No abstract

Owing to its wide and easy availability, digoxin has got a significant abuse potential and may be used for suicidal purposes. Digoxin-specific antibody (Fab) fragments have become the mainstay of therapy for severe digoxin toxicity and have significantly helped in reducing mortality. However, due to its high cost and limited availability alternative measures may need to be used to manage severe intoxications especially in countries like India, where Fab fragments are unavailable. Here, we present a case of a young female who presented to our casualty with alleged history of consumption of 17.5 mg of digoxin tablets. After admission to ICU, she developed atrioventricular blocks with hemodynamic instability which had to be managed with temporary pacemaker. Her serum digoxin levels were high (12.63 ng/ml) and in the absence of Fab fragments, resin hemoperfusion was done which drastically reduced the serum digoxin levels and reverted the symptoms.

Cases of calcium channel blocker overdose reported from India are few, and although rare, they are associated with high mortality. Management includes fluids, vasopressors, calcium gluconate or chloride, glucagon infusion, and hyperinsulinemia-euglycemia therapy along with some rescue therapies tried in anecdotal reports. We report here a case of life-threatening overdose of amlodipine with shock, refractory to conventional therapies. Salvage therapy with continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration using charcoal hemoperfusion with prior infusion of intravenous lipid emulsion resulted in a successful outcome.

Aims: The 21-gene Oncotype DX (ODX) Recurrence Score (RS) has been extensively validated to predict the risk of distant recurrence and the magnitude of response to hormone and chemotherapy in patients with ER+ N0 and N+ (up to 3 positive nodes) HER2- early stage breast cancer. Outcomes data from multiple large studies further confirm the assays clinical validity and utility. The test is currently reimbursed in Ontario for N0 but not for N1 patients. In 2016, a market access program has been initiated to address lack of data in current clinical practice in Ontario among N1 patients. It collects data assessing the real-life use of the test in Ontario and its impact on treatment decision. This analysis presents the interim analysis until end of May 2017. Methods : The program allows for prospective data collection in key breast cancer centers in Ontario. Through an online dedicated platform patient data are collected including classical pathological and clinical parameters (e.g. histology, tumor grade and size, ER, PR, and HER2 status), patients age, ODX Recurrence Score results and recommended treatment both before and after the test results have been reported. Results: A total of 7 qualified breast cancer centers or network of centers participated in the program and collected 90 cases so far. Study results demonstrated that ODX is used among a wide variety of patients profiles: 28% G1, 58% G2 and 14% of G3, 18% pre-, 12% peri- & 69% are post-menopausal, 20% are aged 40-49, 24% are 50-59, 29% are 60-69 and 26% are 70 and older, 3% tumor are <1cm, 38% are 1-<2cm, 52% are 2-<5cm and 7% tumor size are >5cm. RS distribution is the following: <18 (67%), 18-30 (30%) and >30 (3%). In addition, pre-ODX 90% of patients had a treatment recommendation for chemo-hormonotherapy (CT-HT). Post-testing, the number of patients recommended CT-HT decreased to 36%, highlighting that the test reduces unnecessary use of CT. In fact, the ODX led to an overall 54% net reduction in chemotherapy. Conclusions: This real-life survey confirms that ODX provides critical information beyond clinical and pathological criteria. The assay changes treatment decisions among N+ patients in Ontario, sparing CT which could result in potential savings to the healthcare system. Citation Format: Richardson R, Macchiusi A, Bhasin A, Takizawa C. Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score®: Real-life utilization among node positive patients in Ontario [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-05-15.

Prehospital and Disaster Medicineand emergencies, and manage a pertinent medical response effectively. The list of these instruments traditionally comprises: computerized databases, geographic information systems (GISs), graph theory, complex networks, mathematical programming, simulation, and agent-based modeling. As a rule, each type of those is applied asunder. It makes sense to put in one silo diverse instruments to get multidisciplinary solution with its synergy effect for problems of disaster and emergency medicine. Methods: Within this study, an original, agent-based model was developed. The model combines the advantages of the principal computer-aided instruments and considers all the types of information: semantic, topographical, metric, and topological. The model is severely dynamic, fits to real actors and principally covers all the disaster situation. Results:In line with the model, a so called Topometric AgentBased System (TABS) with its key visualization component has been designed. A TABS-specific simulation to investigate behavior of the attacked network of vulnerable actors has been conducted leading to critical findings. It has been shown a severe significance of order within combination of threats: man-made + natural or those of natural + man-made. A well-balanced financial distribution to protect actors of diverse status also has been found. Conclusions: A TABS similar to GIS focuses on mapping. Topometric Agent-Based System mapping brings an efficient and clear language for information sharing not only within national emergency medical services but between experts from different fields and countries. Background: Radiography is the standard observation tool for examining orthopedic injuries. Bedside Ultrasound (BUS) may be a faster, non-invasive alternative to effectively identify bone fractures in the emergency department (ED) setting. The study compares the diagnostic utilities of BUS and radiography for identifying long bone fractures. Methods: Prospective observation study with convenience sampling was conducted in ED in patients > 5 years, with posttraumatic upper and lower limb injuries requiring standard radiological examination after informed consent. The BUS examinations were performed by a emergency physician (EP) who had a brief training session to detect fractures. For every subject, radiographs were taken and reviewed for the presence of fracture by blinded orthopedic specialist. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS.