC and early PBCC groups may result in additional cerebral injury. Prolonging UCC after ROSC may provide significant physiological benefits that may reduce the risk of harm to the cerebral circulation.

The Effect of Antenatal Betamethasone on White Matter Inflammation and Injury in Fetal Sheep and Ventilated Preterm Lambs

Antenatal administration of betamethasone (BM) is a common antecedent of preterm birth, but there is limited information about its impact on the acute evolution of preterm neonatal brain injury. We aimed to compare the effects of maternal BM in combination with mechanical ventilation on the white matter (WM) of late preterm sheep. At 0.85 of gestation, pregnant ewes were randomly assigned to receive intra-muscular (i.m.) saline (n = 9) or i.m. BM (n = 13). Lambs were delivered and unventilated controls (UVCSal, n = 4; UVCBM, n = 6) were humanely killed without intervention; ventilated lambs (VentSal, n = 5; VentBM, n = 7) were injuriously ventilated for 15 min, followed by conventional ventilation for 75 min. Cardiovascular and cerebral haemodynamics and oxygenation were measured continuously. The cerebral WM underwent assessment of inflammation and injury, and oxidative stress was measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In the periventricular and subcortical WM tracts, the proportion of amoeboid (activated) microglia, the density of astrocytes, and the number of blood vessels with protein extravasation were higher in UVCBM than in UVCSal (p < 0.05 for all). During ventilation, tidal volume, mean arterial pressure, carotid blood flow, and oxygen delivery were higher in -VentBM lambs (p < 0.05 vs. VentSal). In the subcortical WM, microglial infiltration was increased in the VentSal group compared to UVCSal. The proportion of activated microglia and protein extravasation was higher in the VentBM group compared to VentSal within the periventricular and subcortical WM tracts (p < 0.05). CSF oxidative stress was increased in the VentBM group compared to UVCSal, UVCBM, and VentSal groups (p < 0.05). Antenatal BM was associated with inflammation and vascular permeability in the WM of late preterm fetal sheep. During the immediate neonatal period, the increased carotid perfusion and oxygen delivery in BM-treated lambs was associated with increased oxidative stress, microglial activation and microvascular injury.

Transfusion or Timing: The Role of Blood Volume in Delayed Cord Clamping During the Cardiovascular Transition at Birth

Placental transfusion has been thought to be the main benefit of delayed umbilical cord clamping (DCC) in preterm neonates. However, the importance of cardiovascular stability provided by allowing lung aeration prior to cord clamping has recently been highlighted. We aimed to determine the influence of blood volume changes on cardiovascular stability at birth. Preterm lambs (0.85 gestation) were instrumented for measurement of pulmonary, systemic and cerebral blood pressures and flows, systemic oxygen saturation and cerebral oxygenation. Left ventricular output (LVO) was assessed by Doppler Echocardiography. Lambs underwent immediate cord clamping followed by (1) 25 ml/kg infusion of whole blood over (90 s; or 2) withdrawal of 10 ml/kg blood over 90 s. Ventilation was initiated 30 s after volume change (2 min after cord clamping) and was maintained for 30 min. Blood infusion significantly increased pulmonary blood flow (PBF) which maintained systemic cardiac output during the infusion, and increased carotid arterial pressure, flow and heart rate, which remained elevated until after ventilation onset. Upon completion of transfusion PBF rapidly returned to control levels and LVO decreased. Conversely, blood withdrawal decreased PBF and LVO. The cardiovascular changes that accompanied ventilation onset were similar between groups. Providing a blood volume transfusion immediately after umbilical cord clamping maintains PBF and cardiac output during the transfusion, which does not persist beyond the period of the transfusion. Our study implies that an apneic newborn cannot maintain cardiac output through an increase blood volume alone. Importantly, delaying umbilical cord clamping until after breathing/aeration of the lung may be a way to maintain cardiac output throughout delivery at birth.

Physiologically based cord clamping stabilises cardiac output and reduces cerebrovascular injury in asphyxiated near-term lambs

BACKGROUND

Physiologically based cord clamping (PBCC) has advantages over immediate cord clamping (ICC) during preterm delivery, but its efficacy in asphyxiated infants is not known. We investigated the physiology of PBCC following perinatal asphyxia in near-term lambs.

