Combined use of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and asynchronous independent lung ventilation after thoracic surgery for lung abscess.

We used independent lung ventilation (ILV) during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) after lung abscess surgery in a patient with severe hypoxia and air leak. ILV can be effective in V-V ECMO as unilateral lung air leak.

COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against severe COVID-19 requiring oxygen therapy, invasive mechanical ventilation, and death in Japan: A multicenter case-control study (MOTIVATE study).

INTRODUCTION: Since the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant became dominant, assessing COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against severe disease using hospitalization as an outcome became more challenging due to incidental infections via admission screening and variable admission criteria, resulting in a wide range of estimates. To address this, the World Health Organization (WHO) guidance recommends the use of outcomes that are more specific to severe pneumonia such as oxygen use and mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in 24 hospitals in Japan for the Delta-dominant period (August-November 2021; "Delta") and early Omicron (BA.1/BA.2)-dominant period (January-June 2022; "Omicron"). Detailed chart review/interviews were conducted in January-May 2023. VE was measured using various outcomes including disease requiring oxygen therapy, disease requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), death, outcome restricting to "true" severe COVID-19 (where oxygen requirement is due to COVID-19 rather than another condition(s)), and progression from oxygen use to IMV or death among COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: The analysis included 2125 individuals with respiratory failure (1608 cases [75.7%]; 99.2% of vaccinees received mRNA vaccines). During Delta, 2 doses provided high protection for up to 6 months (oxygen requirement: 95.2% [95% CI:88.7-98.0%] [restricted to "true" severe COVID-19: 95.5% {89.3-98.1%}]; IMV: 99.6% [97.3-99.9%]; fatal: 98.6% [92.3-99.7%]). During Omicron, 3 doses provided high protection for up to 6 months (oxygen requirement: 85.5% [68.8-93.3%] ["true" severe COVID-19: 88.1% {73.6-94.7%}]; IMV: 97.9% [85.9-99.7%]; fatal: 99.6% [95.2-99.97]). There was a trend towards higher VE for more severe and specific outcomes. CONCLUSION: Multiple outcomes pointed towards high protection of 2 doses during Delta and 3 doses during Omicron. These results demonstrate the importance of using severe and specific outcomes to accurately measure VE against severe COVID-19, as recommended in WHO guidance in settings of intense transmission as seen during Omicron.

Analysis of the Association Between the Number of Intensivists and the Use of Cardiovascular Agonists: An Ecological Study Using Data From National Databases of Japan.

Background Previous studies have demonstrated a correlation between management by intensivists and a decrease in hospital stay and mortality, yet the underlying reason remains unknown. Using open data from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan (NDB) and other databses, the present study aimed to explore the relationship between inotrope and vasoconstrictor use and the number of intensivists. Materials and methods Cardiovascular agonists listed in the 2020 NDB for which the total dose was known were included for analysis. Trends in cardiovascular agonist use over six years were then graphically assessed, and a linear regression model with the use of each target drug per prefecture as the objective variable in the 2020 data was created to analyze the impact of intensivists on drug use. Results A total of 61 drugs were classified into eight groups based on their composition, and drug use in each of the 47 prefectures was tabulated. Both the rate of use and cost showed a yearly decrease for dopamine but a yearly increase for norepinephrine. Multivariable analysis indicated that the number of intensivists was only significant for dopamine, which had a coefficient of -310 (95% CI: -548 to -72, p = 0.01) but that no such trend was evident for the other drugs. Conclusions The results demonstrated that an increasing number of intensivists in each prefecture correlated with decreasing use of dopamine, possibly explaining the improved outcomes observed in closed ICUs led by intensivists. Further research is warranted to establish causality.

