The Clinical Significance of Weight Change in Mechanical Ventilated, Critically Ill Patients of ICU / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: Critically ill patients may show significant weight change in their course of disease during ICU stay. However, what weight changes occur and their effects on patient outcome have not yet been reported to our knowledge. Therefore, we evaluated weight change in critically ill patients in the medical ICU and the effect this may have on clinical outcome. METHODS: We measured body weight in patients admitted to the medical ICU daily and evaluated their clinical characteristics and outcome. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (M:F = 30:8, mean age = 65.7 +/- 12.5) were enrolled. Thirteen patients (34.2%) showed weight gain and the mean change was 12.8 +/- 4.2%. In contrast, 25 patients (65.8%) showed weight loss and the mean change was 6.3 +/- 6.9%. Patients who showed weight change over 5% or 10% were 26 (68.4%), and 12 (31.6%), respectively, and their mortality rates were 61.5% and 75%, respectively, showing no statistical significance (p > 0.05). However, when the degree of weight change was stratified with 10%, it was associated with death (p = 0.002). Factors like ICU stay, day of mechanical ventilation, initial APACHE II and SOFA score, body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin were not associated with more than 5% change of weight. BMI at admission was only associated with > 10% change of weight (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of critically ill patients showed a significant weight change during their ICU stay and these patients may have a tendency to have worse clinical outcome.

Endobronchial Aspergilloma: Report of 10 Cases and Literature Review

PURPOSE: A retrospective investigation of the clinical and radiologic features as well as the bronchoscopic appearance was carried out in patients with endobronchial aspergilloma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with endobronchial aspergilloma diagnosed by bronchoscopy and histological examination were identified at the Gyeongsang University Hospital of Korea, from May 2003 to May 2009. RESULTS: The patients included 9 men and 1 woman, and the age of the patients ranged from 36 to 76 (median, 58 years). The associated diseases or conditions were: previous pulmonary tuberculosis in 7 patients, lung cancer in 2 patients, pulmonary resection in 1 patient, and foreign body of the bronchus in 1 patient. The chest radiologic finding showed fibrotic changes as a consequence of previous tuberculosis infection in 6 patients and a mass-like lesion in 2 patients. Two patients had a co-existing fungus ball, and an endobronchial lesion was suspected in only 2 patients on the CT scan. The bronchoscopic appearance was a whitish to yellow necrotic mass causing bronchial obstruction in 7 patients, foreign body with adjacent granulation tissue and whitish necrotic tissue in 1 patient, whitish necrotic tissue at an anastomosis site in 1 patient, and a protruding mass with whitish necrotic tissue in 1 patient. CONCLUSION: An endobronchial aspergilloma is a rare presentation of pulmonary aspergilosis and is usually incidentally found in immunocompetent patients with underlying lung disease. It usually appears as a necrotic mass causing bronchial obstruction on bronchoscopy and can be confirmed by biopsy.

Usefulness of Real-time PCR to Detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate recently developed real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay kit to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in respiratory specimens. METHODS: We assessed the positive rate of the real-time PCR assay to detect MTB and NTM in 87 culture-positive specimens (37 sputum, 50 bronchial washing), which were performed real-time PCR by using Real-Q(TM) MTB&NTM Kit from January 2009 to June 2009, at Gyeongsang University Hospital. To compare the efficacy with the TB-PCR assay, we evaluated 63 culture-positive specimens (19 sputum, 44 bronchial washing) for MTB or NTM, which were performed TB-PCR by using ABSOLUTE(TM) MTB II PCR Kit from March 2008 to August 2008. RESULTS: Among 87 specimens tested using real-time PCR, MTB and NTM were cultured in 58 and 29, respectively. The positive rate of real-time PCR assay to detect MTB was 71% (22/31) and 92.6% (25/27) in AFB stain-negative and stain-positive specimens. For NTM, the positive rate of real-time PCR was 11.1% (2/18) and 72.7% (8/11) in AFB stain-negative and stain-positive specimens. Among 63 specimens performed using TB-PCR, MTB and NTM were cultured in 46 and 17, respectively. The positive rate of TB-PCR was 61.7% (21/34) and 100% (12/12) in AFB stain-negative and stain-positive specimens. TB-PCR was negative in all NTM-cultured 17 specimens. CONCLUSION: TB/NTM real-time PCR assay is useful to differentiate MTB and NTM in AFB stain-positive respiratory specimens and it is as effective in detecting MTB with TB-PCR.

