What is there in chinese writing that can guide us about the instance of the letter in the unconscious? / O que há na escrita chinesa que possa nos orientar acerca da instância da letra no inconsciente?

RESUMO: Este artigo versa sobre as relações entre o sistema de escrita chinês e a instância da letra no inconsciente. Para isso, revisamos teoricamente uma rede de conceitos imbricados que suportam essa questão na Linguística, com Saussure e Peirce, e na Psicanálise lacaniana: escrita, letra, signo e significante, lidos a partir da experiência de aprendizado do Mandarim e de recortes clínicos de situação de análise. Tal percurso nos apontou que, ao escutar um sujeito em análise, além da escuta de seus significantes, devemos nos atentar à dimensão do que é letra, inclusive na sua dimensão visual, para então, quiçá, transpor algo disso para o simbólico.

Abstract: This article discusses the relation between the Chinese writing system and the instance of the letter in the unconscious. We review theoretically a network of interwoven concepts that support this issue in Saussure and Lacan: writing, signifier and letter rethought from the learning experience of Mandarin and from clinical clippings of analysis situation. This way showed us that while listening to a subject in analysis, in addition to listening to its significant, we must be aware of the dimension of what the letter is, including its visual dimension, so then, perhaps, transpose something from it to the symbolic.

Contributions of René Kaës to the epistemology of psychoanalysis / Contribuições de rené kaës para a epistemologia da psicanálise

RESUMO: O objetivo deste artigo é discutir os efeitos das alianças inconscientes na restrição à extensão da psicanálise no que se refere à construção do conhecimento psicanalítico sobre os grupos. Cinquenta e cinco textos publicados na Revista Brasileira de Psicanálise RBP, entre 1967 e 1976, foram analisados a partir do referencial teórico-metodológico proposto por René Kaës. Numa breve reconstrução histórica, operou-se com o conceito de alianças inconscientes com o propósito de investigar as bases narcísicas presentes desde as origens da psicanálise; que restringiram a capacidade de pensar o grupo no campo da psicanálise. Benefícios narcísicos foram extraídos destas resistências que ainda hoje dificultam a extensão da psicanálise no que diz respeito à inclusão do grupo como objeto teórico.

Abstract: Contributions of René Kaës to the epistemology of psychoanalysis. The objective of this article is to discuss the effects of the unconscious alliances on extension of psychoanalysis. 55 texts published in the Revista Brasileira de Psicanálise between 1967 and 1976 were analyzed under the theoretical framework of René Kaës. A brief historical reconstruction with the concept of unconscious alliances in order to investigate the narcissistic bases present since the origins of psychoanalysis; that restricted the capacity to think in the group in the field of psychoanalysis. Narcissistic benefits were extracted of this resistance, that still today difficult the extension of the psychoanalysis for the inclusion of the group as a theoretical object.

Embolismo cerebral durante vuelo comercial: reporte de caso / Cerebral embolism during commercial flight: case report

RESUMEN Presentamos el caso de un varón de 25 años con antecedentes de consumo de marihuana y tabaco, que durante viaje en vuelo comercial a Cusco presentó disnea, pérdida de conciencia y estado epiléptico. Arribó a esta ciudad presentando hipotensión arterial, murmullo pulmonar abolido, sin recuperación de conciencia. La tomografía de tórax reveló bullas pulmonares y la tomografía mostró neumoencéfalo, diagnosticándose embolia gaseosa cerebral. La hipoxemia asociada a convulsiones y pérdida de conciencia en una persona joven durante el vuelo no es un evento común. La pérdida de la presión en la cabina durante el ascenso parece ser el evento desencadenante en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar.

ABSTRACT We present the case of a 25-year old man with a history of marijuana and tobacco consumption who, during a commercial flight to Cusco, presented dyspnea, loss of consciousness, and epileptic condition. He arrived in this city presenting arterial hypotension, abolished pulmonary murmur, with no recovery of consciousness. The thorax tomography revealed lung bullae and the tomography showed pneumocephalus. He was diagnosed with cerebral gas embolism. Hypoxemia associated with seizures and loss of consciousness in a young person during a flight is not a common event. Loss of cabin pressure during climb appears to be the triggering event in patients with lung disease.

