RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter and filter limb embolization is a known phenomenon, with a prevalence of up to 25% for certain filter types. Most commonly, the site of embolization is to the heart. Point-of-care ultrasound is an easily accessible imaging modality that should be utilized when considering IVC filter complications. CASE REPORT: A 28-year-old woman with a history of metastatic sarcoma and IVC filter placement for deep venous thrombosis presented to the Emergency Department (ED) for chest pain. Chest radiography was reviewed and originally thought to have no abnormalities. Chest computed tomography angiography was negative for filling defects or foreign bodies. A possible foreign body in the heart was noted by a radiologist's over-read of the original chest radiograph. An echocardiogram done by Cardiology was negative for foreign bodies or other abnormalities. Next, an emergency physician performed a bedside echocardiogram, with focused attention to the right side of the heart. An echogenic foreign body was visualized in the right ventricle. The patient was subsequently taken to the cardiac catheterization laboratory, where fluoroscopic visualization of a limb wire of an IVC filter within the right ventricle was obtained. That foreign body was subsequently removed successfully, along with removal of the broken IVC filter. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: This case report highlights the utility of point-of-care ultrasound in the work-up of a patient with an embolized IVC filter wire. Chest pain patients frequently receive point-of-care echocardiography in the ED, and these ultrasound findings should be recognized and used to guide further treatment and consultation.
Asunto(s)
Filtros de Vena Cava/efectos adversos , Vena Cava Inferior/fisiopatología , Adulto , Ecocardiografía/métodos , Embolia/prevención & control , Embolia/cirugía , Femenino , Cuerpos Extraños/complicaciones , Cuerpos Extraños/etiología , Ventrículos Cardíacos/anomalías , Ventrículos Cardíacos/fisiopatología , Humanos , Extremidad Inferior/lesiones , Extremidad Inferior/cirugía , Radiografía/métodos , Sarcoma/cirugía , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X/métodos , Trombosis de la Vena/complicacionesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Optimizing pain control following total knee arthroplasty is of utmost importance to the immediate post-operative course. Various anesthesia modalities are available, but studies comparing multiple anesthesia modalities, patient age, and sex are limited. QUESTIONS/PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to examine the impact of patient age, gender, and perioperative anesthesia modality on postoperative pain following primary total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: 443 patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty by 14 surgeons with some combination of general anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, femoral nerve block, and intrathecal morphine were identified. Anesthesia route and type, length of surgery, post-operative patient-reported pain measures using the Visual Analog Scale, opioid consumption, and length of hospital stay were recorded for each patient and used to compare differences among study groups. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted between anesthesia groups with regards to postoperative pain or length of hospital stay. Patients receiving spinal anesthesia and femoral nerve block without intrathecal morphine were significantly older than other groups. Patients receiving general anesthesia required significantly more daily intravenous morphine equivalents than patients receiving spinal anesthesia. Patients receiving spinal anesthesia with femoral nerve block and intrathecal morphine consumed the least amount of morphine equivalents. When comparing males and females among all groups, females had significantly higher pain ratings between 24-36 and 24-48 hours postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Although no significant differences were noted on pain scores, patients who received spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine and femoral nerve block used less narcotic pain medication than any other group. Females reported significantly higher pain between 24-48 hours post-op compared with males but not significantly greater anesthetic usage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic Study, (Retrospective Comparative study).