Objective: Lactate clearance is reportedly associated with the outcomes of various critical illnesses. However, few studies have examined the association between lactate clearance and outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). Methods: A single-center retrospective observational study between 2016 and 2020 was conducted. Consecutive adult patients with GIB symptoms (melena, hematemesis, and hematochezia) presenting to the emergency department were included. Lactate clearance was calculated as ([initial lactate-subsequent lactate]/initial lactate)×100. The association between lactate clearance and outcomes was examined by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The primary outcome was the in-hospital mortality. The area under the curve (AUC) of lactate clearance for in-hospital mortality was calculated. The sensitivity and specificity with optimal cutoff values were computed. The AUC of lactate clearance was compared with the Glasgow-Blatchford score and AIMS65 for predicting in-hospital mortality. Results: Three hundred and fifty-one patients were included in the final analysis, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 12%. Lactate clearance was significantly associated with lower in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 0.991; P=0.016). The AUC of lactate clearance for in-hospital mortality was 0.64. The AUC of Glasgow-Blatchford score and AIMS65 for inhospital mortality was not significantly different from lactate clearance (P=0.759 and P=0.442, respectively). A cutoff lactate clearance of less than 10% had 45.2% sensitivity, 30.7% specificity, 8.2% positive predictive value, and 80.5% negative predictive value for predicting in-hospital mortality. Conclusion Lactate clearance was independently associated with in-hospital mortality in GIB patients. Further prospective studies will be needed to address the prognostic value of lactate clearance in GIB.

Objective: The chest compression depth recommended in the current guidelines for average adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation is approximately 1/4-1/5 depth of the external chest anteroposterior (AP) diameter and at least 50 mm but less than 60 mm. The purpose of this study was to determine the proper compression depth in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: A retrospective analysis of the chest computed tomography scans obtained between January 2014 and December 2018 was performed, and the chest anatomical parameters, such as external, internal chest, and heart AP diameters, were measured. The primary outcomes were a 1/4 and 1/5 depth of an external chest AP diameter. Based on the values of these parameters, the heart compression fractures (HCF) and over compression depth (OCD) from 40 to 60 mm depths with every 5 mm interval were calculated. All outcomes in the two groups were compared. Results: Ninety three of 108 ALS and 93 of 17,150 healthy individuals were selected randomly from a database and analyzed. The mean±standard deviations of 1/4 and 1/5 depth of the external chest AP diameter in ALS were significantly lower than in healthy individuals (48.57±4.60 mm vs. 53.43±4.93 mm, 38.86±3.68 mm vs. 42.75±3.94 mm, respectively, all P<0.001). The HCF values were similar in the two groups. The number of OCD with 55 and 60 mm in the ALS group were increased (all P<0.05, univariate analysis) Conclusion An approximately 50 mm depth of chest compression could be appropriate, but an excessive depth greater than 55 mm is more likely to cause complications for ALS patients.

Objective: To examine the association of inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter ratio measured using computed tomography with outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). Methods: A single-center retrospective observational study was conducted on consecutive patients with GIB who presented to the emergency department. The IVC diameter ratio was calculated by dividing the maximum transverse and anteroposterior diameters perpendicular to it. The association of the IVC diameter ratio with outcomes was examined using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) of the IVC diameter ratio was calculated, and the sensitivity and specificity, including the cutoff values, were computed. Results: In total, 585 patients were included in the final analysis. The in-hospital mortality rate was 4.6% (n=27). The IVC diameter ratio was significantly associated with higher in-hospital mortality in multivariable logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 1.793; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.239–2.597; P=0.002). The AUC of the IVC diameter ratio for in-hospital mortality was 0.616 (95% CI, 0.498–0.735). With a cutoff of the IVC diameter ratio (≥2.1), the sensitivity and specificity for predicting in-hospital mortality were 44% (95% CI, 26%–65%) and 71% (95% CI, 67%–75%), respectively. Conclusion The IVC diameter ratio was independently associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with GIB. However, the AUC of the IVC diameter ratio for in-hospital mortality was low.