A Case of Fatal Hyperinfective Strongyloidiasis with Acute Respiratory Failure and Intestinal Perforation in Lung Cancer Patient / 결핵및호흡기질환

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode that is a parasite to humans. The infecting filariform larvae of S. stercoralis enters the host body via the bloodstream, passes through the lungs, penetrates the alveoli, and then ascends the airway to transit down the esophagus into the small bowel. The infection can persist for decades without causing major symptoms and can elicit eosinophilia of varying magnitudes. Of note, this infection can also develop into a disseminated, often fatal, disease (hyperinfection) in patients receiving immunosuppressive corticosteroids. A 65-year-old man who was receiving corticosteroid therapy for the treatment of spinal stenosis was admitted to the emergency room with complaints of abdominal pain and severe dyspnea. We detected many S. stercoralis larvae in the sputum and in the bronchoalveolar-lavage sample collected by bronchoscopy. Here, we report a fatal case of strongyloidiasis with acute respiratory failure and intestinal perforation. In addition, we provide a brief review of the relevant medical literature.

A Case of Anaphylaxis After the Ingestion of Yacon

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening systemic allergic reaction, often with an explosive onset; the symptoms range from mild flushing to upper respiratory obstruction, with or without vascular collapse. Foods are common offending allergens and remain the leading cause of outpatient anaphylaxis in most surveys. Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is a plant native to the Andes region, where its root is cultivated and consumed mainly as food. Unlike most edible roots, yacon contains large amounts of ructooligosaccharides. Traditionally, yacon tubers have been used as a source of natural sweetener and syrup for people suffering from various disorders. We report the case of a 55-year-old woman who developed syncope and generalized urticaria after ingesting yacon roots. The patient had positive skin prick and intradermal tests to yacon extract. An open food challenge test was performed to confirm food anaphylaxis and was positive 10 minutes after the consumption of yacon roots. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of anaphylaxis after the ingestion of yacon roots.

A Case of Anaphylaxis After the Ingestion of Yacon

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening systemic allergic reaction, often with an explosive onset; the symptoms range from mild flushing to upper respiratory obstruction, with or without vascular collapse. Foods are common offending allergens and remain the leading cause of outpatient anaphylaxis in most surveys. Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is a plant native to the Andes region, where its root is cultivated and consumed mainly as food. Unlike most edible roots, yacon contains large amounts of ructooligosaccharides. Traditionally, yacon tubers have been used as a source of natural sweetener and syrup for people suffering from various disorders. We report the case of a 55-year-old woman who developed syncope and generalized urticaria after ingesting yacon roots. The patient had positive skin prick and intradermal tests to yacon extract. An open food challenge test was performed to confirm food anaphylaxis and was positive 10 minutes after the consumption of yacon roots. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of anaphylaxis after the ingestion of yacon roots.

Endobronchial Tuberculosis Presenting as Right Middle Lobe Syndrome:Clinical Characteristics and Bronchoscopic Findings in 22 Cases

PURPOSE: Endobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB) presenting as right middle lobe syndrome (RMLS) is an uncommon clinical condition. We investigated the clinical characteristics in patients with EBTB presenting as RMLS. PATIENTS and METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 22 patients with EBTB presenting as RMLS who were diagnosed at our hospital from 2003 to 2006. RESULTS: Its occurrence was more common in females than males (F, 18; M, 4). The mean age was 70.3 +/- 8.5 years, and 17 patients were above the age of 65 years. Cough with sputum was the most common manifestation and 2 patients were asymptomatic. In bronchoscopic analysis, the most common finding was edematous-type EBTB, which was found in 15 patients, followed by actively caseating type in 6 and tumorous type in 1. Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) staining for bronchial washing fluid was positive in only 5 patients: 1 with edematous type and 4 with actively caseating type. Bronchoscopic biopsy showed chronic granulomatous inflammation in 16 patients. Follow-up chest X-ray after treatment showed complete disappearance of the lesion in 2 patients, more than 50% improvement in 5, less than 50% improvement in 5, and no change of lesion in 4. CONCLUSION: Edematous-type EBTB was the most common type of EBTB presenting as RMLS, and it usually occurred in elderly patients. Culturing for mycobacterium and histologic examination by bronchoscopy are necessary for proper diagnosis in these patients.