Intermittent loss of consciousness during cesarean section under spinal anesthesia: a case report / Perda intermitente de consciência durante cesariana sob raquianestesia: relato de caso

Abstract Loss of consciousness during spinal anesthesia is a rare but scary complication. This complication is generally related to severe hypotension and bradycardia, but in this case, the loss of consciousness occurred in a hemodynamically stable parturient patient. We present a 31 years-old patient who underwent an emergency cesarean section. She lost consciousness and had apnea that started 10 minutes after successful spinal anesthesia and repeated three times for a total of 25 minutes, despite the stable hemodynamics of the patient. The case was considered a subdural block, and the patient was provided with respiratory support. The subdural block is expected to start slowly (approximately 15-20 minutes), but in this case, after about 10 minutes of receiving anesthesia, the patient suddenly had a loss of consciousness. After the recovery of consciousness and return of spontaneous respiration, the level of a sensory block of the patient, who was cooperative and oriented, was T4. There were motor blocks in both lower extremities. Four hours after intrathecal injection, both the sensory and motor blocks ended, and she was discharged two days later with no complications. Hence, patients who receive spinal anesthesia should be closely observed for any such undesirable complications.

Resumo A perda de consciência durante a raquianestesia é uma complicação rara, mas assustadora. Essa complicação geralmente está relacionada à grave hipotensão e bradicardia, mas, neste caso, a perda de consciência ocorreu em uma paciente parturiente hemodinamicamente estável. Apresentamos o caso de uma paciente de 31 anos, submetida a uma cesariana de emergência. A paciente perdeu a consciência e apresentou apneia que teve início 10 minutos após a raquianestesia bem-sucedida e repetiu o episódio três vezes por 25 minutos, a despeito de sua hemodinâmica estável. O caso foi considerado como um bloqueio subdural e a paciente recebeu suporte respiratório. Espera-se que o bloqueio subdural inicie lentamente (aproximadamente 15-20 minutos), mas, neste caso, cerca de 10 minutos após a anestesia, a paciente repentinamente perdeu a consciência. Após a recuperação da consciência e o retorno da respiração espontânea, a paciente que estava orientada e cooperativa apresentou nível de bloqueio sensorial em T4. Havia bloqueio motor em ambas as extremidades inferiores. O bloqueio sensório-motor terminou quatro horas após a injeção intratecal e a paciente recebeu alta hospitalar dois dias depois, sem complicações. Considerando o exposto, os pacientes que recebem raquianestesia devem ser atentamente observados para quaisquer complicações indesejáveis.

O vivo incomensurável: entre ciência e inconsciente / The incommendable living: between science and the unconscious

Pensar o laço entre neurociências e psicanálise obriga a pensar no incomensurável: pensar a partir do "nada em comum", para além de toda tradução, superposição, analogia redutora ou relação causa-efeito simplista. Senão permaneceremos nos pulos da pulga. Se pegarmos uma pulga, batermos uma palma: ela salta. Se lhe tirarmos uma pata, depois duas, depois três, ela salta cada vez menos longe. Se lhe tirarmos todas as patas, ela não salta de modo algum tal como quando batemos palma. Conclusão: a audição está nas patas! Há, com efeito, sempre o mesmo risco na interpretação das funções do cérebro: de ser tomado em uma relação estrutura-função simplista, linear, contínua, sem resto culminando em um falso raciocínio malgrado suas roupagens de evidência.

¿El siglo de las luces? / The lights century?

El siglo de las luces es una reflexión sobre el excesivo racionalismo de la medicina actual frente a los problemas del inconsciente dejando de lado el análisis del inconsciente del sujeto y la posibilidad del sujeto de mirarse así mismo.

This paper is a reflection about the excessive rationalism of current medici-ne against the unconscious problems leaving aside the analysis of the un-conscious of the person and the possibility of the person to look at himself.

O inconsciente e a lógica a partir de freud e lacan / The unconscious and the logic from freud and lacan

RESUMO: Nós propomos, neste artigo, uma interpretação da seguinte passagem do Abriss der Psychoanalyse de Freud: "As regras decisivas da lógica não têm validade no inconsciente, pode-se dizer que ele é o reino do ilógico". Para tanto, procederemos em quatro etapas: 1) Delimitar o conceito de lógica a partir do Organon de Aristóteles. 2) Identificar quais são as regras decisivas da lógica e seu conteúdo. 3) Examinar em que sentido tais regras não possuem validade no inconsciente. 4) Problematizar a tese freudiana de que o inconsciente seria o reino do ilógico. A ideia de que esta tese freudiana é problemática surge de uma tese que Lacan apresenta no seminário XIV sobre a lógica da fantasia, a saber, que o inconsciente "está instalado no campo da lógica e que ele articula proposições". Esta tese lacaniana nos permitirá chegar à conclusão de que o inconsciente não é totalmente o reino do ilógico.

