Factors Associated with Acute Kidney Injury Occurrence and Prognosis in Rhabdomyolysis at the Emergency Department.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to analyze patients with rhabdomyolysis who presented to emergency departments and identify their distribution of related disease and prognostic factors. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with rhabdomyolysis who presented to emergency departments over a 10-year period. Patient data, including patients' demographic variables (sex and age), mode of arrival, final diagnosis, statin use, rhabdomyolysis trigger factors, and levels of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), myoglobin, creatinine, sodium, potassium, phosphate, calcium, and lactate, were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the predictive factors of acute kidney injury (AKI). Results: Among the patients, 268 (65.6%) were found to have trigger factors without underlying diseases. Furthermore, 115 (28.2%) patients developed AKI. This comprehensive study sheds light on the diverse factors influencing the occurrence of AKI in rhabdomyolysis and provides insights into AKI predictive markers. Furthermore, we analyzed the cases by dividing them into six groups: occurrence of AKI, occurrence of infection, and simple or complex rhabdomyolysis. CPK time course was found to be important in clinical prognosis, such as AKI occurrence, dialysis or not, and mortality. Conclusions: Age, statin use, elevated creatinine and lactate levels, and initial serum CPK level emerged as significant predictors of AKI. CPK time course was also found to be an important factor in predicting the clinical outcomes of patients with rhabdomyolysis.

The D-Dimer to Troponin Ratio Is a Novel Marker for the Differential Diagnosis of Thoracic Acute Aortic Syndrome from Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic acute aortic syndrome (AAS) and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) have similar clinical presentations, making them difficult to differentiate. This study aimed to identify useful biomarkers for the differential diagnosis of thoracic AAS and NSTEMI. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study. PARTICIPANTS: consecutive adult patients who visited the emergency department for acute chest pain between January 2015 and December 2021 diagnosed with thoracic AAS or NSTEMI. Clinical variables, including D-dimer (µg/mL) and high-sensitivity troponin T (ng/mL, hs-TnT) levels, were compared between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 52 (30.1%) and 121 (69.9%) patients were enrolled in the thoracic AAS and NSTEMI groups, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the D-dimer to hs-TnT (D/T) ratio (odds ratio (OR), 1.038; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.020-1.056; p < 0.001) and the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) score (OR, 0.184; 95% CI, 0.054-0.621; p = 0.006) were associated with thoracic AAS. The D/T ratio had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.973 (95% CI, 0.930-0.998), and the optimal cutoff value was 81.3 with 91.4% sensitivity and 96.2% specificity. The TIMI score had an AUC of 0.769 (95% CI, 0.644-0.812), and the optimal cutoff value was 1.5 with 96.7% sensitivity and 38.5% specificity. CONCLUSION: the D/T ratio may be a simple and useful parameter for differentiating thoracic AAS from NSTEMI.

Usefulness of the d-dimer to albumin ratio for risk assessment in patients with acute variceal bleeding at the emergency department: retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Acute variceal bleeding (AVB) is a severe complication of portal hypertension that is caused by rupture of the esophageal or gastric varix. Scoring system for risk stratification of AVB is difficult to use because various variables must be entered, and it is difficult to apply early in the emergency department (ED). We compared and analyzed the usefulness of the D-dimer to albumin ratio (DAR) for risk stratification of AVB. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, medical records of patients with AVB Between January 2019 and December 2020 were assessed. The primary endpoint was to evaluate whether DAR was a predictor of clinical outcomes for AVB. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed using cut-off values determined by the Youden Index. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the factors contributing to the development of outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, 67 patients required intensive care. The cut-off value of DAR for patients requiring intensive care was 400. A DAR > 400 (adjusted HR: 5.636 [95% CI: 2.216-14.332]) independently predicted the need for ICU admission in these patients. Overall, 13 patients required long-term hospitalization. The cut-off value of DAR for patients requiring long-term hospitalization was 403. A DAR > 403 (adjusted HR: 9.899 [95% CI: 2.012-48.694]) independently predicted the need for long-term hospitalization. Overall, 95 patients required transfusion. The cut-off value of DAR for patients requiring transfusion was 121. A DAR > 121 (adjusted HR: 4.680 [95% CI: 1.703-12.862]) independently predicted the need for transfusion. Overall, 11 patients died during study period. The cut-off value of DAR for mortality was 450. A DAR > 450 (adjusted HR: 26.261 [95% CI: 3.054-225.827]) independently predicted mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The DAR can be used for outcome assessment in patients with AVB with various scoring systems, but its explanatory power is not high.

