OBJECTIVES: We estimated the population prevalence of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including unreported infections, through a Korea Seroprevalence Study of Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Retention and Transmission (K-SEROSMART) in 258 communities throughout Korea. METHODS: In August 2022, a survey was conducted among 10,000 household members aged 5 years and older, in households selected through two stage probability random sampling. During face-to-face household interviews, participants self-reported their health status, COVID-19 diagnosis and vaccination history, and general characteristics. Subsequently, participants visited a community health center or medical clinic for blood sampling. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to spike proteins (anti-S) and antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins (anti-N) SARS-CoV-2 proteins using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. To estimate the population prevalence, the PROC SURVEYMEANS statistical procedure was employed, with weighting to reflect demographic data from July 2022. RESULTS: In total, 9,945 individuals from 5,041 households were surveyed across 258 communities, representing all basic local governments in Korea. The overall population-adjusted prevalence rates of anti-S and anti-N were 97.6% and 57.1%, respectively. Since the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has reported a cumulative incidence of confirmed cases of 37.8% through July 31, 2022, the proportion of unreported infections among all COVID-19 infection was suggested to be 33.9%. CONCLUSIONS The K-SEROSMART represents the first nationwide, community-based seroepidemiologic survey of COVID-19, confirming that most individuals possess antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and that a significant number of unreported cases existed. Furthermore, this study lays the foundation for a surveillance system to continuously monitor transmission at the community level and the response to COVID-19.

Objective: Previous studies have suggested that epinephrine reduces brain tissue O2 tension (PbtO2) after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) via α1-adrenoceptor stimulation and that pralidoxime had α1-adrenoceptor inhibitory action together with non-adrenergic vasopressor action. We sought to investigate the effects of pralidoxime administered during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as a sole vasopressor on PbtO2 after ROSC. We hypothesized that pralidoxime administration would lead to a comparable ROSC rate and a higher PbtO2 after ROSC when compared to epinephrine administration. Methods: After 7 minutes of ventricular fibrillation, 24 pigs randomly received either pralidoxime or epinephrine during CPR. Cerebral measurements, including PbtO2, were measured from the parietal cortices during the 60-minute postROSC period. Results: Coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) during CPR was significantly higher in the epinephrine group than in the pralidoxime group (P=0.012). All the animals in the epinephrine group achieved ROSC, while seven (58.3%) did so in the pralidoxime group (P=0.037). The area under the curves for PbtO2 during the post-ROSC period did not differ between the two groups. Conclusion Pralidoxime alone was significantly inferior to epinephrine in increasing CPP and achieving ROSC. In addition, pralidoxime administration did not improve PbtO2 during the post-resuscitation period as compared with epinephrine.

Background and Objectives: The study sought to investigate the impact of early extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support before revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by profound cardiogenic shock after resuscitated cardiac arrest. It is difficult to determine optimal timing of ECMO in patients with AMI complicated by profound cardiogenic shock after resuscitated cardiac arrest. Methods: Among 116,374 patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in South Korea, a total of 184 resuscitated patients with AMI complicated by profound cardiogenic shock, and who were treated successfully with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and ECMO, were enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the timing of ECMO: pre-PCI ECMO (n=117) and post-PCI ECMO (n=67). We compared 30-day mortality between the 2 groups. Results: In-hospital mortality was 78.8% in the entire study population and significantly lower in the pre-PCI ECMO group (73.5% vs. 88.1%, p=0.020). Thirty-day mortality was also lower in the pre-PCI ECMO group compared to the post-PCI ECMO group (74.4% vs.91.0%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47–0.93; p=0.017). Shockable rhythm at the emergency room (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36–0.91; p=0.019) and successful therapeutic hypothermia (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.23–0.69; p=0.001) were also associated with improved 30-day survival. Conclusions ECMO support before revascularization was associated with an improved short-term survival rate compared to ECMO after revascularization in patients with AMI complicated by profound cardiogenic shock after resuscitated cardiac arrest.

