BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of immunosuppressants on in-hospital mortality from sepsis. METHODS: Using data of the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, we collected data from patients who were admitted to the hospital due to sepsis from 2009 to 2013. Based on drugs commonly used for immunosuppression caused by various diseases, patients were divided into three groups; immunosuppressant group, steroid-only group, and control group. Patients with no history of immunosuppressants or steroids were assigned to the control group. To identify risk factors of in-hospital mortality in sepsis, we compared differences in patient characteristics, comorbidities, intensive care unit (ICU) care requirements, and immunodeficiency profiles. Subgroup analysis according to age was also performed. RESULTS: Of the 185,671 included patients, 13,935 (7.5%) were in the steroid-only group and 2,771 patients (1.5%) were in the immunosuppressant group. The overall in-hospital mortality was 38.9% and showed an increasing trend with age. The steroid-only group showed the lowest in-hospital mortality among the three groups except the patients younger than 30 years. The steroid-only group and immunosuppressant group received ICU treatment more frequently (p < 0.001), stayed longer in the hospital (p < 0.001), and showed higher medical expenditure (p < 0.001) compared to the normal group. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that age, male gender, comorbidities (especially malignancy), and ICU treatment had a significant effect on in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Despite longer hospital length of stay and more frequent need for ICU care, the in-hospital mortality was lower in patients taking immunosuppressive drugs than in patients not taking immunosuppressive drugs.
Comorbidity ; Health Expenditures ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Insurance* ; Insurance, Health ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea* ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis* ; Steroids

The number of sedations performed for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that do not require general anesthesia is increasing. As most sedations are performed by non-anesthesiologists, safety is has become a critical issue in light of recent adverse outcomes reported in the media. To ensure the safety of patients undergoing sedation for minor procedures, standards regarding patient selection, education, drugs, equipment, facilities, sedation protocols, recovery, and monitoring should be developed and publicized as they have been in the US and European countries. Guidelines developed regarding sedation and analgesia are similar and share their most important goal: patient safety. Any barriers that interfere with achieving this goal should be identified and eliminated. A Korean version of sedation guidelines should be developed. Guidelines that have both the clinical integrity of evidence and consideration of the real world should be developed and enforced.
Analgesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Dietary Sucrose ; Humans ; Light ; Patient Safety ; Patient Selection

Aspiration pneumonitis and aspiration pneumonia are clinical syndromes caused by aspiration. These conditions are clinically significant due to their high morbidity and mortality. However, aspiration as a preceding event are often unwitnessed, particularly in cases of asymptomatic or silent aspiration. Furthermore, despite the difference in treatment approaches for managing aspiration pneumonitis and aspiration pneumonia, these two disease entities are often difficult to discriminate from one another, resulting in inappropriate treatment. The use of unclear terminologies hinders the comparability among different studies, making it difficult to produce evidence-based conclusions and practical guidelines. We reviewed the most recent studies to define aspiration, aspiration pneumonitis, and aspiration pneumonia, and to further assess these conditions in terms of incidence and epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis, management and treatment, and prevention.
Diagnosis ; Epidemiology ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Risk Factors

No abstract available.
Referral and Consultation* ; Tertiary Care Centers*

Seizure is the second most common neurologic complication after liver transplantation and may be caused by metabolic abnormalities, electrolyte imbalance, infection, and immunosuppressant toxicity. A 61-year-old male patient underwent liver transplantation due to hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis with portal systemic encephalopathy. The immediate postoperative course of the patient was uncomplicated. However, on postoperative day (POD) 6, weakness developed in both lower extremities. No abnormal findings were detected on a brain computed tomography (CT) scan on POD 8, but a generalized tonic clonic seizure developed which was difficult to control even with multiple antiepileptic drugs. A follow-up brain CT scan on POD 15 showed a 2.7 cm sized acute intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in the left parietal lobe. The patient's mental status improved after 2 months and he was able to communicate through eye blinking or head shaking. Our case reports an acute ICH that manifested into a refractory seizure in a patient who underwent a liver transplant.
Anticonvulsants ; Blinking ; Brain ; Brain Diseases ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; Hepatitis B ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages* ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver* ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parietal Lobe ; Seizures* ; Tissue Donors* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) is relatively uncommon and superior vena cava (SVC) filter placements are not often encountered due to strict indication. A 33-year old male with underlying protein C/S deficiency and secondary liver cirrhosis was admitted because of hematemesis. The patient was conservatively managed, but underwent elective splenectomy to prevent aggravation of gastric varix. During postoperative care, the patient underwent cholecystectomy for acalculous cholecystitis. During the postoperative course, UEDVT was detected and heparinization was initiated. The patient experienced repeated attacks of severe dyspnea, which was accompanied by chest pain that lasted for 3 to 10 minutes. Repeated episodes of pulmonary thromboembolism were suspected and SVC filter was placed. Warfarin treatment was initiated and the SVC filter was removed about one month later. The case highlights the clinical significance of UEDVT and reports rare case of SVC filter placement. Intensivists should have comprehensive understanding of UEDVT and its management.
Acalculous Cholecystitis ; Chest Pain ; Cholecystectomy ; Dyspnea ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Hematemesis ; Heparin ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Male ; Postoperative Care ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Splenectomy ; Upper Extremity ; Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis ; Vena Cava Filters ; Vena Cava, Superior ; Warfarin

