Is caval index a sufficient parameter for determining and monitoring dehydration in intoxication patients?

BACKGROUND: Cases of intoxication are increasing day by day and these patients are presenting to emergency departments. These patients are usually individuals with poor self-care, inadequate oral intake, and unable to meet their own needs, and may have significant dehydration due to the agents they have taken. The caval index (CI) is a recently used index to determine fluid requirement and response. AIMS: We aimed to evaluate the success of CI in determining and monitoring dehydration in intoxication patients. METHODS: Our study was conducted prospectively in the emergency department of a single tertiary care center. A total of ninety patients were included in the study. Caval index was calculated by measuring inspiratory and expiratory inferior vena cava diameters. Caval index measurements were repeated after 2 and 4 h. RESULTS: Patients who were hospitalized, took multiple drugs, or needed inotropic agents had significantly higher caval index levels. A further increase in caval index levels was observed on second and third caval index evaluations in patients who received inotropic agents along with fluid resuscitation. Levels of systolic blood pressure recorded at admission (0. hour) showed a significant correlation with caval index and shock index. Caval index and the shock index were highly sensitive and specific at predicting mortality. CONCLUSION: In our study, we found that CI can be used as an index to assist emergency clinicians in determining and monitoring fluid requirement in cases of intoxication presenting to the emergency department.

Transient ischemic liver injury and respiratory failure in a COVID-19-positive patient after multiple bee stings.

We present a patient with multiple bee stings who developed lung and liver injuries and subsequently tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A 65-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department after being stung by more than 100 honeybees. His physical examination revealed pustular lesions distributed across his chest, arms, back, legs, and head, marking the sting zones. While the patient had no history of liver disease, initial laboratory test results showed elevated liver enzyme levels. A chest computer tomography scan was ordered, revealing bilateral ground-glass opacities suggesting COVID-19. His condition worsened over the course of the following day, and when he was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), his SpO2 decreased to 83% despite oxygen support with a mask. The second polymerase chain reaction test taken in the ICU was positive for COVID-19 infection. After stung with multiple bees, the patient developed acute liver injury and suffered from concomitant COVID-19-related respiratory insufficency, and he was treated accordingly. Starting on the 5th day, the patient's liver markers began to improve, and on the 13th day, he was discharged with normal vital signs and liver enzyme values. There seem to be varying outcomes across different studies with regard to the relationship between bee stings and COVID-19. Further research is needed to explore the possibility of this complementary treatment with bee venom in the prevention of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection.

The Role of Procalcitonin in Predicting Necessity of Antivenom Administration and Clinical Severity in Snake Bites.

One of the most important steps for preventing deaths due to snake bites is to administer snake antivenom to the eligible patients in a swift manner. In our study, we aimed to investigate whether procalcitonin is useful for predicting the clinical severity and the necessity of antivenom therapy at the early stages in patients presenting with snake bite. A total of 78 patients over the age of 18 who applied to the emergency department within the first 24 hours were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Age and sex of patients, severity of snake bites, total antivenom vials administered, observation periods and outcomes were recorded. Patients were graded according to their clinical severity after the snake bite. Procalcitonin, complete blood count and biochemical parameters of the patients were recorded. According to their clinical severity, the patients' grades were as follows: 21 (26.9%) patients were grade 0; 21 patients (26.9%) were grade 1; 16 patients (20.5%) were grade 2; and 20 patients (25.6%) were grade 3. Snake antivenom was administered to 57 (73.1%) patients. There was a statistically significant difference between procalcitonin levels of patients in respect to their grade (P < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of procalcitonin levels of 13.45 and above were 100% and 100% respectively, both for the need of antivenom administration and for the blister formation in the patients. According to our study, we believe that elevated procalcitonin levels should alert the clinicians for possible blister formation, higher clinical severity, and increased requirement for antivenom administration.

QTc, Tp-e Interval and Tp-e/QTc Ratio in Patients with Hypocalcemia-case Control Study

Abstract Background: To the best of our knowledge, there are studies related to QT and QTc interval in patients with hypocalcemia, but there are no studies evaluating T wave peak and end interval (Tp-e interval), Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios used to evaluate cardiac arrhythmia risk and ventricular repolarization changes rates. Objectives: Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether there is a change in Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios in patients with hypocalcemia. Methods: Retrospectively, 29 patients with hypocalcemia in the emergency department were included in the study. Twenty-nine patients with similar age and sex distribution were included in the study as the control group. All patients underwent 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG). In addition to routine measurements, Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were measured on ECG. The study data were grouped as patients with and without hypocalcemia. Results: The mean age of the patients was 66.24 ± 4.95 years. QTc interval, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc values were found to be significantly higher in patients with hypocalcemia (p <0.001 for each). QTc interval, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc ratio showed a significant negative correlation with calcium levels. Conclusion: Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc ratios are significantly increased in patients with hypocalcemia compared to those without hypocalcemia and this can be used more effectively in the follow-up of cardiac fatal arrhythmias.

High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy in the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to opioid overdose.

