The role of the quick sequential organ failure assessment score (qSOFA) and modified early warning score (MEWS) in the pre-hospitalization prediction of sepsis prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: Many biomarkers and scoring systems to make clinical predictions about the prognosis of sepsis have been investigated. In this study, we aimed to assess the use of the quick sequential organ failure assessment score (qSOFA) and modified early warning score (MEWS) scoring systems in emergency health care services for sepsis to predict intensive care hospitalization and 28-day mortality. METHOD: Patients who arrived by ambulance at the Emergency Department (ED) of Diskapi YildirimBeyazit Training and Research Hospital between January 2017 and December 2019, and who were diagnosed with sepsis and admitted to the hospital were included in the study. Demographic data and physiological parameters from 112 ambulance case delivery forms were recorded.QSOFA and MEWS scores were calculated from vital parameters. RESULTS: Of the 266 patients diagnosed with sepsis, 50% (n = 133) were female, and the mean age was 74.8 ± 13. The difference between the rate of intensive care (ICU) hospitalization and mortality for patients with a high MEWS and qSOFA score and patients whose MEWS and qSOFA score were lower was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Thus, the criteria for MEWS and qSOFA could determine ICU hospitalization and early mortality. Those with a high MEWS value had a mortality rate approximately 1.24 times higher than those with a low MEWS value (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.110-1.385), while those with a high qSOFA score had a mortality rate approximately 2.0 times higher than those with a low qSOFA score (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.446-2.693). Those with a high MEWS were 1.34 times more likely than hose with a lower MEWS to require ICU hospitalization (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.1773-1.5131), while patients with a high qSOFA score were 3.21 times more likely than those with a lower qSOFA score to require ICU care (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 2.2289-4.6093). CONCLUSION: Although qSOFA and MEWS are clinical scores used to identify septic patients outside the critical care unit, we believe that patients already diagnosed with sepsis can be assessed with qSOFA and MEWS prior to hospitalization to predict intensive care hospitalization and mortality. qSOFA was found be more valuable than MEWS in determining the prognosis of pre-hospitalization sepsis.

Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Measured on Clinical Laboratory Platforms for the Prediction of Acute Kidney Injury and the Associated Need for Dialysis Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: The usefulness of measures of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in urine or plasma obtained on clinical laboratory platforms for predicting acute kidney injury (AKI) and AKI requiring dialysis (AKI-D) has not been fully evaluated. We sought to quantitatively summarize published data to evaluate the value of urinary and plasma NGAL for kidney risk prediction. STUDY DESIGN: Literature-based meta-analysis and individual-study-data meta-analysis of diagnostic studies following PRISMA-IPD guidelines. SETTING & STUDY POPULATIONS: Studies of adults investigating AKI, severe AKI, and AKI-D in the setting of cardiac surgery, intensive care, or emergency department care using either urinary or plasma NGAL measured on clinical laboratory platforms. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and congress abstracts ever published through February 2020 reporting diagnostic test studies of NGAL measured on clinical laboratory platforms to predict AKI. DATA EXTRACTION: Individual-study-data meta-analysis was accomplished by giving authors data specifications tailored to their studies and requesting standardized patient-level data analysis. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Individual-study-data meta-analysis used a bivariate time-to-event model for interval-censored data from which discriminative ability (AUC) was characterized. NGAL cutoff concentrations at 95% sensitivity, 95% specificity, and optimal sensitivity and specificity were also estimated. Models incorporated as confounders the clinical setting and use versus nonuse of urine output as a criterion for AKI. A literature-based meta-analysis was also performed for all published studies including those for which the authors were unable to provide individual-study data analyses. RESULTS: We included 52 observational studies involving 13,040 patients. We analyzed 30 data sets for the individual-study-data meta-analysis. For AKI, severe AKI, and AKI-D, numbers of events were 837, 304, and 103 for analyses of urinary NGAL, respectively; these values were 705, 271, and 178 for analyses of plasma NGAL. Discriminative performance was similar in both meta-analyses. Individual-study-data meta-analysis AUCs for urinary NGAL were 0.75 (95% CI, 0.73-0.76) and 0.80 (95% CI, 0.79-0.81) for severe AKI and AKI-D, respectively; for plasma NGAL, the corresponding AUCs were 0.80 (95% CI, 0.79-0.81) and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.84-0.86). Cutoff concentrations at 95% specificity for urinary NGAL were>580ng/mL with 27% sensitivity for severe AKI and>589ng/mL with 24% sensitivity for AKI-D. Corresponding cutoffs for plasma NGAL were>364ng/mL with 44% sensitivity and>546ng/mL with 26% sensitivity, respectively. LIMITATIONS: Practice variability in initiation of dialysis. Imperfect harmonization of data across studies. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary and plasma NGAL concentrations may identify patients at high risk for AKI in clinical research and practice. The cutoff concentrations reported in this study require prospective evaluation.

