As most medical facilities in Korea have been concentrated in large cities, the need to improve emergency medical services in islands and mountainous areas has emerged. Consequently, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and local governments have introduced emergency medical helicopters (known as helicopter ambulances or air ambulances) with doctors in medically vulnerable areas. Having been introduced in two regions in 2011, air ambulances are operational in seven regions as of the end of 2019. The flight time is from sunrise to sunset, except in Gyeonggi province, which is open all day. Although the criteria for transport vary depending on whether an ambulance is available for operation, it is basically intended for emergency critical diseases, such as severe trauma, stroke, and acute myocardial infarction. From September 23, 2011 to December 31, 2018, a total of 10,367 transfer requests were received, which included 534 (5.2%) interruptions, 2,657 (25.6%) rejects, and 7,176 (69.2%) transfers. A total of 7,209 patients were transferred during this period, which included 1,693 (23.5%) patients of severe trauma, 1,149 (15.9%) patients of stroke, 802 (11.1%) patients of acute myocardial infarction, and 3,565 (49.5%) patients suffering from other emergency diseases. Some economic research on air ambulances in Korea has been reported to be cost-effective, but additional research should be performed. In the future, it is necessary to widen the area of operation of air ambulances and find alternative means of transporting patients during unfavorable conditions such as night or bad weather.

Numerous drugs are known to cause seizures with therapeutic use or overdose. However, the relative frequency of such complications has rarely been studied, and little is known about the relationship of drug-induced seizures to eventual medical outcome. This study was performed to determine the causes and consequences of seizure associated with poisoning and drug intoxication. We analyzed about 786 cases of drug intoxication visited to Chung-Ang Gil hospital during recent 4 years from Jan. 1993 to Dec. 1996. The results were summarized as follows: 1. The total number of cases of drug intoxication was 786 and the most common drug of intoxication was antihistamines(291 cases, 36.3%); insecticides(113 cases, 14.7%); caustics(90 cases, 11.8%); herbicides(47 cases, 6.1%); NSAID(38 cases, 4.9%); rodenticides(36 cases, 4.6%); acetaminophens(34 cases, 4.4%); anticonvulsants(18 cses, 2.3%); neuroleptics(13 cases, 1.6%); hydrocarbons(9 cases, 1.2%); sympathomimetics(8 cases, 1.0%). 2. The leading causes of seizures were antihistamines(12 cases, 42.8%); insecticides(7 cases, 25.0%); sympathomimetics(3cases, 10.7%); neuroleptics(2 cases, 7.2%); others(4 cases, 14.3%). 3. Seizures associated with antihistamines were generally brief(11 cases, 92.0%) and uncomplicated(3 cases, 25.0%). 4. Seizures incidence by drug intoxication was relatively high in sympathomimetics(3 cases, 35.7%); and neuroleptics(2 cases, 15.4%). 5. Poisoning associated with seizure had relatively high risk compared with non seizure poisoning for medical complication.
Drug Overdose* ; Histamine Antagonists ; Incidence ; Poisoning* ; Seizures*

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate and analyze the brain magnetic resonance imaging (B-MRI) findings of patients with a favorable neurological outcome following cerebral performance category (CPC) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) at single university hospital emergency center. METHODS: Patients with return of spontaneous circulation (> 24 h) after OHCA who were older than 16 years of age and who had been admitted to the emergency intensive care unit (EICU) for over a 57-month period between July 2007 and March 2012 and survived with a favorable neurological outcome were enrolled. B-MRI was taken after recovery of their mental status. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients among the 305 admitted patients had a good CPC, and 33 patients' B-MRI were analyzed (CPC 1: 26 patients, CPC 2: 7 patients). Among these, 18 (54.5%) patients had a normal finding on B-MRI. On the other hand, ischemia/infarction/microangiopathy compatible with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) were found on various brain areas including subcortical white matter (7/13), cerebral cortex, central semiovlae, basal ganglia, putamen, periventricular white matter, and cerebellum. CONCLUSIONS: Survivors with a favorable neurological outcome from OHCA showed HIE on B-MRI, especially all of the patients with a CPC 2. More detail neurologic category including brain imaging would be needed to categorize patients with favorable outcome after OHCA.
Basal Ganglia ; Brain* ; Cerebellum ; Cerebral Cortex ; Emergencies ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; Intensive Care Units ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Neuroimaging ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest* ; Putamen ; Retrospective Studies ; Survivors