Abstract: We propose, in this paper, an interpretation of this passage in Freud's Abriss der Psychoanalyse: "The decisive rules of logic don't apply in the unconscious, we could call it the Empire of the illogical". To do this, we are going to follow these steps: 1) Define the concept of logic through Aristotle's Organon. 2) Identify the decisive rules of logic and their contents. 3) Examine in what sense these rules don't apply in the unconscious. 4) Call into question Freud's thesis that unconscious would be the Empire of the illogical. The idea that this Freudian thesis is problematic comes from a thesis which Lacan presents in the seminar XIV on the logic of phantasy, namely that the unconscious "is installed in the field of logic and that it articulates propositions". This thesis will allow us to conclude that the unconscious is not completely the Empire of the illogical.

Costo-efectividad de la reanimación cardiopulmonar con el uso del desfibrilador externo automático, comparado con reanimación cardiopulmonar básica, para personas con pérdida de conciencia en espacios de afluencia masiva de público / Cost-effectiveness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation using an automated external defibrillator compared with a basic defibrillator in unconscious patients in crowded public spaces in Colombia

Resumen Objetivo: Estimar la razón de costo-efectividad de la reanimación cardiopulmonar con el uso del desfibrilador externo automático (DEA), comparado con la reanimación cardiopulmonar básica, para la reanimación de personas con pérdida de conciencia en espacios de afluencia masiva de público en Colombia. Métodos: Para estimar los costos y desenlaces de las dos alternativas de comparación, se diseñó un árbol de decisiones en el cual se reflejan los principales desenlaces posterior a la pérdida de conciencia y la reanimación con cualquiera de las dos alternativas. Se asumió la perspectiva del sistema de salud colombiano en un horizonte temporal comprendido entre el momento de la pérdida de conciencia de la persona hasta el ingreso al hospital. Las probabilidades de los eventos se obtuvieron de un meta-análisis de ensayos clínicos y la información de costos de fuentes oficiales y consulta directa a proveedores de DEA en Colombia. Los costos fueron expresados en pesos colombianos de 2016 y la efectividad en muertes evitadas. Se realizaron análisis de sensibilidad determinísticos y probabilísticos para estimar el impacto de la incertidumbre sobre las conclusiones. Resultados: La razón de costo-efectividad de la reanimación cardiopulmonar con DEA fue de $3.267.777 por muerte evitada. La probabilidad de que esta intervención sea costo-efectiva es superior al 90% para un umbral de costo-efectividad superior a 10 millones de pesos. Conclusión: Un programa de reanimación cardiopulmonar con desfibrilación temprana mediante el uso de DEA, en espacios de afluencia masiva de público, es una alternativa costo-efectiva para el sistema de salud colombiano.

Abstract Objective: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation using an automated external defibrillator (AED) compared with basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation, for the resuscitation of unconscious patients in crowded public spaces in Colombia. Methods: A decision tree was designed in order to estimate the costs and outcomes of the two alternatives. This included the main outcomes after the loss of consciousness and resuscitation by any of the two alternatives. The perspective of the Colombian Health System was adopted in a time scale consisting of the time of loss of consciousness until hospital admission. The probabilities of the events were obtained from a meta-analysis of clinical trials, and the information on costs from official sources and direct consultations with AED providers in Colombia. The costs were expressed in Colombian pesos of 2016, and the effectiveness in deaths prevented. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to estimate the impact of uncertainty on the conclusions. Results: The cost-effectiveness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation with AED was COP $3,267,777 per death avoided. The probability that this intervention would be cost-effective is greater than 90% for cost-effectiveness threshold greater than 10 million Colombian pesos. Conclusion: A cardiopulmonary resuscitation program with early defibrillation using an AED in crowded public spaces is a cost-effective alternative for the Colombian Health System.

