A prospective study of wake-up stroke patients presenting to the emergency department: a single-center cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to prospectively examine patients with ischemic wake-up stroke (WUS) presenting to the emergency department, to investigate the risk factors affecting the mortality occurring within 28, 90, and 180 days, and to create a new scoring system for the prediction of 28-day mortality. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Patients who presented to the emergency department with WUS findings between 01.07.2019 and 30.06.2020 were prospectively analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting mortality and the modified Rankin scale (mRS). RESULTS: A total of 161 patients were included. Of the patients, 22.4% died within 28 days and 40.4% within 180 days. The presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) increased the 28-day mortality risk (p = 0.009) 3.57 times, 90-day mortality risk 2.15 times (p = 0.033), and 180-day mortality risk 2.18 times (p = 0.045). In order to be used in the prediction of 28-day mortality in patients with WUS, we developed the ischemic WUS mortality score (IWUSMOS), which consists of the middle cerebral artery (45 points), internal carotid artery (60 points), basilar artery (39 points), superior cerebellar artery (66 points) occlusion, hypertension (33 points), CAD (28 points), malignancy (100 points), and arrhythmia (23 points). With this scoring system, the 28-day mortality risk was determined as 0.05% when the total score was "43" whereas the mortality risk was found to be 95.0% when the total score was "187." CONCLUSION: We propose that IWUSMOS, a new scoring system, can be used to predict the 28-day mortality risk of patients with WUS.

The effect of the shock index and scoring systems for predicting mortality among geriatric patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is an important cause of mortality and morbidity among geriatric patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the shock index and other scoring systems are effective predictors of mortality and prognosis among geriatric patients presenting to the emergency department with complaints of upper GI bleeding. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cohort study in an emergency department in Bursa, Turkey. METHODS: Patients over 65 years admitted to a single-center, tertiary emergency service between May 8, 2019, and April 30, 2020, and diagnosed with upper GI bleeding were analyzed. 30, 180 and 360-day mortality prediction performances of the shock index and the Rockall, Glasgow-Blatchford and AIMS-65 scores were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients who met the criteria were included in the study. The shock index (P < 0.001) and AIMS-65 score (P < 0.05) of the patients who died within the 30-day period were found to be significantly different, while the shock index (P < 0.001), Rockall score (P < 0.001) and AIMS-65 score (P < 0.05) of patients who died within the 180-day and 360-day periods were statistically different. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for predicting 360-day mortality, the area under the curve (AUC) value was found to be 0.988 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.971-1.000; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The shock index measured among geriatric patients with upper GI bleeding at admission seems to be a more effective predictor of prognosis than other scoring systems.

Effectiveness of the polyglycolic acid patch in preventing prolonged air leakage after pulmonary decortication.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an absorbable polyglycolic acid patch (PGA) in the early prevention of alveolar air leaks after pulmonary decortication operations. METHODS: Between January 2016 and December 2019, files of 185 patients with pleural effusion, empyema, or hemothorax were examined retrospectively. Thirty-five patients who underwent decortication surgery were included in the study. Two-way posteroanterior (PA) chest x-ray, computed tomography (CT), pulmonary function tests (PFT), arterial blood gas, hemogram, and biochemical tests were performed for all patients before the operation. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 was composed of 16 patients (45.7%) with standard decortication, and Group 2 was formed with 19 patients (54.3%) with standard decortication + PGA patch. RESULTS: The median age was 55 years (minimum = 25, maximum = 75) and the vast majority (82.9%; n = 29) of patients were males. There was no significant difference between groups in age, aetiology, or sex. The most common etiological cause in both Group 1 and Group 2 was nonspecific infection (56.3% and 73.7%, respectively). When Group 2 and Group 1 were compared regarding median times (day) of air leak cessation (Group 2 = 4; Group 1 = 8.5), chest drain removal (Group 2 = 5; Group 1 = 10), and hospital discharge times (Group 2 = 8; Group 1 = 13),the durations were statistically significantly shorter in Group 2 than in Group 1 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Use of the PGA patch in pulmonary decortication operations significantly reduced the duration of air leaks, drain removal, and discharge time from the hospital in the postoperative period.