Acrylonitrile is most commonly used aliphatic nitrile compounds characterized by the structural formula R-C=N and used mossy to make acrylic fibers, plastics, synthetic rubber, and wall coverings. In recent, because of its extensive usage and the rapid expansion of the chemical industry, many poisonings have been reported and many studies on its health effects have been performed. Acute toxicity resembles cyanide poisoning and results mainly in effects on the nervous system. High exposure also can cause temporary damage to red blood cells and the liver and can cause lead to death. Because long-term occupational exposure to the acrylonitrile has been with cancer in humans, the U.S EPA classifies acrylonitrile as probable carcinogen. For this reason, The federal government has developed regulations and advisories to protect individuals firm the potential health effects of acylonitrile in the environment, but there are few studies, case reports and regulations of the government in our country. We experienced acute poisoning caused by acrylonitrile inhalation that occurred in an industrial accident. So, we report this case with literature reveiw.
Accidents, Occupational ; Acrylonitrile* ; Chemical Industry ; Elastomers ; Erythrocytes ; Federal Government ; Humans ; Inhalation* ; Liver ; Nervous System ; Occupational Exposure ; Plastics ; Poisoning* ; Social Control, Formal

No abstract available.
Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital*

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and mortality and neurologic outcomes with post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). METHODS: Patients with PCAS after OHCA admitted to the intensive care unit between January 2014 and December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: total of 104 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 54.4 ± 15.3 years, and 75 of the patients were male (72.1%). Arrest with a cardiac origin was found in 55 (52.9%). LVEF < 45%, 45-55%, and > 55% was measured in 39 (37.5%), 18 (17.3%), and 47 (45.2%) of patients, respectively. In multivariate analysis, severe LV dysfunction (LVEF < 45%) was significantly related to 7-day mortality (odds ratio 3.02, 95% Confidence Interval 1.01-9.0, p-value 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, moderate to severe LVEF within 48 hours after return of spontaneous circulation was significantly related to 7-day short-term mortality in patients with PCAS after OHCA. Clinicians should actively treat myocardial dysfunction, and further studies are needed.
Echocardiography ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Mortality* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest* ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke Volume*

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A retrospective review was performed of 297 patients admitted to Chung Ang Gil Hospital between June 1995 and December 1996 with a diagnosis of blunt chest trauma. Of these patients, 34% suffered either immediate or delayed complications. Immediate complications included hemothorax in 58.8%, pneumothorax in 26.5%, and pulmonary contusion in 20.5%. Delayed complications occurred in 9.1% of patients overall; these included pulmonary contusion in 12.7%, pneumonia in 9.8%, pulmonary embolism in 2%, poeumothorax in 2%, and hemothorax in 2%. The mean age of the patients were 43 years. 210 patients(70.7%) were under age 50 and 87(29.3%) were 50 years of age or older. Male to female ratio was 1.9:1. Mean Initial Revised Trauma Score (RTS) and the Injury Severity Score (ISS) were 7.10+/-0.94 and 14+/-8.69, respectively. There were associated injuries in 225(75.8%) patients. Overall mortality rate was 7.1% and the mortality rate was significantly greater in patients with a RTS<6, ISS>or=16, associated injuries, advanced age(50 years of age or older), and pulmonary complications. Pulmonary complications were significantly greater in patients with a RTS<6, ISS>or=16, and an associated injuries.
Contusions ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hemothorax ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Male ; Mortality* ; Pneumonia ; Pneumothorax ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax*

No abstract available.
Airway Management ; Intubation, Intratracheal

Post-resuscitative induced hypothermia lowers mortality, reduces neurologic impairment after cardiac arrest, and is recommended by 2005 CPR guidelines of American Heart Association. This article reviews the mechanisms of hypothermic neuroprotection, the clinical trials that support its use after cardiac arrest, as well as the impact of hypothermia on patient management and prognosis. In caring for patients suffering ischemic brain injury after cardiac arrest, the role of the physician is no longer limited to conventional therapy but also extends to active involvement in clinical management which includes the use of therapeutic hypothermia. Therapeutic hypothermia is a feasible treatment and can be used safely and effectively at emergency department and ICU setting.
American Heart Association ; Brain Injuries ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Emergencies ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hypothermia ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Prognosis ; Stress, Psychological