Purpose: To evaluate the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) outcomes in South Korea, we conducted systematic review and meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, KoreaMed, and Korean Information Service System databases were searched up to June 2022. We included observational studies and letters on OHCA during the COVID-19 pandemic and compared them to those before the pandemic. Epidemiologic characteristics, including at-home OHCA, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, unwitnessed arrest, use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), shockable cardiac rhythm, and airway management, were evaluated.Survival and favorable neurological outcomes were extracted. We conducted a meta-analysis of each characteristic and outcome. Results: Six studies including 4628 OHCA patients were included in this study. The incidence of at-home OHCA significantly increased and the AED use decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the pandemic [odds ratio (OR), 1.29;95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08–1.55; I2 =0% and OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.57–0.97; I2 =0%, respectively]. Return of spontaneous circulation after OHCA, survival, and favorable neurological outcomes during and before the pandemic did not differ significantly (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.71–1.13; I2 =37%; OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.43–1.26; I2 =72%; OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.43–1.37; I2 =70%, respectively). Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, the incidence of at-home OHCA increased and AED use decreased among OHCA patients. However, survival and favorable neurological outcomes did not significantly differ from before the pandemic. This insignificant effect of the pandemic on OHCA in South Korea could be attributed to the slow increase in patient count in the early days of the pandemic.OSF Registry (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/UGE9D).

PURPOSE: Aortic thrombus is a rare but serious complication in neonates, usually associated with central vessel catheterization. Currently treatment of asymptomatic aortic thrombus in preterm infants is controversial. We evaluated effects of urokinase in preterm infants with aortic thrombi. METHODS: We studied 12 preterm infants in whom umbilical arterial catheterizations were performed and subsequently aortic thrombi were detected. In six patients bolus doses of urokinase 4, 400 IU/kg were injected, followed by continuous infusions of 4, 400 IU/kg/hr. The mean duration of urokinase use was 11 days (6-13 days). The other six patients who did not receive urokinase served as controls. The two groups were compared for changes in the size of thrombi. RESULTS: The initial sizes of aortic thrombi upon detection were similar, although the diagnoses were made earlier in urokinase group than in controls. The days to 50% reduction in size of thrombi were significantly shorter in urokinase group, as were the days to complete resolution. One infant in urokinase group and 2 infants in control group had persistent aortic thrombi up to 90 days of follow-up. Intracranial hemorrhage and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy were absent in all 12 cases. CONCLUSION: Urokinase administration could be an effective therapy for preterm neonates with aortic thrombi. It significantly reduces the size of the thrombus and shortens the days to complete resolution.
Catheterization ; Catheters ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Thrombosis* ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator*

Purpose: : The COVID-19 vaccine was developed and approved quickly, and verification was carried out simultaneously with vaccination. Many patients have visited the emergency department (ED) complaining of severe adverse reactions. However, only a few cases are severe adverse reactions. We were concerned that this might be the effect of excessive media coverage. Therefore, we would like to analyze the correlation between the number of articles and the number of patients who visited ED. Methods: : This study was conducted on patients who visited the ED from March 2021 to October 2021. The subjects were selected through keywords “vaccine”, “side effect”, “adverse reactions”, “Pfizer”, “AstraZeneca”, “Moderna”, “Janssen” and total 1,705 patients were enrolled. The number of articles was analyzed through Big Kinds. In addition, the correlation between the number of patients visited ED, and the number of vaccinated people was investigated. Results: : There was no statistically significant correlation between the number of articles and the number of patients who visited ED. However, the number of vaccinated people and the number of patients who visited ED showed a significant relationship. Conclusion : In this study, the number of articles did not affect the number of patients visiting the ED. However, media reports of adverse reactions were continued, and it instilled fear in people. Therefore, it is important to provide accurate information from the media to prevent overcrowding of ED.