The effect of the shock index and scoring systems for predicting mortality among geriatric patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is an important cause of mortality and morbidity among geriatric patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the shock index and other scoring systems are effective predictors of mortality and prognosis among geriatric patients presenting to the emergency department with complaints of upper GI bleeding. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cohort study in an emergency department in Bursa, Turkey. METHODS: Patients over 65 years admitted to a single-center, tertiary emergency service between May 8, 2019, and April 30, 2020, and diagnosed with upper GI bleeding were analyzed. 30, 180 and 360-day mortality prediction performances of the shock index and the Rockall, Glasgow-Blatchford and AIMS-65 scores were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients who met the criteria were included in the study. The shock index (P < 0.001) and AIMS-65 score (P < 0.05) of the patients who died within the 30-day period were found to be significantly different, while the shock index (P < 0.001), Rockall score (P < 0.001) and AIMS-65 score (P < 0.05) of patients who died within the 180-day and 360-day periods were statistically different. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for predicting 360-day mortality, the area under the curve (AUC) value was found to be 0.988 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.971-1.000; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The shock index measured among geriatric patients with upper GI bleeding at admission seems to be a more effective predictor of prognosis than other scoring systems.

Investigation of highly cited publications related to vaccines against COVID-19: current state and future predictions.

BACKGROUND: Since the date of declaring the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic by the World Health Organization (March 11, 2020), vaccine studies have been initiated. In this article, we aimed to investigate highly cited articles on vaccines and guide researchers for future studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Publications with 6 or more citations (highly cited publications) were extracted from Web of Science (WoS) database. These publications were investigated according to the number of citations, language, publication year, WoS categories, publication types, organizations involved, authors, countries and research areas. Additionally, top 20 articles were investigated in detail. RESULTS: A total of 126 publications were determined. When WoS categories were investigated, 18 pertained to immunology (14.2 %), 17 to biochemistry (13.4 %) and 17 to multidisciplinary sciences (13.4 %). There were three types of publications, namely 80 original articles (63.4 %), 46 reviews (36.5 %) and 11 early access publications (8.7 %). Top universities were Harvard University (n=9, 7.1 %), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (n=7, 5.5 %) and University of California system (n=7, 5.5 %). Top authors were Qin CF with 4 articles (3.1 %), Wang L with 4 articles (3.1 %) and Baric RS with 3 articles (2.3 %). Top journals with the highest number of publications were Journal of Biomolecular Structure Dynamics (n=8, 6.3 %), Nature (n=8, 6.3 %) and Science (n=6, 4.7 %). Top countries were the United States of America (USA) with 45 articles (35.7 %), People's Republic of China with 44 articles (34.9 %), and India with 15 articles (11.9 %). Research areas of the publications were science technology other topics (n=21, 16.6 %), immunology (n=18, 14.2 %) and pharmacology (n=18, 14.2 %). CONCLUSION: Vaccine studies play a pivotal role in the warfare against COVID-19. Our results revealed that under the leadership of the USA, China and India, the number of scientists focusing on vaccines is increasing and gratifying results are obtained from vaccine studies (Tab. 3, Ref. 40).

