Baseline eGFR cutoff for increased risk of post-contrast acute kidney injury in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-elevation myocardial infarction in the emergency department.

Acute myocardial infarction is an acute-stage disease that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a high-risk factor for post-contrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI). This retrospective cohort study analyzed the data of 754 patients with STEMI who underwent pPCI and were integrated into the Fast Interrogation Rule for STEMI critical pathway program between 2015 and 2019. We aimed to determine the optimal cutoff baseline eGFR for identifying a high risk of PC-AKI after multivariable adjustment with statistically significant risk factors. We also compared the incidence rates of PC-AKI between the previous and current diagnostic criteria. The probability of PC-AKI increased when the baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was ≤ 79mL/min/1.73 m2. The optimal cutoff baseline eGFR for high risk of PC-AKI was found to be an eGFR of ≤ 61 mL/min/1.73 m2 after multivariable adjustment. The current diagnostic criteria more accurately identified the patient group with impaired renal function. Our results have clinically significant implications for identifying patients at a high risk of developing PC-AKI, especially before and after the use of contrast agents in patients who require PCI for STEMI in the emergency department.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Management and Outcomes in Patients with Septic Shock in the Emergency Department.

This study aimed to determine the impact of modifications in emergency department (ED) practices caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the clinical outcomes and management of patients with septic shock. We performed a retrospective study. Patients with septic shock who presented to the ED between 1 January 2018 and 19 January 2020 were allocated to the pre-COVID-19 group, whereas those who presented between 20 January 2020 and 31 December 2020 were assigned to the post-COVID-19 group. We used propensity score matching to compare the sepsis-related interventions and clinical outcomes. The primary outcome measure was in-hospital mortality. Of the 3697 patients included, 2254 were classified as pre-COVID-19 and 1143 as post-COVID-19. A total of 1140 propensity score-matched pairings were created. Overall, the in-hospital mortality rate was 25.5%, with no statistical difference between the pre- and post-COVID-19 groups (p = 0.92). In a matched cohort, the post-COVID-19 group had delayed lactate measurement, blood culture test, and infection source control (all p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in time to antibiotics (p = 0.19) or vasopressor administration (p = 0.09) between the groups. Although sepsis-related interventions were delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no significant difference in the in-hospital mortality between the pre- and post-COVID-19 groups.

Recombinant Klotho Protein Ameliorates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Attenuating Sterile Inflammation.

Currently, no effective therapy and potential target have been elucidated for preventing myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury (I/R). We hypothesized that the administration of recombinant klotho (rKL) protein could attenuate the sterile inflammation in peri-infarct regions by inhibiting the extracellular release of high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1). This hypothesis was examined using a rat coronary artery ligation model. Rats were divided into sham, sham+ rKL, I/R, and I/R+ rKL groups (n = 5/group). Administration of rKL protein reduced infarct volume and attenuated extracellular release of HMGB1 from peri-infarct tissue after myocardial I/R injury. The administration of rKL protein inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the peri-infarct regions and significantly attenuated apoptosis and production of intracellular reactive oxygen species by myocardial I/R injury. Klotho treatment significantly reduced the increase in the levels of circulating HMGB1 in blood at 4 h after myocardial ischemia. rKL regulated the levels of inflammation-related proteins. This is the first study to suggest that exogenous administration of rKL exerts myocardial protection effects after I/R injury and provides new mechanistic insights into rKL that can provide the theoretical basis for clinical application of new adjunctive modality for critical care of acute myocardial infarction.

Usefulness of contrast-enhanced multi-detector computed tomography in identifying upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A retrospective study of patients admitted to the emergency department.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a major cause of clinical deterioration worldwide. A large number of patients with UGIB cannot be diagnosed through endoscopy, which is normally the diagnostic method of choice. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) for patients with suspected UGIB. In this retrospective observational study of 386 patients, we compared contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic MDCT to endoscopy to analyze the performance of MDCT in identifying the status, location of origin, and etiology of UGIB. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were examined. In the assessment of bleeding status, MDCT was able to accurately identify 32.9% (21.9-43.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]) of patients with active bleeding, 27.4% (18.9-35.9, 95% CI) of patients with recent bleeding, and 94.8% (91.8-97.8, 95% CI) of patients without bleeding evidence (P<0.001). MDCT showed an accuracy of 60.9%, 60.6%, and 50.9% in identifying bleeding in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, respectively (P = 0.4028). The accuracy in differentiating ulcerative, cancerous, and variceal bleeding was 58.3%, 65.9%, and 56.6%, respectively (P = 0.6193). MDCT has limited use as a supportive screening method to identify the presence of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Targeted Temperature Management at 36 °C Shows Therapeutic Effectiveness via Alteration of Microglial Activation and Polarization After Ischemic Stroke.

