The effect of patient weight on the success of converting sinus rhythm in patients with PSVT treated with standard dose adenosine.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to investigate whether there is a difference in the amount of adenosine per kilogram (mg/kg) between the patient groups that can and cannot be converted to sinus rhythm (SR) with adenosine therapy in patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). MATERIAL AND METHOD: This single-centered, retrospectively designed study was conducted in the ED of a training and research hospital between December 1, 2019 and December 1, 2022 on patients who were admitted to the ED with SVT diagnosis and treated with a 6-12-18 mg adenosine protocol. The main analyses were carried out in three stages. The first analysis was performed considering the first 6 mg dose of adenosine administered. The second analysis was performed by considering the 12 mg adenosine administered as the second dose because it did not respond to the first dose. Finally, the third analysis was performed by considering the 18 mg adenosine administered as the third dose because it did not respond to preciously dosages. The primary outcome variable was determined to be converting SR and created two groups according to this; the success SR group and the failure SR group. RESULTS: During the study period, 73 patients who were admitted to the ED with PSVT diagnosis and treated with intravenous adenosine were included. After the first 6 mg of adenosine treatment was administered to all 73 patients, SR was achieved in only 38% of patients. The mean adenosine dose (mg/kg) was significantly lower in the failure SR group, 0.07373 ± 0.014, compared with 0.08885 ± 0.017 mg/kg in the success SR group (mean difference with 95% CI: -0.01511 [-0.023 to -0.0071]; p < 0.001). In the second and third stage analyses, considering 12 and 18 mg adenosine doses, when the administrations with successful and failed SR were compared, no difference was found in terms of the applied adenosine doses per kilogram. CONCLUSION: This study suggest that the success of terminating SVT with the first 6 mg dose of adenosine appears to be dependent on patient weight. In patients given larger doses of adenosine, determinants of PSVT termination success may be factors other than patient weight.

Determination of factors associated with perforation in patients with geriatric acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Recognition and management of abdominal emergencies in geriatric patients are more complicated compared to the younger population. We aimed to investigate the demographic characteristics of geriatric patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis and to investigate the factors associated with perforation in the early stages in this study. METHODS: After obtaining local ethical committee approval, patients 65 years and older who had appendectomy between January 2015 and December 2019 were included the study. Demographic data of the patients, physical examination findings, and laboratory results were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on surgical reports: Perforated and simple appendicitis. RESULTS: During the study period, 72 patients were evaluated. In our study, 48.6% of the patients were male, and the median age was 71.5 years (IQR 25-75, 68-80). Perforated appendicitis was detected in 28% of the patients. We were determined that the vast majority of patients with perforated appendicitis were male; had more frequent chronic kidney disease and post-operative local complications; had increased leukocytes, neutrophils, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and total bilirubin; and had reduced albumin; and these differences were statistically significant (all values p<0.05). Multivariate analysis shows increased neutrophil count and male sex was significantly associated with perforated appendicitis (p=0.035 and p=0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Geriatric patients with chronic kidney disease can be at higher risk of perforated appendicitis due to inadequate abdominal physical examination results. In addition, male gender and an elevated neutrophil count are independent predictors of perforation.

Assessment of pleth variability index in volume changes during ultrafiltration process.

OBJECTIVES: Pleth variability index (PVI) has been studied mostly in mechanically ventilated patients, and the role of PVI in predicting volume status and volume changes among spontaneously breathing patients is not clear in the literature. We hypothesized that hemodialysis (HD) can be a valid model for a simulation that can be evaluated the correlation of PVI with fluid changes in various volume states. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of PVI for assessing volume changes in HD patients who are breathing spontaneously. METHODS: This prospective, observational study included patients aged 18 years or older who had end-stage renal failure and presented for routine HD between December 2019 and January 2020. PVI values were measured before and after HD session. Changes in PVI levels were compared according to the amount of ultrafiltration. RESULTS: A total of sixty patients were included. Mean PVI level before HD (20.7% ± 5%) showed a statistically significant increase to 27.7% ± 6% after HD session (P < 0.001). According to the amount of fluid removed during HD, the changes in PVI were statistically significant (P = 0.015). There was a strong correlation between ΔPVI and ultrafiltrated volume (r = 0.744, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The fluid removed by HD caused increase in PVI, and the increase was strongly correlated with the amount of volume change. Bedside monitoring of PVI may provide the clinicians with useful information for monitoring the volume status in critically ill patients with spontaneous breathing.