Emergency department activities at the Athletes' Village during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Aim: More than 15,000 elite athletes participated in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Providing adequate medical services to these elite athletes was a priority. Hence, a polyclinic was established in the Athletes' Village. Visitors were triaged at the emergency department of the polyclinic to enable early treatment of critical illnesses or injuries in the emergency room (ER) and to identify patients suspected of having coronavirus disease as early as possible. No reports of emergency department activities at large sporting events in the pandemic era are available. Here, we aim to summarize the activities at the emergency department of the polyclinic. Methods: Data were collected using an electronic medical record system, nursing records, and questionnaires administered during triage from July 13 to September 8, 2021. Polyclinic data involving accredited athletes and team members were summarized. Results: During the Olympic Games, 12,318 triage cases were reported, of which 75 were treated in the ER. During the Paralympic Games, 8398 triage cases were reported, of which 94 were treated in the ER. During the Olympic Games, musculoskeletal issues (26 patients) were the most common. During the Paralympic Games, ear, nose, and throat issues were the most common (21 patients). Two patients experienced cardiopulmonary arrest in the Athletes' Village and were transported to the hospital postresuscitation. Conclusion: During the study period, many critically ill patients were triaged and treated at the emergency department. Our data can be used to improve medical care and infection prevention at future international sporting events.

High versus low positive end-expiratory pressure setting in patients receiving veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome: study protocol for the multicentre, randomised ExPress SAVER Trial.

INTRODUCTION: While limiting the tidal volume to 6 mL/kg during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) to ameliorate lung injury in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is widely accepted, the best setting for positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is still controversial. This study is being conducted to investigate whether a higher PEEP setting (15 cmH2O) during V-V ECMO can decrease the duration of ECMO support needed in patients with severe ARDS, as compared with a lower PEEP setting. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The study is an investigator-initiated, multicentre, open-label, two-arm, randomised controlled trial conducted with the participation of 20 intensive care units (ICUs) at academic as well as non-academic hospitals in Japan. The subjects of the study are patients with severe ARDS who require V-V ECMO support. Eligible patients will be randomised equally to the high PEEP group or low PEEP group. Recruitment to the study will continue until a total of 210 patients with ARDS requiring V-V ECMO support have been randomised. In the high PEEP group, PEEP will be set at 15 cmH2O from the start of V-V ECMO until the trials for liberation from V-V ECMO (or until day 28 after the allocation), while in the low PEEP group, the PEEP will be set at 5 cmH2O. Other treatments will be the same in the two groups. The primary endpoint of the study is the number of ECMO-free days until day 28, defined as the length of time (in days) from successful libration from V-V ECMO to day 28. The secondary endpoints are mortality on day 28, in-hospital mortality on day 60, ventilator-free days during the first 60 days and length of ICU stay. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval for the trial at all the participating hospitals was obtained on 27 September 2022, by central ethics approval (IRB at Hiroshima University Hospital, C2022-0006). The results of this study will be presented at domestic and international medical congresses, and also published in scientific journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The Japan Registry of Clinical Trials jRCT1062220062. Registered on 28 September 2022. PROTOCOL VERSION: 28 March 2023, version 4.0.

Early restricted oxygen therapy after resuscitation from cardiac arrest (ER-OXYTRAC): protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac arrest is a critical condition, and patients often experience postcardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS) even after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Administering a restricted amount of oxygen in the early phase after ROSC has been suggested as a potential therapy for PCAS; however, the optimal target for arterial partial pressure of oxygen or peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) to safely and effectively reduce oxygen remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to validate the efficacy of restricted oxygen treatment with 94%-95% of the target SpO2 during the initial 12 hours after ROSC for patients with PCAS. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: ER-OXYTRAC (early restricted oxygen therapy after resuscitation from cardiac arrest) is a nationwide, multicentre, pragmatic, single-blind, stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial targeting cases of non-traumatic cardiac arrest. This study includes adult patients with out-of-hospital or in-hospital cardiac arrest who achieved ROSC in 39 tertiary centres across Japan, with a target sample size of 1000. Patients whose circulation has returned before hospital arrival and those with cardiac arrest due to intracranial disease or intoxication are excluded. Study participants are assigned to either the restricted oxygen (titration of a fraction of inspired oxygen with 94%-95% of the target SpO2) or the control (98%-100% of the target SpO2) group based on cluster randomisation per institution. The trial intervention continues until 12 hours after ROSC. Other treatments for PCAS, including oxygen administration later than 12 hours, can be determined by the treating physicians. The primary outcome is favourable neurological function, defined as cerebral performance category 1-2 at 90 days after ROSC, to be compared using an intention-to-treat analysis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at Keio University School of Medicine (approval number: 20211106). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants or their legal representatives. Results will be disseminated via publications and presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000046914).

A case of acquired hemophilia A after pancreaticoduodenectomy for distal cholangiocarcinoma.