Ischemic injury leads to cell death and inflammatory responses after stroke. Microglia especially play a crucial role in this brain inflammation. Targeted temperature management (TTM) at 33 °C has shown neuroprotective effects against many acute ischemic injuries. However, it has also shown some adverse effects in preclinical studies. Therefore, we explored the neuroprotective effect of TTM at 36 °C in the ischemic brain. To confirm the neuroprotective effects of hypothermia, mice were subjected to a permanent stroke and then treated with one of the TTM paradigms at 33 and 36 °C. For comparison of TTM at 33 and 36 °C, we examined neuronal cell death and inflammatory response, including activation and polarization of microglia in the ischemic brain. TTM at 33 and 36 °C showed neuroprotective effects in comparison with normal body temperature (NT) at 37.5 °C. Mice under TTM at 33 and 36 °C showed ~ 45-50% fewer TUNEL-positive cells than those under NT. In IVIS spectrum CT, the activation of microglia/macrophage in CX3CR1GFP mice reduced after TTM at 33 and 36 °C in comparison with that after NT on day 7 after ischemic stroke. The number of Tmem119-positive cells under TTM at 33 and 36 °C was ~ 45-50% lower than that in mice under NT. TTM at 33 and 36 °C also increased the ratio of CD206-/CD86-positive cells than the ratio of CD86-/CD206-positive cells by ~ 1.2-fold. Thus, TTM at 33 and 36 °C could equivalently decrease the expression of certain cytokines after ischemic stroke. Our study suggested that TTM at 33 or 36 °C produces equivalent neuroprotective effects by attenuating cell death and by altering microglial activation and polarization. Therefore, TTM at 36 °C can be considered for its safety and effectiveness in ischemic stroke.

Predictive model for diagnosing central lesions in emergency department patients with isolated dizziness who undergo diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVES: Only 5% to 10% of patients who visit the emergency department (ED) with isolated dizziness without neurologic abnormalities may have central lesions; however, it is important to distinguish central lesions through brain imaging. This study was conducted to create a nomogram to provide an objective medical basis for selectively performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among patients with isolated dizziness. METHODS: This retrospective observational study enrolled patients who visited the ED of a tertiary hospital with isolated dizziness and underwent diffusion-weighted MRI and subsequently consulted with the departments of neurology, neurosurgery, or otorhinolaryngology. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors in patients diagnosed with central lesions to create a nomogram with the significant variables. RESULTS: Of the 1,078 patients who were screened, 119 were diagnosed with central lesions. Significant variables in the multivariable logistic regression analysis were albumin levels (odds ratio [OR] = 0.339, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.188 to 0.610, p = 0.0003), inorganic phosphate levels (OR = 0.891, 95% CI = 0.832 to 0.954, p = 0.0010), history of ischemic stroke (OR = 3.170, 95% CI = 1.807 to 5.560, p < 0.0001), presyncope (OR = 3.152, 95% CI = 1.184 to 8.389, p = 0.0216), and nystagmus (OR = 0.365, 95% CI = 0.237 to 0.561, p < 0.0001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the nomogram created with these variables was 0.7315 (95% CI = 0.6842 to 0.7788, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Albumin, inorganic phosphate, previous stroke, presyncope, and nystagmus were associated with the predictive diagnosis of central lesions among patients admitted to the ED with isolated dizziness. The novel nomogram created using these variables can help in objectively determining the need for MRI in patients presenting with isolated dizziness to the ED.

Predictive Model of Good Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Prospective, Multicenter Observational Study Conducted by the Korean Cardiac Arrest Research Consortium.