Why USB-endoscope laryngoscopy is as effective as video laryngoscopy.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of a low-cost custom-made universal serial bus (USB) endoscope laryngoscope for intubation with a direct laryngoscope and a high-cost video laryngoscope in a mannequin study. METHODS: We used one intubation simulator model (mannequin) in our study. A USB endoscope was mounted to the direct laryngoscope as a custom-made USB endoscope laryngoscope (USB-L). We used a video laryngoscope (Glidescope®, Verathon, USA) and a direct laryngoscope (Macintosh) for comparison. Intubation time and the correct placement of the tube were measured. Intubations were performed by two operators and results were compared. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant difference between the video and direct laryngoscope groups (p < 0.001), as well as between the USB-L and direct laryngoscope groups (p = 0.001) for Operator 1. For Operator 2, there was a statistically significant difference between the video laryngoscope group and the direct laryngoscope group (p = 0.022); however, we did not find a significant difference between the USB-L group and the direct laryngoscope group (p = 0.154). Furthermore, there were no significant differences between the USB-L and video laryngoscope groups for either operator (p=0.347 for Operator 1 and p>0.999 for Operator 2). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that USB endoscope laryngoscope provided similar intubation time to video laryngoscopy at a fraction of the cost; and both had superior times in comparison with direct laryngoscopy.

Social life and happiness analysis of female emergency physician in Turkey.

The study is aimed to analyze female emergency physician domestic support, social activity, occupational satisfaction level, and subjective happiness scale results. An electronically designed questionnaire form was e-mailed to 380 female emergency physicians working in our country. Happiness level of the participants was rated using the Subjective Happiness Scale. Among 380 female emergency physicians working in Turkey, 100 completed questionnaire. We did not detect any significant differences between the happiness scale scores of the participants with respect to their age, duration of working as a physician, academic title, monthly income, institution, monthly number of night duties, and the daily number of patients visiting emergency department.

Effect of platelet-lymphocyte ratio and lactate levels obtained on mortality with sepsis and septic shock.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a potentially fatal condition with high treatment costs, and is especially common among the elderly population. The emergency management of septic patients has gained importance. OBJECTIVE: Herein, we investigated the effect of admission lactate levels and the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) on the 30-day mortality among patients older than 65years who were diagnosed with sepsis and septic shock according to the qSOFA criteria at our hospital's emergency department. METHODS: This observational study was conducted retrospectively. We obtained information regarding patients' demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, hemodynamic parameters at admission, initial treatment needs at the emergency department. RESULTS: 131 patients received a diagnosis of sepsis and septic shock at our emergency department in two years. Among these, 45% (n=59) of the patients died within 30days of admission. Forty (30.5%) patients required mechanical ventilation. There was a significant difference between the survival and non-survival groups with regard to systolic and diastolic blood pressures (p=0.013 and 0.045, respectively). There were significant differences between the two groups with respect to the Glasgow Coma Scale score (p<0.001) and BUN levels (p<0.001). The mortality status according to qSOFA scores was revealed a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the patients who died within 30days of admission and those who did not had comparable PLR and lactate levels (p=0.821 and 0.120, respectively). We opine that serial lactate measurements would be more useful than a single admission lactate measurement for the prediction of mortality.

