Guidance for clinical practice using emergency and point-of-care ultrasonography.

Owing to the miniaturization of diagnostic ultrasound scanners and their spread of their bedside use, ultrasonography has been actively utilized in emergency situations. Ultrasonography performed by medical personnel with focused approaches at the bedside for clinical decision-making and improving the quality of invasive procedures is now called point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS). The concept of POCUS has spread worldwide; however, in Japan, formal clinical guidance concerning POCUS is lacking, except for the application of focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) and ultrasound-guided central venous cannulation. The Committee for the Promotion of POCUS in the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine (JAAM) has often discussed improving the quality of acute care using POCUS, and the "Clinical Guidance for Emergency and Point-of-Care Ultrasonography" was finally established with the endorsement of JAAM. The background, targets for acute care physicians, rationale based on published articles, and integrated application were mentioned in this guidance. The core points include the fundamental principles of ultrasound, airway, chest, cardiac, abdominal, and deep venous ultrasound, ultrasound-guided procedures, and the usage of ultrasound based on symptoms. Additional points, which are currently being considered as potential core points in the future, have also been widely mentioned. This guidance describes the overview and future direction of ultrasonography for acute care physicians and can be utilized for emergency ultrasound education. We hope this guidance will contribute to the effective use of ultrasonography in acute care settings in Japan.

Guidance for performance, utilization, and education of cardiac and lung point-of-care ultrasonography from the Japanese Society of Echocardiography.

In recent years, bedside ultrasound examinations have been used in many clinical departments and are called point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). Regarding POCUS in the cardiac field, a protocol called focus (focused) cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) has been developed in Europe and the United States, is being used clinically, and an educational syllabus has been created. According to them, FoCUS is defined as a point-of-care cardiac ultrasound examination using standardized limited sections and protocols. FoCUS is primarily intended to be performed by non-cardiologists, and in order to avoid making mistakes in judgment, it is important to be familiar with its limitations and it is necessary to understand pathological conditions that can only be diagnosed using conventional comprehensive echocardiography. The Japanese Society of Echocardiography has edited this clinical guideline because we believe that FoCUS should be used effectively and appropriately in Japan, and that appropriate education is essential to popularize FoCUS in Japan. Furthermore, lung POCUS has recently come into clinical use. Lung POCUS is useful for the diagnosis and follow-up of heart failure when used in conjunction with FoCUS, and is especially useful in primary care where chest X-rays are not available. The working group that created this manual agreed that it is desirable to educate patients about lung POCUS in conjunction with FoCUS, so we decided to include the basic techniques of lung POCUS and how to use them in this manuscript.

Association Between Advanced Airway Management With Adrenaline Injection and Prognosis in Adult Patients With Asystole Asphyxia Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: The neurological prognosis of asphyxia is poor and the effect of advanced airway management (AAM) in the prehospital setting remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between AAM with adrenaline injection and prognosis in adult patients with asystole asphyxia out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). METHODS: This study assessed all-Japan Utstein cohort registry data between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2019. We used propensity score matching analyses before logistic regression analysis to evaluate the effect of AAM on favorable neurological outcome. RESULTS: There were 879,057 OHCA cases, including 70,299 cases of asphyxia OHCAs. We extracted the data of 13,642 cases provided with adrenaline injection by emergency medical service. We divided 7,945 asphyxia OHCA cases in asystole into 5,592 and 2,353 with and without AAM, respectively. After 1:1 propensity score matching, 2,338 asphyxia OHCA cases with AAM were matched with 2,338 cases without AAM. Favorable neurological outcome was not significantly different between the AAM and no AAM groups (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5-2.5). However, the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (adjusted OR 1.7; 95% CI, 1.5-1.9) and 1-month survival (adjusted OR 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-1.9) were improved in the AAM group. CONCLUSION: AAM with adrenaline injection for patients with asphyxia OHCA in asystole was associated with improved ROSC and 1-month survival rate but showed no differences in neurologically favorable outcome. Further prospective studies may comprehensively evaluate the effect of AAM for patients with asphyxia.