Assessment of factors affecting mortality in geriatric patients with warfarin overdose.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to perform a demographic analysis of complications and to determine the factors affecting in-hospital mortality in geriatric patients with warfarin overdose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients aged 65 years or older using warfarin with an international normalized ratio (INR) level above 3.5 IU between 01.01.2014 and 01.01.2018 were included in the study. Characteristics of patients with in-hospital mortality and surviving patients were compared. Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the predictors for in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 302 geriatric patients included in the study for statistical analyses. Bleeding rate was 14.2%. A comparison of patient characteristics for in-hospital mortality (survivor vs. nonsurvivor) revealed significant differences for age, gender, chronic renal failure history, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase levels (P < 0.05). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. It was found that elevated AST (P = 0.029, odds ratio [OR]: 1.004, 95% confidence intervals [CIs]; 1.001-1.007) and creatinine (P = 0.045, OR: 2.36, 95% CIs; 1.02-5.48) levels as well as advanced age (P = 0.031, OR: 1.11, 95% CIs; 1.01-1.22) and male gender (P = 0.017, OR: 5.48, 95% CIs; 1.35-22.1) had a negative impact on survival. CONCLUSION: Our study results revealed that male gender, advanced age, and hepatic and renal dysfunctions were the predictors of in-hospital mortality in the elderly with warfarin overdose. In order to avoid serious warfarin-related complications in the older age groups, particularly when there is renal or hepatic dysfunction, patients should be informed about minor warning side effects of warfarin, INR levels should be more frequently checked, and patients should have more strict follow-up schedules.

Effects of spinal immobilization at 20° on end-tidal carbon dioxide.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine the effect on end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) of spinal immobilization (SI) at a conventional 0° angle and to investigate the usefulness of immobilization at a 20° angle for preventing possible hypoventilation. METHODS: The study included 80 healthy volunteers, randomly divided into two groups. Spinal backboards and cervical collars were applied in Group 1 using a 0° angle and in Group 2 using a 20° angle, with the head up. SI was continued for 1 h, and ETCO2 values were measured at the 0th, 30th and 60th minute. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in 0th and 30th minute ETCO2. However, after 60th minute, results showed a statistically significant increase in ETCO2 in Group 1 (35.5 mmHg [IQR 25-75:35-38]) compared to Group 2 (34 mmHg [IQR 25-75:33-36]) (p < 0.001). During SI, there was a statistically significant increase in ETCO2 in Group 1 (35 mmHg [IQR 25-75:34-36], 35.5 mmHg [IQR 25-75:34-37] and 36 mmHg [IQR 25-75:35-38] respectively at the 0th, 30th and 60th minute after SI) (p < 0.001) and no change in Group 2. Also, we found statistically significant differences between ΔETCO2 levels in Groups 1 and 2 at all 3 time intervals. CONCLUSION: Conventional SI with an angle of 0° led to an increase in ETCO2 while subjects immobilization at a 20° angle maintained their initial ETCO2 values. Immobilization at 20° may prevent decompensation in patients who have thoracic trauma or lung diseases or those who are elderly, pregnant, or obese.

Predictive value of capnography for severity of acute gastroenteritis in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: This study first aims to assess the utility of ETCO2 levels in evaluating the severity of dehydration in adult patients that present to the ED with acute gastroenteritis. AGE. Second, it intends to evaluate the correlation between ETCO2 and several metabolic parameters: creatinine, pH, bicarbonate (HCO3), and bases excessive (BE). METHOD: This prospective study was conducted with AGE patients in the ED of a training and research hospital between June 2018 and April 2019 after approval of the local ethical-committee. The two groups were defined according to the severity of AGE: mild and non-mild groups. For both groups, ETCO2 levels were measured and recorded on admission of the patients. RESULTS: 87 patients were included in the analyses. The median of ETCO2 values was found as lower in non-mild group than mild group; 30 (25-35) & 39 (33-34), respectively (p < 0.001). In ROC analysis for distinguishing between the both groups, the AUC value was found to be 0.988 and the best cut-off level was found as 33.5 with 95% sensitivity and 93% specificity. In addition, strong negative correlation between ETCO2 and creatinine (p < 0.001, r: -0.771) were found. CONCLUSION: ETCO2 levels decreased in the non-mild group of AGE patients; it could be useful to distinguish the mild group from the non-mild group. ETCO2 could be a reliable marker in predicting AKI in the management of AGE patients.