Motor Recovery after Seizure Induced by Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Despite the low incidence, seizures induced by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) have been studied as they may cause neurological and functional regression. Seizures may predict poor outcomes in stroke patients, with no reports of improved neurological status after seizures. This is the first Korean report of a seizure induced by rTMS, and the first report in the literature of prompt motor recovery following a seizure induced by high-frequency rTMS of the primary motor cortex in a stroke patient. A 43-year-old man with left hemiplegia due to infarction in the right basal ganglia was enrolled 10 sessions of rTMS (each session consisted of 15 trains, with each train consisting of 5 seconds of stimulation at 20 Hz and 90% of resting motor threshold for each session followed by 55 seconds of rest). The self-limited seizure occurred within 5 seconds after the 10th session. It lasted for 60 seconds, with generalized tonic features in all four extremities and the trunk and loss of consciousness followed by prompt improvement in left hand muscle strength and coordination. Though the seizure is known to usually cause neurologic regression, this case showed neurologic improvement after rTMS even after the rTMS-induced seizure.

Lipid emulsion therapy of local anesthetic systemic toxicity due to dental anesthesia

Local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) refers to the complication affecting the central nervous system (CNS) and cardiovascular system (CVS) due to the overdose of local anesthesia. Its reported prevalence is 0.27/1000, and the representative symptoms range from dizziness to unconsciousness in the CNS and from arrhythmias to cardiac arrest in the CVS. Predisposing factors of LAST include extremes of age, pregnancy, renal disease, cardiac disease, hepatic dysfunction, and drug-associated factors. To prevent the LAST, it is necessary to recognize the risk factors for each patient, choose a safe drug and dose of local anesthesia, use vasoconstrictor , confirm aspiration and use incremental injection techniques. According to the treatment guidelines for LAST, immediate application of lipid emulsion plays an important role. Although lipid emulsion is commonly used for parenteral nutrition, it has recently been widely used as a non-specific antidote for various types of drug toxicity, such as LAST treatment. According to the recently published guidelines, 20% lipid emulsion is to be intravenously injected at 1.5 mL/kg. After bolus injection, 15 mL/kg/h of lipid emulsion is to be continuously injected for LAST. However, caution must be observed for >1000 mL of injection, which is the maximum dose. We reviewed the incidence, mechanism, prevention, and treatment guidelines, and a serious complication of LAST occurring due to dental anesthesia. Furthermore, we introduced lipid emulsion that has recently been in the spotlight as the therapeutic strategy for LAST.

Distinct Topographical Patterns of Spike-Wave Discharge in Transgenic and Pharmacologically Induced Absence Seizure Models

Absence seizures (AS) are generalized non-convulsive seizures characterized by a brief loss of consciousness and spike-and-wave discharges (SWD) in an electroencephalogram (EEG). A number of animal models have been developed to explain the mechanisms of AS, and thalamo-cortical networks are considered to be involved. However, the cortical foci have not been well described in mouse models of AS. This study aims to use a high density EEG in pathophysiologically different AS models to compare the spatiotemporal patterns of SWDs. We used two AS models: a pharmacologically induced model (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, GHB model) and a transgenic model (phospholipase beta4 knock-out, PLCβ4 model). The occurrences of SWDs were confirmed by thalamic recordings. The topographical analysis of SWDs showed that the onset and propagation patterns were markedly distinguishable between the two models. In the PLCβ4 model, the foci were located within the somatosensory cortex followed by propagation to the frontal cortex, whereas in the GHB model, a majority of SWDs was initiated in the prefrontal cortex followed by propagation to the posterior cortex. In addition, in the GHB model, foci were also observed in other cortical areas. This observation indicates that different cortical networks are involved in the generation of SWDs across the two models.

A case of acute organic solvent poisoning during epoxy coating

BACKGROUND: In the construction industry, maintaining health and safety of workers often challenging. Among the workers at construction sites, painters are at particular risk of respiratory diseases and neurotoxicity. However, in Korea there is weak enforcement of workers' health and safety practices in the construction industry in Korea. Poisonings frequently occur at (semi)closed construction sites. In this study, we report a case of acute organic solvent poisoning during construction site painting. CASE PRESENTATION: A 71-year-old man was found unconscious at a construction site and immediately transferred to the emergency room. The consciousness level was 'stupor state' and the body temperature was hypothermic, at 32 degrees (Celsius). There were no acute brain or cardiac lesions that would have accounted for the faintness. In addition, blood and urine tests did not indicate a cause of loss of consciousness. He had been painting epoxy to waterproof the basement floor before fainting. According to exposure simulation, the patient was overexposed to various organic solvents, such as approximately 316–624 ppm toluene during the work before fainting. Considering the ventilation status of the workplace and the status of no protection, it is considered that exposure through the respiratory tract was considerable. CONCLUSIONS: The patient in this case lost consciousness during the epoxy coating in a semi-enclosed space. It can be judged as a result of acute poisoning caused by organic solvent exposure and considered to be highly related to work environment.