METHODS

Near-term sheep fetuses (139±2 (SD) days' gestation) were instrumented to measure umbilical, carotid, pulmonary and femoral arterial flows and pressures. Systemic and cerebral oxygenation was recorded using pulse oximetry and near-infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Fetal asphyxia was induced until mean blood pressure reached ~20 mm Hg, where lambs underwent ICC and initiation of ventilation (n=7), or ventilation for 15 min prior to umbilical cord clamping (PBCC; n=8). Cardiovascular parameters were measured and white and grey matter microvascular integrity assessed using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

PBCC restored oxygenation and cardiac output at the same rate and in a similar fashion to lambs resuscitated following ICC. However, ICC lambs had a rapid and marked overshoot in mean systemic arterial blood pressure from 1 to 10 min after ventilation onset, which was largely absent in PBCC lambs. ICC lambs had increased cerebrovascular injury, as indicated by reduced expression of blood-brain barrier proteins and increased cerebrovascular protein leakage in the subcortical white matter (by 86%) and grey matter (by 47%).

CONCLUSION

PBCC restored cardiac output and oxygenation in an identical time frame as ICC, but greatly mitigated the postasphyxia rebound hypertension measured in ICC lambs. This likely protected the asphyxiated brain from cerebrovascular injury. PBCC may be a more suitable option for the resuscitation of the asphyxiated newborn compared with the current standard of ICC.

Ventilation Prior to Umbilical Cord Clamping Improves Cardiovascular Stability and Oxygenation in Preterm Lambs After Exposure to Intrauterine Inflammation

Background: Delaying umbilical cord clamping until after aeration of the lung (physiological-based cord clamping; PBCC) maintains cardiac output and oxygenation in preterm lambs at birth, however, its efficacy after intrauterine inflammation is not known. Given the high incidence of chorioamnionitis in preterm infants, we investigated whether PBCC conferred any benefits compared to immediate cord clamping (ICC) in preterm lambs exposed antenatally to 7 days of intrauterine inflammation. Methods: Ultrasound guided intraamniotic injection of 20 mg Lipopolysaccharide (from E. coli:055:B5) was administered to pregnant ewes at 0.8 gestation. Seven days later, ewes were anesthetized, preterm fetuses exteriorised via cesarean section, and instrumented for continuous measurement of pulmonary, systemic and cerebral pressures and flows, and systemic, and cerebral oxygenation. Lambs were then randomized to either PBCC, whereupon ventilation was initiated and maintained for 3 min prior to umbilical cord clamping, or ICC where the umbilical cord was cut and ventilation initiated 30 s later. Ventilation was maintained for 30 min. Results: ICC caused a rapid fall in systemic (by 25%) and cerebral (by 11%) oxygen saturation in ICC lambs, concurrent with a rapid increase in carotid arterial pressure and heart rate. The overshoot in carotid arterial pressure was sustained in ICC lambs for the first 20 min of the study. PBCC maintained cardiac output and prevented the fall in cerebral oxygen delivery at birth. PBCC lambs had lower respiratory compliance and higher respiratory requirements throughout the study. Conclusion: PBCC mitigated the adverse effects of ICC on oxygenation and cardiac output, and therefore could be more beneficial in preterm babies exposed to antenatal inflammation as it maintains cardiac output and oxygen delivery. The increased respiratory requirements require further investigation in this sub-group of preterm infants.

Effect of body position and ventilation on umbilical artery and venous blood flows during delayed umbilical cord clamping in preterm lambs

OBJECTIVE

While delayed umbilical cord clamping (UCC) is thought to facilitate placental to infant blood transfusion, the physiological factors regulating flow in the umbilical arteries and veins during delayed UCC is unknown. We investigated the effects of gravity, by changing fetal height relative to the placenta, and ventilation on umbilical blood flows and the cardiovascular transition during delayed UCC at birth.

METHODS

Catheters and flow probes were implanted into preterm lambs (128 days) prior to delivery to measure pulmonary, carotid, umbilical artery (UaBF) and umbilical venous (UvBF) blood flows. Lambs were placed either 10 cm below or 10 cm above the ewe. Ventilation commenced 2-3 min before UCC and continued for 30 min after UCC.

RESULTS

Gravity reduced umbilical and cerebral flows when lambs were placed below the midline, but the reduction in UaBF and UvBF was similar. Ventilation during delayed UCC reduced UvBF and UaBF by similar amounts, irrespective of the lamb's position, such that flows into and out of the placenta remained balanced. The effects of ventilation on umbilical flows were much greater than the effects of gravity, but no net placental to lamb blood transfusion could be detected under any condition. Cardiovascular parameters, cerebral oxygen kinetics and final blood volumes were similar in both groups 5 min after UCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Gravity caused small transient effects on umbilical and cerebral flow, but given changes were similar in umbilical arteries and veins, no net placental transfusion was detected. Ventilation during delayed UCC has a markedly greater influence on cardiovascular function in the newborn.