In this article, we discuss the successful treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a rare complication of opioid overdose, through high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNCOT). A 32-year-old male patient was referred to the emergency department with an ambulance due to a state of confusion following intravenous opioid intake. On arrival, the patient had an arterial blood pressure of 100/60 mmHg, pulse of 112 beats/min, respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min, and oxygen saturation (SpO2) of 75%. On neurologic examination, he had miotic and isochoric pupils, and Glasgow Coma Score was 12 (E: 3 M: 5 V: 4). Cardiac examination showed that the heart was rhythmic and tachycardic. Chest examination revealed bibasilar crackles and wheezing. Naloxone was administered to the patient, and oxygen treatment was applied through a mask. Then, HFNCOT was commenced to the patient in whom the PaO2/FiO2 ratio in the blood gas was calculated as 141 following antidote treatment and whose chest radiograph showed bilateral infiltrations. The patient was discharged from the emergency critical care unit on the 3rd day of his hospitalization because infiltrations in his chest radiograph regressed. HFNCOT can recover the patient's hypoxemia and help reduce the necessity of mechanical ventilation in patients with mild or moderate ARDS.

The new prognostic factor for pulmonary embolism: The ratio of monocyte count to HDL cholesterol.

PURPOSE: Aim of this study is to investigate effectiveness of the monocyte to HDL cholesterol ratio in patients diagnosed with pulmonary embolism for predicting intra-hospital mortality. METHOD: A total of 269 patients diagnosed with pulmonary embolism in the emergency clinic were included in the study. Study was conducted retrospectively. Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI), Monocyte count and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) values were determined. MHR values of the patients were calculated. SPSS 26 package program was used to investigate the effectiveness of MHR in predicting mortality. FINDINGS: Mean age of the patients was 64.51 ± 12.4 years. PESI, Number of monocytes and MHR were significantly higher in the group with mortality than the group without mortality (p < .05). HDL values were significantly lower (p < .05) in mortality group. Sensitivity of MHR 19 cut off value was 89.3%, and its specificity was 82.0%. CONCLUSION: Use of predictors for mortality estimation in patients diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism is important for faster administration of treatment modalities. We think MHR values can be used as a strong predictor according to the hemogram parameters and biochemical results.

Treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning: high-flow nasal cannula versus non-rebreather face mask.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the aim was to compare the rate of decrease in carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) values at consecutive time points and calculate the half-life of COHb (COHb t½) in patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and treated with either high flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) or non-rebreather face mask (NRFM). METHODS: This retrospective, cohort study with historical controls was performed over a 2-year period and included adult patients with CO poisoning, whose COHb values were checked. The HFNC group consisted of patients admitted to the ED with CO poisoning when HFNC was available in the hospital, while the NRFM group consisted of patients who presented to the ED with CO poisoning before the availability of HFNC. The primary outcome of the study was to detect the COHb t½. RESULTS: A total of 71 patients were enrolled in the study. While 35 patients received oxygen with NRFM, 36 patients received HFNC. The mean COHb t½ in the HFNC group was 41.1 min (95% CI: 31.0-58.4) and 64.0 min (95% CI: 43.5-114.4) in the NRFM group. We did not find a significant difference in the COHb t½ between the HFNC group and NRFM group (p = 0.099). COHb levels between treatment arms at serial time points showed a statistically significant difference at 60 min (p = 0.048). We compared the decay constant and half-life of COHb between groups according to gender. In both genders, COHb t½ was significantly different between groups, and COHb t½ was lower in the patients treated with HFNC. CONCLUSION: HFNC was effective in reducing the half-life of COHb values in patients with carbon monoxide poisoning. Prospective studies to be conducted in larger groups are needed to fully understand the effect of HFNC on carbon monoxide poisoning.

Evaluation of the frequency of patients with cancer presenting to an emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the demographic characteristics of cancer patients admitted to an emergency department and determine the relationship between the frequency of admission to the emergency department and oncological emergencies and their effect on mortality. METHODS: This observational, prospective, diagnostic accuracy study was performed in the ED of a tertiary care hospital. Patients over the age of 18 who were previously diagnosed with cancer and admitted to the emergency service for medical reasons were included in the study. We recorded baseline characteristics including age, gender, complaints, oncological diagnosis, metastasis status, cancer treatments received, the number of ED admissions, structural and metabolic oncological emergency diagnoses in the ED, discharge status, length of hospital stay, and mortality status. RESULTS: In our study, 1205 applications related to the oncological diagnosis of 261 patients were examined. 55.6% of the patients were male, and 44.4% were female. The most common metabolic oncological emergency was anemia (19.5%), and the most common structural oncological emergency was bone metastasis-fracture (4.6%.) The mean score of admission of patients to the emergency department was four times (min: 1 max: 29) during the study period. A total of 49.4% (n: 129) of the patients included in the study died during follow-up, and the median time of death was 13 days after the last ED admission. CONCLUSION: The palliation of patient symptoms in infusion centers that will be established in the palliative care center will contribute to the decrease in the frequency of use of emergency services.