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum incidence and clinical features in non-intubated patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the presentation characteristics and disease course of seven patients with COVID-19 who spontaneously developed pneumomediastinum without a history of mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A total of seven non-intubated patients with COVID-19, of age ranging from 18-67 years, who developed spontaneous pneumomediastinum between 01 April and 01 October 2020 were included in the study. Patients' demographic data, clinical variables, and laboratory values were examined. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum was evaluated using posteroanterior chest radiography and thorax computed tomography. RESULTS: During the research period, 38,492 patients reported to the emergency department of our hospital with COVID-19 symptoms. Of these, spontaneous pneumomediastinum was detected in seven patients who had no previous history of intubation. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2/7) and asthma bronchiale (2/7) were determined as the most common causes of comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the frequency of spontaneous pneumomediastinum developing without pneumothorax was found to be high in non-intubated patients. Whether this is related to the nature of the disease or it is a result of the increase in cases diagnosed incidentally owing to the increasing use of low-dose computed tomography should be explored in further studies.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum incidence and clinical features in non-intubated patients with COVID-19

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the presentation characteristics and disease course of seven patients with COVID-19 who spontaneously developed pneumomediastinum without a history of mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A total of seven non-intubated patients with COVID-19, of age ranging from 18-67 years, who developed spontaneous pneumomediastinum between 01 April and 01 October 2020 were included in the study. Patients' demographic data, clinical variables, and laboratory values were examined. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum was evaluated using posteroanterior chest radiography and thorax computed tomography. RESULTS: During the research period, 38,492 patients reported to the emergency department of our hospital with COVID-19 symptoms. Of these, spontaneous pneumomediastinum was detected in seven patients who had no previous history of intubation. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2/7) and asthma bronchiale (2/7) were determined as the most common causes of comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the frequency of spontaneous pneumomediastinum developing without pneumothorax was found to be high in non-intubated patients. Whether this is related to the nature of the disease or it is a result of the increase in cases diagnosed incidentally owing to the increasing use of low-dose computed tomography should be explored in further studies.

The comparison of point-of-care ultrasonography and radiography in the diagnosis of tibia and fibula fractures.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the efficacy of Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) with radiography in the diagnosis of tibia fracture (TF) and fibula fracture (FF), and determation of fracture characteristics. METHODS: Patients aged 5-55 years who were admitted to ED due to low-energy, simple extremity trauma, who had a suspected TF and FF on physical examination were included in this prospective study. One physician performed POCUS examination. Other physician evaluated the radiography images. The obtained results were compared. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients were included in the study. TF was detected in 21 patients by radiography and in 24 patients by POCUS. FF was detected in 24 patients by radiography and in 25 patients by POCUS. Ten of the patients had both TF and FF. Compared with radiography, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of POCUS in the detection of TF were 100%, 93%, 88% and 100% (95% CI, 91-100%), respectively. Compared with direct X-ray imaging, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of POCUS in the detection of FF were 100%, 97%, 96% and 100% (95% CI, 96-100%), respectively. We determined that POCUS is also successful in detection of fracture features such as angulation, step-off, extension into the joint space that can determine the treatment decision. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that POCUS was found to be as successful as direct X-ray imaging in the diagnosis of TF and FF.

The comparison of radiography and point-of-care ultrasonography in the diagnosis and management of metatarsal fractures.

OBJECTIVE: It was aimed to compare the efficacy of point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) with radiography in the diagnosis and management of metatarsal fracture (MTF). METHODS: Patients aged 5-55 years admitted to emergency room due to low-energy, simple extremity trauma and had a suspected MTF, were included in this prospective study. Patients were evaluated by two different emergency physicians in the emergency room. The first physician performed POCUS examination. Second physician evaluated the radiography images. The obtained results were compared. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were enrolled in the study. Fracture was detected in 39% by radiography and in 43% of patients by POCUS. Multiple MTFs were identified in 5% of patients. Compared with radiography, POCUS had a sensitivity of 93%, specificity of 89%, positive predictive value of 84% and a negative predictive value of 95% (95% CI, 83-98%) in the detection of fractures. While soft tissue edema was seen in 61% of patients by POCUS, soft tissue edema with hematoma was detected in 14%. Compared with radiography, the sensitivity and specificity of POCUS in the decision for surgery were 100% and 98% (95% CI, 97-100%), respectively, whereas its sensitivity and specificity were both 100% in the decision for reduction. CONCLUSION: In our study, we demonstrated that POCUS could be applied with success in the diagnosis and treatment of MTF in low-energy injuries. POCUS can be used as an alternative to radiography in the emergency rooms due to being easy to learn and practice and availability of soft tissue examination along with bone tissue examination.