The timing of umbilical cord clamping at birth: physiological considerations

While it is now recognized that umbilical cord clamping (UCC) at birth is not necessarily an innocuous act, there is still much confusion concerning the potential benefits and harms of this common procedure. It is most commonly assumed that delaying UCC will automatically result in a time-dependent net placental-to-infant blood transfusion, irrespective of the infant's physiological state. Whether or not this occurs, will likely depend on the infant's physiological state and not on the amount of time that has elapsed between birth and umbilical cord clamping (UCC). However, we believe that this is an overly simplistic view of what can occur during delayed UCC and ignores the benefits associated with maintaining the infant's venous return and cardiac output during transition. Recent experimental evidence and observations in humans have provided compelling evidence to demonstrate that time is not a major factor influencing placental-to-infant blood transfusion after birth. Indeed, there are many factors that influence blood flow in the umbilical vessels after birth, which depending on the dominating factors could potentially result in infant-to-placental blood transfusion. The most dominant factors that influence umbilical artery and venous blood flows after birth are lung aeration, spontaneous inspirations, crying and uterine contractions. It is still not entirely clear whether gravity differentially alters umbilical artery and venous flows, although the available data suggests that its influence, if present, is minimal. While there is much support for delaying UCC at birth, much of the debate has focused on a time-based approach, which we believe is misguided. While a time-based approach is much easier and convenient for the caregiver, ignoring the infant's physiology during delayed UCC can potentially be counter-productive for the infant.

Lung ultrasound accurately detects pneumothorax in a preterm newborn lamb model

AIM

Pneumothorax is a common emergency affecting extremely preterm. In adult studies, lung ultrasound has performed better than chest x-ray in the diagnosis of pneumothorax. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of lung ultrasound (LUS) examination to detect pneumothorax using a preterm animal model.

METHODS

This was a prospective, observational study using newborn Border-Leicester lambs at gestational age = 126 days (equivalent to gestational age = 26 weeks in humans) receiving mechanical ventilation from birth to 2 h of life. At the conclusion of the experiment, LUS was performed, the lambs were then euthanised and a post-mortem exam was immediately performed. We used previously published ultrasound techniques to identify pneumothorax. Test characteristics of LUS to detect pneumothorax were calculated, using the post-mortem exam as the 'gold standard' test.

RESULTS

Nine lambs (18 lungs) were examined. Four lambs had a unilateral pneumothorax, all of which were identified by LUS with no false positives.

CONCLUSIONS

This was the first study to use post-mortem findings to test the efficacy of LUS to detect pneumothorax in a newborn animal model. Lung ultrasound accurately detected pneumothorax, verified by post-mortem exam, in premature, newborn lambs.

Ventilation-induced lung injury is not exacerbated by growth restriction in preterm lambs

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preterm birth are frequent comorbidities and, combined, increase the risk of adverse respiratory outcomes compared with that in appropriately grown (AG) infants. Potential underlying reasons for this increased respiratory morbidity in IUGR infants compared with AG infants include altered fetal lung development, fetal lung inflammation, increased respiratory requirements, and/or increased ventilation-induced lung injury. IUGR was surgically induced in preterm fetal sheep (0.7 gestation) by ligation of a single umbilical artery. Four weeks later, preterm lambs were euthanized at delivery or delivered and ventilated for 2 h before euthanasia. Ventilator requirements, lung inflammation, early markers of lung injury, and morphological changes in lung parenchymal and vascular structure and surfactant composition were analyzed. IUGR preterm lambs weighed 30% less than AG preterm lambs, with increased brain-to-body weight ratio, indicating brain sparing. IUGR did not induce lung inflammation or injury or alter lung parenchymal and vascular structure compared with AG fetuses. IUGR and AG lambs had similar oxygenation and respiratory requirements after birth and had significant, but similar, increases in proinflammatory cytokine expression, lung injury markers, gene expression, and surfactant phosphatidylcholine species compared with unventilated controls. IUGR does not induce pulmonary structural changes in our model. Furthermore, IUGR and AG preterm lambs have similar ventilator requirements in the immediate postnatal period. This study suggests that increased morbidity and mortality in IUGR infants is not due to altered lung tissue or vascular structure, or to an altered response to early ventilation.

Protective ventilation of preterm lambs exposed to acute chorioamnionitis does not reduce ventilation-induced lung or brain injury

Background

The onset of mechanical ventilation is a critical time for the initiation of cerebral white matter (WM) injury in preterm neonates, particularly if they are inadvertently exposed to high tidal volumes (V_T) in the delivery room. Protective ventilation strategies at birth reduce ventilation-induced lung and brain inflammation and injury, however its efficacy in a compromised newborn is not known. Chorioamnionitis is a common antecedent of preterm birth, and increases the risk and severity of WM injury. We investigated the effects of high V_T ventilation, after chorioamnionitis, on preterm lung and WM inflammation and injury, and whether a protective ventilation strategy could mitigate the response.