Serum Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Levels In Early Detection Of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels in the early detection of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 74 patients undergoing abdominal tomography with contrast (1 November 2014 - 28 February 2015). Demographic properties (age and sex), symptoms and CT examination results were analysed. Sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine and NGAL levels were measured at 0th, 6th, and 72nd hours. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: CIN developed in 16.2% of the study patients. The mean age was significantly higher in the patients who developed CIN (p0.05). Urea levels did not differ significantly between the groups at 0th and 6th hours (p>0.05) but was significantly higher in the patients with CIN at 72nd hour (p0.05). Creatinine level was not significantly different between the groups (p>0.05) but increased significantly over time (p>0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to NGAL levels at 0th and 72nd hours (p>0.05) whereas the group with CIN had a significantly higher NGAL level at 6th hour (p.

Correlation of CAT Score With Peak Expiratory Flow in Acute Exacerbation of COPD Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) leads to physical activity limitation and a significant reduction in quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score and peak expiratory flow (PEF), and the factors effecting hospital admission rates of patients with COPD. METHODS: This observational study was conducted prospectively. CAT score was calculated and PEF measured at the time of emergency department admission. Descriptive statistics were expressed as number (n), percentage (%), and mean ± standard deviation. Chi-Square and correlation tests were used for statistical analyses. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of 123 patients included in the study, 85 (69.1%) were male and 38 (30.9%) were female. Pulse pressure, pH, blood urea nitrogen, oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2), PO2, PCO2, and SpO2 values on arterial blood gas analysis, and PEF value were significantly correlated to CAT score (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: High CAT score and low PEF value can be used to make the decision of hospitalization from emergency department in acute exacerbations of COPD.

Hair-thread tourniquet syndrome originating from a haemangioma in an adult patient.

Hair-thread tourniquet syndrome is an emergency condition rarely encountered since its first description, and it may be potentially dangerous unless treated. The potential hazard of the condition stems from hair strands wrapping around and strangulating various body processes such as fingers, penis, or clitoris. In this paper we aimed to report the first case of hair-thread tourniquet syndrome affecting a haemangioma of an adult patient. A 68-year-old woman presented to emergency department for pain in the mass on her back. On physical examination, a haemangioma with a size of about 3x3 cm was noted on the right scapula. When inspected closely, it appeared edematous and strangulated, and there were hair strands wrapped to the bottom of the wound. The hair strands were removed and the strangulated haemangioma was excised.

Importance of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in patients with upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of red blood cell distribution width levels on the diagnosis and management of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Turkey, and comprised record of patients diagnosed with upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2013. Factors analysed were age, gender, red blood cell distribution width level, admission haemoglobin and haematocrit levels, endoscopy findings classified according to the Forrest system, comorbid diseases, use of medications, unhealthy habits like alcohol usage and smoking, and mortality rate. RESULTS: Of the 147 patients, 93(64%) were men. The overall median age of the sample was 60 years. Besides, 117(79.6%) patients had comorbid diseases, of which hypertension 56(38.4%) was the most common. A total of 24(16.8%) patients were using antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, while 30(20.5%) were on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Peptic ulcer in 128(87.1%) patients was the most common cause of haemorrhage. The median red blood cell distribution width level of the study population was 15.25% which was significantly higher compared to the reference values (p<0.05).. In contrast, haemoglobin 9.55% (3.7) and haematocrit 28.75% (10.8)were significantly lower (p<0.05). Mortality rates were significantly higher in patients with higher red blood cell distribution width values (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Red blood cell distribution width levels were higher during the acute phase of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

Acute dystonic reaction due to dexketoprofen trometamol.

