[Acupuncture in emergency medicine : results of a case series]. / Akupunktur in der Notfallmedizin : Ergebnisse einer Fallserie.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture (AP) might be indicated in emergency medicine. This case series was performed to demonstrate the practicability and possible effects of AP in emergency medical services (EMS) as a basis for randomized controlled trials (RCT). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 60 patients (average age 55.4±23.0 years, 57% female) treated by the EMS received AP if applicable. Main outcome parameter was to rate the symptom alleviating effect of acupuncture treatment on a 4-point scale or by VAS. RESULTS: Of the 60 patients 35 (58%) reported considerable improvement, 15 patients (25%) reported complete relief and 10 patients (17%) reported no changes in the cardinal symptom. The predominant symptoms alleviated by AP were nausea (n=31) and vomiting (n=21). Pericardium 3 and 6 (27%) and Spleen 6 and 9 were the most commonly used AP points. CONCLUSION: This case series demonstrates that AP can alleviate certain symptoms in emergency patients. The results of the study provide data as a basis to perform clinical controlled trials on the effectiveness of AP in emergency medicine.

Selenium replacement in patients with severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome improves clinical outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of selenium replacement on morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). DESIGN: Controlled, randomized prospective open-label pilot study comparing patients with and without selenium replacement. SETTING: Intensive care unit of a university hospital for internal medicine. PATIENTS: Forty-two patients with SIRS caused by infection and a minimal Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score of 15 points on the day of admission were included. The selenium replacement group of patients (Se+; n = 21) received sodium selenite for 9 days (535 microg [6.77 micromol] for 3 days, 285 microg [3.61 micromol] for 3 days, and 155 microg [1.96 micromol] for 3 days) and thereafter, 35 microg (0.44 micromol) per day iv. The control group (Se-, n = 21) received 35 microg of sodium selenite throughout the total treatment period. INTERVENTIONS: Morbidity and clinical outcome was monitored by scoring using the APACHE III score, occurrence of acute renal failure, need and length of mechanical ventilation, and hospital mortality. Blood samples on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 were analyzed for serum selenium concentration and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The median APACHE II score at admission, age, gender, underlying diseases, serum selenium levels, and GSH-Px activities at admission were identical in both groups. In Se+ patients, serum selenium levels and GSH-Px activity normalized within 3 days, whereas in controls, both variables remained significantly low (p < .0001). The APACHE III score decreased significantly in both groups but was significantly lower in the Se+ group (day 3, p > .05; day 7, p = .018; and day 14, p = .045 Se+ compared with Se-). Hemodialysis with continuous veno-venous hemodialysis because of acute renal failure was necessary in nine Se- compared with three Se+ patients (p = .035). Overall mortality in the Se- group was 52% vs. 33.5% in the Se+ group (p = .13). CONCLUSIONS: Selenium replacement in patients with SIRS seems to improve clinical outcome and to reduce the incidence of acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis.

[Selenium administration in sepsis patients]. / Selensubstitution bei Sepsispatienten.

BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesized that low serum selenium concentrations, associated with low glutathione peroxidase activities in critical ill patients may contribute to decreased cleavage from free radicals and deteriorate the clinical outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We therefore performed a controlled, prospective study including 42 patients with inflammatory response syndrome and an APACHE-II score > or = 15. Whereas the controls (Se-, n = 21) received 35 micrograms sodium selenite during the whole treatment period the selenium substitution group (Se+, n = 21) received additional 500 micrograms, 250 micrograms and 125 micrograms sodium selenite, each amount for 3 days. Clinical outcome was monitored by APACHE-III score, documentation of acute renal failure, respiratory insufficiency and the mortality rate until discharge from the hospital. RESULTS: The mean APACHE-II(III) score on admission was 20.6 (68.3) in the Se- versus 20.1 (61.0) in the Se+ group. Age, sex, underlying diseases, the serum selenium levels and glutathione peroxidase activities on admission were equally distributed in both groups. Selenium substitution was followed by a significant increase in serum selenium levels and glutathione peroxidase activity to normal levels, whereas in controls both parameters remained low. The APACHE-III score significantly improved on day 7 (p = 0.018) and 14 (p = 0.041) in the Se+ group. Hemodialysis because of acute renal failure was necessary in 9 (Se-) versus 3 (Se +) patients (p < 0.04). Overall mortality rate in the Se+ group was 33.5% versus 55% in the Se- group (p = 0.13). A subanalysis of those patients with an APACHE-II score > 20 (n = 10) in each group revealed a significant reduction in mortality from 70% to 30% (p = 0.013). No negative side effects of selenium were seen. CONCLUSION: Selenium substitution significantly improves clinical outcome and reduces the incidence of acute renal failure.