Objective: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is increasingly used for refractory cardiac arrest, but its prognostic determinants in emergency department (ED) settings remain unclear. This study investigated the predictors of survival and the prognostic value of lactate and bilirubin in ECPR patients treated at a single university hospital. Methods: Adult ECPR patients treated in a single university hospital ED from 2018 to 2023 were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical variables, laboratory markers, and procedural factors were collected from medical records. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, and lactate/bilirubin were assessed by quartiles to examine the dose-response trends. Results: Fifty-eight patients were included, of whom 25 (43.1%) survived to discharge. Older age, higher lactate, and elevated bilirubin were associated with mortality, and all three remained independent predictors in multivariate analysis (age odds ratio [OR], 0.93; lactate OR, 0.97; bilirubin OR, 0.41). Survival declined markedly across the lactate (68.8%→0%) and bilirubin quartiles (60.0%→13.3%; P for trend <0.01). The cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) time was shorter in the survivors than the non-survivors (39.9±18.9 min vs. 51.8±23.2 min; P=0.069), whereas the door to ECMO time did not differ. Conclusion Higher lactate and bilirubin concentrations, advanced age, and prolonged CPR to ECMO time were independently associated with poor outcomes after ECPR. Early ECMO initiation and prompt metabolic correction may improve survival in cardiac arrest patients receiving ECPR in the ED.

Background: Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are widely used in clinical settings, aiding in the prevention of infectious diseases. However, there is a lack of research on the performance of RATs that can simultaneously diagnose severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Influenza A/B viruses. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the performance of a newly developed RAT that can detect all three pathogens at once, to assess its potential for clinical application. Methods: Clinical performance testing was conducted using 436 nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from patients with suspected respiratory infections. The newly developed RAT was compared with realtime reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) results to evaluate clinical sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, concordance with two previously approved products was assessed. Results: For patients who tested positive with rRT-PCR, the detection sensitivity of the newly developed INCLIX TRF COVID-19 & Flu A/B Ag test was 90.91% for SARS-CoV-2, 97.75% for Influenza A, and 93.00% for Influenza B, with a specificity of 100% for all three pathogens. In the concordance assessment with the existing RATs, the agreement was 99.76% (κ=0.9922) for SARS-CoV-2, 99.76% (κ=0.9927) for Influenza A, and 99.76% (κ=0.9930) for Influenza B. Compared to the existing RATs, all showed a concordance with κ >0.8. Conclusions The INCLIX TRF COVID-19 & Flu A/B Ag test efficiently detected antigens of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/B viruses simultaneously within a short testing time of 15 minutes. Therefore, this test method, with its high sensitivity and specificity, will be highly useful for diagnosing viral infections in clinical settings.

Background: Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are widely used in clinical settings, aiding in the prevention of infectious diseases. However, there is a lack of research on the performance of RATs that can simultaneously diagnose severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Influenza A/B viruses. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the performance of a newly developed RAT that can detect all three pathogens at once, to assess its potential for clinical application. Methods: Clinical performance testing was conducted using 436 nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from patients with suspected respiratory infections. The newly developed RAT was compared with realtime reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) results to evaluate clinical sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, concordance with two previously approved products was assessed. Results: For patients who tested positive with rRT-PCR, the detection sensitivity of the newly developed INCLIX TRF COVID-19 & Flu A/B Ag test was 90.91% for SARS-CoV-2, 97.75% for Influenza A, and 93.00% for Influenza B, with a specificity of 100% for all three pathogens. In the concordance assessment with the existing RATs, the agreement was 99.76% (κ=0.9922) for SARS-CoV-2, 99.76% (κ=0.9927) for Influenza A, and 99.76% (κ=0.9930) for Influenza B. Compared to the existing RATs, all showed a concordance with κ >0.8. Conclusions The INCLIX TRF COVID-19 & Flu A/B Ag test efficiently detected antigens of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/B viruses simultaneously within a short testing time of 15 minutes. Therefore, this test method, with its high sensitivity and specificity, will be highly useful for diagnosing viral infections in clinical settings.

Background: Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are widely used in clinical settings, aiding in the prevention of infectious diseases. However, there is a lack of research on the performance of RATs that can simultaneously diagnose severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Influenza A/B viruses. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the performance of a newly developed RAT that can detect all three pathogens at once, to assess its potential for clinical application. Methods: Clinical performance testing was conducted using 436 nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from patients with suspected respiratory infections. The newly developed RAT was compared with realtime reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) results to evaluate clinical sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, concordance with two previously approved products was assessed. Results: For patients who tested positive with rRT-PCR, the detection sensitivity of the newly developed INCLIX TRF COVID-19 & Flu A/B Ag test was 90.91% for SARS-CoV-2, 97.75% for Influenza A, and 93.00% for Influenza B, with a specificity of 100% for all three pathogens. In the concordance assessment with the existing RATs, the agreement was 99.76% (κ=0.9922) for SARS-CoV-2, 99.76% (κ=0.9927) for Influenza A, and 99.76% (κ=0.9930) for Influenza B. Compared to the existing RATs, all showed a concordance with κ >0.8. Conclusions The INCLIX TRF COVID-19 & Flu A/B Ag test efficiently detected antigens of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/B viruses simultaneously within a short testing time of 15 minutes. Therefore, this test method, with its high sensitivity and specificity, will be highly useful for diagnosing viral infections in clinical settings.