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare disease that results from factor VIII inhibitors causing abnormal coagulation, and certain cases may develop after highly invasive surgery. The present case study reports on a 68-year-old male patient who developed AHA after undergoing a subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy for distal cholangiocarcinoma. The patient experienced complications after surgery, requiring reoperation on postoperative day (PD) 5 due to rupture of the Braun's enterostomy. On PD 6, angiography was performed after bleeding was detected in the jejunal limb, but hemostasis occurred spontaneously during the examination. Bleeding was observed again on PD 8 and direct surgical ligation was performed. On PD 14, bleeding recurred in the jejunal limb and angiography was performed to embolize the periphery of the second jejunal artery. During the procedure, the prothrombin time was normal, but only the activated partial thromboplastin time was prolonged. A close examination of the coagulation system revealed a decrease in factor VIII levels and the presence of factor VIII inhibitors, resulting in the diagnosis of AHA. Administration of steroids was initiated on PD 15 and, in addition to daily blood transfusions, activated prothrombin complex concentrate was administered to achieve hemostasis. The patient was discharged from the intensive care unit on PD 36 but later developed an intractable labial fistula due to suture failure at the gastrojejunostomy site. As the use of factor VIII inhibitors continued despite the administration of steroids, cyclophosphamide (CPA) pulse therapy was added at PD 58. However, CPA was ineffective and the administration of rituximab was initiated on PD 98. After 12 courses of rituximab, the patient tested negative for factor VIII inhibitors on PD 219. On PD 289, labial fistula closure was performed with continuous replacement of factor VIII and the patient was discharged on PD 342.

Pump-controlled retrograde trial off for weaning from venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in an adult patient with pulmonary embolism.

Background: Although pump-controlled retrograde trial off (PCRTO) is a practical method for weaning from venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO), its advantages and safety for patients with pulmonary embolism are not yet reported. Case Presentation: A 62-year-old man with coronavirus disease 2019 experienced sudden cardiac arrest, and VA-ECMO was introduced. After confirming a massive acute pulmonary embolism, unfractionated heparin treatment was initiated. On day 6, the patient was confirmed stable with a flow rate of 1.0 L/min. However, decannulation led to cardiac arrest and reintroduction of VA-ECMO. After further treatment, a residual thrombus was observed, and pulmonary arterial pressure remained high. On day 23, ECMO was decannulated successfully after a weaning test with PCRTO, which simulated ECMO withdrawal by generating a partial arteriovenous shunt. Conclusion: PCRTO is a feasible weaning strategy and can be considered for patients with uncertain cardiorespiratory recovery.

Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Secondary to Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Autoantibody-associated Vasculitis: Starting without Systemic Anticoagulation.

Regarding extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support against hemorrhagic conditions, there seems to be a dilemma when deciding between maintaining the circuit patency by systemic anticoagulation and increasing the risk of bleeding. We herein report two cases of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) caused by myeloperoxidase (MPO) anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) successfully treated with venovenous (VV)-ECMO support, both initially started without systemic anticoagulation. Under anticoagulation-free ECMO management, we should consider the shortcomings of frequent circuit exchange and hemorrhagic diathesis related to circuit-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Reconfiguration from veno-arterial to veno-arterio-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for massive pulmonary embolism.

Differential hypoxia may occur after the initiation of femorofemoral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) if cardiac function improves while severe respiratory failure is still present, one of the most difficult problems encountered during VA ECMO. Reconfiguration to veno-arterio-venous ECMO (V-AV ECMO) is one of several methods of dealing with differential hypoxia. V-AV ECMO requires triple cannulation and careful management of the reinjection flow, but the risk of bleeding is lower than in a surgical procedure, such as central ECMO or a subclavian artery graft. Herein, we reported a patient with a massive pulmonary embolism who received VA ECMO, which was reconfigured to V-AV ECMO 3 days later when differential hypoxia occurred. A drainage cannula was newly inserted via the right internal jugular vein, and an existing drainage cannula was used for reinjection after repositioning it caudally. V-AV ECMO is an effective and feasible treatment for differential hypoxia despite the paucity of the procedure to date.

Influence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the incidence of heat stroke and heat exhaustion in Japan: a nationwide observational study based on the Heatstroke STUDY 2019 (without COVID-19) and 2020 (with COVID-19).