This observational study aimed to develop novel nomograms that predict the benefits of coronary angiography (CAG) after resuscitating patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) regardless of the electrocardiography findings and to perform an external validation of these models. Data were extracted from a prospective, multicenter registry of resuscitated patients with OHCA (October 2015-June 2018). New nomograms were developed based on variables associated with survival discharge and neurologic outcomes; their analysis included 723 and 709 patients, respectively. Patient age (p < 0.001), prehospital defibrillation by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) (p = 0.003), prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (p = 0.02), and time from collapse to ROSC (p < 0.001) were associated with survival discharge. Patient age (p < 0.001), prehospital defibrillation by EMTs (p < 0.001), and time from collapse to ROSC (p < 0.001) were associated with neurologic outcomes. The new nomogram had a good predictive performance, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.8832 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.8358-0.9305) for survival discharge and an AUC of 0.9048 (95% CI: 0.8627-0.9469) for neurologic outcomes. Novel nomograms that predict survival discharge and good neurological outcomes after CAG in patients with OHCA were developed and validated; they can be quickly and easily applied to identify patients who will benefit from CAG.

Transient Global Ischemia-Induced Brain Inflammatory Cascades Attenuated by Targeted Temperature Management.

Sudden cardiac arrest leads to a significantly increased risk of severe neurological impairment and higher mortality rates in survivors due to global brain tissue injury caused by prolonged whole-body ischemia and reperfusion. The brain undergoes various deleterious cascading events. Among these damaging mechanisms, neuroinflammation plays an especially crucial role in the exacerbation of brain damage. Clinical guidelines indicate that 33 °C and 36 °C are both beneficial for targeted temperature management (TTM) after cardiac arrest. To clarify the mechanistic relationship between TTM and inflammation in transient global ischemia (TGI) and determine whether 36 °C produces a neuroprotective effect comparable to 33 °C, we performed an experiment using a rat model. We found that TTM at 36 °C and at 33 °C attenuated neuronal cell death and apoptosis, with significant improvements in behavioral function that lasted for up to 72 h. TTM at 33 °C and 36 °C suppressed the propagation of inflammation including the release of high mobility group box 1 from damaged cells, the activation and polarization of the microglia, and the excessive release of activated microglia-induced inflammatory cytokines. There were equal neuroprotective effects for TTM at 36 °C and 33 °C. In addition, hypothermic complications and should be considered safe and effective after cardiac arrest.

Consent for withholding life-sustaining treatment in cancer patients: a retrospective comparative analysis before and after the enforcement of the Life Extension Medical Decision law.

BACKGROUND: The Life Extension Medical Decision law enacted on February 4, 2018 in South Korea was the first to consider the suspension of futile life-sustaining treatment, and its enactment caused a big controversy in Korean society. However, no study has evaluated whether the actual implementation of life-sustaining treatment has decreased after the enforcement of this law. This study aimed to compare the provision of patient consent before and after the enforcement of this law among cancer patients who visited a tertiary university hospital's emergency room to understand the effects of this law on the clinical care of cancer patients. METHODS: This retrospective single cohort study included advanced cancer patients aged over 19 years who visited the emergency room of a tertiary university hospital. The two study periods were as follows: from February 2017 to January 2018 (before) and from May 2018 to April 2019 (after). The primary outcome was the length of hospital stay. The consent rates to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), intubation, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission were the secondary outcomes. RESULTS: The length of hospital stay decreased after the law was enforced from 4 to 2 days (p = 0.001). The rates of direct transfers to secondary hospitals and nursing hospitals increased from 8.2 to 21.2% (p = 0.001) and from 1.0 to 9.7%, respectively (p < 0.001). The consent rate for admission to the ICU decreased from 6.7 to 2.3% (p = 0.032). For CPR and CRRT, the consent rates decreased from 1.0 to 0.0% and from 13.9 to 8.8%, respectively, but the differences were not significant (p = 0.226 and p = 0.109, respectively). CONCLUSION: After the enforcement of the Life Extension Medical Decision law, the length of stay in the tertiary university hospital decreased in patients who established their life-sustaining treatment plans in the emergency room. Moreover, the rate of consent for ICU admission decreased.

