The utility of heart-type free fatty-acid binding-protein (HFABP) levels for differentiating acute ischemic stroke from stroke mimics.

BACKGROUND: Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (HFABP) is found in the myocardium, brain, and some organs and is rapidly released from damaged cells into the circulation in case of ischemia. AIMS: We aimed to determine the diagnostic utility of HFABP levels in patients suggesting acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS: This study was a prospective, single-center, observational diagnostic accuracy study with a nested cohort design. The estimated sample size was 126 patients, with a 1:1 case and control ratio. We included all consecutive patients with a lateralizing symptom (motor or sensory) or finding suggesting AIS (139 patients) who presented to ED within 24 h of their symptom onset and collected plasma at admission to the ED. After further evaluations, 111 patients (79.8%) were diagnosed with AIS and 28 with other neurological diseases (stroke-mimics). FINDINGS: In our study, the median HFABP levels of the cases and controls were 2.6 µg/ml and 2.2 µg/ml, respectively, without any statistically significant difference (p = 0.120). The diagnostic accuracy of HFABP for AIS was also insignificant at 0.60 (95% CI 0.51-0.68; p = 0.119). DISCUSSION: Plasma HFABP level is not a marker that can differentiate AIS from other neurological pathologies in patients presenting to the ED, with findings suggesting AIS.

Comparison of the Analgesic Effects of Low-Dose Ketamine Versus Fentanyl in Patients With Long Bone Fractures in the Emergency Department: A Prospective Observational Study.

Aim and background In most emergency departments (ED), opioids are the primary analgesic agents for trauma patients. However, safe alternative drugs are required because of possible adverse effects. Ketamine, an anesthetic agent, provides satisfactory analgesia at low doses and is an alternative drug that has begun to be used in numerous areas with fewer side effects. This study aimed to compare low-dose ketamine and fentanyl infusions in terms of their pain-relieving effects and observed adverse effects in patients presenting to the ED with isolated long bone fractures. Materials and methods This single-center observational study was conducted in the ED of the Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital between August 2018 and December 2019. Patients diagnosed with isolated long bone fractures who were administered low-dose ketamine or fentanyl rapid infusions for pain relief were included in the study. Patient pain scores were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) with a standard horizontal 10-centimeter line. The primary outcome of the study was to compare the changes in pain at 30 and 60 min after medication administration for each group. Results A total of 100 patients were included in the study. Ketamine infusion was administered to 48% (n=48) of the patients as a pain reliever. After 60 min of observation, pain was significantly reduced in both study groups. However, the pain scores at baseline (p=0.319), 30 min (p=0.631), and 60 min (p=0.347) after treatment were similar in both groups. In terms of the observed adverse effects, dizziness was more common in the ketamine group (p=0.010). Conclusion The results of this study showed that low-dose ketamine infusion (0.3 mg/kg/h) had a similar effect to fentanyl infusion (1 mcg/kg/h) as a pain reliever in patients with isolated long bone fractures in the ED.

The Cardiopulmonary Effects of Medical Masks and Filtering Facepiece Respirators on Healthy Health Care Workers in the Emergency Department: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: International COVID-19 guidelines recommend that health care workers (HCWs) wear filtering facepiece (FFP) respirators to reduce exposure risk. However, there are concerns about FFP respirators causing hypercapnia via rebreathing carbon dioxide (CO2). Most previous studies measured the physiological effects of FFP respirators on treadmills or while resting, and such measurements may not reflect the physiological changes of HCWs working in the emergency department (ED). OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the physiological and clinical impacts of FFP type II (FFP2) respirators on HCWs during 2 h of their day shift in the ED. METHODS: We included emergency HCWs in this prospective cohort study. We measured end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2), mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (RR), and heart rate values and dyspnea scores of subjects at two time points. The first measurements were carried out with medical masks while resting. Subjects then began their day shift in the ED with medical mask plus FFP2 respirator. We called subjects after 2 h for the second measurement. RESULTS: The median age of 153 healthy volunteers was 24.0 years (interquartile range 24.0-25.0 years). Subjects' MAP, RR, and ETCO2 values and dyspnea scores were significantly higher after 2 h. Median ETCO2 values increased from 36.4 to 38.8 mm Hg. None of the subjects had hypercapnia symptoms, hypoxia, or other adverse effects. CONCLUSION: We did not observe any clinical reflection of these changes in physiological values. Thus, we evaluated these changes to be clinically insignificant. We found that it is safe for healthy HCWs to wear medical masks plus FFP2 respirators during a 2-h working shift in the ED.