Association of trans-myocardial repolarisation parameters with size of the diffusion limitation area in acute ischaemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between transmyocardial repolarisation parameters and the size of the diffusion limitation area measured using diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWMRI) in patients diagnosed with ischaemic stroke without known cardiac diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was a prospective, observational clinical study. Patients without cardiac disease with acute ischaemic stroke were included in the study. Electrocardiography (ECG) was received from the patients. P, QT, QTc and Tp-e dispersions were calculated. All the patients had computerised brain tomography (CT) and then DWMRI carried out so as to calculate infarct areas. RESULTS: Seventy ischaemic stroke patients and 30 control patients were included in the study. All parameters except for QTc dispersion (p = 0.88) were higher in the stroke group than in the control group (p < 0.05 for all values). The infarct area calculated with DWMRI was divided into four groups according to quartiles, and QT, QTc, P, and Tp-e dispersions of patients were evaluated. Patients were found to have a prolonged dispersion as the infarct area expanded, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05 for all values). CONCLUSIONS: When we compared the patients with ischaemic stroke who had no known cardiac disease to those in the control group we found an increase in transmyocardial repolarisation parameters. As diffusion limitation areas grew larger, QT, QTc, P, and Tp-e dispersions increased. Physicians should be aware of dysrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in acute stroke and should observe these patients, especially those with larger stroke lesions.

Value of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in distinguishing between acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to determine whether plasma NGAL levels could be used as a biomarker for distinguishing between AKI and CKD in emergency medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted at the ED of a training and research hospital over a six-month period in 2015. Three groups were defined: an AKI group - defined as a new onset of at least a 1.5-fold or ≥0.3 mg increment increase of SCr values from the normal baseline, a stable CKD group - only included presence of stages 2 through 4 of CKD according to the National Kidney Foundation's KDIGO 2012, and a control group. After the initial evaluation of patients, venous blood samples were taken for routine biochemical, counter blood cell, and plasma NGAL measurement at admission. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients with AKI, 22 patients with stable CKD, and 22 control subjects were enrolled. Level of plasma NGAL in AKI group was higher than those of the stable CKD group (median: 794 ng/ml IQR: 317-1300 & 390 ng/ml IQR: 219-664, p < 0.001). AUC was measured as 0.68 (p = 0.02, 95% CIs: 0.54-0.84) to assess the utility of plasma NGAL levels at varying cut-off values for distinguishing between AKI and CKD. For plasma NGAL, the best cut-off level was found to be 457 ng/ml (sensitivity: 72.0%, specificity: 64%). CONCLUSION: This study has clearly demonstrated that plasma NGAL levels were higher in AKI patients than in CKD patients. However, in clinical practice, the use of plasma NGAL levels to distinguish between AKI and CKD is limited.

Diagnostic value of appendicular Doppler ultrasonography in acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common causes of acute abdominal pain prompting emergency department (ED) visits. It is critical for the physicians to promptly and accurately diagnose acute appendicitis. The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of Doppler ultrasonography (USG) in patients with acute appendicitis and compare this new method with other commonly used radio-diagnostic tools. METHODS: All patients who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis at the Kecioren Training and Research Hospital ED and later underwent appendectomy between October 2012 and April 2013 were included in the study. Approval from the ethics committee was obtained for this prospective study. The patients' demographic information, physical examination findings, vital signs, Alvarado scores, and laboratory and radiological exam results were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were enrolled in the study. In 46 of the 60 patients, diagnosis of acute appendicitis was confirmed by histopathology results, whereas 14 patients, diagnoses was not confirmed by lab tests. Doppler USG could detect 43 of the 46 patients as true positives, and it detected 2 of the 14 patients with negative lab results as false positives. For diagnosis of acute appendicitis, sensitivity of appendicular Doppler USG was 93%, specificity was 85%, accuracy was 91%, positive likelihood ratio was 6.5, and negative likelihood ratio was 0.08. CONCLUSION: Doppler imaging can offer a high level of diagnostic success in patients with acute appendicitis. Appendicular Doppler USG offers a rapid and easy application without the need to expose patients to contrast medium and is superior to both USG and computed tomography. Therefore, we recommend the use of appendicular Doppler imaging as the primary radiological exam in diagnosing acute appendicitis.

Comparing the success rates of standard and modified Valsalva maneuvers to terminate PSVT: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to detect whether modified Valsalva maneuver (VM) is more effective than the standard VM in terminating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). METHODOLOGY: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the emergency department of a training and research hospital between Dec. 1, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2016. Participants were divided into two groups, randomly assigned standard VM or modified VM, as the first treatment with two-dimensional permutation blocks; in the order of arrival of the patients. In both groups; the determined procedure for standard or modified VM was repeated up to three times in patients whose PSVT did not convert to sinus rhythm. In both groups; if the maneuver was unsuccessful after three attempts, anti-arrhythmic medication was administered. The primary outcome was defined to compare the success rate of achieving sinus rhythm after standard VM or modified VM. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were randomized to modified or standard VM with 28 patients in each treatment arm. Three of 28 patients (10.7%) in VM group and 12 of 28 patients (42.9%) in modified VM group were returned to sinus rhythm after intervention (p=0.007). The number of patients who needed rescue treatment was lower in the modified VM group - 16 (57.1%) of 28 versus 25 (89.3%) of 28 in the standard VM group (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that modified VM therapy was more effective than standard VM for terminating PSVT. The modified VM therapy also indirectly reduced the need for anti-arrhythmic medication and indirectly caused fewer side effects.