High prevalence of depression and sleep-wake disorders among female emergency medicine residents in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Depression and sleep-wake disorders are recognized as one of the major problems among emergency physicians. While depression is more common in females than in males, the associated factors linking depression and sleep-wake disorders in emergency physicians, particularly females, remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of depression and sleep-wake problems among emergency medicine (EM) residents in South Korea and to identify the gender differences and situations that adversely predispose female residents to mental health problems. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the data collected from the 2019 National EM Residents Wellness Survey targeting all of 630 EM residents in South Korea. The survey included variables potentially influencing depression and sleep-wake problems, such as personal characteristics, work-related stress, and extrinsic environment. Information regarding medical conditions, depression, job stress, and sleep deprivation was obtained using the self-administered Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Apgar Wellness Score (AWS), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). We analyzed the data using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25 and MedCalc version 17. RESULTS: A total of 384 residents participated in the survey. Overall, 27.5% of the EM residents met the criteria for at least moderate depression and 36.9% of the EM residents had sleep-related problems. We found that difficulty in trading the shift schedule and frequent night shifts was associated with depression (p = .001, p = .005; respectively). Female residents demonstrated an increased risk of depression and sleepiness compared to their male counterparts (odds ratio [OR] 1.95, OR 1.81; respectively). In addition, logistic regression analysis revealed significant differences by gender in depression with regards to flexibility of trading shifts (p = .005), level of training in the emergency medical centre (p = .035), and frequent night shifts (p = .010). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately, one-third of EM residents report depression and sleep-wake problems, with female residents showing a higher risk than male residents. Several risk factors were identified, and future strategies should be aimed to address these issues to improve the training environment and overall wellbeing of EM residents.KEY MESSAGESThe prevalence of depression and sleep-related problems were, respectively, 1.95 and 1.81 times higher in female residents compared to their male colleagues.The associated risk factors for depression were flexibility of shift trade, level of training in the emergency medical centre, and frequency of night shifts.Improving the training environment and facilities, as well as offering more flexible duty trading options can provide potential opportunities to reduce the risk.

Age-Adjusted D-Dimer in Ruling Out Acute Aortic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Recently, D-dimer has been suggested as a biomarker to rule out acute aortic syndrome (AAS). Since it increases with age, this study was conducted to reveal whether an age-adjusted D-dimer can increase diagnostic accuracy in ruling out AAS. METHOD: A retrospective observational study design was used. Consecutive adult patients who visited an emergency room between January 2015 and September 2020 and who underwent a D-dimer test and computed tomography angiography for suspected AAS were enrolled. We calculated the diagnostic accuracy of both the conventional (0.5 µg/ml) and age-adjusted (age × 0.01 in patients >50 years) D-dimer cut-offs. RESULT: D-dimer was higher in the AAS group (n = 82) than in the non-AAS group (n = 122) (10.85 (3.61-33.12) vs. 0.40 (0.23-1.07), OR: 1.139 (CI: 1.085 - 1.195), p < 0.001). The D-dimer plasma level had an area under the ROC curve of 0.915 (CI: 0.873-0.956) with AAS. At the age-adjusted cutoff point compared to a 0.5 µg/ml cutoff, the sensitivity of 97.6% and the NLR of 0.04 did not change, but the specificity increased by 5.7% to 65.6%, the PPV increased by 3.6% to 65.6%, and the NPV slightly increased by 0.2% to 97.6%. CONCLUSION: Compared with a conventional method, the age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff may have higher specificity and PPV while maintaining high sensitivity for ruling out AAS.