Dexketoprofentrometamol (DKP), is a tromethamine salt of the water-soluble S-enantiomer of ketoprofen. As with all other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, the most common side effect of DKP is gastric complications. In this paper, we report a case of dystonic reaction after intravenous DKP use. A 24-year-old man was admitted to our hospital after suffering a leg burn from boiling oil. He had no drug hypersensitivity. An intravenous preparation containing the active ingredient DKP was injected for analgesia, after which the patient experienced an involuntary flexion response in both upper extremities. With a suspected diagnosis of dystonia, biperiden lactate 5 mg/ml was administered via the intramuscular route and the contractions abated within 30 seconds of the injection.As non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents are commonly used and prescribed in emergency departments, it should be kept in mind that an acute dystonic reaction can develop against one of these agents, DKP.

Bedside heart type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP): Is an early predictive marker of cardiac syncope.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of bedside heart-type fatty acid binding protein in diagnosis of cardiac syncope in patients presenting with syncope or presyncope. METHODS: The prospective study was conducted at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, between September 1, 2010, and January 1, 2011, and comprised patients aged over 18 years who presented with syncope or presyncope. Patients presenting to emergency department within 4 hours of syncope or presyncope underwent a bedside heart-type fatty acid binding protein test measurement. SPSS 16 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients evaluated, 22(22%) were diagnosed with cardiac syncope. Of them, 13(59.1%) patients had a positive and 9(40.9%) had a negative heart-type fatty acid binding protein result. Consequently, the test result was 12.64 times more positive in patients with cardiac syncope compared to those without. CONCLUSIONS: Bedside heart-type fatty acid binding protein, particularly at early phase of myocardial injury, reduces diagnostic and therapeutic uncertainity of cardiac origin in syncope patients.

A case presented with fever enlightened by cardiac auscultation: Sarcoma originated in pulmonary artery.

In the emergency department, there are many symptoms patients present. One of the major symptoms is fever which could be the only symptom, as our patient had. Not only do infections, drugs, trauma, etc., cause fever, but also undetermined cancer types do. In this case, we are presenting a 28-year-old male coming with a 3-week duration of fever and being admitted with the diagnosis of pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma as generally misconceived with pulmonary thromboembolism, to raise awareness of this fatal cancer.

The investigation of relationship between serum melatonin levels with Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation in suicide patients.

OBJECTIVE: Melatonin plays a role in many biological and physiological events. There are studies in the literature relating melatonin levels to many psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum melatonin levels with the Beck Depression Inventory and the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation in suicide patients. METHODS: The study was conducted prospectively with volunteer patients aged 20-50 years who were admitted to the emergency department after a suicide attempt. The social and occupational status, educational levels, marital status, and stressor factors of patients were questioned. Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation were applied to each patient included in the study. Blood melatonin levels were evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The data were analyzed with the SPSS 23.00 statistical program. Descriptive values were expressed by the number of cases (n), percentage (%), median (interquartile range), and mean±standard deviation. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to assess the distribution of continuous variables, and the Pearson or Spearman correlation test was used to assess the relationship between disease severity and melatonin level. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: No statistically significant correlation was found between melatonin level and the Beck Depression Inventory score (r=-0.098, p=0.44). However, a statistically weak, inverse, and significant correlation was discovered between melatonin levels and the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation score (r=-0.465, p=0.00). CONCLUSION: According to our results, it was determined that there was a significant negative relationship between melatonin level and the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation scoring.