Correlation between real-time heart rate and fatigue in chest compression providers during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A simulation-based interventional study.

BACKGROUND: The American Heart Association guidelines recommend switching chest compression providers at least every 2 min depending on their fatigue during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Although the provider's heart rate is widely used as an objective indicator for detecting fatigue, the accuracy of this measure is debatable. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine whether real-time heart rate is a measure of fatigue in compression providers. STUDY DESIGN: A simulation-based prospective interventional study including 110 participants. METHODS: Participants performed chest compressions in pairs for four cycles using advanced cardiovascular life support simulation. Each participant's heart rate was measured using wearable healthcare devices, and qualitative variables regarding individual compressions were obtained from computerized devices. The primary outcome was correct depth of chest compressions. The main exposure was the change in heart rate, defined as the difference between the participant's heart rate during individual compressions and that before the simulation was initiated. RESULTS: With a constant compression duration for one cycle, the overall accuracy of compression depth significantly decreased with increasing heart rate. Female participants displayed significantly decreased accuracy of compression depth with increasing heart rate (odds ratio [OR]: 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.95-0.98; P < .001). Conversely, male participants displayed significantly improved accuracy with increasing heart rate (OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.02-1.04; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Increasing heart rate could reflect fatigue in providers performing chest compressions with a constant duration for one cycle. Thus, provider rotation should be considered according to objectively measured fatigue during CPR.

Targeted temperature management at 33°C or 36℃ induces equivalent myocardial protection by inhibiting HMGB1 release in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is lethal and causes myocardial necrosis via time-dependent ischemia due to prolonged occlusion of the infarct-related artery. No effective therapy or potential therapeutic targets can prevent myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Targeted temperature management (TTM) may reduce peri-infarct regions by inhibiting the extracellular release of high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) as a primary mediator of the innate immune response. We used a rat left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation model to determine if TTM at 33°C and 36°C had similar myocardial protective effects. Rats were divided into sham, LAD I/R+37°C normothermia, LAD I/R+33°C TTM, and LAD I/R+36°C TTM groups (n = 5 per group). To verify the cardioprotective effect of TTM by specifically inhibiting HMGB1, rats were assigned to sham, LAD I/R, and LAD I/R after pre-treatment with glycyrrhizin (known as a pharmacological inhibitor of HMGB1) groups (n = 5 per group). Different target temperatures of 33°C and 36°C caused equivalent reductions in infarct volume after myocardial I/R, inhibited the extracellular release of HMGB1 from infarct tissue, and suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines from peri-infarct regions. TTM at 33°C and 36°C significantly attenuated the elevation of cardiac troponin, a sensitive and specific marker of heart muscle damage, after injury. Similarly, glycyrrhizin alleviated myocardial damage by suppressing the extracellular release of HMGB1. TTM at 33°C and 36°C had equivalent myocardial protective effects by similar inhibiting HMGB1 release against myocardial I/R injury. This is the first study to suggest that a target core temperature of 36°C is applicable for cardioprotection.

Lactate normalization within 6 hours of bundle therapy and 24 hours of delayed achievement were associated with 28-day mortality in septic shock patients.

This study evaluated the prognostic ability of lactate normalization achieved within 6 and 24 h from septic shock recognition. Data from a septic shock registry from October 2015 to February 2017 were reviewed. The study included 2,102 eligible septic shock patients to analyze the prognostic ability of lactate normalization, defined as a follow-up lactate level <2 mmol/L within six hours of bundle therapy and within 24 hours of delayed normalization. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. The overall 28-day mortality rate was 21.4%. The rates of lactate normalization within 6 and 24 h were significantly higher in the survivor groups than in the non-survivor group (42.4% vs. 23.4% and 60.2% vs. 31.2%; P<0.001, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that both 6- and 24-h lactate normalization were independent predictors (odds ratio [OR] 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45-0.75, p<0.001 and OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.33-0.54, p<0.001, respectively). When we could not achieve the lactate normalization, the sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive value to predict mortality were 76.6%, 42.4%, 26.5% and 87.0% respectively for 6-h normalization, and 68.8%, 60.2%, 32.0% and 87.7% respectively for 24-h normalization. Besides 6-h lactate normalization, 24-h delayed lactate normalization was associated with decreasing mortality in septic shock patients. Lactate normalization may have a role in early risk stratification and as a therapeutic target.