Association of acute phase reactants with prognostic scores in community acquired pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin with commonly used prognostic scoring systems, hospitalisation and mortality in cases of community-acquired pneumonia. METHODS: The prospective study was conducted from April 2014 to April 2015 at the emergency department of Marmara University Pendik Research and Training Hospital, Turkey, and comprised community-acquired pneumonia patients diagnosed according to the British Thoracic Society criteria. Prognosis was estimated using confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure and age >65, Pneumonia Severity Index-Pneumonia Patient Outcome Research Team score, and severe community-acquired pneumonia scores. Data was analysed using MedCalc 15.8. RESULTS: Of the 203 patients assessed, community-acquired pneumonia was confirmed in 152(74.8%). Procalcitonin had moderate correlation with the three scales used (p<0.001), while C-reactive protein had weak correlation with them (p<0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Both procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels were found to be correlated with prognostic risk scores.

Diagnostic Accuracy of the Electrocardiography Criteria for Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (Cornell Voltage Criteria, Sokolow-Lyon Index, Romhilt-Estes, and Peguero-Lo Presti Criteria) Compared to Transthoracic Echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE/AIM: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of the widely used left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) electrocardiography (ECG) criteria (Cornell Voltage Criteria [CVC], Sokolow-Lyon Index [SLI], Romhilt-Estes [REC], and Peguero-Lo Presti [PLP] Criteria) compared with the left ventricular mass measured by echocardiography. METHODS: In this prospective diagnostic accuracy study, we screened all consecutive adults (18 to 65 years) who presented to our academic emergency department (ED) with increased blood pressure (≥130/85 mmHg) between January 2016 and January 2017, and we enrolled a convenience sample of 165 patients in our study. The attending emergency physician managed all patients as per their primary complaint. The consulting cardiologist performed a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) of the patient and calculated the left ventricular mass (LVM) according to the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) formula. After completing the patient recruitment phase, researchers evaluated all ECGs and calculated scores for SLI, CVC, REC, and PLP. We used contingency tables to calculate the diagnostic utility metrics of all ECG criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of LVH by TTE was 31.5%. CVC, SLI, REC, and PLP criteria correctly identified (true positive rate) abnormal LVM in only 3.9%, 1.9%, 9.6%, and 19.2% of the patients, respectively. CVC, SLI, REC score and PLP criteria performed poorly with extremely low sensitivities (3.9%, 1.9%, 10%, 19.2%) and poor accuracies (67.3%, 64.9%, 57.7%, 69.7%). CONCLUSION: ECG voltage criteria's clinical utility in estimating LVM and LVH is low, and it should not be used for this purpose.

Variables Affecting Mortality Among COVID-19 Patients With Lung Involvement Admitted to the Emergency Department.