Purpose: It is known that the most common cause of gas poisoning in Korea is suicide attempts by burning ignition coals. Ignition coals are made from waste wood, and studies have been reported that heavy metals are emitted when this coal is burned. However, there was no study on how much heavy metal poisoning occurs in the human body through this, so this study was planned to find out whether the concentration of heavy metals in the blood increased in patients exposed to ignition coal combustion. Methods: From April 2020 to April 2021, blood lead, mercury, and cadmium concentrations were investigated in carbon monoxide poisoning patients who visited one regional emergency medical center in Seoul, and their association with exposure time, source of poisoning, and rhabdomyolysis were investigated. Results: During the study period, a total of 136 carbon monoxide poisoning patients were tested for heavy metals, and 81 cases of poisoning by ignition coal were reported. When comparing poisoning caused by combustion of ignition coal and other substances, there was no difference in the concentrations of lead, mercury, and cadmium in the blood, and there was no difference in the number of patients above the reference range. However, the patients exposed to more than 5 hours of ignition coal gas exposure are more frequent than those in the group less than 5 hours in lead (51.4% vs. 23.9%, p=0.012). Conclusion Compared to poisoning with other combustible substances, the blood concentration of lead, mercury, and cadmium does not increase further in patients with gas poisoning by ignition coal. However, prolonged exposure may result in elevated levels of lead.

Purpose: This study investigates the characteristics and prognosis of acute poisoning patients visiting nationwide emergency departments before and after the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Data were obtained from the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS). Methods: This nationwide retrospective observational study included acute poisoning patients who visited the emergency departments between February 1 to December 31, 2020, which has been determined as the pandemic period. The same periods in 2018 and 2019 were designated as the control periods. The primary outcome assessed was the length of stay in emergency departments (EDLOS). The secondary outcomes examined were intensive care unit admission rate and in-hospital mortality rate before and after the pandemic. A subgroup analysis was performed for inpatients and intentional poisoning patients. Results: A total of 163,560 patients were included in the study. During the pandemic, the proportion of women increased from 50.0% in 2018 and 50.3% in 2019 to 52.5% in 2020. Patients aged 20-29 years increased from 13.4% in 2018 and 13.9% in 2019 to 16.6% in 2020. A rise in cases of intentional poisoning was also noted - from 33.9% in 2018 and 34.0% in 2019 to 38.4% in 2020. Evaluating the hospitalized poisoned patients revealed that the EDLOS increased from 3.8 hours in 2018 and 3.7 hours in 2019 to 4.2 hours in 2020. ICU admissions were also markedly increased (2018, 48.2%; 2019, 51.8%; 2020, 53.2%) among hospitalized patients. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of acute poisoning patients visiting nationwide emergency departments in Korea. The proportion of young adults, women, and intentional poisoning patients has increased after the COVID-19 pandemic. Prolonged length of stay at the emergency department and an increased rate of intensive care unit admissions were determined in hospitalized acute poisoning patients.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of cardiac biomarkers and to evaluate the optimal cut-off values for echocardiographic cardiac injury prediction in patients with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study included adult patients with acute CO poisoning. Patients who did not undergo transthoracic echocardiography, which was used to define patients with cardiac injury (ejection fraction <55%), were excluded. The area under the curve was used to evaluate diagnostic performance for cardiac injury prediction. Mann-Whitney U, chi-square, and Fisher exact tests were used to analyze data. Results: After excluding the 27 patients who did not undergo echocardiography, 114 patients were included in the study. Fifteen (13.2%) patients had cardiac injury. The area under the curve values for the B-type natriuretic peptide, creatine kinase-myocardial band, and troponin I were 0.711 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.527–0.895; P=0.011), 0.766 (95% CI, 0.607–0.926; P=0.001), and 0.801 (95% CI, 0.647–0.955; P<0.001), respectively, with optimal cut-off values of 330 pg/mL, 10.1 ng/mL, and 0.455 ng/mL, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of troponin I were 67%, 91%, 53%, and 95%, respectively. Conclusion Troponin I showed the best diagnostic performance for predicting cardiac injury in patients with CO poisoning. A cut-off value of 0.455 ng/mL appeared optimal for cardiac injury prediction. However, further studies on cardiac biomarkers and other diagnostic tools in CO poisoning are needed given the low sensitivity of troponin I.