Variation in coagulation factor activity levels cause discrepancies between activated partial thromboplastin time and anti-Xa activity for heparin monitoring: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is primarily monitored using activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). However, the recent introduction of anti-activated factor X (anti-Xa) activity testing has provided a direct evaluation of Xa inhibition by anticoagulants. This study aimed to investigate discrepancies between APTT and anti-Xa activity during UFH monitoring in critically ill patients and explore their underlying causes. METHODS: This study analyzed 271 pairs of laboratory test results from blood samples of 99 critically ill patients receiving continuous intravenous UFH. Theoretical APTT values were calculated using fitted curve equations from spiked sample measurements with anti-Xa activity. Samples were categorized into three groups based on the measurement of the APTT/theoretical APTT ratio: the lower group (< 80%), the concordant group (80-120%), and the upper group (> 120%). RESULTS: The overall concordance rate between APTT and anti-Xa activity was 45%, with a 55% discrepancy rate. The lower group frequently showed apparent heparin overdoses, while coagulation factor activities in the lower and upper groups were higher and lower, respectively, than those in the concordant group. Particularly, the lower group exhibited higher factor VIII activity levels than the upper and concordant groups. CONCLUSIONS: Discrepancies between APTT and anti-Xa activity were frequently observed, influenced by changes in coagulation factors activity levels. The lower and upper groups were classified as pseudo-heparin-resistant and coagulopathy types, respectively. Accurate monitoring of heparin in critically ill patients is crucial, especially in cases of pseudo-heparin resistance, where APTT values may wrongly indicate inadequate heparin dosing despite sufficient anti-Xa activity. Understanding these discrepancies is important for managing heparin therapy in critically ill patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

Delayed neurologic improvement and long-term survival of patients with poor neurologic status after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A retrospective cohort study in Japan.

AIM: To assess survival duration and frequency of delayed neurologic improvement in patients with poor neurologic status at discharge from emergency hospitals after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included OHCA patients admitted to two tertiary emergency hospitals in Japan between January 2014 and December 2020. Pre-hospital, tertiary emergency hospital, and post-acute care hospital data, were retrospectively collected by reviewing medical records. Neurologic improvements were defined as an improvement of Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scores from 3 or 4 at hospital discharge to 1 or 2. The primary outcome was neurologic improvement after discharge, while the secondary outcome was survival time after cardiac arrest. RESULTS: Of all patients (n = 1,012) admitted to tertiary emergency hospitals after OHCA during the observation period, 239 with CPC 3 or 4 at discharge were included, and all were Japanese. Median age was 75 years, 64% were male, and 31% had initially shockable rhythms. Neurologic improvements were observed in nine patients (3.6%), higher in CPC 3 (31%) than CPC 4 (1.3%) patients, but not after 6 months from cardiac arrest. The median survival time after cardiac arrest was 386 days (95% confidence interval: 303-469). CONCLUSION: Survival probability in patients with CPC 3 or 4 was 50% at 1-year and 20% at 3-year. Neurologic improvements were observed in 3.6% patients, higher in CPC 3 than in CPC 4 patients. During the first 6 months after OHCA, the neurologic status may improve in patients with CPC 3 or 4.

Risk Factors of Mortality from Foreign Bodies in the Respiratory Tract: The Japan Collaborative Cohort Study.

Objective This study assessed the risk factors of mortality from foreign bodies in the respiratory tract using the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for the Evaluation of Cancer Risk data. Methods Data of 110,585 participants 40-79 years old living in 45 areas in Japan were collected between 1988 and 2009. Mortality from foreign bodies in the respiratory tract was assessed in a multivariable-adjusted analysis using a Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results Among all participants, 202 deaths occurred from foreign bodies in the respiratory tract. In the multivariable-adjusted model, older age [50-59 (hazard ratio, 4.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.91-12.74), 60-69 (hazard ratio, 14.96, 6.01-37.25) and 70-79 (hazard ratio, 53.81; 95% confidence interval, 21.44-135.02) years old compared to 40-49 years old], male sex (hazard ratio, 2.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.54-3.54), a history of apoplexy (hazard ratio, 7.04; 95% confidence interval, 4.24-11.67) and the absence of a spouse (hazard ratio, 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.32) were associated with an increased risk of mortality from foreign bodies in the respiratory tract. Conclusions Older age, male sex, medical history of apoplexy and the absence of a spouse were potential risk factors of mortality from foreign bodies in the respiratory tract. Especially in elderly men, social connections, such as cohabitation or relationships, may be important for ensuring the early detection of asphyxia and preventing death due to foreign bodies in the respiratory tract.

Fibrinolytic system activation immediately following trauma was quickly and intensely suppressed in a rat model of severe blunt trauma.