INTRODUCTION: A cluster of atypical pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China, turned out to be a highly contagious disease, swept across most of the countries, and soon after was announced as a pandemic. Therefore we aimed to investigate the demographics and factors associated with the disease outcome. METHODS: In this retrospective chart review, we screened patients admitted to the emergency department with severe acute respiratory infection due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) between March 15, 2020 and April 30, 2020. Age, gender, symptoms, laboratory data, and radiology data were obtained, as well as outcomes and length of stay. RESULTS: We identified 177 patients (54.8% male). Seventy-eight percent of the cases were admitted into wards whereas 22% of the cases were admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU). Twenty-five percent of the cases needed invasive mechanical ventilation during their hospital stay and median length of hospital stay until death or discharge was eight days (interquartile range (IQR) 5.0 - 16.0). Among 177 patients, overall in-hospital mortality rate was 19.8% (n=35; male:female=18:17; p=0.6553). In-hospital mortality rates were statistically significantly higher in patients with higher age (64 vs. 74; p=0.0091), respiratory rate (RR) (28 vs. 36; p=0.0002), C-reactive protein (CRP) (54.7 vs. 104.0; p<0.0001), d-dimer (1.2 vs. 3.2; p<0.0001), ferritin (170 vs. 450.4; p<0.0001), fibrinogen (512 vs. 598; p=0.0349), international normalized ratio (INR) (1.1 vs. 1.3; p=0.0001), prothrombin time (PT) (14.8 vs. 17.4; p=0.0001), procalcitonin (0.1 vs. 0.3; p<0.0001), creatinine (0.9 vs. 1.1; p=0.0084), longer length of stay (LOS) (8.0 vs. 13.0; p=0.0251) with lower oxygen saturation (sO2) (93.0% vs 87.5%; p<0.0001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (78 vs. 70; p=0.0039), lymphocyte (1.2 vs. 0.8; p=0.0136), and with positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results (28.6% vs. 12.8%; p=0.0118). CONCLUSION: Patients with older age, higher RR, lower sO2 and DBP, higher creatinine, d-dimer, INR, CRP, procalcitonin, ferritin, and fibrinogen on initial admission were found to be less likely to survive COVID-19.

The effects of traffic accidents on pregnancy: Is hospitalization necessary in every case?

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to show whether it is necessary to hospitalize pregnant women who have been involved in traffic accidents. METHODS: Patients at a hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, who underwent traffic accidents between 2012 and 2018 were studied, and pregnant patients' files were evaluated. Demographic and obstetric features of patients, type of accident, type of trauma, Glasgow Coma Score, whether or not hospitalization were examined, the response of patients to hospitalization, and the obstetric and maternal results of accidents were assessed. RESULTS: In the present study, 95 patients were included. Overall, hospitalization was recommended for 50 patients, but of these, 58% refused to be admitted. No patients who refused hospitalization had complications. Preterm labor was seen in 3.2% of patients, while 3.2% had a fetal loss and 5.3% had a placental abruption. Only one mother was lost (1.1%) due to sustaining multiple traumas in a traffic accident. Hospitalization was increasingly indicated with increasing gestational age, but other parameters had no effect on hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The likelihood that hospitalization was recommended for pregnant women involved in traffic accidents increased with gestational age. Patients with minor trauma who refused hospitalization had no complications.

Isopropyl alcohol nasal inhalation for nausea in the triage of an adult emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: Nausea and vomiting (N&V) are among the most common complaints in the emergency department (ED). However, low acuity is assigned to most of these patients at the triage, and waiting for long hours without medication decreases patient safety and satisfaction. We aimed to compare the inhalation of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) with placebo (P) to treat nausea at the triage area of an ED. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized and placebo-controlled trial, we used a convenience sample of consecutive adult (ages 18-65) patients presented to the triage area of the ED with the complaint of N&V, and we randomized them to inhale IPA or P embedded gauzes. We used an 11-point (0-10) numeric rating scale (NRS) to evaluate the degree of N&V before the inhalation, at the baseline, and at 2, 4 and 10 min after the inhalation. RESULTS: We randomized 118 patients (IPA, n = 62; P, n = 56, intent-to-treat), three patients left the ED without being seen, and 115 patients completed the study. IPA and P groups were similar according to age, sex, comorbidities, and vital signs. We found that patients in the IPA group had significantly lower mean NRS starting with the 2nd minute (robust two-way mixed ANOVA between-subjects, p = 0.008). We also observed a significant within-subjects effect in the IPA group. The mean NRS value was decreased at each consecutive time point in the IPA group (all pairwise comparisons, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, IPA was significantly more effective than P for N&V at the triage. Moreover, patients in the IPA group had less need for rescue treatment.

The Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasonography for the Diagnosis of Rib Fractures in Patients Presenting to Emergency Department With Blunt Chest Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Rib fractures are the most common complications of blunt chest trauma (BCT). Computed tomography (CT) is the modality of choice for BCT, but with several disadvantages. Ultrasonography (US) is an inexpensive, readily available, and relatively harmless imaging alternative. However, a direct comparison of the sonographic evaluation of the rib as a whole with CT as a reference has not been performed to date. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of US with CT for the detection of rib fractures in patients who presented to emergency department (ED) with BCT. METHODS: We included a convenience sample of adult patients who presented to the ED with thoracic pain after BCT in the last 24 h in this prospective, observational, diagnostic accuracy study. The diagnostic utility of US performed by an emergency physician was compared with thorax CT. RESULTS: The final study population included 145 patients. The diagnostic accuracy of US was 80% with a sensitivity of 91.2% and specificity of 72.7% for the detection of any rib fracture (positive likelihood ratio 3.4 and negative likelihood ratio 0.12). If we considered each rib separately, the sensitivity of US decreased to 76.7% and specificity increased to 82.7% (81.3% accuracy). CONCLUSIONS: A negative US of the site of the highest tenderness and neighboring ribs in a patient with BCT who presented to the ED with lateralizing pain decreases the possibility of a rib fracture significantly. However, a positive US performs poorly to specify the exact location and number of the fractured ribs.

Initial and Sustained Response Effects of 3 Vagal Maneuvers in Supraventricular Tachycardia: A Randomized, Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: For acute termination of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), vagal maneuvers, including the standard Valsalva maneuver (sVM), modified Valsalva (mVM) maneuver, and carotid sinus massage (CSM), are first-line interventions. There is no criterion standard technique. OBJECTIVE: This prospective, randomized study was aimed at analyzing the success rates of these 3 vagal maneuvers as measured by sustaining sinus rhythm at the fifth minute and SVT termination. METHODS: We conducted this prospective, randomized controlled study in an emergency department (ED). We enrolled all the patients who were admitted to the ED and diagnosed with SVT. We randomly assigned them to 3 groups receiving sVM, mVM, and CSM and recorded the patients' responses to the vagal maneuvers and SVT recurrence after vagal maneuvers. RESULTS: The study was completed with 98 patients. A total of 25 (25.5%) instances of SVT were initially treated successfully with vagal maneuvers. The success rate was 43.7% (14/32 cases) from mVM, 24.2% (8/33) for sVM, and 9.1 % (3/33) for CSM (p < 0.05). At the end of the fifth minute, only 12.2% (12/98) of all patients had sinus rhythm. Sinus rhythm persisted in 28.1% (9/32) of patients in the mVM group, 6.1% (2/33) of patients in the sVM group, and 3% (1/33) in the CSM group at the fifth minute (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: mVM is superior to the CSM maneuver in terminating SVT and maintaining rhythm. We conclude that it is beneficial to use mVM, which is more effective and lacks side effects.

Methemoglobinemia treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy: A case report.

Methemoglobinemia is a rare but clinically important condition that should be considered among differential diagnosis' in cyanosis. The conventional treatments of methemoglobinemia are high flow oxygen and methylene blue therapies. We present a 52-year-old male patient who admitted to emergency room with severe cyanosis and dyspnea after he was exposed to paint thinner and zinc phosphate solution. The patient was diagnosed with methemoglobinemia with a MetHb level of 49.1mm/Hg in his arterial blood gas test. Patient's symptoms and increased MetHb levels were resistant to high flow oxygen and methylene blue therapies so hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) as an alternative treatment was initiated and the patient was cured promptly. In this case presentation, we aim to discuss the alternative treatment modalities in methemoglobinemia patients with persistent hypoxia and cyanosis, who are unresponsive to standard methylene blue treatment.

Initial inferior vena cava and aorta diameter parameters measured by ultrasonography or computed tomography does not correlate with vital signs, hemorrhage or shock markers in trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography (US) is noninvasive, readily available, and cheap. The diameter of inferior vena cava (dIVC) and its respiratory variation were proposed as a good surrogate of the hemodynamic state. However, recent studies have shown conflicting results, and the value of IVC-derived parameters in the estimation of fluid status and hemorrhage remains unclear. METHODS: This was an observational study of trauma patients who presented to emergency department. dIVC and aorta diameter (dAorta) were measured at the initial US and CT in all patients. The correlation of these measurements and all parameters derived from those measurements along with the initial vital signs and laboratory values of hemorrhage (hemoglobin, hematocrit) and shock (lactate, base excess) were assessed. US and CT values were also compared for accuracy using Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: The final study population was 140, with a mean age of 38 years and 79.3% were male. dIVC and dAorta did not have any clinically significant correlation with any of the vital signs or laboratory values of hemorrhage or shock when measured by US or CT. A good and significant correlation was observed between dIVC and dAorta measured by US and CT. CONCLUSION: The value of an initial and single measurement of IVC and aorta parameters in the evaluation of trauma patients should be questioned. However, the change in the measured parameters may be of value and should be investigated in further studies.