Evaluation of the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation according to vehicle driving pattern, using a virtual reality ambulance driving system: a prospective, cross-over, randomised study.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse changes in the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) according to driving patterns encountered during ambulance transport, using a virtual reality simulator. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-over, randomised study. SETTING: This study was conducted at the National Fire Service Academy, Cheonan-si, Korea. PARTICIPANTS: Emergency medical technicians (39 men and 9 women) attending the National Fire Service Academy for clinical training with ≥6 months field experience or having performed ≥10 CPR. Individuals who withdrew consent were excluded. OUTCOME MEASURES: CPR quality parameters (eg, chest compression depth and its variability). RESULTS: Chest compressions were performed for 8 min each in a stationary and driving state. The mean chest compression depths were 54.8 mm and 55.3 mm during these two states, respectively (p=0.41). The SD of the chest compression depth was significantly higher while in the driving (7.6 mm) than in the stationary state (6.5 mm; p=0.04). The compression depths in the speed bump and sudden stop sections were 51.5 mm and 50.6 mm, respectively, which was shallower than those in all other sections (p<0.001). The correct hand position rate was low in the speed bump, sudden stop and right-hand cornering sections (65.4%, 71.5% and 72.5%, respectively; p=0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Although we found no differences in chest compression quality parameters between the stationary and driving states, the variability in the chest compression depth increased in the driving state. When comparing CPR quality parameters according to driving patterns, we noted a shallower compression depth, increased variability and decreased correct hand position rate in the speed bump, sudden stop and right-hand cornering sections. The clinical significance of these changes in CPR quality during ambulance transport remains to be determined. Future studies on how to reduce changes in the quality of CPR (including research on equipment development) are needed.

Flipped-classroom training in advanced cardiopulmonary life support.

BACKGROUND: The effects of the flipped classroom have been demonstrated in various fields of education in recent years. Training in emergency medicine is also beginning to gradually implement the flipped classroom; however, its practical effect in emergency medicine contexts is not yet clear. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigates the effects of the flipped classroom on advanced cardiopulmonary life support (ACLS) training implemented among practicum students in emergency medicine. METHODS: The study randomly assigned into control and experimental conditions 108 fourth year students in the College of Medicine at Yonsei University, in Seoul, who were scheduled to take clinical practice in emergency medicine between March and July 2017. Students were taught about ACLS in either a traditional lecture-based classroom (control condition) or a flipped classroom (experimental condition); then, simulation training with ACLS scenarios was carried out. Finally, each student was rated on performance using a rating form developed in advance. RESULTS: ACLS simulation scores of the students in the flipped classroom were 70.9±10.9, which was higher than those of the students in the traditional classroom (67.1±11.3); however, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.339). In addition, the difference in student satisfaction as measured on a survey was statistically insignificant (p = 0.655). CONCLUSIONS: Competency assessment after simulation-based training in ACLS undergone by senior medical students randomly assigned to flipped and traditional classrooms showed no statistical difference in competency between the two groups.

Effect of flashlight guidance on manual ventilation performance in cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A randomized controlled simulation study.

Several auditory-based feedback devices have been developed to improve the quality of ventilation performance during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but their effectiveness has not been proven in actual CPR situations. In the present study, we investigated the effectiveness of visual flashlight guidance in maintaining high-quality ventilation performance. We conducted a simulation-based, randomized, parallel trial including 121 senior medical students. All participants were randomized to perform ventilation during 2 minutes of CPR with or without flashlight guidance. For each participant, we measured mean ventilation rate as a primary outcome and ventilation volume, inspiration velocity, and ventilation interval as secondary outcomes using a computerized device system. Mean ventilation rate did not significantly differ between flashlight guidance and control groups (P = 0.159), but participants in the flashlight guidance group exhibited significantly less variation in ventilation rate than participants in the control group (P<0.001). Ventilation interval was also more regular among participants in the flashlight guidance group. Our results demonstrate that flashlight guidance is effective in maintaining a constant ventilation rate and interval. If confirmed by further studies in clinical practice, flashlight guidance could be expected to improve the quality of ventilation performed during CPR.