Background: Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are widely used in clinical settings, aiding in the prevention of infectious diseases. However, there is a lack of research on the performance of RATs that can simultaneously diagnose severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Influenza A/B viruses. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the performance of a newly developed RAT that can detect all three pathogens at once, to assess its potential for clinical application. Methods: Clinical performance testing was conducted using 436 nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from patients with suspected respiratory infections. The newly developed RAT was compared with realtime reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) results to evaluate clinical sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, concordance with two previously approved products was assessed. Results: For patients who tested positive with rRT-PCR, the detection sensitivity of the newly developed INCLIX TRF COVID-19 & Flu A/B Ag test was 90.91% for SARS-CoV-2, 97.75% for Influenza A, and 93.00% for Influenza B, with a specificity of 100% for all three pathogens. In the concordance assessment with the existing RATs, the agreement was 99.76% (κ=0.9922) for SARS-CoV-2, 99.76% (κ=0.9927) for Influenza A, and 99.76% (κ=0.9930) for Influenza B. Compared to the existing RATs, all showed a concordance with κ >0.8. Conclusions The INCLIX TRF COVID-19 & Flu A/B Ag test efficiently detected antigens of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/B viruses simultaneously within a short testing time of 15 minutes. Therefore, this test method, with its high sensitivity and specificity, will be highly useful for diagnosing viral infections in clinical settings.

A 64-year-old male patient presented with hand numbness and gait disturbance. He had undergone cervical artificial disc replacement (C-ADR) at another hospital nine years earlier. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a protruded disc at the surgical level compressing the spinal cord. The implant and protruded disc were removed. Fusion was then performed. This case report highlights the importance of long-term follow-up of patients who have undergone C-ADR, and the need to be aware of the potential for late complications.In addition, it is important to ensure as complete a disk removal as possible during C-ADR.

Background: Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are widely used in clinical settings, aiding in the prevention of infectious diseases. However, there is a lack of research on the performance of RATs that can simultaneously diagnose severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Influenza A/B viruses. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the performance of a newly developed RAT that can detect all three pathogens at once, to assess its potential for clinical application. Methods: Clinical performance testing was conducted using 436 nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from patients with suspected respiratory infections. The newly developed RAT was compared with realtime reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) results to evaluate clinical sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, concordance with two previously approved products was assessed. Results: For patients who tested positive with rRT-PCR, the detection sensitivity of the newly developed INCLIX TRF COVID-19 & Flu A/B Ag test was 90.91% for SARS-CoV-2, 97.75% for Influenza A, and 93.00% for Influenza B, with a specificity of 100% for all three pathogens. In the concordance assessment with the existing RATs, the agreement was 99.76% (κ=0.9922) for SARS-CoV-2, 99.76% (κ=0.9927) for Influenza A, and 99.76% (κ=0.9930) for Influenza B. Compared to the existing RATs, all showed a concordance with κ >0.8. Conclusions The INCLIX TRF COVID-19 & Flu A/B Ag test efficiently detected antigens of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/B viruses simultaneously within a short testing time of 15 minutes. Therefore, this test method, with its high sensitivity and specificity, will be highly useful for diagnosing viral infections in clinical settings.

Background: Daily usage of facial masks during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic influenced on facial dermatoses. Objective: This study investigated the impact of mask-wearing habits on facial dermatoses. Methods: A nationwide, observational, questionnaire-based survey was conducted from July through August 2021, involving 20 hospitals in Korea. Results: Among 1,958 facial dermatoses, 75.9% of patients experienced aggravation or development of new-onset facial dermatoses after wearing masks. In aggravated or newly developed acne patients (543 out of 743), associated factors were healthcare provider, female gender, and a long duration of mask-wearing. Irritating symptoms, xerosis, and hyperpigmentation were more frequently observed in this group. Aggravated or newly developed rosacea patients (515 out of 660) were likely to be female, young, and have a long duration of mask-wearing per day. Seborrheic dermatitis patients who experienced aggravation or de novo development (132 out of 184) were younger, and they more frequently involved the chin and jaw in addition to the nasolabial folds and both cheeks. Contact dermatitis patients (132 out of 147) with aggravation or de novo development tended to be female, involve both cheeks, and complain of pruritus. Aggravated or newly developed atopic dermatitis patients (165 out of 224) were more likely to be female, and had a higher baseline investigator global assessment score before mask-wearing. Conclusion Clinical features and factors related to aggravation were different according to the types of facial dermatoses.

Objective: This study assessed the characteristics of medical utilization by analyzing the pathway of severe emergency patients visiting emergency departments in the three regions. Methods: The study was conducted based on the National Emergency Department Information System, which collected information from 43 local governments from 2017 to 2019. Severe emergency patients were classified according to the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale level. A map was produced based on the results of connectivity centrality analysis, and groupings were performed using the R program. The relevance index was calculated to confirm medical utilization within and among regions. Results: Medical utilization within the region for severe emergency patients was concentrated in major cities. With the opening of local emergency medical agencies in underserved areas of emergency medical services, medical utilization within the region has increased compared to three years ago. Severe emergency patients in the western region of Gyeongsangnam-do mainly visit the emergency department in Jinju city. In contrast, in western county areas, they mainly visit the emergency department in Busan city. In Ulsan city, which belongs to Ulju county and Jung-gu, many patients frequently visit the emergency department in Yangsan city. Patients from Geochang, Changnyeong, Hamyang, and Hapcheon counties in Gyeongnam Province frequently visit the emergency department in Daegu city. Conclusion The intersection and cooperation of health resources within and between regions of the emergency medical system are no longer a task that can be postponed, and regionalization has been proposed as an alternative concept.