Prognostic value of 2-hour lactate level and lactate clearance for 30-day mortality and comparison with trauma scores in multi-trauma patients.

OBJECTIVE: Trauma scores are prone to misreading. Therefore, a readily available, objective way to estimate the mortality of the trauma patients is needed. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic utility of lactate levels, and clearance for 30-days mortality, and compare with the physiological trauma scores. METHODS: All adult trauma patients (two hundred) admitted to ED were enrolled. Initial and 2-hour serum lactate levels were measured and components of GAP, MGAP, RTS, VIEWS and VIEWS-L trauma scores were calculated. RESULTS: Final study population was 200 patients with a median age of 33 years. Mortality was 7/200 (3.5%) in 30-days. Both initial (2.3 vs. 7.7 mmol/L) and 2h-lactate (1.7 vs. 8.4 mmol/L) levels were significantly lower, and lactate clearance was significantly higher (23.8% vs. -12.0%) in survivors. Also, the change in the lactate level from 0h to 2h (2.3 vs. 1.7mmol/L) was significant in survivors, contrary to non-survivors (7.7 vs. 8.4mmol/L). VIEWS-L, VIEWS, two hour-lactate level and EMTRAS showed high specificity at the 100% sensitivity cut-offs, therefore, were the most valuable prognostic parameters in this study. CONCLUSION: Calculation of 2h-lactate clearance and evaluation of a 2h-lactate level may not be needed to predict long-term mortality if the initial lactate level is below 2.8mmol/L.

Diagnostic utilities of tracheal ultrasound and USB-endoscope for the confirmation of endotracheal tube placement: A cadaver study.

OBJECTIVES: Confirmation of the endotracheal tube placement (CoETP) has the utmost importance in the management of an airway. Visualization of tracheal rings or carina with a fiber-optical bronchoscope (FOB) has considered to be a reliable method for the CoETP. However, FOB is expensive, time-consuming, and not always practical. Inexpensive endoscopic USB-cameras were shown to aid intubation successfully and reliably. On the other hand, there have been no studies investigating their use for the CoETP. Tracheal ultrasonography (TUS) is also a new, inexpensive and widely available alternative. A cadaver study has planned to evaluate the diagnostic utility of TUS and a USB-camera. METHODS: This study was conducted in the Anatomy Lab of a University on a fresh frozen female cadaver. Three senior Emergency Physicians have intubated the cadaver, and performed TUS or USB-endoscopy. We have prepared a randomized intubation list (n=96) in three blocks (3 times 32) as to include equal number of esophageal and tracheal intubations (48 for each). Each EP is performed all three interventions (intubation, TUS and USB-endoscopy) in consecutive blocks of 32 intubations, in turn. The position of the tube has been verified from a 2cm wide ostium on the proximal trachea. RESULTS: In this study, all intubations (n=96, 100%) were correctly identified as tracheal or esophageal with both TUS and USB-camera. Both the sensitivity and specificity of TUS and USB-endoscopy for the CoETP were 100.0%. CONCLUSION: The perfect accuracy of TUS and USB-endoscopy, have placed those techniques in a unique position as an alternative in resource-poor situations.