Evaluation of the frequency of patients with cancer presenting to an emergency department

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the demographic characteristics of cancer patients admitted to an emergency department and determine the relationship between the frequency of admission to the emergency department and oncological emergencies and their effect on mortality. METHODS: This observational, prospective, diagnostic accuracy study was performed in the ED of a tertiary care hospital. Patients over the age of 18 who were previously diagnosed with cancer and admitted to the emergency service for medical reasons were included in the study. We recorded baseline characteristics including age, gender, complaints, oncological diagnosis, metastasis status, cancer treatments received, the number of ED admissions, structural and metabolic oncological emergency diagnoses in the ED, discharge status, length of hospital stay, and mortality status. RESULTS: In our study, 1205 applications related to the oncological diagnosis of 261 patients were examined. 55.6% of the patients were male, and 44.4% were female. The most common metabolic oncological emergency was anemia (19.5%), and the most common structural oncological emergency was bone metastasis-fracture (4.6%.) The mean score of admission of patients to the emergency department was four times (min: 1 max: 29) during the study period. A total of 49.4% (n: 129) of the patients included in the study died during follow-up, and the median time of death was 13 days after the last ED admission. CONCLUSION: The palliation of patient symptoms in infusion centers that will be established in the palliative care center will contribute to the decrease in the frequency of use of emergency services.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Este estudo tem como objetivo determinar as características demográficas dos pacientes com câncer admitidos no setor de emergência e determinar a relação entre a frequência de admissão no setor de emergência e emergências oncológicas e seus efeitos na mortalidade. MÉTODOS: Este estudo observacional, prospectivo e de precisão diagnóstica foi realizado no pronto-socorro de um hospital terciário. Pacientes com idade superior a 18 anos que foram previamente diagnosticados com câncer e admitidos no serviço de emergência por razões médicas foram incluídos no estudo. Registramos características basais, incluindo idade, sexo, queixas, diagnóstico oncológico, status de metástase, tratamentos de câncer recebidos, número de admissões ao DE, diagnósticos de emergência oncológicos estruturais e metabólicos no DE, status de alta, tempo de internação e estado de mortalidade. RESULTADOS: Em nosso estudo, foram examinadas 1205 aplicações relacionadas ao diagnóstico oncológico de 261 pacientes. 55,6% dos pacientes eram do sexo masculino e 44,4% eram do sexo feminino. A emergência oncológica metabólica mais comum foi anemia (19,5%) e a emergência oncológica estrutural mais comum foi fratura óssea causada por metástase (4,6%). A média de admissão dos pacientes no pronto-socorro foi de quatro vezes (min: 1 máx: 29) durante o período do estudo. Um total de 49,4% (n: 129) dos pacientes incluídos no estudo morreram durante o acompanhamento, e a mediana para o tempo de morte foi de 13 dias após a última admissão ao ED. CONCLUSÃO: A paliação dos sintomas de pacientes nos centros de infusão que serão estabelecidos nos centros de cuidados paliativos contribuirá para a diminuição da frequência de uso dos serviços de emergência.

Evaluation of Nutrition Risk in Patients Over 65 Years of Age With Nontraumatic Acute Abdominal Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to investigate the power of CRP/Albumin ratio, NRS-2002, mNUTRIC scores to predict nutritional needs and mortality in patients over 65 years of age diagnosed with acute abdominal syndrome in the emergency department and then transferred to the surgical intensive care unit. MATERIAL AND METHOD: CRP/Albumin ratio, APACHE II, SOFA, NRS-2002 and mNUTRIC scores were calculated. The analysis of the data was conducted in IBM SPSS Statistics Base 22.0 package program. RESULTS: In the analytical evaluation made for nutritional needs, AUC value for mNUTRIC was found to be: 0,683, 95% CI 0,611-0,755, p < 0.001. It was found out that mortality of patients had a statistically significant and moderate correlation with mNUTRIC score (r = 0.537; p < 0.001). In the analytical evaluation made for mortality, mNUTRIC's AUC value (AUC: 0.808, 95% CI 0.736-0.880, p < 0.001) was found to be the highest. When the cut-off value determined to predict mortality was taken as 3.5 for mNUTRIC score, sensitivity was 75.9% and specificity was 69.4%. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of the risk of malnutrition through nutritional risk tools in intensive care patients over 65 years of age with acute abdominal syndrome can also predict nutritional needs in the early period besides mortality. Based on our data, the fact that mNUTRIC score cut-off value in older patients hospitalized in intensive care is 3.5 and higher may be a predictor for ICU mortality.

Spontaneous subarachnoidal hemorrhage in patients with Covid-19: case report.

In this article, subarachnoidal hemorrhage developing in a case with Covid-19-related pneumonia was evaluated. In the presence of respiratory system infection signs such as cough and weakness in patient who present with sudden loss of consciousness, performing lung imaging as well as performing brain computerized tomography scan can allow the detection of an underlying Covid-19 infection.