BACKGROUND: Thoracic epidural analgesia is the mainstay of postoperative pain control after thoracotomy. Usually the epidural catheter is blindly inserted and secured without confirming the tip position. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of epidural approach angle on the position of the thoracic epidural catheter tip. METHODS: 129 patients scheduled for thoracotomy were enrolled. Patients were randomized into two groups: narrow angle group and wide angle group. The epidural needle was inserted at the skin of T8-9 level in both groups. In the narrow angle group the epidural space was approached at T7-8, whereas in the wide angle group the epidural space was approached at T6-7. After epidural space confirmation, a B-D nylon multi-hole epidural catheter was threaded 8cm into the epidural space. The epidural catheter tip position was assessed using a small amount of radiocontrast dye under fluoroscopy. RESULTS: The mean (95% confidence interval) position of the catheter tip was the mid-body of T5 (T5-6 - T5 upper body) in the narrow angle group and T3-4 (mid-body of T4-T3 lower body) in the wide angle group (P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: When approaching the thoracic epidural space by a wide angle, we can place the epidural catheters at a higher level because of a straighter threading.
Analgesia ; Analgesia, Epidural ; Catheterization* ; Catheters* ; Epidural Space ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Needles ; Nylons ; Pain, Postoperative ; Skin ; Thoracic Surgery ; Thoracotomy

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with severe hypoxemia refractory to conventional ventilation has recently gained attention due to recent reports that highlighted its potential benefit. This report presents a case of acute onset acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with severe hypoxemia in the operating room that showed significant improvement after applying ECMO in the intensive care unit. Although the oxygen saturation decreased to as low as 50% before the application of ECMO, at no time did the patient show hypotension or decreased cardiac output. The patient improved within 48 hours of ECMO and recovered with no major complications or neurologic sequelae. Our case shows that ECMO is a valuable and viable option in ARDS with severe refractory hypoxemia.
Anoxia ; Cardiac Output ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Intensive Care Units ; Operating Rooms ; Oxygen ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult* ; Ventilation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated with a xanthine(X) and xanthine oxidase (XO) system on sperm function, the change of sperm characteristics, lipid peroxidation, and DNA fragmentation in bovine spermatozoa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ROS were produced using a combination of 100 micrometer X and 50 mU/ml XO. The ROS scavengers: superoxide dismutase (SOD)(200mu/ml) and catalase (500mu/ml) were also tested. Spermatozoa were incubated for 2 hours in BWW medium with a combination of X-XO supplemented with or without ROS scavengers at 37degrees C under 5% CO2 incubator. Sperm movement characteristics by CASA (computer-aided sperm analysis), HOST (hypoosmotic swelling test), Ca-ionophore induced acrosome reaction, malondialdehyde formation for the analysis of lipid peroxidation, the percentage of DNA fragmentation using the method of TdT-mediated nick end labelling (TUNEL) by flow cytometry were determined after 2 hours incubation. RESULTS: The action of ROS on bovine spermatozoa resulted in a decreased in capacity for sperm motility, Ca-ionophore induced acrosome reaction and membrane integrity, an increased in malondialdehyde formation and the percentage of sperm with DNA fragmentation. In the effects of antioxidant, catalase completely alleviated the toxic effects induced by the ROS in terms of sperm function and characteristics, however SOD exhibited no capacity to reduce the toxic effects. CONCLUSION: The ROS can induce significant damages to sperm functions and characteristics. The useful ROS scavengers can minimized the defects of sperm function and various damages of spermatozoa.
Acrosome Reaction ; Catalase ; DNA Fragmentation* ; DNA* ; Flow Cytometry ; Incubators ; Lipid Peroxidation* ; Malondialdehyde ; Membranes ; Reactive Oxygen Species* ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa* ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Xanthine Oxidase

BACKGROUND: When attempting to identify lower lumbar spaces by palpating the spinous processes and iliac crests, the actual level often turns out to be higher than presumed. The rib cage line that joins the lowest points of the rib cage on the flank can be physically constructed in the same way as Tuffier's line. The purpose of this study was to assess the possibility that the rib cage line could be used as a marker for the lumbar spine level. METHODS: After IRB approval, 100 patients aged 20 to 69 were enrolled. The patients were stratified into 10 groups according to age and gender. Simple X-rays previously taken in the lateral neutral and lateral flexed positions were reviewed. In the lateral films, the rib cage line was drawn to connect the two lowest points of the tenth rib and Tuffier's line was drawn to the two uppermost points of the iliac crest such that the lines were perpendicular to the tangential line on the skin at the intersection points. Then, the vertebral body or intervertebral space, at which each line crossed, was identified and recorded respectively in the neutral and flexed positions. RESULTS: With maximum flexion of the lumbar spines, the vertebral level (25% to 75% range), at which the rib cage line crosses, appeared to be between the upper third of L1 and the upper third of L3. For Tuffier's line, the vertebral level was between the L3-4 intervertebral space and the lower third of L5. When the lumbar position was changed from neutral to flexed position, the rib cage line shifted cephalad (P < 0.05) and Tuffier's line shifted caudad (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the rib cage line may be used as another marker of vertebral level and that it can act as a safeguard in that the spinal block should be performed one level lower than the rib cage line to prevent the spinal puncture from being performed at an undesirably high level.
Anesthesia ; Ethics Committees, Research ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Ribs* ; Skin ; Spinal Puncture ; Spine