INTRODUCTION: Creatinine has limitations in identifying and predicting acute kidney injury (AKI). Our study examined the utility of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in predicting AKI in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED), and in predicting the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT), occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and all-cause mortality at three months post visit. METHODS: This is a single-centre prospective cohort study conducted at Singapore General Hospital (SGH). Patients presenting to SGH ED from July 2011 to August 2012 were recruited. They were aged ≥21 years, with an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m², and had congestive cardiac failure, systemic inflammatory response syndrome or required hospital admission. AKI was diagnosed by researchers blinded to experimental measurements. Serum NGAL was measured as a point-of-care test. RESULTS: A total of 784 patients were enrolled, of whom 107 (13.6%) had AKI. Mean serum NGAL levels were raised (P < 0.001) in patients with AKI (670.0 ± 431.9 ng/dL) compared with patients without AKI (490.3 ± 391.6 ng/dL). The sensitivity and specificity of NGAL levels >490 ng/dL for AKI were 59% (95% confidence interval [CI] 49%-68%) and 65% (95% CI 61%-68%), respectively. Need for RRT increased 21% per 100 ng/dL increase in NGAL (P < 0.001), whereas odds of death in three months increased 10% per 100 ng/dL increase in NGAL (P = 0.028). No clear relationship was observed between NGAL levels and MACE. CONCLUSION Serum NGAL identifies AKI and predicts three-month mortality.
Humans ; Lipocalin-2 ; Prospective Studies ; Lipocalins ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; Acute-Phase Proteins ; Biomarkers ; Acute Kidney Injury/diagnosis* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Predictive Value of Tests

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant challenges for the resuscitation of paediatric patients, especially for infants and children who are suspected or confirmed to be infected. Thus, the paediatric subcommittee of the Singapore Resuscitation and First Aid Council developed interim modifications to the current Singapore paediatric guidelines using extrapolated data from the available literature, local multidisciplinary expert consensus and institutional best practices. It is hoped that this it will provide a framework during the pandemic for improved outcomes in paediatric cardiac arrest patients in the local context, while taking into consideration the safety of all community first responders, medical frontline providers and healthcare workers.
Infant ; Child ; Humans ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/methods* ; COVID-19/therapy* ; Pandemics ; Singapore ; Heart Arrest

Atrial Fibrillation/epidemiology* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism/epidemiology* ; Thromboembolism/etiology*

INTRODUCTION: Prognostic thresholds for 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) have been studied for high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but there is limited data on the prognostic performance of hsTnT for one-year MACE. METHODS: We prospectively measured hsTnT (in ng/mL up to two decimal places) at 0, 2 and 7 hours for patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of ACS to our emergency department from March 2010 to April 2013. We assessed the prognostic performance of hsTnT cut-offs for 30-day and one-year MACE, and the utility of delta-hsTnT in predicting MACE. RESULTS: Among 2,444 patients studied, 273 (11.2%) developed MACE (including index MACE) by 30 days and 359 (14.7%) patients developed MACE at one year. The suggested hsTnT cut-off for 30-day MACE was ≥ 10 ng/L at 0 hour (positive predictive value [PPV] 33.5%, negative predictive value [NPV] 94.5%) and 7 hours (PPV 37.3%, NPV 94.5%), and ≥ 20 ng/L at 2 hours (PPV 36.9%, NPV 96.9%). For one-year MACE, the suggested cut-off was also ≥ 10 ng/L at all readings. Plasma hsTnT ≥ 30 ng/L at any reading gave PPV > 54% and NPV > 93% for 30-day MACE. Absolute 0-2 hour and 2-7 hour delta-hsTnT ≥ 10 ng/L gave PPV > 50% for 30-day and one-year MACE. CONCLUSION Patients with 0-, 2- or 7-hour hsTnT ≥ 30 ng/L and 0-2 hour delta-hsTnT ≥ 10 ng/L had PPV > 50% for 30-day and one-year MACE, and should be investigated thoroughly.

Adult ; Aged ; Canada ; Child ; Decision Making ; Decision Support Systems, Clinical ; Emergency Medical Services ; methods ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Emergency Treatment ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Pneumonia ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; Singapore

INTRODUCTIONSimplifying the learning of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is advocated to improve skill acquisition and retention. A simplified CPR training programme focusing on continuous chest compression, with a simple landmark tracing technique, was introduced to laypeople. The study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the simplified CPR training in improving lay rescuers' CPR performance as compared to standard CPR.