The evaluation of a new marker of transmyocardial repolarization parameters in ischemic stroke patients; T peak-T end (T p-e), T p-e/QTc.

The cardiovascular manifestations of acute ischemic stroke have been well known. Several electrocardiography (ECG) abnormalities have been reported in patients following acute stroke, including QT interval prolongation, ST segment deviation and T-wave changes. This study aimed to investigate the changes in transmyocardial repolarization parameters, in ischemic stroke patients. The study is a prospective, blind, and controlled clinical study. The patients without cardiac disease who received ischemic stroke diagnoses were included in the study. ECG was received from the patients in the first hour and 72 h. The P, QT, T p-e, T p-e dispersion, and the T p-e/QT ratio were calculated. Moreover, fifty-five stroke patients and 35 control subjects were included to the study. All dispersion values and T p-e/QTc ratio in patients group were higher than those of control group (p < 0.05 for all values). When evaluated between ECGs' on first and third days, it was found that decreasing on all dispersion values and T p-e/QTc ratio in ECGs on third day than ECGs on first day (p < 0.05 for all values). QT, QTc, and T p-e dispersions values in patients who have insular lobe involvement were higher than those of patients who do not have insular lobe involvement (p < 0.001 for all values). In this study, we showed that acute stroke increases that P d, QTd, QTcd and new repolarization markers T p-e and T p-e/QTc, during first 24 and 72 h in acute stroke patients without cardiovascular disease compared with the control group. The physicians should be aware about ventricular dysrhythmias in patients with ischemic stroke and these patients closely observed with cardiac monitoring, especially within first 24 h, and especially patients with insular lobe involvement.

The evaluation of the audit of Fresh-Frozen Plasma (FFP) usage in emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: In our study, the aim is to evaluate the use of Fresh-Frozen Plasma (FFP) in our emergency department and to assess its audit for transfusion. METHODS: All the patients aged 18 and over who received FFP transfusion in the emergency department between March 1, 2013 and March 1, 2016 were included into the study. The audit of FFP use was evaluated by according to 'British Committee for Standards in Hematology Guideline-2004'. RESULTS: Total 141 patients were identified to receive FFP transfusion in our emergency department. When the audit of FFP use was evaluated, 59.6% of all the practices were regarded as improper use. We identified that while the rate of improper use was 40.2% in patients with bleeding, it rose to 90.7% in patients without active bleeding or in those who used FFP with the aim of bleeding prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: We have determined that FFP transfusions were conducted with improper indications at high rate in our emergency department. Preparing an up-to-date transfusion guideline for the practices in emergency departments in our country and training and supervising the medical staff at regular intervals may help prevent the shortcomings in FFP practices.

Effects of spinal immobilization at 20° on respiratory functions.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to investigate whether spinal immobilization with a long backboard (LBB) and semirigid cervical collar (CC) at 20° instead of 0° conserve pulmonary functions, including forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC ratio. METHODOLOGY: The study included 56 adult healthy volunteers. Volunteers were randomly divided into 2 groups, and those in the first group (group 1) had LBBs and CCs applied at 0° (n=30), whereas volunteers in the second group (group 2) had LBBs and CCs applied at 20° (n=26). All volunteers were given pulmonary function tests, which included FEV1 and FVC levels and FEV1/FVC ratios, while in the sitting position. Measurements were repeated at 0, 5, and 30 minutes. RESULTS: Results showed significant decreases in FEV1 and FVC values and FEV1/FVC ratios in group 1 and significant decreases in FEV1 values and FEV1/FVC ratios in group 2 (P<.001). However, FVC values were not decreased in group 2 when compared to basal levels taken while in a sitting position (P=.45). In addition, the study evaluated the amounts of decrease in the FEV1 and FVC levels and the FEV1/FVC ratios (ΔFEV1, ΔFVC, and ΔFEV1/FVC ratio). Results showed that ΔFEV1 values compared to basal levels and levels at 0, 5, and 30 minutes were all lower in group 2 than in group 1. However, ΔFEV1/FVC ratios were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this and previous studies have shown that traditional spinal immobilization decreases respiratory function, whereas using spinal immobilization at 20° can reduce this decrease in function.