In severe trauma, excessive fibrinolytic activation is associated with an increase in the transfusion volume and mortality rate. However, in the first several hours after a blunt trauma, changes in fibrinolytic activation, suppression, and activation-suppression balance have not yet been elucidated, which the present study aimed to clarify. Anesthetized 9-week-old male Wistar S/T rats experienced severe blunt trauma while being placed inside the Noble-Collip drum. Rats were randomly divided into four groups of seven. The no-trauma group was not exposed to any trauma; the remaining groups were analysed 0, 60, and 180 min after trauma. Immediately following trauma, total tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA) levels significantly increased in the plasma, and the balance of active tPA and active plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) significantly tipped toward fibrinolytic activation. After trauma, both tPA and PAI-1 levels increased gradually in various organs and active and total PAI-1 levels increased exponentially in the plasma. Total plasma tPA levels 60 min after trauma returned quickly to levels comparable to those in the no-trauma group. In conclusion, fibrinolytic activation was observed only immediately following trauma. Therefore, immediately after trauma, the fibrinolytic system was activated; however, its activation was quickly and intensely suppressed.

Simultaneous external validation of various cardiac arrest prognostic scores: a single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare and validate the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA); cardiac arrest hospital prognosis (CAHP); non-shockable rhythm, unwitnessed arrest, long no-flow or long low-flow period, blood pH < 7.2, lactate > 7.0 mmol/L, end-stage chronic kidney disease, age ≥ 85 years, still resuscitation, and extracardiac cause (NULL-PLEASE) clinical; post-cardiac arrest syndrome for therapeutic hypothermia (CAST); and revised CAST (rCAST) scores in OHCA patients treated with recent cardiopulmonary resuscitation strategies. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data on adult OHCA patients admitted to our emergency department between February 2015 and July 2018. OHCA, CAHP, NULL-PLEASE clinical, CAST, and rCAST scores were calculated based on the data collected. The predictive abilities of each score were tested using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: We identified 236 OHCA patients from computer-based medical records and analyzed 189 without missing data. In OHCA patients without bystander witnesses, CAHP and OHCA scores were not calculated. Although the predictive abilities of the scores were not significantly different, the NULL-PLEASE score had a large AUC of ROC curve in various OHCA patients. Furthermore, in patients with bystander-witnessed OHCA, the NULL-PLEASE score had large partial AUCs of ROC from sensitivity 0.8-1.0 and specificity 0.8-1.0. CONCLUSIONS: The NULL-PLEASE score had a high, comprehensive predictive ability in various OHCA patients. Furthermore, the NULL-PLEASE score had a high predictive ability for good and poor neurological outcomes in patients with bystander-witnessed OHCA.

Microparticles and Nucleosomes Are Released From Parenchymal Cells Destroyed After Injury in a Rat Model of Blunt Trauma.

We investigated the relationships between circulating procoagulants and trauma severity, including cellular destruction, and the effects of thrombin generation on procoagulants in a rat blunt trauma model. The rats were subjected to tumbling blunt trauma, where they were tumbled for 0, 250, 500, or 1000 revolutions. Creatine kinase, nucleosome, and microparticle plasma levels increased gradually with trauma severity. Strong interrelationships were observed among creatine kinase, nucleosome, and microparticle levels. Time to initiation of thrombin generation shortened with increasing trauma severity. In accordance with trauma severity, prothrombin activity decreased, but the thrombin generation ratio increased. Time to initiation of thrombin generation and the thrombin generation ratio correlated with creatine kinase levels. In an in vitro study, a homogenized muscle solution, which included massive nucleosomes and microparticles, showed accelerated thrombin generation of plasma from healthy subjects. Procoagulants, such as microparticles and nucleosomes, are released from destroyed parenchymal cells immediately after external traumatic force, activating the coagulation cascade. The procoagulants shorten the time to initiation of thrombin generation. Furthermore, although coagulation factors are consumed, the thrombin generation ratio increases.

Relationship Between Severity of Fibrinolysis Based on Rotational Thromboelastometry and Conventional Fibrinolysis Markers.