The effectiveness of bedside point-of-care ultrasonography in the diagnosis and management of metacarpal fractures.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the effectiveness of point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) with direct radiography (DR) in the diagnosis and management of the patients with metacarpal fractures (MFs). METHODS: Patients between ages 5 and 55 years admitted to the emergency department with suspected MFs were included to the study. Emergency physicians (EPs) participating in the study were divided into 2 groups (POCUS, DR). Patients were evaluated by one of the EPs from each group. The EP performing the POCUS examination was blinded to the radiograph results. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients with MFs were included to the study. Fracture was determined in 36 (55%) patients with DR and in 37 (56%) patients with POCUS. When compared with radiography, the sensitivity of fracture detection with POCUS was 92%; specificity, 87%; positive predictive value, 89%; and negative predictive value, 90% (95% confidence interval, 80%-98%). Sensitivity of detecting localization of the fracture with POCUS was 92%; specificity, 87%; positive predictive value, 89%; and negative predictive value, 89% (95% confidence interval, 80%-98%). Of the patients with fracture, 69% have angulation and 24% have step-off determined with POCUS. Specificity of POCUS in the decision for treatment choice was 100%, and sensitivity was 99%. CONCLUSION: We found that POCUS could be applied easily with success by EPs in diagnosing MFs, determining the type of the fracture and required treatment methods correctly. Point-of-care US can be used to rule out a suspected MF, thereby avoiding the time and expense of radiography.

Levofloxacin-induced hepatotoxicity and death.

Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is a major cause of hepatocellular injury in patients admitting to emergency services with acute liver failure. Hepatic necrosis may be at varying degrees from mild elevations in transaminases to fulminant hepatitis, and even death. The case of a 53-year-old female patient with toxic hepatitis due to levofloxacin and multiple organ failure secondary to toxic hepatitis is presented. Patient suffered itching, redness, and rash after receiving a single dose of 750 mg of levofloxacin tablets for pulmonary infection 10 days ago. Skin lesions had regressed within 3 days, but desquamation formed all over the body. After the fifth day of drug intake, complaints of abdominal pain, vomiting, and yellowing in skin color had started. The patient was referred to our emergency department with these complaints 10 days after drug intake. Patient was thought as a candidate for liver transplant, but cardiopulmonary arrest occurred, and the patient died before she could be referred to a transplant center. This case is important because hepatotoxicity and death due to levofloxacin is uncommon in the literature.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of bedside point-of-care ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of distal radius fractures.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) with direct radiography in diagnosis and management of the patients with distal radius fractures (DRFs). METHODS: In this study, patients between ages 5 and 55 years admitted to the emergency department with low energy upper extremity trauma with suspected DRF were evaluated with POCUS and direct radiography by emergency physicians (EPs) trained in either musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging or x-ray interpretation of DRF. The EP performing the POCUS examination was blinded to the x-ray results. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients with DRF were included in the study. There were 18 (22%) females, and 65 (78%) males enrolled in the study. Mean age was 13 ± 14 years for males, and 15 ± 13 years for females. Compared with direct radiography, POCUS yielded 98% sensitivity, 96% specificity, 98% positive predictive value, 96% negative predictive value, and 98% accuracy of the test in detecting fractures. POCUS yielded 96% sensitivity, 93% specificity value in detecting linear fractures; 78% sensitivity, 98% specificity in detecting torus-type fractures, and 100% specificity and sensitivity for detecting fissure fractures. Specificity of POCUS in the decision for reduction was 100% and sensitivity was 98%; specificity was 100% for splint application. CONCLUSION: In our study, it was shown that POCUS could be applied easily by EPs trained in MSK POCUS imaging with success in diagnosing DRF and determining the correct fracture type and required treatment methods.