Diagnostic accuracy of the Extended Focused Abdominal Sonography for Trauma (E-FAST) performed by emergency physicians compared to CT.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnostic accuracy of the FAST exam performed by EM residents were shown to be similar to radiology residents. However, in the last 2 decades, an extended-FAST (E-FAST) protocol including thoracic examination to exclude pneumo- and hemothorax was introduced. The accuracy of emergency physicians (EPs) while performing E-FAST is a less studied area, especially in Europe. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the E-FAST exam performed by EM residents with the results of CT scan as a gold standard. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational, diagnostic accuracy study conducted at the ED of a Level 1 Trauma Center. All consecutive adult multiple trauma patients were eligible, and any patient in whom thoraco-abdominal CT was ordered were recruited. Unstable and unavailable patients were excluded. E-FAST examination was performed by EPs as the index test, and CT examinations reported by a blinded academic radiology faculty was the gold standard. RESULTS: A total of 140 patients were recruited from eligible 144 patients. The final study population was 132 for abdominal and 130 for thorax examinations. In this study, AUC of E-FAST was 0.71 for abdominal free fluid, 0.87 for pneumothorax and 1.00 for pleural effusion. The sensitivity was 42.9% and specificity was 98.4%. The +LR for abdominal free fluid was 26.8 and -LR was 0.58. CONCLUSION: E-FAST examination has an excellent specificity. However, the sensitivity of the test is not high enough to rule-out thoraco-abdominal injuries in trauma patients when performed by EPs.

Predictors of false negative diffusion-weighted MRI in clinically suspected central cause of vertigo.

INTRODUCTION: Vertigo is classified as peripheral and central. Differentiation of stroke mimics is the most important diagnostic challenge. There is no clinical guidance for the indications of neuroimaging in isolated vertigo patients. The primary aim of this study is to test the diagnostic value of a DWI-MRI protocol to rule-out a central cause in patients with acute isolated vertigo in the ED. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 144 patients who were presented with isolated vertigo to the ED. A detailed neurological examination and maneuvers were performed for differential diagnosis. All patients underwent CT and/or DW-MRI either during ED visit or at the follow-up, if necessary. Out-patient follow-up exams and evaluations were repeated until all patients had a definitive diagnosis. RESULTS: In the study, 137 of the 144 patients completed the follow-up period, and 34 of 137 patients were diagnosed with central vertigo. Six of 34 central vertigo patients had normal DW-MRI findings. One was diagnosed with migraine headache and five with vertebra-basilar insufficiency during the out-patient follow-up. One of the 28 patients with a pathological MRI was diagnosed with mass and the rest was stroke. The utility of DW-MRI in vertigo patients was moderately high (sensitivity: 82%, specificity: 100%). We found that age, history of HT, history of CAD and vertigo unresponsive to ED treatment were significantly associated with a central cause of vertigo. CONCLUSION: We suggest that unresponsiveness to ED treatment, especially in patients with a history of HT and CAD, should alert physicians for central causes and warrant DW-MRI imaging.

Is potassium thiosulfate a poison? Is it safe? A case series.

Potassium Thiosulfate is a liquid substance used for producing fertilizers. In this case series, we present five patients who have been exposed to potassium thiosulfate inhalation. Three of them were intubated in the scene by paramedics because of confusion and respiratory depression. They had refractory status epilepticus. The other two were exposed during trying to help the others for getting out, they presented to ED with nausea, vomiting and headache. One of the intubated patients died on the 4th day of his follow-up at ICU. Others were sent home after few days with no complication. Potassium thiosulfate is not a substance documented for poisoning and it is assumed to be a safe and stable solution. Although, it was assumed to be a safe substance there are risks of metabolic acidosis, resistant generalized seizures, and death due to disturbance of oxidative reactions with potassium thiosulfate.

Normal values of cervical vertebral measurements according to age and sex in CT.

INTRODUCTION: Atlantodental interval (ADI), basion-dental interval (BDI) and the thickness of prevertebral soft tissue (TOPST) measured in lateral cervical radiographs were reported to be useful indicators and indirect signs of underlying cervical spine injuries. However, cervical computed tomography (MDCT) is the first method of imaging used in all trauma patients and upper normal limits (UNLs) of cervical distances according to age and sex are undetermined. Therefore, we aimed to calculate these metrics. METHODS: 500 adult trauma patients with cervical MDCT at the time of admission were retrospectively selected. ADI, BDI, and TOPSTs were measured by two blinded researchers. RESULTS: 488 cervical spine CT scans were reported to be normal and 12 has pathological findings. Mean ADI, BDI and TOPST of C1, C2, C6 and C7 were statistically significantly wider in males. In females, ADI and BDI were significantly narrower with the increase in age. In males, only ADI was significantly narrower, and TOPST of C6 and C7 vertebra were significantly wider with the increase in age. We found the optimal UNLs as follows: ADI 2.5mm, BDI 8.5mm, C1 6.5mm, C2 5.7mm, C3 6.3mm (6mm for C1-3 for practical purposes), C4 11.7 and C5-7 17mm. DISCUSSION: We believe that the increase in distances with age may be affected by the height losses of discs and vertebral bodies, formation of anterior osteophytes and regional kyphosis by age. Those results were compatible with the previous reports.