The association between severity of fibrinolysis, ascertained by rotational thromboelastometry to diagnose hyperfibrinolysis in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), and conventional fibrinolysis markers (ie, tissue-plasminogen activator [t-PA], plasminogen, α2-plasmin inhibitor [α2-PI], and plasminogen activator inhibitor [PAI]) with key roles in the fibrinolytic system was investigated. This prospective observational study included 5 healthy volunteers and 35 patients with OHCA from the Hokkaido University Hospital. Blood samples were drawn immediately upon admission to the emergency department. Assessments of the extrinsic pathway using tissue factor activation (EXTEM) and of fibrinolysis by comparison with EXTEM after aprotinin addition (APTEM) were undertaken. Conventional coagulation and fibrinolysis markers were measured in the stored plasma samples. Significant hyperfibrinolysis observed in EXTEM disappeared in APTEM. Patients exhibited significantly higher levels of fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products, plasmin-α2-PI complex, and t-PA but lower levels of fibrinogen, plasminogen, and α2-PI than healthy controls. The PAI level was unchanged. Fibrinolytic parameters of EXTEM correlated with levels of lactate and conventional fibrinolysis markers, especially t-PA. Increased t-PA activity and decreased plasminogen and α2-PI significantly correlated with increased severity of fibrinolysis (hyperfibrinolysis).

Early administration of fibrinogen concentrate is associated with improved survival among severe trauma patients: a single-centre propensity score-matched analysis.

Background: Fibrinogen plays an important role in haemostasis during the early phase of trauma, and low fibrinogen levels after severe trauma are associated with haemostatic impairment, massive bleeding, and poor outcomes. Aggressive fibrinogen supplementation may improve haemostatic function, as fibrinogen levels deteriorate before other routine coagulation parameters in this setting. Therefore, we evaluated whether early administration of fibrinogen concentrate (FC) was associated with improved survival in severe trauma patients. Methods: This single-centre retrospective study evaluated patients with severe trauma (injury severity score ≥ 16) who were admitted to our emergency department between January 2010 and July 2018. The exclusion criteria included age < 18 years, cardiac arrest before emergency department arrival, cervical spinal cord injury not caused by a high-energy accident, and severe burn injuries. The FC and control groups included trauma patients who received and did not receive FC within 1 h after emergency department arrival, respectively. Propensity scores were used to balance the two groups based on the trauma and injury severity score (TRISS), heart rate at emergency department admission, and age. The primary outcome was the in-hospital survival rate. Results: The propensity scoring model had a c-statistic of 0.734, the Hosmer-Lemeshow chi-squared value was 7.036 (degrees of freedom = 8), and the non-significant p value of 0.533 indicated a good model fit. The propensity score matching created 31 matched pairs of patients, who had appropriately balanced characteristics. The FC group had a significantly higher in-hospital survival rate than the control group (log-rank p = 0.013). The FC group also used significantly higher amounts of red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma within 6 h after emergency department admission. However, the two groups had similar transfusion amounts between 6 and 24 h after emergency department admission. Conclusions: The present study revealed that early FC administration was associated with a favourable survival rate among severe trauma patients. Therefore, FC may be useful for the early management of trauma-induced coagulopathy and may improve outcomes in this setting.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation with increased fibrinolysis during the early phase of isolated traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence to demonstrate that the coagulopathy which occurs in patients with traumatic brain injury coincides with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). We hypothesized that DIC with increased fibrinolysis during the early stage of isolated traumatic brain injury (iTBI) affects the outcome of the patients and that hypoperfusion contributes to hyperfibrinolysis in the DIC. METHODS: This retrospective study included 92 patients with iTBI who were divided into DIC and non-DIC groups according to the Japanese Association Acute Medicine DIC scoring system. The DIC patients were subdivided into those with and without hyperfibrinolysis. The platelet counts and global markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis were measured. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), organ dysfunction (assessed by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score), tissue hypoperfusion (assessed by the lactate levels) and the transfusion volume were also evaluated. The outcome measure was all-cause hospital mortality. RESULTS: DIC patients showed consumption coagulopathy, lower antithrombin levels and higher fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) and D-dimer levels than non-DIC patients. All of the DIC patients developed SIRS accompanied by organ dysfunction and required higher blood transfusion volumes, leading to a worse outcome than non-DIC patients. These changes were more prominent in DIC with hyperfibrinolysis. A higher FDP/D-dimer ratio suggests that DIC belongs to the fibrinolytic phenotype and involves fibrin(ogen)olysis. The mean blood pressures of the patients with and without DIC on arrival were identical. Hypoperfusion and the lactate levels were not identified as independent predictors of hyperfibrinolysis. CONCLUSIONS: DIC, especially DIC with hyperfibrinolysis, affects the outcome of patients with iTBI. Low blood pressure-induced tissue hypoperfusion does not contribute to hyperfibrinolysis in this type of DIC.

Fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) at hospital admission predict neurological outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test the hypothesis that coagulation, fibrinolytic markers and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) score (International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis) at hospital admission of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients can predict neurological outcomes 1 month after cardiac arrest. METHODS: In this retrospective, observational analysis, data were collected from the Sapporo Utstein Registry and medical records at Hokkaido University Hospital. We included patients who experienced OHCA with successful return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) between 2006 and 2012 and were transferred to Hokkaido University Hospital. From medical records, we collected information about the following coagulation and fibrinolytic factors at hospital admission: platelet count; prothrombin time; activated partial thromboplastin time; plasma levels of fibrinogen, D-dimer, fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), and antithrombin; and calculated DIC score. Favorable neurological outcomes were defined as a cerebral performance category 1-2. RESULTS: We analyzed data for 315 patients. Except for fibrinogen level, all coagulation variables, fibrinolytic variables, and DIC score were associated with favorable neurological outcomes. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, FDP level had the largest area under the curve (AUC; 0.795). In addition, the AUC of FDP level was larger than that of lactate level. CONCLUSIONS: All of the coagulation and fibrinolytic markers, except for fibrinogen level, and DIC score at hospital admission, were associated with favorable neurological outcomes. Of all of the variables, FDP level was most closely associated with favorable neurological outcomes in OHCA patients who successfully achieved ROSC.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation with the fibrinolytic phenotype predicts the outcome of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: We tested the hypothesis that disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) during the early phase of post-cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is associated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and affects the outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. METHODS: A review of the computer-based medical records of OHCA patients was retrospectively conducted and included 388 patients who were divided into DIC and non-DIC patients based on the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine DIC diagnostic criteria. DIC patients were subdivided into two groups: those with and without hyperfibrinolysis. Pre-hospital factors, platelet count, coagulation and fibrinolysis markers and lactate levels within 24 h after resuscitation were evaluated. The outcome measure was all-cause hospital mortality. RESULTS: DIC patients exhibited lower platelet counts, prolonged prothrombin time, decreased levels of fibrinogen and antithrombin associated with increased fibrinolysis than those without DIC. DIC patients more frequently developed SIRS and MODS, followed by worse outcomes than non-DIC patients. The same changes were observed in DIC patients with hyperfibrinolysis who showed a higher prevalence of MODS, leading to worse outcome than those without hyperfibrinolysis. Logistic regression analyses showed that lactate levels predicted hyperfibrinolysis and DIC is an independent predictor of patient death. Survival probabilities of DIC patients during hospital stay were significantly lower than non-DIC patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of DIC for the prediction of death was 0.704. CONCLUSIONS: The fibrinolytic phenotype of DIC during the early phase of post-CPR more frequently results in SIRS and MODS, especially in patients with hyperfibrinolysis, and affects the outcome of OHCA patients.

The response time threshold for predicting favourable neurological outcomes in patients with bystander-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

OBJECTIVE: It is well established that the period of time between a call being made to emergency medical services (EMS) and the time at which the EMS arrive at the scene (i.e. the response time) affects survival outcomes in patients who experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, the relationship between the response time and favourable neurological outcomes remains unclear. We therefore aimed to determine a response time threshold in patients with bystander-witnessed OHCA that is associated with positive neurological outcomes and to assess the relationship between the response time and neurological outcomes in patients with OHCA. METHODS: This study was a retrospective, observational analysis of data from 204,277 episodes of bystander-witnessed OHCA between 2006 and 2012 in Japan. We used classification and regression trees (CARTs) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses to determine the threshold of response time associated with favourable neurological outcomes (Cerebral Performance Category 1 or 2) 1 month after cardiac arrest. RESULTS: Both CARTs and ROC analyses indicated that a threshold of 6.5min was associated with improved neurological outcomes in all bystander-witnessed OHCA events of cardiac origin. Furthermore, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) prolonged the threshold of response time by 1min (up to 7.5min). The adjusted odds ratio for favourable neurological outcomes in patients with OHCA who received care within ≤6.5min was 1.935 (95% confidential interval: 1.834-2.041, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A response time of ≤6.5min was closely associated with favourable neurological outcomes in all bystander-witnessed patients with OHCA. Bystander CPR prolonged the response time threshold by 1min.

Severe Methemoglobinemia due to Sodium Nitrite Poisoning.