Simulated internal jugular vein cannulation using a needle-guiding device.

BACKGROUND: Using a two-dimensional ultrasound-guided approach does not guarantee success during the first attempt at internal jugular vein cannulation. Our randomized, parallel simulation study examined whether a new disposable device could improve the success rate of the first attempt at ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein cannulation of a simulated internal jugular vein. METHODS: Eighty-eight participants were randomized to perform needle insertion for internal jugular vein cannulation of a phantom using the ultrasound-guided approach with (case group) or without (control group) this new device. The primary outcome was the success rate of the first attempt. The secondary outcome was the frequency of mechanical complications such as arterial puncture and posterior wall puncture, procedure time, and level of difficulty. RESULTS: Among 44 participants using the device, 33 (75.0%) achieved successful cannulation on the first attempt. However, only 12 (27.3%) of the 44 participants not using the device recorded success during the first attempt (risk difference, 0.477; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.294-0.661; P<0.001). The number of attempts was significantly lower (risk difference, -3.955; 95% CI, -5.014 to -3.712; P<0.001) when participants performed cannulation with the device (1.63±1.71) than without the device (5.59±5.78). Our study also showed that participants were comfortable when performing the ultrasound-guided approach with the new device (risk difference, -1.955; 95% CI, -2.016 to -1.493; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The new disposable device was effective for successful first attempts at needle insertion during ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein cannulation. Future clinical trials are needed to assess the effectiveness of this device.

Prognosis of patients excluded by the definition of septic shock based on their lactate levels after initial fluid resuscitation: a prospective multi-center observational study.

BACKGROUND: Septic shock can be defined both by the presence of hyperlactatemia and need of vasopressors. Lactate levels should be measured after volume resuscitation (as per the Sepsis-3 definition). However, currently, no studies have evaluated patients who have been excluded by the new criteria for septic shock. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics and prognosis of these patients, based on their lactate levels after initial fluid resuscitation. METHODS: This observational study was performed using a prospective, multi-center registry of septic shock, with the participation of 10 hospitals in the Korean Shock Society, between October 2015 and February 2017. We compared the 28-day mortality between patients who were excluded from the new definition (defined as lactate level <2 mmol/L after volume resuscitation) and those who were not (≥2 mmol/L after volume resuscitation), from among a cohort of patients with refractory hypotension, and requiring the use of vasopressors. Other outcome variables such as in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) stay (days), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores were also analyzed. RESULTS: Of 567 patients with refractory hypotension, requiring the use of vasopressors, 435 had elevated lactate levels, while 83 did not have elevated lactate levels (either initially or after volume resuscitation), and 49 (8.2%) had elevated lactate levels initially, which normalized after fluid resuscitation. Thus, these 49 patients were excluded by the new definition of septic shock. These patients, in whom perfusion was restored, demonstrated significantly lower age, platelet count, and initial and subsequent lactate levels (all p < 0.01). Similarly, significantly lower 28-day mortality was observed in these patients than in those who had not been excluded (8.2% vs 25.5%, p = 0.02). In-hospital mortality and the maximum SOFA score were also significantly lower in the excluded patients group (p = 0.03, both). CONCLUSIONS: It seems reasonable for septic shock to be defined by the lactate levels after volume resuscitation. However, owing to the small number of patients in whom lactate levels were improved, further study is warranted.