Background and Objectives: The study sought to investigate the impact of early extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support before revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by profound cardiogenic shock after resuscitated cardiac arrest. It is difficult to determine optimal timing of ECMO in patients with AMI complicated by profound cardiogenic shock after resuscitated cardiac arrest. Methods: Among 116,374 patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in South Korea, a total of 184 resuscitated patients with AMI complicated by profound cardiogenic shock, and who were treated successfully with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and ECMO, were enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the timing of ECMO: pre-PCI ECMO (n=117) and post-PCI ECMO (n=67). We compared 30-day mortality between the 2 groups. Results: In-hospital mortality was 78.8% in the entire study population and significantly lower in the pre-PCI ECMO group (73.5% vs. 88.1%, p=0.020). Thirty-day mortality was also lower in the pre-PCI ECMO group compared to the post-PCI ECMO group (74.4% vs.91.0%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47–0.93; p=0.017). Shockable rhythm at the emergency room (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36–0.91; p=0.019) and successful therapeutic hypothermia (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.23–0.69; p=0.001) were also associated with improved 30-day survival. Conclusions ECMO support before revascularization was associated with an improved short-term survival rate compared to ECMO after revascularization in patients with AMI complicated by profound cardiogenic shock after resuscitated cardiac arrest.

Objective: The present study aimed to analyze and compare the prognostic performances of Revised Trauma Score (RTS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), shock index (SI), and modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) for in-hospital mortality in severe trauma. Methods: This retrospective observational study included elderly (≥65 years) patients admitted for severe trauma between January 2018 and December 2018. Receiver operating characteristics analysis was performed to examine the prognostic performance of the four different tools. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality following an injury. Results: Of the 279 patients included in the study, in-hospital mortality was 20.1% (n=56). In multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio [OR], 1.055; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.004-1.109), ISS (OR, 1.080; 95% CI, 1.008-1.157), Glasgow Coma Scale (OR, 0.842; 95% CI, 0.785-0.904), and respiratory rate (OR, 1.261; 95% CI, 1.071-1.486) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. The area under the curves (AUCs) of MEWS, RTS, ISS, and SI were 0.851 (95% CI, 0.763-0.857), 0.733 (0.677-0.784), 0.664 (0.606-0.720), and 0.567 (0.506-0.626), respectively. The AUC of MEWS was significantly different from those of RTS (P=0.034), ISS (P=0.001), and SI (P<0.001). Conclusion MEWS has the highest prognostic performance for in-hospital mortality among four different tools in elderly patients with severe trauma.

OBJECTIVE: Pralidoxime is widely used for the treatment of organophosphate poisoning. Multiple studies have reported its vasoconstrictive property, which may facilitate the restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest by increasing the coronary perfusion pressure (CPP). 2,3-Butanedione monoxime, which belongs to the same oxime family, has been shown to facilitate ROSC by reducing left ventricular ischemic contracture. Because pralidoxime and 2,3-butanedione monoxime have several common mechanisms of action, both drugs may have similar effects on ischemic contracture. Thus, we investigated the effects of pralidoxime administration during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a pig model with a focus on ischemic contracture and CPP.METHODS: After 14 minutes of untreated ventricular fibrillation, followed by 8 minutes of basic life support, 16 pigs randomly received either 80 mg/kg of pralidoxime (pralidoxime group) or an equivalent volume of saline (control group) during advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS).RESULTS: Mixed-model analyses of left ventricular wall thickness and chamber area during ACLS revealed no significant group effects or group-time interactions, whereas a mixed-model analysis of the CPP during ACLS revealed a significant group effect (P=0.038) and group-time interaction (P<0.001). Post-hoc analyses revealed significant increases in CPP in the pralidoxime group, starting at 5 minutes after pralidoxime administration. No animal, except one in the pralidoxime group, achieved ROSC; thus, the rate of ROSC did not differ between the two groups.CONCLUSION: In a pig model of cardiac arrest, pralidoxime administered during cardiopulmonary resuscitation did not reduce ischemic contracture; however, it significantly improved CPP.
Animals ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Diacetyl ; Heart Arrest ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Ischemic Contracture ; Organophosphate Poisoning ; Perfusion ; Swine ; Ventricular Fibrillation