Methods

Pregnant ewes (n = 18) received intra-amniotic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 2 days before delivery, instrumentation and ventilation at 127±1 days gestation. Lambs were either immediately euthanased and used as unventilated controls (LPS_UVC; n = 6), or were ventilated using an injurious high V_T strategy (LPS_INJ; n = 5) or a protective ventilation strategy (LPS_PROT; n = 7) for a total of 90 min. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate and cerebral haemodynamics and oxygenation were measured continuously. Lungs and brains underwent molecular and histological assessment of inflammation and injury.

Results

LPS_INJ lambs had poorer oxygenation than LPS_PROT lambs. Ventilation requirements and cardiopulmonary and systemic haemodynamics were not different between ventilation strategies. Compared to unventilated lambs, LPS_INJ and LPS_PROT lambs had increases in pro-inflammatory cytokine expression within the lungs and brain, and increased astrogliosis (p<0.02) and cell death (p<0.05) in the WM, which were equivalent in magnitude between groups.

Conclusions

Ventilation after acute chorioamnionitis, irrespective of strategy used, increases haemodynamic instability and lung and cerebral inflammation and injury. Mechanical ventilation is a potential contributor to WM injury in infants exposed to chorioamnionitis.

Respiratory support for premature neonates in the delivery room: effects on cardiovascular function and the development of brain injury

The transition to newborn life in preterm infants is complicated by immature cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Consequently, preterm infants often require respiratory support immediately after birth. Although aeration of the lung underpins the circulatory transition at birth, positive pressure ventilation can adversely affect cardiorespiratory function during this vulnerable period, reducing pulmonary blood flow and left ventricular output. Furthermore, pulmonary volutrauma is known to initiate pulmonary inflammatory responses, resulting in remote systemic involvement. This review focuses on the downstream consequences of positive pressure ventilation, in particular, interactions between cardiovascular output and the initiation of a systemic inflammatory cascade, on the immature brain. Recent studies have highlighted that positive pressure ventilation strategies are precursors of cerebral injury, probably mediated through cerebral blood flow instability. The presence of, or initiation of, an inflammatory cascade accentuates adverse cerebral blood flow, in addition to being a direct source of brain injury. Importantly, the degree of brain injury is dependent on the nature of the initial ventilation strategy used.

Delaying cord clamping until ventilation onset improves cardiovascular function at birth in preterm lambs

Delayed cord clamping improves circulatory stability in preterm infants at birth, but the underlying physiology is unclear. We investigated the effects of umbilical cord clamping, before and after ventilation onset, on cardiovascular function at birth. Prenatal surgery was performed on lambs (123 days) to implant catheters into the pulmonary and carotid arteries and probes to measure pulmonary (PBF), carotid (CaBF) and ductus arteriosus blood flows. Lambs were delivered at 126 ± 1 days and: (1) the umbilical cord was clamped at delivery and ventilation was delayed for about 2 min (Clamp 1st; n = 6), and (2) umbilical cord clamping was delayed for 3-4 min, until after ventilation was established (Vent 1st; n = 6). All lambs were subsequently ventilated for 30 min. In Clamp 1st lambs, cord clamping rapidly (within four heartbeats), but transiently, increased pulmonary and carotid arterial pressures (by ∼30%) and CaBF (from 30.2 ± 5.6 to 40.1 ± 4.6 ml min(-1) kg(-1)), which then decreased again within 30-60 s. Following ventilation onset, these parameters rapidly increased again. In Clamp 1st lambs, cord clamping reduced heart rate (by ∼40%) and right ventricular output (RVO; from 114.6 ± 14.4 to 38.8 ± 9.7 ml min(-1) kg(-1)), which were restored by ventilation. In Vent 1st lambs, cord clamping reduced RVO from 153.5 ± 3.8 to 119.2 ± 10.6 ml min(-1) kg(-1), did not affect heart rates and resulted in stable blood flows and pressures during transition. Delaying cord clamping for 3-4 min until after ventilation is established improves cardiovascular function by increasing pulmonary blood flow before the cord is clamped. As a result, cardiac output remains stable, leading to a smoother cardiovascular transition throughout the early newborn period.