Cognitive Decline in Korean Patients with Neurocognitive Disorder due to Traumatic Brain Injury: A Control for Premorbid Intelligence

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies of cognitive decline in patients with neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury (NCD-TBI) have often failed to control for baseline factors such as premorbid intelligence. The purpose of the current study was to estimate and compare cognitive function among three groups (controls, complicated mild/moderate TBI, and severe TBI) after controlling for premorbid intelligence.METHODS: Severity of TBI was classified as complicated mild/moderate or severe based on duration of loss of consciousness and brain neuroimaging results. Premorbid intelligence quotients (IQs) were estimated with the Oklahoma Premorbid Intelligence Estimate. There were no differences in premorbid intelligence between the groups, which were also matched for age and education. Current cognitive function was evaluated with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition.RESULTS: Comparison of current cognitive function among the three groups indicated significant group differences for all indexes and subtest scores. Processing speed showed the highest effect size. However, only working memory differed significantly between the two NCD-TBI groups.CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that mental memory manipulation processes seem to be more sensitive to TBI severity than are perceptual-motor processes. Specifically, both auditory rehearsal/discrimination and mental alertness/manipulation will be most strongly influenced by TBI severity.

Path Analysis for Delirium on Patient Prognosis in Intensive Care Units / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate relationship between delirium, risk factors on delirium, and patient prognosis based on Donabedian's structure-process-outcome model.METHODS: This study utilized a path analysis design. We extracted data from the electronic medical records containing delirium screening data. Each five hundred data in a delirium and a non-delirium group were randomly selected from electronic medical records of medical and surgical intensive care patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 and AMOS 24.RESULTS: In the final model, admission via emergency department (B=.06, p=.019), age over 65 years (B=.11, p=.001), unconsciousness (B=.18, p=.001), dependent activities (B=.12, p=.001), abnormal vital signs (B=.12, p=.001), pressure ulcer risk (B=.12, p=.001), enteral nutrition (B=.12, p=.001), and use of restraint (B=.30, p=.001) directly affecting delirium accounted for 56.0% of delirium cases. Delirium had a direct effect on hospital mortality (B=.06, p=.038), hospital length of stay (B=5.06, p=.010), and discharge to another facility (not home) (B=.12, p=.001), also risk factors on delirium indirectly affected patient prognosis through delirium.CONCLUSION: The use of interventions to reduce delirium may improve patient prognosis. To improve the dependency activities and risk of pressure ulcers that directly affect delirium, early ambulation is encouraged, and treatment and nursing interventions to remove the ventilator and drainage tube quickly must be provided to minimize the application of restraint. Further, delirium can be prevented and patient prognosis improved through continuous intervention to stimulate cognitive awareness and monitoring of the onset of delirium. This study also discussed the effects of delirium intervention on the prognosis of patients with delirium and future research in this area.

Dexmedetomidine as a non-triggering anesthetic agent in a patient with MELAS syndrome and systemic sepsis: A case report

BACKGROUND: The selection of anesthetic agents is important in mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome patient because serious and unexpected complications can occur after anesthetic exposure.CASE: A 30-year-old man with MELAS syndrome and sepsis underwent colectomy. Propofol was administered by step-wise until target effect-site concentration (Ce) 1.0 µg/ml and stopped for the loss of consciousness and to avoid hemodynamic instability. After the loss of consciousness, total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) using dexmedetomidine (1.0 µg/ml/h) and remifentanil (1–4 ng/ml of Ce) was performed for the maintenance of anesthesia to avoid malignant hyperthermia and mitochondrial dysfunction. During the surgery, the bispectral index score stayed between 26 and 44, and increased to 97 after the end of anesthesia.CONCLUSIONS: TIVA with dexmedetomidine and remifentanil as non-triggering anesthetic agents in patients with MELAS syndrome and systemic sepsis may have advantages to decrease damages associated with mitochondrial stress and metabolic burden.