Prehospital Factors Associated with Refractory Traumatic Arrest.

OBJECTIVE: Identification of the prehospital factors associated with a poor prognosis of immediate traumatic arrest should help reduce unwarranted treatment. We aim to reveal the clinical factors related to death after traumatic arrest on the scene. METHODS: We performed a multicenter (4 tertiary hospitals in urban areas of South Korea) retrospective study on consecutive adult patients with trauma arrest on scene who were transferred by fire ambulance from January 2016 to December 2018. Patients with death on arrival in the emergency room (ER) were excluded. Prehospital data were collected from first aid records, and information on each patient's survival outcome in the ER was collected from an electronic database. Patients were divided into ER death and ER survival groups, and variables associated with prehospital trauma were compared. RESULTS: A total of 145 (84.3%) and 27 (15.7%) patients were enrolled in the ER death and survival groups, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that asystole (OR 4.033, 95% CI 1.342-12.115, p = 0.013) was related to ER death and that ROSC in the prehospital phase (OR 0.100, 95% CI 0.012-0.839, p = 0.034) was inversely related to ER death. In subgroup analysis of those who suffered fall injuries, greater height of fall was associated with ER death (15.0 (5.5-25.0) vs. 4.0 (2.0-7.5) meters, p = 0.001); the optimal height cutoff for prediction of ER death was 10 meters, with 66.1% sensitivity and 100% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of traumatic arrest, asystole, no prehospital ROSC, and falls from a greater height were associated with trauma death in the ER. Termination of resuscitation in traumatic arrest cases should be done on the basis of comprehensive clinical factors.

End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide Monitoring for Spontaneous Pneumothorax.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous pneumothorax should be classified as primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) or secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) because treatment strategies may differ depending on underlying lung conditions and clinical course. The pulmonary dysfunction can lead to changes in end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2). The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in ETCO2 between PSP and SSP. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included adult patients diagnosed with spontaneous pneumothorax in the emergency room from April 2019 to September 2020. We divided patients into PSP and SSP groups and compared ETCO2 variables between the two groups. RESULTS: There were 33 (66%) patients in the PSP group and 17 (34%) patients in the SSP group. Initial ETCO2 was lower in the SSP group than in the PSP group (30 (23-33) vs. 35 (33-38) mmHg, p=0.002). Multivariate analysis revealed that respiratory gas associated with SSP was initial ETCO2 (OR: 0.824; 95% CI: 0.697-0.974, p=0.023). The optimal cutoff for initial ETCO2 to detection of SSP was 32 mmHg (area under curve, 0.754), with 76.5% sensitivity and 72.7% specificity. CONCLUSION: ETCO2 monitoring is a reliable noninvasive indicator of differentiating between PSP and SSP. Initial ETCO2 lower than 32 mmHg is a predictor of SSP.

Public awareness and willingness to use automated external defibrillators in a metropolitan city.

OBJECTIVE: Early defibrillation is crucial for the survival of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This study aimed to examine the trends and associated factors regarding public awareness and willingness to use automated external defibrillators (AEDs) through citywide surveys. METHODS: Three-round surveys were conducted in February 2012 (n=1,000), December 2016 (n=1,141), and December 2018 (n=1,001) among citizens in Daegu, South Korea, who were aged ≥19 years. The subjects were selected through a three-stage quota sampling. Awareness and willingness to use an AED were assessed in the three groups. The primary outcome was willingness to use AEDs. RESULTS: Of 3,142 respondents, 3,069 were eligible for analysis. The proportion of respondents who knew how to use AEDs increased from 4.7% in 2012 to 20.8% in 2018. Of the respondents in 2012, 2016, and 2018, 39.7%, 50.0%, and 43.2%, respectively, were willing to use an AED. Factors associated with willingness to use AEDs were male sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.75), cardiopulmonary resuscitation training experience in the previous 2 years (AOR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.43-2.28), recognition of the Good Samaritan law (AOR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.13-1.86), and awareness of how to use an AED (AOR, 4.40; 95% CI, 3.26-5.93). CONCLUSION: To increase willingness to use AEDs, education in AED use and the Good Samaritan law, along with re-education to maintain knowledge of AED use, should be considered.

Validity evidence of a task trainer for normal and difficult lumbar puncture: A cross-sectional study.

Validation of the anatomically complex configurations of the Lumbar Puncture Simulator II (KYOTO KAGAKU CO., LTD., 15 Kitanekoya-cho Fushimi-ku Kyoto, Japan 612-8388) have not been reported. Previous validation of the normal anatomic configuration has been reported. This study aims to evaluate evidence for construct and content validity of 4 interchangeable lumbar puncture (LP) complex anatomic configurations of this simulator.We performed a cross-sectional study between April 2018 and May 2019. Novice volunteer medical students and expert physicians who had performed over 30 LP procedures performed sequential LP procedures on each of 4 simulated interchangeable anatomic LP puncture blocks (normal, obesity, geriatric, combined geriatric/obesity). Primary outcome measures compared between groups for each LP procedure were return of cerebrospinal fluid within 5 minutes and a calculated performance score. Subjective face validity and content validity 5-point Likert questionnaires were completed by participants.35 novice (n = 19) and expert (n = 16) subjects completed 140 procedures. Significant differences were found between novice and expert groups for both cerebrospinal fluid success rates and performance scores for normal (P = .001/P = .001) geriatric (P = .005/P = .002) and obesity (P = .003/P = < .001) configurations. There were no differences for the geriatric/obesity configuration. Expert median score of simulator realism (face validity) was 4 (range 3-4); median score of utility as a training tool (content validity) was 4 (range 4-5).We provide evidence for construct validity for each of the complex LP configurations, except combined geriatric/obesity. Expert physicians found the simulator sufficiently realistic to effectively teach LP skills.

Clinical Difference between Acute Appendicitis and Acute Right-Sided Colonic Diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND: Clinical presentations of acute appendicitis (AA) and acute right-sided colonic diverticulitis (ARCD) are similar. However, the usual treatment for each disease differs between surgical and conservative management. The aim of this study was to identify clinical differences between AA and ARCD. METHOD: We performed a single-center retrospective study on adult patients, with uncomplicated AA and ARCD confirmed by computed tomography, who visited an emergency department between March 2018 and August 2019. Clinical variables including past medical history, presented symptoms and signs, and laboratory findings were compared between the two groups. A logistic regression analysis was subsequently performed to differentiate ARCD from AA based on results of univariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 212 (79.1%) and 56 (20.9%) patients were enrolled in AA and ARSD groups, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a past history of diverticulitis [OR: 102.679 (95% CI: 9.964-1058.055), p < 0.001] was associated with ARCD, while ketonuria [OR: 2.907 (95% CI: 1.091-7.745), p=0.033], anorexia [OR: 21.544 (95% CI: 3.905-118.868), p < 0.001], and neutrophilia [OR: 3.406 (95% CI: 1.243-9.336), p=0.017] were associated with AA. CONCLUSION: Anorexia, neutrophilia, and ketonuria were predictors of AA while a history of diverticulitis was a predictor of ARCD.

Effect of percutaneous coronary intervention team prenotification based on real time electrocardiogram transmission in interhospital transfer of ST elevation myocardial infarction patients: pilot trial of Preparing Revascularization Effort before Patients' Arrival via Regionalization Engagement protocol.

OBJECTIVE: Prompt reperfusion is important for patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, patients often require interhospital transfer for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) because not all hospitals can provide. The purpose of this study is to reduce the PCI delay using a regionalization protocol in patients with STEMI following transfer from another hospital lacking PCI facility. METHODS: We established a revascularization protocol designated as Preparing Revascularization Effort before Patients' Arrival via Regionalization Engagement (PREPARE) for the STEMI patients transferred from an outside regional hospital. The protocol included immediate referral acceptance by an emergency physician, real-time electrocardiogram sharing via mobile phone and early activation of the PCI team. We analyzed the differences between the PREPARE and the non-PREPARE groups. RESULTS: In the PREPARE group, the median time from the first hospital visit to the ballooning procedure via PCI at the receiving facility (D1-to-B time) was 111.0 (interquartile range 97.0-130.0) minutes, which was significantly shorter than in the non-PREPARE group 134.0 (interquartile range 115.0-182.0) minutes. The proportion of D1-to-B time within 120 minutes was 30.4% in the group and 60.0% in the PREPARE group, which represents a significant difference (P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that patient transfer via PREPARE protocol (odds ratio, 3.399; 95% confidence interval, 1.150-10.050, P=0.027) was related to adequate D1-to-B time. No statistically significant differences were found in the hospital length of stay or major adverse cardiac events within 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: The PREPARE protocol is an effective strategy to reduce the time to revascularization of the transferred STEMI patients.

Parental involvement in the manual reduction of pulled elbow in children.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of parental involvement in the manual reduction of pulled elbow in children. METHODS: We conducted a prospective case-control study from January to December 2018. The patients were under 6 years old with suspected radial head subluxation and were randomly assigned to two groups (an intervention group with a physician's and a parent's finger placed on the patient's radial head and a control group with the physician's finger only placed on the patient's radial head) according to the method of reduction. The results of a questionnaire given to the parent and physician were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients were included in the study: 75 in the intervention group and 75 in the control group. There were no significant differences between the groups. The average number of attempts at manual reduction was 1.29 ± 0.73 in the intervention group and 1.31 ± 0.72 in the control group (P = 0.91) and the success rate of manual reduction was 96.0 and 94.7% (P = 0.70), respectively. The ease of conducting the procedure by the doctors did not show a significant difference between the two groups. However, the parents' understanding and satisfaction was significantly higher in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: Parental involvement did not affect the procedure of physician, but it improved the understanding and satisfaction of the parents.

Effectiveness of limited airway ultrasound education for medical students: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The point-of-care ultrasound of the airway (POCUS-A) is a useful examination method but there are currently no educational programs for medical students regarding it. We designed a POCUS-A training curriculum for medical students to improve three cognitive and psychomotor learning domains: knowledge of POCUS-A, image acquisition, and image interpretation. METHODS: Two hours of training were provided to 52 medical students in their emergency medicine (EM) rotation. Students were evaluated for cognitive and psychomotor skills before and immediately after the training. The validity measures were established with the help of six specialists and eight EM residents. A survey was administered following the curriculum. RESULTS: Cognitive skill significantly improved after the training (38.7±12.4 vs. 91.2±7.7) and there was no significant difference between medical students and EM residents in posttest scores (91.2±7.7 vs. 90.8±4.6). The success rate of overall POCUS-A performance was 95.8%. The students were confident to perform POCUS-A on an actual patient and strongly agreed to incorporate POCUS-A training in their medical school curriculum. CONCLUSION: Cognitive and psychomotor skills of POCUS-A among medical students can be improved via a limited curriculum on EM rotation.

A retrospective review of paediatric head injuries in Asia - a Pan Asian Trauma Outcomes Study (PATOS) collaboration.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to examine the mechanisms of head-injured children presenting to participating centres in the Pan Asian Trauma Outcomes Study (PATOS) and to evaluate the association between mechanism of injury and severe outcomes. DESIGN AND SETTING: We performed a retrospective review of medical records among emergency departments (EDs) of eight PATOS centres, from September 2014 - August 2015. PARTICIPANTS: We included children <16 years old who presented within 24 hours of head injury and were admitted for observation or required a computed tomography (CT) of the brain from the ED. We excluded children with known coagulopathies, neurological co-morbidities or prior neurosurgery. We reviewed the mechanism, intent, location and object involved in each injury, and the patients' physical findings on presentation. OUTCOMES: Primary outcomes were death, endotracheal intubation or neurosurgical intervention. Secondary outcomes included hospital and ED length of stay. RESULTS: 1438 children were analysed. 953 children (66.3%) were male and the median age was 5.0 years (IQR 1.0-10.0). Falls predominated especially among children younger than 2 years (82.9%), while road traffic injuries were more likely to occur among children 2 years and above compared with younger children (25.8% vs 11.1%). Centres from upper and lower middle-income countries were more likely to receive head injured children from road traffic collisions compared with those from high-income countries (51.4% and 40.9%, vs 10.9%, p<0.0001) and attended to a greater proportion of children with severe outcomes (58.2% and 28.4%, vs 3.6%, p<0.0001). After adjusting for age, gender, intent of injury and gross national income, traffic injuries (adjusted OR 2.183, 95% CI 1.448 to 3.293) were associated with severe outcomes, as compared with falls. CONCLUSIONS: Among children with head injuries, traffic injuries are independently associated with death, endotracheal intubation and neurosurgery. This collaboration among Asian centres holds potential for future prospective childhood injury surveillance.

Two cases of incidental Podostroma cornu-damae poisoning.

Podostroma cornu-damae is a rare, deadly fungus. However, it can be easily mistaken for antler Ganoderma lucidum. In this case report, two patients made tea with the fungus and drank it over a 2-week period. Both patients presented with bicytopenia, and one patient had desquamation of the palms and soles. Both were treated with prophylactic antibiotics and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. One patient was admitted to the intensive care unit and received a platelet transfusion. Both patients were discharged without complications. Podostroma cornu-damae infections caused by intoxication were successfully treated using our treatment strategy, which consisted of prophylactic antibiotics, platelet transfusion, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. We believe this report can guide future treatment.

New Intervention Model of Regional Transfer Network System to Alleviate Crowding of Regional Emergency Medical Center.

Emergency department (ED) crowding is a serious problem in most tertiary hospitals in Korea. Although several intervention models have been established to alleviate ED crowding, they are limited to a single hospital-based approach. This study was conducted to determine whether the new regional intervention model could alleviate ED crowding in a regional emergency medical center. This study was designed as a "before and after study" and included patients who visited the tertiary hospital ED from November 2011 to October 2013. One tertiary hospital and 32 secondary hospitals were included in the study. A transfer coordinator conducted inter-hospital transfers from a tertiary hospital to a secondary hospital for suitable patients. A total of 1,607 and 2,591 patients transferred from a tertiary hospital before and after the study, respectively (P < 0.001). We found that the median ED length of stay (LOS) decreased significantly from 3.68 hours (interquartile range [IQR], 1.85 to 9.73) to 3.20 hours (IQR, 1.62 to 8.33) in the patient group after implementation of the Regional Transfer Network System (RTNS) (P < 0.001). The results of multivariate analysis showed a negative association between implementation of the RTNS and ED LOS (beta coefficient -0.743; 95% confidence interval -0.914 to -0.572; P < 0.001). In conclusion, the ED LOS in the tertiary hospital decreased after implementation of the RTNS.

Plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a predictive biomarker for the detection of acute kidney injury in adult poisoning.

CONTEXT: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication in intoxicated patients. Recently, a new biomarker - neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) - was used to predict AKI in patients who were critically ill or had sepsis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of plasma NGAL as an early predictor of AKI in adults with acute poisoning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective, observational, cohort study was conducted between December 2013 and November 2014. A total of 157 consecutive adult patients who presented to the emergency department (Level 1 regional center) of Kyungpook National University Hospital, a tertiary teaching hospital in Daegu, Korea, within 24 h of poisoning were included. Initial plasma NGAL levels and laboratory parameters were concurrently measured upon hospital arrival. AKI was defined according to Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria. Development of AKI was predicted using plasma NGAL levels and by analyzing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: The overall rate of AKI was 14.6% (n = 23). Plasma NGAL levels in the AKI group were higher than those in the non-AKI group (median, 310 vs. 86 ng/mL; p < 0.001). Additionally, baseline NGAL levels allowed for better prediction of AKI than initial creatinine levels. The AUC of plasma NGAL was 0.895 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.832-0.941), with a cut-off value of 227 ng/mL (sensitivity, 76.2%; specificity, 95.8%). Plasma NGAL had a higher predictive capacity for AKI than serum creatinine (AUC 0.741, 95% CI: 0.662-0.810), base deficit (AUC 0.795, 95% CI: 0.701-0.870), lactate (AUC 0.781, 95% CI: 0.690-0.856), and anion gap (AUC 0.636, 95% CI: 0.535-0.730). CONCLUSION: Plasma NGAL may serve as a good predictor of AKI in cases of adult poisoning.

For how long can two emergency medical technicians perform high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the duration and obstacles to prolonged on-scene cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and establish how long a pair of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) can provide high-quality CPR. METHOD: Intermediate-level EMTs in Gyeonggi-do Province, Republic of Korea completed a survey regarding on-scene CPR. EMTs undergoing routine training took part in a simulation using mannequins. Parameters including compression depth, total number and rate of compressions; occurrence of incorrect hand position and incomplete chest recoil were collected over 16 2-min cycles of CPR (32 min total), with EMTs working in pairs. RESULT: The simulation study included 43 EMTs. The median duration of on-scene CPR was 3.7 min. Fear of decrease in performance was the main obstacle to continued CPR (n = 188/254 [74.0%]). Standards for high-quality CPR were met at each of the 16 steps of the simulation. Compression rate increased significantly with time. There were no significant changes in any other parameter. CONCLUSION: Pairs of EMTs maintained high-quality CPR for 16 cycles (32 min) with no decrease in performance. Our findings could provide evidence to recommend guidelines for duration of on-scene CPR for cardiac arrest, particularly in countries where the level and number of ambulance crews are limited.

Current practices for paediatric procedural sedation and analgesia in emergency departments: results of a nationwide survey in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: Procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) in children has become a standard tool in emergency settings, but no national PSA guidelines have been developed for the emergency department (ED) in Korea. Therefore, we investigated the practice of PSA and the level of adherence to institutional PSA guidelines in EDs of teaching hospitals. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional, web-based survey. The study subjects were the faculty of EDs from 96 teaching hospitals. The questionnaire was posted on an internet site, and the participants were requested that the questionnaire be answered by email and telephone in May 2009. RESULTS: The questionnaires were completed by 67.7% of the participants. Only 20% of EDs had institutional PSA guidelines, 21.5% of those had discharge criteria and 13.8% of EDs had a discharge instruction form. Residents were administered PSA at 76.9% of EDs. The airway rescue equipment was near the area where PSA was performed in 76.9% of EDs. The most commonly used medication for both diagnostic imaging and painful procedure was oral chloral hydrate (87.7%, 61.5%). In 64.6% of EDs, patients were monitored. In only 21 cases, EDs (50.0%) monitored the patients to recovery after PSA or discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Current PSA for paediatric patients have not been appropriately applied in Korea. Unified PSA guidelines were rare in the hospitals surveyed, and many patients were not monitored over an appropriate duration, nor did they receive adequate medications for sedation by the best trained personnel. Therefore, the national PSA guidelines must be developed and implemented as early as possible.