The cardiopulmonary haemodynamic transition at birth is not different between male and female preterm lambs

Males born preterm are at greater risk of illness and death than females, principally due to respiratory disease. Much of the excess morbidity occurs within the first few hours of life. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether or not differences in the cardiopulmonary transition soon after birth underlie the increased morbidity in males after preterm birth. Nine female and thirteen male lambs (128±2 days gestation) underwent surgery immediately before delivery for implantation of a pulmonary arterial flow-probe and catheters into the main pulmonary artery and a carotid artery. After birth lambs were ventilated for 30 min (tidal volume 7 mL kg(-1)) while anaesthetised. Arterial pressures and flows were recorded in real time and left-ventricular output measured using Doppler echocardiography. Before birth, fetal cardiopulmonary haemodynamics, arterial blood gases, pH, glucose and lactate did not differ between sexes. Similarly, in the neonatal period there were no significant differences in arterial blood gas status, ventilation parameters, respiratory indices or cardiopulmonary haemodynamics between the sexes. Our data show that the cardiopulmonary transition at birth in ventilated, anaesthetised preterm lambs is not influenced by sex. Thus, the neonatal 'male disadvantage' is not explained by an impaired cardiovascular transition at birth.

Initiation of resuscitation with high tidal volumes causes cerebral hemodynamic disturbance, brain inflammation and injury in preterm lambs

AIMS

Preterm infants can be inadvertently exposed to high tidal volumes (V(T)) in the delivery room, causing lung inflammation and injury, but little is known about their effects on the brain. The aim of this study was to compare an initial 15 min of high V(T) resuscitation strategy to a less injurious resuscitation strategy on cerebral haemodynamics, inflammation and injury.

METHODS

Preterm lambs at 126 d gestation were surgically instrumented prior to receiving resuscitation with either: 1) High V(T) targeting 10-12 mL/kg for the first 15 min (n = 6) or 2) a protective resuscitation strategy (Prot V(T)), consisting of prophylactic surfactant, a 20 s sustained inflation and a lower initial V(T) (7 mL/kg; n = 6). Both groups were subsequently ventilated with a V(T) 7 mL/kg. Blood gases, arterial pressures and carotid blood flows were recorded. Cerebral blood volume and oxygenation were assessed using near infrared spectroscopy. The brain was collected for biochemical and histologic assessment of inflammation, injury, vascular extravasation, hemorrhage and oxidative injury. Unventilated controls (UVC; n = 6) were used for comparison.

RESULTS

High V(T) lambs had worse oxygenation and required greater ventilatory support than Prot V(T) lambs. High V(T) resulted in cerebral haemodynamic instability during the initial 15 min, adverse cerebral tissue oxygenation index and cerebral vasoparalysis. While both resuscitation strategies increased lung and brain inflammation and oxidative stress, High V(T) resuscitation significantly amplified the effect (p = 0.014 and p<0.001). Vascular extravasation was evident in the brains of 60% of High V(T) lambs, but not in UVC or Prot V(T) lambs.

CONCLUSION

High V(T) resulted in greater cerebral haemodynamic instability, increased brain inflammation, oxidative stress and vascular extravasation than a Prot V(T) strategy. The initiation of resuscitation targeting Prot V(T) may reduce the severity of brain injury in preterm neonates.

Inflammation in utero exacerbates ventilation-induced brain injury in preterm lambs

Cerebral blood flow disturbance is a major contributor to brain injury in the preterm infant. The initiation of ventilation may be a critical time for cerebral hemodynamic disturbance leading to brain injury in preterm infants, particularly if they are exposed to inflammation in utero. We aimed to determine whether exposure to inflammation in utero alters cardiopulmonary hemodynamics, resulting in cerebral hemodynamic disturbance and related brain injury during the initiation of ventilation. Furthermore, we aimed to determine whether inflammation in utero alters the cerebral hemodynamic response to challenge induced by high mean airway pressures. Pregnant ewes received intra-amniotic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline either 2 or 4-days before preterm delivery (at 128 ± 1 days of gestation). Lambs were surgically instrumented for assessment of pulmonary and cerebral hemodynamics before delivery and positive pressure ventilation. After 30 min, lambs were challenged hemodynamically by incrementing and decrementing positive end-expiratory pressure. Blood gases, arterial pressures, and blood flows were recorded. The brain was collected for biochemical and histological assessment of inflammation, brain damage, vascular extravasation, hemorrhage, and oxidative injury. Carotid arterial pressure was higher and carotid blood flow was more variable in 2-day LPS lambs than in controls during the initial 15 min of ventilation. All lambs responded similarly to the hemodynamic challenge. Both 2- and 4-day LPS lambs had increased brain interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 mRNA expression; increased number of inflammatory cells in the white matter; increased incidence and severity of brain damage; and vascular extravasation relative to controls. Microvascular hemorrhage was increased in 2-day LPS lambs compared with controls. Cerebral oxidative injury was not different between groups. Antenatal inflammation causes adverse cerebral hemodynamics and increases the incidence and severity of brain injury in ventilated preterm lambs.