O pai: uma questão sempre atual para a psicanálise / The father: an ever-present matter for psychoanalysis

Resumo: O objetivo do artigo é discutir a função paterna, investigando no texto lacaniano formulações fundamentais sobre a função do pai e sua relação com o sujeito do inconsciente, a fim de situar a diferença dessa função com a apresentação situacional do pai na realidade social. Defende-se a leitura de que o papel social do pai e a função paterna, tal como proposta pela psicanálise e trabalhada por Lacan, são campos diferentes de constituição do problema, que, embora possam estar relacionados, não se determinam. Podemos dizer que confundir esses diferentes modos de análise acarreta conclusões equivocadas sobre o sujeito da psicanálise e sobre a clínica, como sugere Lebrun na sua proposta de "neossujeitos".

Abstract: The aim of this article is to discuss the paternal function, inquiring in the lacanian literature, fundamental formulations about the father and its relationship with the subject of the unconscious, for the purpose of situate the difference of this function with the father situational presentation in the social reality. It stands up for that the father social role and the paternal function, as proposed by psychoanalysis and worked by Lacan, are different fields of constitution of the problem, although may be related, do not determine each other. We can state that confusing these different modes of analysis leads to misleading conclusions about the subject of psychoanalysis and the clinic, as Lebrun indicates in his proposal of "neo-subjects".

Identificación de gatillantes de sistema de respuesta rápida en pacientes de unidades de baja complejidad de un hospital universitario / Identification of rapid response system triggers in unit patients of low complexity of a university hospital

Las complicaciones graves de pacientes en unidades de baja complejidad habitualmente son precedidas por alteración en los signos vitales. Los equipos de respuesta rápida (ERR) atienden precozmente a pacientes con alteración de signos vitales que se relacionan con resultados adversos. Nuestro objetivo es determinar la tasa de gatillantes de ERR en pacientes hospitalizados en unidades de baja complejidad y su eventual relación con eventos adversos posteriores. Métodos: Observación de registros de una cohorte prospectiva de pacientes mayores de 18 años en unidades de baja complejidad de un hospital universitario. Resultados: Se encontraron gatillantes en 50 de 1144 pacientes (4,4 por ciento). La edad promedio fue de 58 años, y 58 por ciento fueron mujeres. Los gatillantes más frecuentes fueron: Hipotensión (40 por ciento), frecuencia respiratoria mayor a 25 por minuto (26 por ciento) y Saturación de oxígeno menor a 90 por ciento (24 por ciento). Presentaron eventos adversos mayores 6 pacientes (12 por ciento), 1 de ellos con desenlace fatal y los 6 fueron trasladados a unidad de mayor complejidad. No existió diferencia significativa entre quienes tuvieron 1 o 2 gatillantes en relación a eventos adversos mayores. Los 3 pacientes que presentaron compromiso de conciencia sufrieron eventos adversos mayores incluyendo la muerte de uno. Conclusión: Los gatillantes más frecuentes fueron hipotensión y taquipnea. La presencia de dos eventos gatillantes muestra una tendencia a un peor resultado, si bien no alcanza significancia estadística. Dado nuestra eventual tasa de activación de ERR si se justificaría la implementación de estos equipos en nuestro medio.(AU)

Serious patient complications in low complexity units are usually preceded by impaired vital signs. Rapid Response Teams (RRT) treat patients with impaired vital signs that are related to early adverse outcomes. Our objective is to determine the ERR trigger rates in hospitalized patients in low complexity units and their eventual relationship with subsequent adverse events. Methods: Recorded observation of a cohort of prospective patients older than 18 years in a University hospital´s low complexity units. Results: 50 out of 1.144 patients (4.4 percent) were found to have triggers. The mean age was 58 years, and 58 percent were women. The most frequent triggers were: Hypotension (40 percent), respiratory rate greater than 25 per minute (26 percent) and oxygen saturation less than 90 percent (24 percent). Major adverse events were in six patients (12 percent), one of them had a fatal outcome and six patients were transferred to a more complex unit. There was no significant difference between those who had one or two triggers and the relation to their major adverse events. The three patients who had compromised consciousness experienced major adverse events including death to one of them. Conclusion: The most frequent triggers were hypotension and tachypnea. The presence of two triggering events shows a tendency to a worse result, although it does not reach statistical significance. Considering our RRT´s eventual activation rate, the implementation of RRT teams would be justified in our environment.(AU)

