Initial medical protocol efforts using both CT and MRI/MRA for acute cerebral infarction.

BACKGROUND: Earlier administration of intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rtPA) and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) improves the neurological prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We introduced a new protocol that includes head and chest computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/ magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for all patients, which is quite different from previously evaluated protocols. This study aimed to examine whether this protocol could contribute to the prompt therapeutic intervention of AIS. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study analyzing patients with AIS who were transported to our hospital by ambulance between January 2015 and November 2021. An AIS initial treatment protocol was introduced in April 2020, under which, CT and MRI/MRA imaging were performed in all patients, and the indication for rtPA and MT were determined. The participants were divided into those who were treated before and after the protocol introduction (conventional treatment and protocol groups, respectively). The time from hospital arrival to the start of rtPA administration (door-to-needle time: DNT) and the time from hospital arrival to the start of endovascular treatment (door-to-puncture time: DPT) were compared between the groups. RESULT: A total of 121 patients were analyzed, wherein 63 patients received rtPA (18 in the conventional treatment group and 45 in the protocol group) and 98 patients received MT (32 in the conventional treatment group and 66 in the protocol group). The median DNT was 97.0 (IQR 49.0-138.0) min vs. 56.5 (IQR 41.0-72.0) min (p < 0.001) for the conventional treatment and the protocol groups, respectively. The median DPT was 129.0 (IQR 62.0-196.0) min vs. 55.0 (IQR 40.5-69.5) min (p < 0.001), respectively. Moreover, DNT was achieved within 60 min in 5.6% vs. 69.9% (p < 0.001) and DPT within 90 min in 25.0% vs. 85.7% (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: The introduction of a protocol, including CT/MRI imaging, significantly shortened DNT and DPT.

Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Septic Cardiomyopathy due to Legionella Pneumonia after Influenza Virus Infection.

A 57-year-old man presented to the emergency department with fever and progressive altered level of consciousness of 5 days' duration. Three days before admission, influenza A was diagnosed at a clinic. On admission, his vital signs were unstable. Pneumonia was diagnosed through chest computed tomography, and urinary Legionella antigen test was positive. A diagnosis of septic shock due to Legionella and influenza pneumonia was made, and critical care management was initiated, including mechanical ventilation and vasopressors. However, tachycardia did not improve, left ventricular ejection fraction was 20%, and circulatory insufficiency progressed. Therefore, considering the involvement of septic cardiomyopathy and cardiogenic shock, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) was initiated for circulation assistance on day 3 since admission. Tachycardia and myocardial dysfunction improved by day 8, and VA-ECMO was withdrawn. Subsequently, nutrition management and rehabilitation were performed, and the patient was transferred to a recovery hospital on day 108. VA-ECMO may be beneficial when concomitant with circulatory assistance in uncontrollable cases of septic cardiomyopathy using catecholamines and ß-blockers. It may be necessary to adopt VA-ECMO at an appropriate time before the patient progresses to cardiopulmonary arrest.