The cerebral critical oxygen threshold of ventilated preterm lambs and the influence of antenatal inflammation

Perinatal inflammation is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, which may be partly due to changes in the cerebral oxygen delivery/consumption relationship. We aimed to determine the critical oxygen delivery threshold of the brain of preterm, ventilated lambs and to determine whether the critical threshold is affected by exposure to inflammation in utero. Pregnant ewes received intra-amniotic injection of lipopolysaccharide or saline at 125 or 127 days of gestation. Pulmonary and systemic flow probes and catheters were surgically positioned in the fetus immediately before delivery at 129 days of gestation. After delivery, lambs were ventilated for 90 min using a positive end-expiratory pressure recruitment strategy. Cardio-respiratory variables and blood gases were measured regularly. Systemic and cerebral oxygen delivery, consumption (Fick), and extraction were calculated, and the relationship between cerebral delivery and consumption analyzed. Linear regression was used to define the transition or "critical" oxygen threshold as the point at which the slope of the oxygen delivery/consumption curve changed to be > 10°. Four subgroups were defined according to the calculated critical threshold. A total of 150 measurements were recorded in 18 lambs. Fetal cerebral oxygen consumption was increased by antenatal lipopolysaccharide (P < 0.05). The postnatal critical oxygen threshold was 3.6 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, corresponding to cerebral oxygen consumption of 0.73 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹. High oxygen delivery and consumption were associated with increased pulmonary and carotid blood flow and systemic extraction compared with low oxygen delivery and consumption. No postnatal effect of antenatal inflammation was observed. Inflammation in utero increases fetal, but not postnatal, cerebral oxygen consumption. Adverse alterations to pulmonary blood flow can result in reduced cerebral blood flow, oxygen delivery, and consumption. Regardless of exposure to inflammation, there is a consistent postnatal relationship between cerebral oxygen delivery and consumption.

Intrauterine inflammation causes pulmonary hypertension and cardiovascular sequelae in preterm lambs

Chorioamnionitis increases the risk and severity of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn in preterm infants. Exposure of preterm fetal lambs to intra-amniotic (IA) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces chorioamnionitis, causes hypertrophy of pulmonary resistance arterioles, and alters expression of pulmonary vascular growth proteins. We investigated the cardiopulmonary and systemic hemodynamic consequences of IA LPS in preterm lambs. Pregnant ewes received IA injection of LPS ( n = 6) or saline (controls; n = 8) at 122 days gestation, 7 days before exteriorization, instrumentation, and delivery of the fetus with pulmonary and systemic flow probes and catheters at 129 days gestation. Newborn lambs were ventilated, targeting a tidal volume of 6–7 ml/kg and a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 4 cmH2O. At 30 min, all lambs underwent a PEEP challenge: PEEP was increased by 2 cmH2O at 10-min intervals to 10 cmH2O and then decreased similarly to 4 cmH2O. Ventilation parameters, arterial blood flows, and pressures were recorded in real-time for 90 min. LPS lambs had higher total protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( P < 0.002), increased medial thickness of arteriolar walls ( P = 0.013), and right ventricular hypertrophy ( P = 0.012). Compared with controls, LPS lambs had worse oxygenation ( P < 0.001), decreased pulmonary blood flow ( P = 0.05), and higher pulsatility index ( P < 0.001) and pulmonary ( P < 0.001) and systemic arterial pressures ( P = 0.005) than controls. Intra-amniotic LPS increased right-to-left shunting across the ductus arteriosus ( P = 0.018) and decreased left ventricular output ( P < 0.001). We conclude that inflammation and pulmonary remodeling induced by IA LPS adversely alters pulmonary hemodynamics with subsequent cardiovascular and systemic sequelae, which may predispose the preterm lamb to persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary consequences of airway recruitment in preterm lambs