AIM: To assess heat stroke and heat exhaustion occurrence and response during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Japan. METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter, registry-based study describes and compares the characteristics of patients between the months of July and September in 2019 and 2020. Factors affecting heat stroke and heat exhaustion were statistically analyzed. Cramér's V was calculated to determine the effect size for group comparisons. We also investigated the prevalence of mask wearing and details of different cooling methods. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between 2019 and 2020. In both years, in-hospital mortality rates just exceeded 8%. Individuals >65 years old comprised 50% of cases and non-exertional onset (office work and everyday life) comprised 60%-70%, respectively. The recommendations from the Working Group on Heat Stroke Medicine given during the coronavirus disease pandemic in 2019 had a significant impact on the choice of cooling methods. The percentage of cases, for which intravascular temperature management was performed and cooling blankets were used increased, whereas the percentage of cases in which evaporative plus convective cooling was performed decreased. A total of 49 cases of heat stroke in mask wearing were reported. CONCLUSION: Epidemiological assessments of heat stroke and heat exhaustion did not reveal significant changes between 2019 and 2020. The findings suggest that awareness campaigns regarding heat stroke prevention among the elderly in daily life should be continued in the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. In the future, it is also necessary to validate the recommendations of the Working Group on Heatstroke Medicine.

Association between active cooling and lower mortality among patients with heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Body cooling is recommended for patients with heat stroke and heat exhaustion. However, differences in the outcomes of patients who do or do not receive active cooling therapy have not been determined. The best available evidence supporting active cooling is based on a case series without comparison groups; thus, the effectiveness of this method in improving patient prognoses cannot be appropriately quantified. Therefore, we compared the outcomes of heat stroke patients receiving active cooling with those of patients receiving rehydration-only therapy. This prospective observational multicenter registry-based study of heat stroke and heat exhaustion patients was conducted in Japan from 2010 to 2019. The patients were stratified into the "severe" group or the "mild-to-moderate" group, per clinical findings on admission. After conducting multivariate logistic regression analyses, we compared the prognoses between patients who received "active cooling + rehydration" and patients who received "rehydration only," with in-hospital death as the endpoint. Sex, age, onset situation (i.e., exertional or non-exertional), core body temperature, liver damage, renal dysfunction, and disseminated intravascular coagulation were considered potential covariates. Among those who received active cooling and rehydration-only therapy, the in-hospital mortality rates were 21.5% and 35.5%, respectively, for severe patients (n = 231) and 3.9% and 5.7%, respectively, for mild-to-moderate patients (n = 578). Rehydration-only therapy was associated with a higher in-hospital mortality in patients with severe heat illness (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-8.90), whereas the cooling methods were not associated with lower in-hospital mortality in patients with mild-to-moderate heat illness (aOR, 2.22; 95% CI, 0.92-5.84). Active cooling was associated with lower in-hospital mortality only in the severe group. Our results indicated that active cooling should be recommended as an adjunct to rehydration-only therapy for patients with severe heat illness.

Accidental hypothermia: characteristics, outcomes, and prognostic factors-A nationwide observational study in Japan (Hypothermia study 2018 and 2019).

AIM: This study describes the clinical characteristics and outcomes as well as the prognostic factors of patients with accidental hypothermia (AH) using Japan's nationwide registry data. METHODS: The Hypothermia study 2018 and 2019, which included patients aged 18 years or older with a body temperature of 35°C or less, was a multicenter registry conducted at 87 and 89 institutions throughout Japan, with data collected from December 2018 to February 2019 and December 2019 to February 2020, respectively. RESULTS: In total, 1363 patients were enrolled in the registry, of which 1194 were analyzed in this study. The median (interquartile range) age was 79 (68-87) years, and the median (interquartile range) body temperature at the emergency department was 30.8°C (28.4-33.6°C). Forty-three percent of patients with AH had a mild condition, 35.2% moderate, and 21.9% severe. AH occurred in an indoor setting in 73.4% and was caused by acute medical illness in 49.3% of patients. A total of 101 (8.5%) patients suffered from cardiopulmonary arrest on arrival at the hospital. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 24.5%, the median (interquartile range) intensive care unit stay was 4 (2-7) days, and the median (interquartile range) hospital stay was 13 (4-27) days. In the multivariable logistic analysis, the prognostic factors were age (≥75 years old), male, activities of daily living (needing total assistance), cause of AH (trauma, alcohol), Glasgow Coma Scale score, and potassium level (>5.5 mEq/L). CONCLUSION: The mortality rate of AH was 24.5% in Japan. The prognostic factors developed in this study may be useful for the early prediction, prevention, and awareness of severe AH.