Tuberculosis is one of the most common opportunistic diseases in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in Korea, and extra-pulmonary infections are frequent in these patients. Cutaneous miliary tuberculosis is a rare form of tuberculosis that presents as a papulopustular eruption and hematogenous dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to multiple organs. This has been reported in patients with progressive HIV infection. We report the first case of cutaneous miliary tuberculosis that developed as a manifestation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) after initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART).
HIV ; HIV Infections ; Humans ; Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome* ; Korea ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Skin ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Miliary*

Central venous catheterization is performed to secure pathways for large amounts of saline, drug infusion, parenteral nutrition support, and hemodialysis. Accidental subclavian artery cannulation is a possible complication of central venous catheterization. Here, we report two cases of 8 Fr. chemoports inadvertently inserted in subclavian arteries during internal jugular venous catheterizations. The chemoports were removed successfully, and puncture sites were repaired using suture-based closure devices (Perclose). One patient experienced minor neurological complications after the procedure. With effective management, the patient was treated with no sequelae. To our knowledge, this is the first report of stroke after procedures using suture-based devices.
Catheterization* ; Catheterization, Central Venous ; Catheters* ; Central Venous Catheters ; Humans ; Infusions, Parenteral ; Methods ; Punctures ; Renal Dialysis ; Stroke ; Subclavian Artery*

Although idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome(IHES) commonly involves the lung, it is rarely associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Here we describe a case of IHES presented in conjunction with ARDS. A 37-year-old male visited the emergency department at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, with a chief complaint of dyspnea. Blood tests showed profound peripheral eosinophilia and thrombocytopenia. Patchy areas of consolidation with ground-glass opacity were noticed in both lower lung zones on chest radiography. Rapid progression of dyspnea and hypoxia despite supplement of oxygen necessitated the use of mechanical ventilation. Eosinophilic airway inflammation was subsequently confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage, leading to a diagnosis of IHES. High-dose corticosteroids were administered, resulting in a dramatic clinical response.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Adult ; Anoxia ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome* ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Lung ; Male ; Oxygen ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Radiography ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult* ; Seoul ; Thorax ; Thrombocytopenia

Although pandemic community-associated (CA-) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ST30 clone has successfully spread into many Asian countries, there has been no case in Korea. We report the first imported case of infection caused by this clone in a Korean traveler returning from the Philippines. A previously healthy 30-yr-old Korean woman developed a buttock carbuncle while traveling in the Philippines. After coming back to Korea, oral cephalosporin was given by a primary physician without any improvement. Abscess was drained and MRSA strain isolated from her carbuncle was molecularly characterized and it was confirmed as ST30-MRSA-IV. She was successfully treated with vancomycin and surgery. Frequent international travel and migration have increased the risk of international spread of CA-MRSA clones. The efforts to understand the changing epidemiology of CA-MRSA should be continued, and we should raise suspicion of CA-MRSA infection in travelers with skin infections returning from CA-MRSA-endemic countries.
Adult ; Bacterial Toxins/metabolism ; Carbuncle/microbiology ; Cephalosporins/therapeutic use ; Community-Acquired Infections/drug therapy/microbiology ; Exotoxins/metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocidins/metabolism ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/*isolation & purification ; Philippines ; Republic of Korea ; Staphylococcal Skin Infections/*drug therapy/surgery ; Travel ; Vancomycin/therapeutic use