Case. We report a case of severe methemoglobinemia due to sodium nitrite poisoning. A 28-year-old man was brought to our emergency department because of transient loss of consciousness and cyanosis. He was immediately intubated and ventilated with 100% oxygen. A blood test revealed a methemoglobin level of 92.5%. Outcome. We treated the patient with gastric lavage, activated charcoal, and methylene blue (2 mg/kg) administered intravenously. Soon after receiving methylene blue, his cyanosis resolved and the methemoglobin level began to decrease. After relocation to the intensive care unit, his consciousness improved and he could recall ingesting approximately 15 g sodium nitrite about 1 hour before he was brought to our hospital. The patient was discharged on day 7 without neurologic impairment. Conclusion. Severe methemoglobinemia may be fatal. Therefore, accurate diagnosis of methemoglobinemia is very important so that treatment can be started as soon as possible.

[The clinical condition and treatment of diseases associated with sudden death].

The Hokkaido Medical Society is a group of doctors and medical researchers in Hokkaido. Its purpose is to contribute to medicine and to the improvement of medical treatment. This symposium was carried out in order to inform citizens about the condition known as sudden death. We hypothesize that the incidence of sudden death tends to increase in line with the incidence of metabolic syndrome. Approximately four hundred patients were transported to our hospital by ambulance in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) last year. The number of CPA patients who are treated in our hospital has increased in comparison to the previous decade. The theme of this year is "The clinical condition and treatment of diseases associated with sudden death" in view of the above mentioned situation. In 2015, it was reported that sudden death occurred in an American pilot and that the co-pilot was forced to make an emergency landing. Interestingly, sudden death can ever sometimes occur in pilots who undergo regular physical examinations. Numerous diseases and conditions are associated with sudden death, including: acute myocardial infarction, irregular pulse, cardiac insufficiency, cerebrovascular disease, aortic dissection and choking. We are of the opinion that the frequency of sudden death is very high in the fields of emergency medicine, cardiovascular medicine, cardiovascular surgery and neurosurgery. In this symposium, we presented and explained the condition that is known as sudden death and the current state of treatment of sudden death in emergency medicine, cardiovascular medicine, cardiovascular surgery and neurosurgery departments of the Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine in October, 2015. We hope that the symposium will help the citizen audience to understand the condition and treatment of sudden death, and also to help prevent sudden death.

Should laryngeal tubes or masks be used for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients?

OBJECTIVE: Few studies have compared airway management via laryngeal masks (LM) or laryngeal tubes (LT) in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). This study evaluated whether LT insertion by emergency medical service (EMS) personnel affected ventilation and outcomes in OHCA patients (vs. the standard LM treatment). METHODS: This prospective, cluster-randomized, and open-label study evaluated data that were collected by the Sapporo Fire Department between June 2012 and January 2013. We selected the 14 EMS teams that treated the greatest number of OHCA patients in Sapporo, Japan during 2011, and randomized the teams into Groups A and B. In the first study period (June 2012 to September 2012), Group A treated OHCA patients via LT and Group B treated OHCA patients via LM. In the second period (October 2012 to January 2013), Group A treated OHCA patients via LM and Group B treated OHCA patients via LT. If necessary, both groups were allowed to use an esophageal obturator airway (EOA) kit. The primary endpoints were time from cardiopulmonary resuscitation to device insertion and the rate of successful pre-hospital ventilation. The secondary endpoints were return of spontaneous circulation and survival and favorable neurological outcomes at 1 month after cardiac arrest. RESULTS: LT was used in 148 OHCA patients and LM was used in 165 OHCA patients. Our intention-to-treat analyses revealed no significant differences in the primary and secondary outcomes of the LT- and LM-treated groups. CONCLUSION: Prehospital advanced airway management via LT provides similar outcomes to those of LM in OHCA patients.

Pharmacokinetics and the optimal regimen for levofloxacin in critically ill patients receiving continuous hemodiafiltration.

The aim of this study was to establish the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin (LVFX) and determine the optimal dose of this drug in critically ill patients receiving continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF). The results of in vivo and in vitro studies showed the pharmacokinetics of LVFX total clearance (CLtotal) according to the creatinine clearance (CLCre), dialysate flow (QD), and ultrafiltrate flow (QF), to be as follows: CLtotal (l/h) = 0.0836 × CLCre (ml/min) + 0.013 × body weight (kg) + 0.94(QD + QF) (l/h). The optimal dose of LVFX was expressed by the following formula: 50 × CLtotal. These results demonstrate that the usual dose of LVFX (500 mg) was sufficient for the patients evaluated in this study.