Association between frailty and mortality among patients with accidental hypothermia: a nationwide observational study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Frailty has been associated with a risk of adverse outcomes, and mortality in patients with various conditions. However, there have been few studies on whether or not frailty is associated with mortality in patients with accidental hypothermia (AH). In this study, we aim to determine this association in patients with AH using Japan's nationwide registry data. METHODS: The data from the Hypothermia STUDY 2018&19, which included patients of ≥18 years of age with a body temperature of ≤35 °C, were obtained from a multicenter registry for AH conducted at 120 institutions throughout Japan, collected from December 2018 to February 2019 and December 2019 to February 2020. The clinical frailty scale (CFS) score was used to determine the presence and degree of frailty. The primary outcome was the comparison of mortality between the frail and non-frail patient groups. RESULTS: In total, 1363 patients were included in the study, of which 920 were eligible for the analysis. The 920 patients were divided into the frail patient group (N = 221) and non-frail patient group (N = 699). After 30-days of hospitalization, 32.6% of frail patients and 20.6% of non-frail patients had died (p < 0.001). Frail patients had a significantly higher risk of 90-day mortality (Hazard ratio [HR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-2.17; p < 0.001). Based on the Cox proportional hazards analysis using multiple imputation, after adjustment for age, potassium level, lactate level, pH value, sex, CPK level, heart rate, platelet count, location of hypothermia incidence, and rate of tracheal intubation, the HR was 1.69 (95% CI, 1.25-2.29; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that frailty was associated with mortality in patients with AH. Preventive interventions for frailty may help to avoid death caused by AH.

Optimal timing of tracheostomy in patients on veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for coronavirus 2019: a case series.

AIM: An early tracheostomy is often considered for patients with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). However, there is no consensus on the timing of a tracheostomy in patients on VV-ECMO for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present report described the optimal timing of tracheostomy for these patients. METHOD: The present study was a single-center case series. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of nine consecutive patients who underwent tracheostomy either during or after VV-ECMO treatment in our center between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. RESULTS: All the patients received a percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy, which was performed during VV-ECMO in four patients. Three of these patients experienced hemorrhagic complications, and the remaining patient required a circuit change on the day after the operation. Heparin was discontinued 8 h preoperatively and resumed 1-14 h later. The platelet count was below normal in two patients, but no transfusion was performed. APTT was almost normal, and D-dimer was elevated postoperatively. The remaining five patients received a tracheostomy after weaning off VV-ECMO, and no complication was observed. Eight patients were deeply sedated during VV-ECMO to prioritize lung rest and prevent infecting the healthcare workers. CONCLUSION: In the present study, patients who underwent a tracheostomy during VV-ECMO tended to have more hemorrhagic complications. Because an early tracheostomy during ECMO has little benefit for patients with COVID-19, it should be performed after weaning off VV-ECMO to protect the safety of the healthcare workers concerned.

Accidental hypothermia: Factors related to a prolonged hospital stay - A nationwide observational study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of accidental hypothermia (AH) is low, and the length of hospital stay in patients with AH remains poorly understood. The present study explored which factors were related to prolonged hospitalization among patients with AH using Japan's nationwide registry data. METHODS: The data from the Hypothermia STUDY 2018, which included patients ≥18 years old with a body temperature ≤ 35 °C, were obtained from a multicenter registry for AH conducted at 89 institutions throughout Japan, collected from December 1, 2018, to February 28, 2019. The patients were divided into a "short-stay patients" group (within 7 days) and "long-stay patients" group (more than 7 days). A logistic regression analysis after multiple imputation was performed to obtain odds ratios (ORs) for prolonged hospitalization with age, frailty, location, causes underlying the hypothermia, temperature, pH, potassium level, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) score as independent variables. RESULTS: In total, 656 patients were included in the study, of which 362 were eligible for the analysis. The median length of hospital stay was 17 days. Of the 362 patients, 265 (73.2%) stayed in the hospital for more than 7 days. The factors associated with prolonged hospitalization were frailty (OR, 2.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-4.10; p = 0.027), the occurrence of indoor (OR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.58-6.46; p = 0.001), alcohol intoxication (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.05-0.56; p = 0.004), pH (OR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01-0.76; p = 0.029), potassium level (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.00-1.85; p = 0.048), and DIC score (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.13-2.10; p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Frailty, indoor situation, alcohol intoxication, pH value, potassium level, and DIC score were factors contributing to prolonged hospitalization in patients with AH. Preventing frailty may help reduce the length of hospital stay in patients with AH. In addition, measuring the pH value and potassium level by an arterial blood gas analysis at the ED is recommended for the early evaluation of AH.