Comatose cardiac arrest patients frequently experience cardiogenic shock or recurrent arrest. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be used to salvage patients with cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest refractory to conventional therapies. However, in comatose cardiac arrest patients whose neurologic recovery is uncertain, the use of ECMO is restricted because it requires considerable financial and human resources. Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography is an easily applicable, real-time electroencephalography monitoring tool that has been increasingly used to monitor brain activity in comatose cardiac arrest patients. We describe our experience of using amplitude-integrated electroencephalography in decision-making to place ECMO for comatose cardiac arrest patients whose eventual neurologic recovery appeared uncertain at the time of ECMO placement.
Brain ; Coma ; Electroencephalography ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Shock, Cardiogenic

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to present our 5-year experience of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) performed by emergency physicians. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 58 patients who underwent ECPR between January 2010 and December 2014. The primary parameter analyzed was survival to hospital discharge. The secondary parameters analyzed were neurologic outcome at hospital discharge, cannulation time, and ECPR-related complications. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients (53.4%) were successfully weaned from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and 18 (31.0%) survived to hospital discharge. Twelve patients (20.7%) were discharged with good neurologic outcomes. The median cannulation time was 25.0 min (interquartile range 20.0-31.0 min). Nineteen patients (32.8%) had ECPR-related complications, the most frequent being distal limb ischemia. Regarding the initial presentation, 52 patients (83.9%) collapsed due to a cardiac etiology, and acute myocardial infarction (33/62, 53.2%) was the most common cause of cardiac arrest. CONCLUSIONS: The survival to hospital discharge rate for cardiac arrest patients who underwent ECPR conducted by an emergency physician was within the acceptable limits. The cannulation time and complications following ECPR were comparable to those found in previous studies.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Catheterization ; Emergencies* ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Extremities ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Myocardial Infarction ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association between lactate clearance or serum lactate levels and neurologic outcomes or in-hospital mortality in cardiac arrest survivors who were treated with targeted temperature management (TTM). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data from cardiac arrest survivors treated with TTM between 2012 and 2015 was conducted. Serum lactate levels were measured on admission and at 12, 24, and 48 hours following admission. Lactate clearance at 12, 24, and 48 hours was also calculated. The primary outcome was neurologic outcome at discharge. The secondary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The study included 282 patients; 184 (65.2%) were discharged with a poor neurologic outcome, and 62 (22.0%) died. Higher serum lactate levels at 12 hours (odds ratio [OR], 1.157; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.006 to 1.331), 24 hours (OR, 1.320; 95% CI, 1.084 to 1.607), and 48 hours (OR, 2.474; 95% CI, 1.459 to 4.195) after admission were associated with a poor neurologic outcome. Furthermore, a higher serum lactate level at 48 hours (OR, 1.459; 95% CI, 1.181 to 1.803) following admission was associated with in-hospital mortality. Lactate clearance was not associated with neurologic outcome or in-hospital mortality at any time point after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSION: Increased serum lactate levels after admission are associated with a poor neurologic outcome at discharge and in-hospital mortality in cardiac arrest survivors treated with TTM. Conversely, lactate clearance is not a robust surrogate marker of neurologic outcome or in-hospital mortality.
Biomarkers ; Heart Arrest* ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Lactic Acid* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survivors*

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to present our 5-year experience of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) performed by emergency physicians. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 58 patients who underwent ECPR between January 2010 and December 2014. The primary parameter analyzed was survival to hospital discharge. The secondary parameters analyzed were neurologic outcome at hospital discharge, cannulation time, and ECPR-related complications. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients (53.4%) were successfully weaned from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and 18 (31.0%) survived to hospital discharge. Twelve patients (20.7%) were discharged with good neurologic outcomes. The median cannulation time was 25.0 min (interquartile range 20.0-31.0 min). Nineteen patients (32.8%) had ECPR-related complications, the most frequent being distal limb ischemia. Regarding the initial presentation, 52 patients (83.9%) collapsed due to a cardiac etiology, and acute myocardial infarction (33/62, 53.2%) was the most common cause of cardiac arrest. CONCLUSIONS: The survival to hospital discharge rate for cardiac arrest patients who underwent ECPR conducted by an emergency physician was within the acceptable limits. The cannulation time and complications following ECPR were comparable to those found in previous studies.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Catheterization ; Emergencies ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Extremities ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Myocardial Infarction ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome