OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with emergency in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the factors affecting the success rate of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. METHODS: Retrospectively selected patients who had cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the emergency department of the People's Hospital of 6 counties and cities in Kashgar area from January 2019 to January 2022. The clinical data of all patients were collected, including gender, age, major underlying diseases, the beginning and duration of resuscitation, the number of electric defibrillation acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II). According to whether the resuscitation was successful, all patients were divided into successful resuscitation group and failed resuscitation group. The clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. Then, the influencing factors of the success rate of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in IHCA patients were analyzed by binary Logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 1 376 patients were enrolled, including 1 117 cases of failed resuscitation and 259 cases of successful resuscitation. The success rate of resuscitation was 18.82%. Compared with the resuscitation failure group, the patients in the successful resuscitation group were younger (age: 49.10±20.99 vs. 58.44±18.32), the resuscitation start time was earlier [resuscitation start time ≤ 5 minutes: 76.45% (198/259) vs. 66.61% (744/1 117)], the proportion of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases was lower [cardiovascular disease: 49.42% (128/259) vs. 58.19% (650/1 117), cerebrovascular disease: 17.37% (45/259) vs. 21.58% (241/1 117)], the number of electric defibrillation was lower [times: 0 (0, 2) vs. 1 (0, 1)], the proportion of endotracheal intubation was more [80.31% (208/259) vs. 55.60% (621/1 117)], APACHE II score was lower (13.75±8.03 vs. 17.90±4.63), and the difference was statistically significant (all P < 0.01). Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that age, start time of resuscitation, ventilation mode and APACHE II score were protective factors affecting the success rate of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients with emergency IHCA [age: odds ratio (OR) = 0.982, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.973-0.991, P < 0.001; resuscitation start time ≤ 5 minutes: OR = 0.629, 95%CI was 0.409-0.966, P = 0.034; tracheal intubation assisted ventilation: OR = 0.243, 95%CI was 0.149-0.397, P < 0.001; low APACHE II score: OR = 0.871, 95%CI was 0.836-0.907, P < 0.001], while underlying diseases (cardiovascular diseases) are a risk factor affecting the success rate of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (OR = 1.190, 95%CI was 1.015-1.395, P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS Age, resuscitation start time, ventilation mode, APACHE II score and major underlying diseases (cardiovascular diseases) have a greater impact on the success rate of resuscitation in IHCA patients. The above factors are conducive to improving or formulating more effective rescue strategies for IHCA patients, so as to achieve the purpose of improving the success rate of clinical treatment.
Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Heart Arrest/therapy* ; Electric Countershock ; Hospitals

Atrial Fibrillation ; Electric Countershock ; Humans

A 60-year-old woman presented with polymorphic ventricular tachycardia secondary to hypokalemia, which necessitated dozens of DC cardioversions. She was not taking any other medication and denied any vomiting or diarrhea. Further investigation for hypokalemia suggested a hypermineralocorticoid state. Repeated inquiry prompted the patient to admit to taking herbal medicine containing licorice. She was treated with magnesium sulfate, potassium infusion, and intravenous lidocaine. A potassium-sparing diuretic was also prescribed. On the seventh day, the patient was discharged from the hospital with advice to discontinue taking herbal medicines containing licorice. She has been followed up at our outpatient clinic without further symptoms for 3 years. This case highlights the potential for cardiovascular complications associated with consumption of herbal medicines such as licorice. Clinicians should be aware that patients presenting to the emergency department with ventricular arrhythmia and uncertain hypokalemia should be questioned about licorice intake. Obtaining a detailed history from patients admitted to the hospital for electrical storm is essential.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Diarrhea ; Electric Countershock ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Glycyrrhiza ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Hypokalemia ; Lidocaine ; Magnesium Sulfate ; Middle Aged ; Potassium ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Vomiting

OBJECTIVE: Despite limited evidence, electrical cardioversion of acute-onset atrial fibrillation (AAF) is widely performed in the emergency department (ED). The aim of this study was to describe the effectiveness and safety of electrical cardioversion of AAF performed by emergency physicians in the ED.METHODS: All episodes of AAF electrically cardioverted in the ED were retrieved from the database for a 10-year period. Most patients not already receiving anticoagulants were given enoxaparin before the procedure (259/419). Procedural complications were recorded, and the patients were followed-up for 30 days for cardiovascular and hemorrhagic complications.RESULTS: Four hundred nineteen eligible cases were identified; men represented 69%, and mean age was 61±13 years. The procedure was effective in 403 cases (96.2%; 95.4% in women, 96.5% in men), with considerable differences with respect to the age of the patients, the procedure being effective in 100% of patients aged 18 to 39 and only 68.8% in those >80 years. New ED visits (33/419) were identified within 30 days (31 due to atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter recurrence, 1 due to iatrogenic hypokalemia, 1 due to hypertensive emergency). No strokes, major bleeding, life-threatening arrhythmias or peripheral thromboembolism were recorded. Nine small and mild skin burns were observed.CONCLUSION: Electrical cardioversion is an effective and safe procedure in the vast majority of patients, albeit less effective in patients aged >80 years. It appears reasonable to avoid anticoagulation in low-risk patients with AAF and administer peri-procedural heparin to all remaining patients. Long-term anticoagulation should be planned on an individual basis, after assessment of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic risk.
Anticoagulants ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Atrial Flutter ; Burns ; Electric Countershock ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Enoxaparin ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Heparin ; Humans ; Hypokalemia ; Male ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Stroke ; Thromboembolism

Herbal products have been used for therapeutic purposes for a long time. However, many herbs can be toxic and even life-threatening. If refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT) is caused by herbal products and shows no response to conventional therapy, intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) therapy can be considered. We report a case of herbal intoxication leading to refractory VT, which was successfully treated with ILE therapy. A 36-year-old woman with aplastic anemia presented with mental changes. She had taken an unknown herbal decoction three days before visiting the hospital. Soon after coming to the hospital, she went into cardiac arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed, and return of spontaneous circulation with VT was achieved. Synchronized cardioversion was then performed and amiodarone was administered. However, VT with pulse continued, so ILE therapy was attempted, which led to the resolution of VT.
Adult ; Amiodarone ; Anemia, Aplastic ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Electric Countershock ; Fat Emulsions, Intravenous ; Female ; Heart Arrest ; Herb-Drug Interactions ; Humans ; Tachycardia, Ventricular

To evaluate the efficiency and safety between Wenxin Granule and antiarrhythmic drugs in the treatment of atrial fibrillation(AF). A total of 8 major electronic databases(CNKI, WanFang, VIP, CBM, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, EMbase) were retrieved since the establishment of the database to January 10, 2019. Two reviewers extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. The Meta-analysis was made by RevMan 5.3 software. Finally, 42 studies involving 4 657 patients were included. The results of Meta-analysis showed that compared with antiarrhythmic drug, the combined administration with Wenxin Granule and antiarrhythmic drug had a better clinical efficiency(OR=3.37, 95%CI[2.69,4.22],I~2=0%,P<0.000 01)and efficacy on cardioversion(OR=2.32,95%CI[1.67,3.22],I~2=0%,P<0.000 01), with reduction in P_d(MD=-5.48,95%CI [-7.32,-3.64],I~2=0%,P<0.000 01)and P_(max)(MD=-9.91,95%CI[-12.86,-6.95],I~2=0%,P<0.000 01). The comparison between the combined application with Wenxin Granule and the single application of amiodarone showed a clinical efficiency(OR=2.89,95%CI[1.96,4.26],I~2=44%,P<0.000 01),and efficacy on sinus rhythm maintenance(OR=2.58,95%CI[1.82,3.66],I~2=3%,P<0.000 01). The comparison between the combined application with Wenxin Granule and the single application of amiodarone showed a clinical efficiency(OR=0.88,95%CI[0.53,1.46],I~2=0%,P=0.63). The combined treatment with Wenxin Granule has a better clinical efficiency in AF better than amiodarone, with no evidence for more benefits from the single administration with Wenxin Granules.
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; pharmacology ; Atrial Fibrillation ; drug therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Electric Countershock ; Humans

Anticoagulants ; therapeutic use ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Coronary Angiography ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; prevention & control ; Defibrillators, Implantable ; Echocardiography ; Electric Countershock ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Aneurysm ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are an alternative to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and have emerged as the treatment of choice in Korea. However, several questions remain regarding the optimal use of these agents in specific clinical situations. In this paper we discuss 1) patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and coronary artery disease, 2) avoiding confusion with NOAC dosing across indications, 3) cardioversion in a patient treated with a NOAC, 4) AF patients who present with acute stroke while on NOACs, 5) NOACs in special situations, 6) anticoagulation in AF patients with a malignancy, and 7) optimizing VKA dose adjustments.
Anticoagulants ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Electric Countershock ; Heart ; Humans ; Korea ; Stroke ; Vitamin K

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of clinical pathway of emergency respiratory and cardiac arrest on management of patients with sudden respiratory and cardiac arrest. METHODS: The clinical data of patients with sudden respiratory and cardiac arrest admitted to Huashan North Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from 1 year before to 1 year (started in July 2017) after the implementation of clinical pathway of emergency respiratory and cardiac arrest were retrospectively analyzed. The patients who managed by clinical pathway of emergency respiratory and cardiac arrest (from July 2017 to June 2018) were served as observational group, and those manually managed by 2015 American Heart Association cardiopulmonary resuscitation and cardiovascular emergency guide update and the procession in the management of emergency key diseases (from July 2016 to June 2017) were set as control group. The gender, age, underlying disease, the initiation time of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the first time of defibrillation, the completion time of endotracheal intubation, the time of venous access, the usage time of the first dose of adrenaline, the usage time of vasoactive drugs, the completion rate of high quality CPR, the success rate of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and the table procedure of clinical pathway were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in gender, age or underlying disease between the two groups. Compared with the control group, the clinical pathway could effectively guide the decision-making of the emergency medical staffs, significantly reduce the variation in the procession of the resuscitation, the first time of defibrillation, the completion time of the deep vein catheterization, the usage time of norepinephrine and the completion time of the blood specimen delivery were significantly shortened [the first time of defibrillation (minutes): 1.28±0.86 vs. 2.93±1.61, the completion time of deep vein catheter (minutes): 15.13±2.73 vs. 17.25±3.02, the usage time of norepinephrine (minutes): 15.43±2.80 vs. 17.88±1.67, the completion time of blood specimen delivery (minutes): 7.81±1.42 vs. 9.00±1.03, all P < 0.05]. There was no statistically significant difference in the initiation time of CPR, the completion time of tracheal intubation, the time of peripheral venous access, the usage time of the first dose of adrenaline or sodium bicarbonate, or the success rate of ROSC between the two groups. However, the usage time of the first dose of adrenaline and sodium bicarbonate was shortened in the observation group [the usage time of the first dose of adrenaline (minutes): 3.81±1.22 vs. 4.00±1.32, the usage time of the first does of sodium bicarbonate (minutes): 8.94±3.49 vs. 11.19±3.54, both P > 0.05], and the success rate of ROSC was relatively increased as compared with those in the control group [15.04% (17/113) vs. 12.50% (12/96), P > 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS The clinical pathway of emergency respiratory and cardiac arrest could effectively guide the clinical decision-making of the emergency medical staffs, significantly reduce the variation in the procession of the resuscitation, improve the quality of the resuscitation, and ensure medical safety of emergency department.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Case-Control Studies ; Critical Pathways ; Electric Countershock ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Health Services Research ; Heart Arrest/therapy* ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

Zhigancao decoction recorded in Treatise on Febrile Disease by Zhang Zhongjing in the Han dynasty have been widely used in treating palpitation and irregular pulse by traditional Chinese medicine physicians for thousands of years. It is all known that Zhigancao Decoction is used to treat consumptive disease. However,why it has been used to treat exogenous febrile disease? According to studies,Fumai Decoctions in Treatise on Differentiation and Treatment of Epidemic Febrile Disease,that was modified based on Zhigancao Decoction,have their names without reality. Serious defects,including unclear diagnosis,curative effect,and prognosis,have been found in ancient and modern medical records about Zhigancao Decoction. The indications of Zhigancao Decoction include atrial premature beats,ventricular premature beats,and viral myocarditis; tachyarrhythmia( supraventricular tachycardia,atrial fibrillation)with long interval or conduction block,during or after severe infection or high fever; chronic consumptive disease due to tumor after radiotherapy and chemotherapy,malignant fluid state of tumor,hematopathy,terminal stage of heart failure after major operation,and acute hemorrhage after control of severe infection and other major diseases; cough,phlegm and asthma due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,pulmonary interstitial fibrosis,lung cancer,after lung cancer surgery; increased heart rate and decreased blood pressure due to insufficient capacity after acute blood loss; the symptoms included palpitation,chest tightness,sweating,lassitude,lacking in strength,shortness of breath,syncope,sudden death,cough,expectoration,excessive phlegm,clear and dilute sputum,emaciation,dry and haggard skin,constipation,haemorrhagic,uterine bleeding,enjoy sweet taste,red tongue without moss,knotted pulse,intermittent pulse,thready rapid pulse,and weak pulse. Besides,Zhigancao Decoction has effect on cardioversion and maintenance of sinus rhythm without thrombosis in persistent atrial fibrillation and permanent atrial fibrillation. Zhigancao Decoction could stop bleeding soon for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding,and achieve positivity of occult blood test; Zhigancao Decoction could promote thrombocytopenia for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura,with the number of platelets 1×109/L. Zhigancao Decoction could promote the rise of granulocytic,erythroid and megakaryocytic hematopoietic lines in unexplained severe anemia,thrombocytopenia,and leukocyte reduction. Zhigancao Decoction could treat cough,asthma,and chest tightness in lung cancer and after lung cancer surgery; chronic consumptive disease due to lung cancer after lung cancer surgery,hematopathy and acute blood loss,which all belonged to the scope of consumptive disease. Zhigancao Decoction could ascend platelets,which was considered as " oriental interleukins" for the ancients. Zhigancao Decoction possesses dual-directional regulation on anticoagulant and hemostasis,which was considered as " oriental low molecular heparin" and " oriental proton pump inhibitors". Large dose of Rehmannia glutinosa is the key of the efficacy of Zhigancao Decoction. This study is expected to enrich the guidelines for modern medical diagnosis and treatment. However,the clinical evidence,relevant genes and targeting network need to be deepened in future studies. In conclusion,it may be a shortcut to restore and explain Zhigancao Decoction formula syndromes based on modern pathophysiology and severe cases of critical care.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac/drug therapy* ; Blood Platelets/cytology* ; Critical Care ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Electric Countershock ; Hemostasis ; Humans ; Phytotherapy ; Platelet Count ; Treatment Outcome