Prognostic Value of The Lactate/Albumin Ratio for Predicting 28-Day Mortality in Critically ILL Sepsis Patients.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of the lactate/albumin (L/A) ratio as a predictive factor of 28-day mortality in critically ill sepsis patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study from a prospectively collected multicenter registry of 10 emergency departments (EDs) in teaching hospitals that participated in the Korean Shock Society. It enrolled patients who were 19 years of age or older who had a suspected or confirmed infection and evidence of refractory hypotension or hypoperfusion. The prognostic performance of the L/A ratio and lactate level for predicting 28-day mortality was assessed. Lactate and albumin levels were measured immediately after ED arrival. RESULTS: A total of 946 patients were included, with 22.5% overall 28-day mortality. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) value of the L/A ratio (0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-0.73, P < 0.01) was higher than that of lactate (0.65, 95% CI 0.61-0.70, P < 0.01) for predicting 28-day mortality. The optimal cutoff of the L/A ratio was 1.32. The AUROC value of the L/A ratio was better than that of lactate regardless of lactate level (normal [<2.0 mmol/L]: 0.68 vs. 0.55; intermediate [≥2.0, < 4.0 mmol/L]: 0.65 vs. 0.50; high [≥4.0 mmol/L]: 0.66 vs. 0.62). In the subgroup with decreased lactate elimination, the AUROC value of the L/A ratio was also significantly higher than that of lactate (hepatic dysfunction: 0.70 vs. 0.66; renal dysfunction: 0.71 vs. 0.67). The L/A ratio cut-off and hypoalbminemia showed further discriminative value for 28-day mortality even in patients with normal or intermediate lactate levels. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic performance of the L/A ratio was superior to that of a single lactate measurement for predicting 28-day mortality of critically ill sepsis patients. L/A ratio can be a useful prognostic factor regardless of initial lactate level and the presence of hepatic or renal dysfunction.

Korean Shock Society septic shock registry: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, therapeutic interventions, and outcomes of patients with septic shock admitted to the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This study was a preliminary, descriptive analysis of a prospective, multi-center, observational registry of the EDs of 10 hospitals participating in the Korean Shock Society. Patients aged 19 years or older who had a suspected or confirmed infection and evidence of refractory hypotension or hypoperfusion were included. RESULTS: A total of 468 patients were enrolled (median age, 71.3 years; male, 55.1%; refractory hypotension, 82.9%; hyperlactatemia without hypotension, 17.1%). Respiratory infection was the most common source of infection (31.0%). The median Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment score was 7.5. The sepsis bundle compliance was 91.2% for lactate measurement, 70.3% for blood culture, 68.4% for antibiotic administration, 80.3% for fluid resuscitation, 97.8% for vasopressor application, 68.0% for central venous pressure measurement, 22.0% for central venous oxygen saturation measurement, and 59.2% for repeated lactate measurement. Among patients who underwent interventions for source control (n=117, 25.1%), 43 (36.8%) received interventions within 12 hours of ED arrival. The in-hospital, 28-day, and 90-day mortality rates were 22.9%, 21.8%, and 27.1%, respectively. The median ED and hospital lengths of stay were 6.8 hours and 12 days, respectively. CONCLUSION: This preliminary report revealed a mortality of over 20% in patients with septic shock, which suggests that there are areas for improvement in terms of the quality of initial resuscitation and outcomes of septic shock patients in the ED.

Investigation of complications secondary to chest compressions before and after the 2010 cardiopulmonary resuscitation guideline changes by using multi-detector computed tomography: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between the deeper and faster chest compressions suggested by the 2010 cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines and complications arising from chest compressions, using multi-detector computed tomography. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospective registry data. This study was conducted with in- and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients who underwent successful resuscitation in the emergency departments of two academic tertiary care centres from October 2006 to September 2010 (pre-2010 group) and from October 2011 to September 2015 (post-2010 group). We examined chest injuries related to chest compressions, classified as follows: rib fracture, sternal fracture, and other uncommon complications. RESULTS: We enrolled 185 patients in this study. The most frequent complication to occur in both groups was rib fracture: 27 (62.8%) and 112 (78.9%) patients in the pre-2010 and post-2010 groups, respectively (p = 0.03). However, we observed no statistical differences in sternum fracture, the second most common complication (p = 0.80). Retrosternal and mediastinal haematoma were not reported in the pre-2010 group but 13 patients (9.1%) in the post-2010 group were reported to have haematoma (p = 0.04). Nine serious, life-threatening complications occurred, all in the post-2010 group. Among the younger group (less than 65 years old), 8 (38.1%) patients in the pre-2010 group and 40 (64.5%) in the post-2010 group sustained rib fractures. DISCUSSION: The deeper and faster chest compressions for enhancing ROSC are associated with increased occurrence of complications. Additional studies are needed to compensate for the limitations of our study design. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the 2010 guidelines, recommending deeper and faster chest compressions, led to an increased proportion of rib fractures and retrosternal and mediastinal haematoma.