METHODSA total of 85 laypeople (aged 21-60 years) were recruited and randomly assigned to undertake either a two-hour simplified or standard CPR training session. They were tested two months after the training on a simulated cardiac arrest scenario. Participants' performance on the sequence of CPR steps was observed and evaluated using a validated CPR algorithm checklist. The quality of chest compression and ventilation was assessed from the recording manikins.

RESULTSThe simplified CPR group performed significantly better on the CPR algorithm when compared to the standard CPR group (p < 0.01). No significant difference was found between the groups in time taken to initiate CPR. However, a significantly higher number of compressions and proportion of adequate compressions was demonstrated by the simplified group than the standard group (p < 0.01). Hands-off time was significantly shorter in the simplified CPR group than in the standard CPR group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSimplifying the learning of CPR by focusing on continuous chest compressions, with simple hand placement for chest compression, could lead to better acquisition and retention of CPR algorithms, and better quality of chest compressions than standard CPR.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Algorithms ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; education ; Checklist ; Female ; Heart ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Learning ; Male ; Manikins ; Middle Aged ; Pressure ; Prospective Studies ; Resuscitation ; education ; Sex Factors ; Young Adult

INTRODUCTIONPeak currents are the final arbiter of defibrillation in patients with ventricular fibrillation (VF). However, biphasic defibrillators continue to use energy in joules for electrical conversion in hopes that their impedance compensation properties will address transthoracic impedance (TTI), which must be overcome when a fixed amount of energy is delivered. However, optimal peak currents for conversion of VF remain unclear. We aimed to determine the role of peak current and optimal peak levels for conversion in collapsed VF patients.

METHODSAdult, non-pregnant patients presenting with non-traumatic VF were included in the study. All defibrillations that occurred were included. Impedance values during defibrillation were used to calculate peak current values. The endpoint was return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).

RESULTSOf the 197 patients analysed, 105 had ROSC. Characteristics of patients with and without ROSC were comparable. Short duration of collapse < 10 minutes correlated positively with ROSC. Generally, patients with average or high TTI converted at lower peak currents. 25% of patients with high TTI converted at 13.3 ± 2.3 A, 22.7% with average TTI at 18.2 ± 2.5 A and 18.6% with low TTI at 27.0 ± 4.7 A (p = 0.729). Highest peak current conversions were at < 15 A and 15-20 A. Of the 44 patients who achieved first-shock ROSC, 33 (75.0%) received < 20 A peak current vs. > 20 A for the remaining 11 (25%) patients (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONFor best effect, priming biphasic defibrillators to deliver specific peak currents should be considered.

The most common initial rhythm in a sudden cardiac arrest is ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. This is potentially treatable with defibrillation, especially if provided early. However, any delay in defibrillation will result in a decline in survival. Defibrillation requires coordination with the cardiopulmonary resuscitation component for effective resuscitation. These two components, which form the key links in the chain of survival, have to be brought to the cardiac victim in a timely fashion. An effective chain of survival is needed in both the institution and community settings.

The main areas of emphasis in the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) guidelines are: early recognition of cardiac arrest and call for help; good-quality chest compressions; early defibrillation when applicable; early administration of drugs; appropriate airway management ensuring normoventilation; and delivery of appropriate post-resuscitation care to enhance survival. Of note, it is important to monitor the quality of the various care procedures. The resuscitation team needs to reduce unnecessary interruptions to chest compressions in order to maintain adequate coronary perfusion pressure during the ACLS drill. In addition, the team needs to continually look out for reversible causes of the cardiac arrest.

Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) refers to the skills required (without use of equipment) in the resuscitation of cardiac arrest individuals. On recognising cardiac arrest, chest compressions should be initiated. Good quality compressions are with arms extended, elbows locked, shoulders directly over the casualty's chest and heel of the palm on the lower half of the sternum. The rescuer pushes hard and fast, compressing 4-6 cm deep for adults at 100-120 compressions per minute with complete chest recoil. Two quick mouth-to-mouth ventilations (each 400-600 mL tidal volume) should be delivered after every 30 chest compressions. Chest compression-only CPR is recommended for lay rescuers, dispatcher-assisted CPR and those unable or unwilling to give ventilations. CPR should be stopped when the casualty wakes up, an emergency team takes over casualty care or if an automated external defibrillator prompts for analysis of heart rhythm or delivery of shock.