This blog summarizes the 2019 Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) for Periprocedural Management of Image-guided Procedures with regards to thrombocytopenia, coagulopathies, antiplatelets and anticoagulation.  The SIR guidelines are summarized as follows: Anticoagulation with heparin, LMWH, fondaparinux, argatroban, warfarin, DOAC, clopidogrel, ticagrelor…
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Traditionally, it was felt that the INR had to be less than 1.5 and platelets had to be at least 50,000/µL to perform most bedside procedures. With more clinical evidence, we now know that low-risk bedside procedures can be performed…
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Original studies of ultrasound-guided thoracentesis concluded a 2% risk of pneumothorax. A recent single center study of 9320 thoracenteses over 12 years all by procedural experts had pneumothorax rate of 0.6%. This same study also demonstrated a very low incidence…
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Chest tube placement, or tube thoracostomy, can be an anxiety-provoking procedure for both the patient AND the operator.  It can also be a very gratifying procedure for the operator when performed successfully and without patient discomfort. Here are a few…
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Complicated parapneumonic effusions frequently represent pleural space infections. Approximately 1 in 7 cases of pneumonia have an associated parapneumonic effusion (PPE) on chest x-ray. Most of these effusions are small and usually resolve spontaneously with prompt antibiotic administration. However, moderate-to-large…
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Intraosseous vascular access using the EZ-IO device is a wonderful option for emergency access in the hospital or pre-hospital setting. Intraosseous lines are easy to place with proper training and can serve as emergency vascular access during cardiac arrest or…
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Intraosseous line use has increased significantly since the advent of the battery powered intraosseous drill.  In surveying providers at courses over the years, we have seen a steady rise in the number of providers with access to the intraosseous drill. …
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This blog will offer some expert recommendations to help guide the safety of hospital procedures at different platelet and coagulation profiles.  Unfortunately, there are no strong evidence-based guidelines for hospital procedures dedicated to the study of patients with decompensated cirrhosis.…
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A historical myth in procedural medicine is the operator should limit removal of pleural fluid to 1.5 L during thoracentesis because of the risk of re-expansion pulmonary edema or pneumothorax.  New evidence supports safety of large volume thoracentesis until no…
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How do we assess a cirrhotic patients bleed risk prior to a planned bedside procedure?  Can our standard platelet count and coagulation studies, prothrombin time (PT/INR) and partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), accurately predict bleed risk in cirrhotic patients?  The quick…
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This blog summarizes a recent update reviewing current management recommendations for hepatic hydrothorax (HH).  Hepatic hydrothorax is a complication of decompensated cirrhosis with portal hypertension.  Sixty percent of patients accumulate both ascitic fluid and pleural fluid as a result of portal…
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According to AASLD Practice Guidelines, all patients with cirrhotic ascites admitted to the hospital should have a diagnostic paracentesis to rule out spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Treatment of SBP requires cefotaxime plus albumin 1.5 gm/kg on the first day and…
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Traditional teaching is that chest tubes placed to evacuate a pneumothorax should be directed anterior and superior and to evacuate fluid should be directed posterior and inferior. A recent study examined the effect of specific chest tube position on chest…
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The optimal insertion site for tube thoracostomy is at the mid-axillary line in the triangle of safety.  This avoids any major nerves or arteries aside from the intercostal vessels.  Ultrasound-guided localization of this site performed better than palpation. In semi-elective…
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