Increases in positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) improve arterial oxygenation in preterm infants, but the effects on cardiopulmonary hemodynamics are understood poorly. We aimed to determine the effect of increased PEEP on cardiopulmonary hemodynamics and to compare measurements from indwelling flow probes with Doppler echocardiography. Preterm lambs (129 ± 1 days) were ventilated initially with a tidal volume of 7 ml/kg and 4 cmH2O of PEEP. In ramp lambs ( n = 7), PEEP was increased by 2-cmH2O increments to 10 cmH2O and then in decrements back to 4 cmH2O. PEEP was unchanged in controls ( n = 6). Doppler echocardiographic flow measurements in the left pulmonary artery (LPA) and ductus arteriosus (DA) were correlated with flow probe measurements. Compared with controls, high PEEP reduced LPA flow from baseline (10-cmH2O PEEP: 43 ± 8% vs. control: 83 ± 21%; P = 0.029). High PEEP increased the proportion of right-to-left (R-L) shunting through the DA, with a trend to an increased oxygenation index compared with controls (oxygenation index: 44.5 ± 13.5 at 10-cmH2O PEEP vs. 19.4 ± 4.5 in controls; P = 0.07). Increasing PEEP decreased heart rate (17 beats/min; P = 0.03) and tended to lower systolic arterial pressure (5.0 mmHg; P = 0.052) compared with controls. Doppler echocardiography measurement of LPA flows correlated strongly with indwelling flow probe ( r2 = 0.73, P < 0.001), except during highly turbulent flows. Increases in PEEP have significant cardiopulmonary consequences in preterm lambs, including reduced LPA flow and increased R-L shunt through the DA. These changes are likely due to the concomitant increase in downstream pulmonary vascular resistance and increased cardiovascular constraint induced by PEEP.

Use of naloxone during neonatal resuscitation in Australia: compliance with published guidelines

AIMS

The aims of this study were to describe the use of naloxone during neonatal resuscitation in Australia, and to assess this against the published guidelines for use.

METHODS

The states of Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory record the administration of naloxone in their statutory state perinatal database collections, covering all deliveries within each state. Relevant information was extracted from these databases. In addition, we interrogated the perinatal database from a single tertiary perinatal centre in Western Australia and conducted a chart review of the 100 most recent infants identified as receiving naloxone.

RESULTS

A total of 531 058 liveborn infants from 1994 through 2004 were assessed. The administration of naloxone fell from 4% to 1% of liveborn infants during this period. There was inconsistent compliance with published guidelines. Forty-two per cent of infants received naloxone without documentation of prior ventilatory support, 14% of infants received naloxone without prior administration of maternal narcotics and 80% of infants were not monitored following naloxone administration. The prevalent route of administration was intramuscular.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a steady decrease in the use of naloxone for neonatal resuscitation, there is a considerable lack of compliance with published guidelines for use. Given the scant evidence supporting naloxone use during neonatal resuscitation and increasing documentation of potential deleterious effects, perhaps it is time to remove naloxone from our resuscitaires.

Acute clinical ethics consultation: the practicalities

In Australia there has been only limited experience with ethics consultation, and there are no reports of practical details. In 1999, the Institutional Clinical Ethics Committee at John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, initiated an Acute Clinical Ethics Service (ACES) to formalise a perceived need within the hospital for ethics consultation. This need had previously been met by ad-hoc councils of "wise men". The ACES approach uses a team of people with different perspectives to provide an ethics consultation in a timely manner. Our initial experience of ACES has shown that a formal process of ethics consultation may be preferable to informal approaches in many circumstances; even when genuine consensus is not possible, an ethics consultation nevertheless provides an opportunity to share different points of view and helps to avoid practices that may be unacceptable. The specific implications of acute ethics consultations are not yet fully elucidated.

Predischarge screening of very low birthweight infants by click evoked otoacoustic emissions

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) in screening very low birthweight (VLBW) neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates for hearing loss in comparison with visual reinforcement orientation audiology (VROA) at 10 months.

METHODOLOGY

The study population was all VLBW neonatal survivors discharged from a single regional NICU at John Hunter Childrens Hospital (JHCH), Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, between April 1994 and March 1996. A TEOAE screen was performed prior to discharge and repeated if necessary until a pass was obtained in at least one ear. Infants were further screened by VROA at their local Australian Hearing Services (AHS) office at 10 months corrected age. Repeated TEOAE failures were referred directly for an ENT opinion.

RESULTS

A total of 193 infants were eligible for enrolment during the study period. One hundred and forty-four (75%) received TEOAE testing. The median age of first screen was 36 weeks gestational age. Ninety-five (66%) of infants tested passed on a single screen. Of the remaining 49 infants, 26 passed on retesting (overall pass rate 84%). Twenty-three (16%) were deemed to have failed the TEOAE screen. Of the 121 infants who passed TEOAE, only 67 (55%) completed VROA. Two of these infants have a high frequency sensorineural loss and one of them has been aided. In the 23 who failed TEOAE, nine have subsequently had normal VROA, another, though not tested is clinically normal. three have hearing loss with middle ear disease and eight have confirmed sensorineural deafness, all aided. One infant has died and an infant with Down's syndrome has been adopted out of the area. It is of interest to note that the eight aided infants are all of less than 28 weeks gestation. If we restrict analysis to infants with completed VROA testing, the TEOAE has a 97% negative predictive value for sensorineural deafness and a 38% positive predictive value.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has highlighted both the prevalence of hearing impairment in the very premature survivors and difficulties in compliance with a VROA based hearing screen. We see an advantage in directing resources towards an early screening test, such as TEOAE, that can be applied while the target population is still captive.

Iatrogenic neonatal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Transient hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a rare sequela of both glucocorticoid and insulin excess. We report two ELBW infants who developed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as an iatrogenic complication of the concurrent therapeutic administration of a glucocorticoid and insulin. In both cases the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy resolved completely on cessation of therapy. We advise caution when using this therapeutic combination and stress the need for regular echocardiography.

Direct inguinal hernias in the newborn

Direct inguinal hernias occur in newborn babies, both term and premature. Five cases are reported to illustrate three types of direct hernia. The first is a direct weakness without associated significant indirect hernial sac; the second, a sliding direct hernia. The third might be called a 'secondary' direct weakness resulting from a primarily indirect hernia which assumes such large size and develops such a wide neck at the internal ring that the posterior wall of the inguinal canal is stretched and weakened. This is most likely to occur in very low birthweight babies, who develop giant inguinoscrotal hernias. Full exploration and repair of the posterior wall of the inguinal canal should be performed in such babies with huge indirect hernial sacs and in all babies where the size of the processus vaginalis identified at the internal ring is not consistent with the hernial swelling identified clinically. Repair should be performed in conventional manner with non-absorbable sutures reinforcing the transversalis fascia. Overlying Bassini repair with or without Tanner's slide can be performed. The repair should be carried out before the baby leaves a high dependency area.

Pharmacy practice in the United States Army

The current status of pharmaceutical services in the United States Army Medical Department is described. The mission of the Army Medical Department is to ensure the health of the soldier during times of peace and war. Of the 225 commissioned pharmacy officers currently on active duty, 156 are assigned to U.S. Army medical centers and community hospitals in the United States, and 29 are stationed at hospitals in Europe, Korea, Panama, and Japan. Army pharmacy officers are supported by 879 Army-trained pharmacy technicians and 319 civilian pharmacists employed by the Army. Army Medical Department hospital pharmacies provide inpatient and ambulatory-care services as well as specialized nuclear pharmacy, oncology, investigational drug, and materials development services. Pharmacy officers assigned to the Pharmacy Branch of the U.S. Army Academy of Health Sciences conduct 17-week technician training programs six times a year and provide other pharmacy courses and continuing education programs. The U.S. Army Allergen Extract Laboratory dispenses diagnostic and immunotherapy agents by mail in response to prescriptions submitted by military allergy clinics. Pharmacy officers may be deployed with field hospitals during times of combat or for extended training exercises in places such as Egypt, Grenada, and Honduras. Pharmacy officers may also be assigned to three- or four-year tours of duty in Army hospitals located in Europe. In the future, the emphasis of Army pharmacy practice will be on the expansion of clinical pharmaceutical services and the development of advanced interactive communication systems, quality assurance programs, and peer-review programs.

Clinical pharmacy in an emergency medicine setting

A decentralized emergency medicine clinical pharmacy program was initiated and has operated now for over 1 year. The program attempted to answer two questions: is there a viable clinical pharmacy role in emergency medicine, and could staff pharmacists successfully function in such a role without formal clinical training and experience? Initial primary objectives were to provide an on-the-spot pharmaceutical consultation service and to initiate new or expanded traditional pharmacy support to staff and patients. A secondary objective was to provide expanded outpatient prescription service to emergency room patients.

Fast and slow neutrons in an 18-MV photon beam from a Philips SL/75-20 linear accelerator

Fast- and slow-neutron contamination in an 18-MV photon beam from a Philips SL/75-20 linear accelerator has been measured. Aluminum and indium foils were activated to determine fast- and slow-neutron fluence, which were largely independent of field sizes. Measured fast-neutron fluences were typically 13.9 X 10(4) and 4.4 X 10(4) neutrons/cm2/rad of x ray inside and 5 cm outside the field, respectively. Slow-neutron fluences, 1.3 X 10(4) neutrons/cm2/rad of x ray, remained relatively constant inside and outside the field. The reported results are about three times higher than neutron fluences recently reported with a betatron operated at the same energy.