Evaluation of geriatric patients with trauma scores after motor vehicle trauma.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting in-hospital mortality among geriatric trauma patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) following a motor vehicle collision. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out in a high-volume tertiary care facility in the central Anatolian Region. Clinical data were extracted from hospital databases for all eligible geriatric patients (either driver, passenger or pedestrian) with entries dated between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2009. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the in-hospital mortality effects of variables including demographic characteristics, trauma mechanisms, injured body parts and various trauma scores. RESULTS: There were 395 geriatric motor vehicle trauma presentations to the ED during the 3-year period. Of these patients, 371 (93.9%) survived, and 24 (6.1%) died in the ED, operating room or intensive care unit. The multivariate logistic regression model included the following variables: heart failure, cranial trauma, abdominal trauma, thoracic trauma, pelvic trauma, Glasgow Coma Score and Injury Severity Score (ISS). These variables were chosen because univariate analysis indicated that they were potential predictors of mortality. The multivariate logistic regression showed that the presence of heart failure (OR: 20.2), cranial trauma (OR: 3.6), abdominal trauma (OR: 26.9), pelvic trauma (OR: 9.9) and ISS (OR: 1.2) were predictors of in-hospital mortality in the study population. CONCLUSION: In our study, heart failure, cranial trauma, abdominal trauma, pelvic trauma, and ISS were found to be the most important predictors of in-hospital mortality among geriatric motor vehicle trauma patients.

Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Potential Indicator of Infection-Associated Emergency Visits of Renal Transplant Recipients.

OBJECTIVES: Infection-associated emergency department use in renal transplant recipients has been increasing as solid-organ transplant has become a more common treatment method for chronic kidney failure. Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio has been demonstrated to be significantly elevated in nosocomial infections in patients treated at intensive care units and is positively correlated with duration of hospital stay. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio could be used as an indicator of infection in renal transplant patients presenting to emergency departments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control retrospective study included data from between May 2015 and February 2018. We used the patient information management system to review patient medical records and laboratory test results of study participants. RESULTS: Our study included 156 adults in the patient group (recipients with infection) and 170 adults in the control group (recipients without infection). We observed significant differences between patient and control groups in terms of the number of days of hospital stay; leukocyte, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts; the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio; and C-reactive protein levels. We plotted receiver operating characteristic curves to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio along with C-reactive protein. The areas under the curve were 0.892 for C-reactive protein and 0.707 for the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio. CONCLUSIONS: For systemic inflammation, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio can be used in conjunction with other biomarkers as an indicator of inflammation in renal transplant recipients who present with infection-associated causes to emergency departments.

Efficacy of bedside optic nerve sheath diameter measurement in differentiating provoked seizure from unprovoked seizure in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Emergency departments (EDs) are typically the first medical contact for seizure patients, and early diagnosis and treatment is primarily the responsibility of emergency physicians. OBJECTIVES: Demonstrate the efficacy of bedside ocular ultrasonography for optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measurement in differentiating provoked seizure from unprovoked seizure in the ED. DESIGN: Prospective observational study SETTINGS: Tertiary care hospital PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients presenting to the ED with seizure were divided into two groups according to medical history, physical examination, laboratory results, cranial computed tomography findings and electroencephalography results. Patients with seizures that did not have a specific cause (unprovoked) were compared with patients who had seizures caused by underlying pathology (provoked). The measurement of the ONSD was taken at the bedside within 30 minutes of arrival. The study compared the ONSD values, age, sex, type of seizure, and Glasgow Coma Score between the two groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Efficacy of ONSD to distinguish between provoked and unprovoked seizures. SAMPLE SIZE: 210 patients RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen (54.3%) patients were in the provoked seizure group and 96 (45.7%) were in the unprovoked seizure group. The ONSD measurements were significantly higher in the provoked seizure group compared with the unprovoked seizure group (median 6.1 mm vs. 5.2 mm, P<.001). The cut-off value of ONSD higher than 5.61 was significantly associated with the prediction of the provoked seizure (P<.001). The area under the curve value was 0.882 (95% CI: 0.830-0.922) with a sensitivity of 86.5 and specificity of 78.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Bedside ONSD measurement by means of ocular ultrasound is an effective method for differentiating provoked seizure from unprovoked seizure. LIMITATIONS: Statistical significance of age on ONSD and exclusion of pediatric patients. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Cervicofacial emphysema and pneumomediastinum after a high-speed air drill endodontic treatment procedure.

Cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema is defined as the abnormal introduction of air in the subcutaneous tissues of the head and neck. It is mainly caused by trauma, head and neck surgery, general anesthesia, and coughing or habitual performance of Valsalva maneuver. The occurrence of subcutaneous emphysema after dental treatment is rare, and diffusion of gas into the mediastinum is much rarer, especially when the procedure is a nonsurgical treatment. The most common dental cause of pneumomediastinum is the introduction of air via the air turbine handpiece during surgical extraction of an impacted tooth. Only 6 cases of pneumomediastinum after endodontic treatment have been reported between 1960 and 2008. Pneumothorax is defined clinically as an "accumulation of air or gas between the parietal and visceral pleurae," and although it is often not a medical emergency, it can result in respiratory distress, tension pneumothorax, shock, circulatory collapse, and even death. Although there are many possible causes of dyspnea during a dental procedure, 1 rare complication is pneumothorax. Although specific closed turbine systems are available for oral surgical procedures, these drills may be used in exodontia to section teeth and facilitate tooth extraction. We report a case of cervical subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum occurring after an endodontic treatment of right first molar using an air-tribune drill. We present here in a case of massive pneumomediastinum and cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema that occurred after opening the access cavity for endodontic treatment. We describe its etiologies and guidelines for its prevention during nonsurgical endodontic treatment.

The Evaluation of End Tidal Carbon Dioxide Values in Intubated Patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to establish the value of PETCO2 in COVID-19 patients intubated in emergency department, and its effects on mortality.  Objectives: Between May 15, 2020 and January 15, 2021, The patients aged ≥18 years and diagnosed COVID-19, scheduled for urgent intubation in the emergency department were included. METHOD: Single-center, prospective and observational study. Age, gender, vital signs, laboratory findings are recorded. Immediately after intubation as measured by the capnography, the initial PETCO2_1 and at post-ventilation 15 min, PETCO2_2 and first, second arterial blood gas analysis are recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the 48 patients was 74 years. The PETCO2_1 and PETCO2_2 measurements were statistically significantly different between the patients who survived and those who died (p=0.014, p=0.015). The patients with a high first PETCO2_1 value and a decrease to the normal level survived, but those with a low PETCO2_1 value that could not increase to a normal value died (p=0.038, p=0.031). Increased levels of SpO2, PETCO2_1, PETCO2_2 and PaCO2_2 decreased the risk of mortality, while an increased level of PaO2_2 increased the risk of mortality. CONCLUSION: Capnography is non-invasive and provides continuous measurement. Assessment of changes in PETCO2 value would contribute to patient survival.

The role of urine trypsinogen-2 test in the differential diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in the Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the role and importance of the urine trypsinogen-2 dipstick test in the differential diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in the Emergency Department and to compare results with those of conventional tests. METHODS: The study was performed prospectively in the patients admitting to the Emergency Department due to upper abdominal pain. Thirty-two of the 87 patients included in the study had acute pancreatitis diagnosis. Serum amylase, lipase, C-reactive protein (CRP) and urine trypsinogen-2 using Actim pancreatitis dipstick were studied in all patients. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 11.5 package program. RESULTS: Urine trypsinogen-2 was found positive in 21 (65.6%) of 32 patients. The sensitivity of the test for pancreatitis was identified as 64%, specificity as 85%, positive predictive value as 72%, and negative predictive value as 81%. These values were statistically significant compared to the control group (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Although it has lower sensitivity and specificity compared to amylase and lipase, we suggest that urine trypsinogen-2 test may be an important diagnostic tool in excluding the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, since it provides results within 5 minutes in the Emergency Department, is cheaper, has a higher negative predictive value, and is easy to use.