Determination of the chest wall thicknesses and needle thoracostomy success rates at second and fifth intercostal spaces: a cadaver-based study.

INTRODUCTION: The purposes of this study were to measure the chest wall thicknesses (CWTs) at second intercostal space (ICS) mid-clavicular line (MCL) and fifth ICS MAL directly, and compare the actual success rates of needle thoracostomies (NTs) by inserting a 5-cm-long syringe needle. Predictive values of weight, body mass index (BMI) and CWT were also analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 199 measurements of 50 adult fresh cadavers from both hemithoraces. Five-centimeter-long syringe needles were inserted and secured. Penetration into the pleural cavity was assessed, and CWTs at 4 locations were measured. Achieved power of this study for the primary aim of CWT comparison from 2nd and 5th ICSs was .94. RESULTS: Overall mean CWTs at 2nd ICS MCL and 5th ICS MAL were measured as 2.46 ± 0.78 and 2.89 ± 1.09, respectively, and 5th ICS MAL was found to be statistically thicker (P = .002). The success rate of NT at 2nd ICS MCL was 87% (95% CI, 80-94), and that at 5th ICS MAL was 78% (95% CI, 70-86; P = .3570). Only 6 (17.1%) of 35 failed NTs had a CWT greater than 5-cm. Needle thoracostomy has failed in 29 (14.9%) of 194 locations, despite a CWT less than 5-cm. Below a weight of 72 kg, BMI of 23 kg/m2, or CWT of 2.4 cm, all NTs were successful. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: In this report, we present the largest cadaver-based cohort to date to the best of our knowledge, and we observed a statistically nonsignificant 9% more NT success rate at 2nd ICS at a power of 88% and statistically significant more success rate in males at 5th ICS was (47.7%). We also observed thinner CWTs and higher success rates than previous imaging-based studies. A BMI of 23 kg/m2 or less and weight of 72 kg or less seem to accurately rule-out NT failure in cadavers, and they seem to be better predictors at the bedside.

Assessment of ventricular wall motion with focused echocardiography during cardiac arrest to predict survival.

OBJECTIVES: Our primary goal is to investigate the hypothesis that in patients with a detectable ventricular wall motion (VWM) in cardiac ultrasonography (US) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), survival rate is significantly more than in patients without VWM in US. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In our prospective, single center study, 129 adult cardiac arrest (CA) patients were enrolled. Cardiac US according to Focus Assessed Transthoracic Echo (FATE) protocol was performed before CPR. Presence of VWM was recorded on forms along with demographic data, initial rhythm, CA location, presence of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and time until ROSC was obtained. RESULTS: 129 patients were included. ROSC was obtained in 56/77 (72.7%) patients with VWM and 3/52 (5.8%) patients without VWM which is statistically significant (p > 0.001). Presence of VWM is 95% (95% CI: 0.95-0.99) sensitive and 70% (95% CI: 0.58-0.80) specific for ROSC. 43/77 (55.8%) patients with VWM and 1 (1.9%) of 52 patients without VWM survived to hospital admission which was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Presence of VWM was 100% (95% CI: 0.87-1.00) sensitive and 54% (95% CI: 0.43-0.64) specific for survival to hospital admission. CONCLUSION: No patient without VWM in US survived to hospital discharge. Only 3 had ROSC in emergency department and only 1 survived to hospital admission. This data suggests no patient without VWM before the onset of CPR survived to hospital discharge and this may be an indication to end resuscitative efforts early in these patients.