Tracheal Infection Resulting from High Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressure in an Unconscious Patient with Brain Trauma / 대한신경손상학회지

Deep neck infections (DNIs) are mainly caused by dental caries, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis; however, DNIs can also occur after head and neck trauma. A 79-year-old male patient underwent a craniectomy due to an acute subdural hematoma. The patient was unconscious and continued to have a fever, but no clear cause was found. On postoperative day 9, he suddenly showed redness and swelling on the anterior neck. Enhanced computed tomography of the pharynx revealed tracheal necrosis and an abscess in the surrounding area. An incision and drainage were performed and Enterobacter aerogenes and E. faecalis were identified. The infection was controlled after antibiotic treatment. High endotracheal tube cuff pressure was suspected as the cause of the tracheal infection. Although DNIs are difficult to predict in patients who cannot report their symptoms due to unconsciousness, prevention and rapid diagnosis are important, as DNIs have serious side effects.

Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy more effective than normobaric oxygen therapy for improving acute neuropsychologic status due to carbon monoxide poisoning?

OBJECTIVE: The evidence that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is more effective for improving the acute neuropsychological status (ANS) of carbon monoxide poisoning than normobaric oxygen (NBO) therapy is not convincing. This is because the levels of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) do not correlate with the clinical severity of carbon monoxide poisoning and there is no universally accepted severity scale of carbon monoxide poisoning. This paper suggests a new scale for the clinical and neurological severity of carbon monoxide poisoning, called the ANS, and assesses the effect of HBO therapy for each level of ANS compared to NBO therapy. METHODS: A total of 217 patients who had been hospitalized because of carbon monoxide poisoning from January 2009 to July 2013 were studied. ANS was suggested as a new severity scale of carbon monoxide poisoning considered in the Glasgow Coma Scale, acute neuro-psychologic signs and symptoms, or cardiac ischemia on the initial medical contact. HBO therapy is indicated in those who have a loss of consciousness, seizure, coma, abnormal findings on a neurological examination, pregnancy, persistent cardiac ischemia, level of COHb >25%, or severe metabolic acidosis (pH < 7.2). The end point is the day of discharge, and recovery is defined as a normal neuro-psychological status without any sequelae. RESULTS: The levels of troponin T and creatinine increased significantly with increasing ANS score. In the moderate to severe group (ANS 2 and 3), the recovery rate was significantly higher when treated with HBO therapy than with NBO therapy (P=0.030). On the other hand, the development of delayed neuro-psychological sequelae (DNS) did not correlate with any level of ANS, type of oxygen therapy, or recovery on discharge. CONCLUSION: In the moderate to severe poisoned group, HBO therapy is more effective for improving the ANS from carbon monoxide poisoning than NBO therapy. On the other hand, the development of DNS of HBO therapy is no more preventable than with NBO therapy. Although the level of ANS is low, the patient needs to be provided with sufficient information and a follow-up visit is recommended for any abnormal symptoms because the ANS does not correlate with the development and degree of DNS.

Efficacy of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and clinical predicting indexes on differentiating subarachnoid hemorrhage from acute headache patients at emergency department

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the clinical usefulness of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Ottawa subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) rule and EMERALD (Emergency Medicine, Registry Analysis, Learning and Diagnosis) SAH rule for predicting SAH in patients with acute headache. METHODS: This clinical retrospective study was conducted at an urban emergency department between January 2008 and December 2017. Alert, neurologically intact adult patients with acute headache were included. All data were drawn from electrical medical charts. The Ottawa SAH rule (positive if any of age ≥40, neck pain, loss of consciousness, onset during exertion, thunderclap headache, and neck stiffness), EMERALD SAH rule (positive if any of systolic blood pressure >150 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure >90 mmHg, serum glucose >115 mg/dL, or serum potassium 2.1) was added to the last step to have achieve 99.0% sensitivity and 56.7% specificity. CONCLUSION: The stepwise application of the Ottawa, EMERALD SAH rule, and NLR increased the specificity compared to each application. On the other hand, further studies will be needed to increase the sensitivity.