Hemorrhagic shock necessitating resuscitation and damage control surgery after needle biopsy: A report of two cases.

Percutaneous needle biopsy is minimally invasive and widely performed. Bleeding is an important complication of needle biopsy. Because the wound created by the needle is small, the recognition of bleeding in the body may be delayed, and this delay can lead to hemorrhagic shock and death. We report two cases of hemorrhagic shock in which the trauma triad of death developed after needle biopsy and the patients required resuscitation and damage control surgery. Needle biopsy is less invasive but cannot stop bleeding, and so surgery should be considered to ensure hemostasis in a compromised patient.

Experience of 101 patients with coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) at a tertiary care center in Japan.

INTRODUCTION: Clusters of novel coronavirus infectious disease of 2019 (COVID-19) have spread to become a global pandemic imposing a significant burden on healthcare systems. The lack of an effective treatment and the emergence of varied and complicated clinical courses in certain populations have rendered treatment of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 difficult. METHODS: Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Medical Center, a public tertiary acute care center located in Tokyo, the epicenter of COVID-19 in Japan, has been admitting patients with COVID-19 since February 2020. The present, retrospective, case-series study aimed to investigate the clinical course and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at the study institution. RESULTS: In total, 101 patients with COVID-19 were admitted to our hospital to receive inpatient care. Eleven patients (10.9%) received ECMO, and nine patients (8.9%) died during hospitalization after COVID-19 was diagnosed. A history of smoking and obesity were most commonly encountered among patients with a complicated clinical course. Most patients who died requested to be transferred to advanced palliative care in the early course of their hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience of caring for these patients demonstrated a relatively lower mortality rate and higher survival rate in those with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation placement than previous reports from other countries and underscored the importance of proactive, advanced care planning in the early course of hospitalization.

Clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and outcomes of heat-related illness (Heatstroke Study 2017-2018).

AIM: Heat-related illness is common, but its epidemiology and pathological mechanism remain unclear. The aim of this study was to report current clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and outcomes of heat-related illness in Japan. METHODS: We undertook a prospective multicenter observational study in Japan. Only hospitalized patients with heat-related illness were enrolled from 1 July to 30 September 2017 and 1 July to 30 September 2018. RESULTS: A total of 763 patients were enrolled in the study. Median age was 68 years (interquartile range, 49-82 years) and median body temperature on admission was 38.2°C (interquartile range, 36.8-39.8°C). Non-exertional cause was 56.9% and exertional cause was 40.0%. The hospital mortality was 4.6%. The median Japanese Association for Acute Medicine disseminated intravascular coagulation (JAAM DIC), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores on admission were 1 (0-2), 4 (2-6), and 13 (8-22), respectively. To predict hospital mortality, areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.776 (JAAM DIC score), 0.825 (SOFA), and 0.878 (APACHE II). There were 632 cases defined as heatstroke by JAAM heat-related illness criteria, 73 cases diagnosed as having DIC. A total of 16.6% patients had poor neurological outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≥ 4) at hospital discharge. In the multivariate analysis, Glasgow Coma Scale and platelets were independent predictors of mortality. Type of heatstroke, Glasgow Coma Scale, and platelets were independent predictors of poor neurological outcome. Body temperature was not associated with mortality or poor neurological outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, hospital mortality of heat-related illness was <5%, one-sixth of the patients had poor neurological outcome. The APACHE II, SOFA, and JAAM DIC scores predicted hospital mortality. Body temperature was not associated with mortality or poor neurological outcome.