Analysis of ectopic pregnancies admitted to emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) may cause significant morbidity and mortality. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics, presence of risk factors and diagnostic parameters of the patient with EP and predicting parameters for ruptured EP. METHODS: Patients who presented to emergency department (ED) and diagnosed as EP within one year were included to the study. The demographic characteristics, ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-HCG) levels, transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUSG) findings, treatment protocols, pathology reports and hemoglobin levels at the time of admission to ED were obtained from patient files and hospital automation system and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Total 35 patients were included to the study. The mean age of the patients was 30 ± 5.6 years. Among the patients, 46% had a history of caesarean section (C-section). The complaints of the patients at presentation, their age, gestational week and the ß-HCG levels were found to be inefficient in predicting ruptured EPs. TVUSG was found statistically significant in terms of demonstrating ruptures in EP. The ratio of salpingectomies was observed to be higher in the surgical treatment of ruptured EPs. CONCLUSIONS: C-section was most frequently seen with EP. There is no absolute diagnostic parameter for predicting ruptured EPs and TVUSG may be a clue for diagnosis. The final diagnosis is made through surgery.

Comparison of midazolam and propofol for sedation in pediatric diagnostic imaging studies.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the efficacy of propofol and midazolam in terms of adverse effect potentials and to determine the appropriate strategy for pediatric procedural sedation. METHODS: A total of 200 pediatric patients (aged < 14 years) undergoing diagnostic procedures were recruited for this nonrandomized prospective controlled cohort study. The patients were assigned to 2 treatment arms: either propofol (Group 1: IV bolus dose of 2 mg/kg during a 2-minute period, IV maintenance dose of 100 mcg/kg/min) or midazolam (Group 2: IV bolus dose of 0.15 mg/kg during a period of 2 to 3 minutes) to achieve sedation. Demographic data, body weight, and clinical status of the patients were evaluated and recorded. The vital signs and sedation levels (ie, Ramsay sedation scale scores) were evaluated and recorded, as well as the complications detected and medications administered in 10-minute intervals throughout the sedation procedure. Findings between the study arms were compared. RESULTS: Arterial blood pressures decreased significantly in both groups (P = 0.001). The patients in Group 1 experienced a greater difference in diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.001) than those in Group 2. Sedation scores in Group 1 were more favorable (P = 0.014) and reached the appropriate sedation level in a shorter time than those in Group 2 (P = 0.010). Likewise, recovery time of patients was shorter in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P = 0.010). Hypoxia was found to be more common in the propofol group, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.333). CONCLUSION: Propofol seems to be more effective, achieve the appropriate sedation level more quickly, and provide a faster onset of sedation than midazolam in pediatric procedural sedation and analgesia. Propofol is preferred for imaging studies (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) to reduce the occurrence of undesired motion artefacts. Although both drugs are safe to use for sedation before pediatric imaging procedures, propofol is preferred with appropriate preparation.

The relationship between inferior vena cava diameter measured by bedside ultrasonography and central venous pressure value.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to present inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter as a guiding method for detection of relationship between IVC diameter measured noninvasively with the help of ultrasonography (USG) and central venous pressure (CVP) and evaluation of patient's intravascular volume status. METHODS: Patients over the age of 18, to whom a central venous catheter was inserted to their subclavian vein or internal jugular vein were included in our study. IVC diameter measurements were recorded in millimeters following measurement by the same clinician with the help of USG both at the end-inspiratory and end-expiratory phase. CVP measurements were viewed on the monitor by means of piezoelectric transducer and recorded in mmHg. SPSS 18.0 package program was used for statistical analysis of data. RESULTS: Forty five patients were included in the study. The patients had the diagnosis of malignancy (35.6%), sepsis (13.3%), pneumonia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (11.1%). 11 patients (24.4%) required mechanical ventilation while 34 (75.6%) patients had spontaneous respiration. In patients with spontaneous respiration, a significant relationship was found between IVC diameters measured by ultrasonography at the end of expiratory and inspiratory phases and measured CVP values at the same phases (for expiratory p = 0.002, for inspiratory p= 0.001). There was no statistically significant association between IVC diameters measured by ultrasonography at the end of expiration and inspiration and measured CVP values at the same phases in mechanically ventilated patients. CONCLUSIONS: IVC diameter measured by bedside ultrasonography can be used for determination of the intravascular volume status of the patients with spontaneous respiration.

Comparison of the analgesic efficacy of dexketoprofen trometamol and meperidine HCl in the relief of renal colic.

In this study, the analgesic effects of dexketoprofen trometamol and meperidine hydrochloride were compared in patients diagnosed with renal colic. This study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Fifty-two patients, between the ages of 18 and 70 years who were diagnosed with renal colic, were enrolled in the study after obtaining ethics committee approval. Before drug injection, dexketoprofen trometamol and meperidine hydrochloride were placed in closed envelopes, and the patients were randomly given a single dose of intravenous infusion for 20 minutes. Severity of pain and symptoms was evaluated with the numerical rating scale and renal colic symptom score for each patient immediately before administration of drugs and 30 minutes after the end of the application. At the same time, systolic arterial blood pressure, diastolic arterial pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, nausea, vomiting, and reactions due to drug administration were recorded before and after drug administration. In statistical methods, t test, analysis of variance, and repeated measure analysis were used for the analysis of normally distributed continuous variables and the Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman tests were used for analysis of not-normally distributed continuous variables. In the analysis of discrete variables, the χ test was used. In both groups, a significant decrease was found in numerical rating scale values measured 30 minutes after drug administration, but the decline in dexketoprofen trometamol group (P = 0.02) was found to be more. Although a significant decrease was found in the renal colic symptom score (P < 0.001) values measured after drug administration in the dexketoprofen trometamol group, no significant decrease was found in the meperidine HCl (P = 0.058) group. After drug administration, a statistically significant decrease was found in the systolic arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate in both groups. Also, a statistically significant decrease was found in the diastolic arterial pressure in the meperidine group. But these changes in vital findings were not serious enough to disrupt patients' clinical status. With this study, we concluded that dexketoprofen trometamol, from the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug group, can be within the primary treatment options for renal colic because of better analgesic efficacy, being well tolerated by patients compared with meperidine hydrochloride.

Effectiveness of therapeutic plasma exchange in patients with intermediate syndrome due to organophosphate intoxication.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine effectiveness of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in patients with intermediate syndrome (IMS) due to organophosphate (OP) intoxication. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with IMS due to OP intoxication were included in this prospective study. Therapeutic plasma exchange procedure was performed with fresh frozen plasma as a replacement fluid via Fresenius-AS-TEC 204 device by Therapeutic Apheresis Unit to patients who developed IMS during follow-up. Samples were taken from patient's blood and waste plasma collected in the device before and after TPE procedure to be studied in laboratory for detection of organic phosphate and pseudocholinesterase (PChE) levels. In this study, SPSS 18.0 software package was used for statistical analysis of the data obtained. Level of statistical significance was taken as P < .05 for all tests. RESULTS: Of all 17 patients, 4 (23.5%) were female, and 13 (76.5%) were male. A statistically significant decrease was detected in organic phosphate levels in the plasma of patients after TPE procedure (P = .012). A statistically significant increase was detected in PChE levels in the plasma of patients after TPE procedure (P = .014). Of 17 patients included in the study, 13 patients showed clinical improvement and were discharged after the TPE process. CONCLUSION: In our study, it was observed that a significant decrease in the level of blood plasma OP and a significant increase in the level of PChE were achieved with TPE process in the early period of IMS due to OP poisoning. This study indicates that TPE is one of the effective treatment options for IMS due to OP intoxication.