Change of Antibiotics Resistance Pattern of Microorganism Cultured in Tracheal Aspirate in Mechanical Ventilated Patients after Antibiotics Restriction Policy / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: To reduce production of resistant bacteria by over-use of antibiotics, an antibiotics restriction policy became effective in several hospitals. However, there are different views on its effect. This study aims to examine antibiotic resistance of pathogenic organisms cultured in tracheal aspirates of the patients who need to maintain mechanical ventilation in medical intensive care unit before and after the antibiotics restriction policy. METHODS: Before and after 2 years from August 2003, when carried out the antibiotics restriction policy in Gyeongsang university hospital, it was retrospectively investigated the antibiotic resistance pattern of bacteria cultured in tracheal aspirates of the patient who is maintained by mechanical ventilation more than 48 hours in the medical intensive care unit. Restricted antibiotics are ceftazidime, piperacillin/tazobactam, imipenem, meropenem, vancomycin, and teicoplanin. RESULTS: Before the antibiotics restriction policy, (Sep 2001~Aug 2003) and after, (Sep 2003~Aug 2005), there were 306 and 565 patients applied in each case and the total use of antibiotics, except piperacillin/tazobactam, was reduced and that of cefotaxime and ceftriaxone was increased. There was no significant change in antibiotic resistance among Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Enterobacter species. CONCLUSION: The result of this study shows that the antibiotics restriction policy does not reduce production of antibiotic resistant bacteria in tracheal aspirate in a medical intensive care unit. However, it is considered that long-term observation may be necessary.

Causes of Right Middle Lobe Syndrome: Recent Experience in Local Tertiary Hospital for Several Years / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Right middle lobe syndrome (RMLS) is defined as transient or chronic and recurrent atelectasis of the right middle lobe. Although numerous conditions are associated with RMLS, there are very few recent reports in Korea. This study evaluated the causes of RMLS in a local tertiary hospitalover a period of 42 months. METHOD: Eighty-eight patients (M:F=64:22, mean age: 67.2+/-10.3 years), who had consistent chest radiography findings and underwent bronchoscopy in Gyeongsang University Hospital from January 2003 to July 2006, were enrolled in this study. The clinical characteristics and causes of RMLS in these patients were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The most common symptoms fo RMLS were cough, dyspnea and sputum. Tuberculosis was the most common cause (endobronchial tuberculosis in 22 and pulmonary tuberculosis in 1) The other causes were bronchial stenosis by benign fibrotic changes in 22 cases (25%), anthracofibrosis in 13 cases (14.8%), pneumonia in 11 cases (12.5%), lung cancer in 10 cases (11.4%), mucus impaction in 3 cases (3.4%), bronchiectasis in 2 cases (2.3%) and no demonstrable causes in 7 cases (8%). The bronchoscopy findings were mucosal edema with hyperemic changes in 38 cases (43.2%), mucosal edema with anthracotic pigmentation in 16 cases (18.2%), mucus impaction in 13 cases (14.8%), fibrotic stenosis in 13 cases (14.8%), a mass like lesion in 8 cases (9.1%), exudative necrotic material in 4 cases (4.5%), narrowing as a result of extrinsic compression in 2 cases (2.3%) and no demonstrable abnormalities in 12 cases (13.6%). CONCLUSION: Right middle lobe syndrome was observed more frequently in patients over the age of 65. The causes were mainly benign diseases with endobronchial tuberculosis being the most common.

Clinical Characteristics of Endobronchial Tuberculosis that Develops in Patients over 70 Years of Age / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: The possibility of developing pulmonary tuberculosis usually increases with increasing age. Therefore, the incidence of endobronchial tuberculosis in older people may increase. We evaluated the clinical characteristics in patients with endobronchial tuberculosis above the age of 70 years. METHODS: We enrolled 74 patients (12 males and 62 females; mean age 64.6+/-16.2 years) that were diagnosed with endobronchial tuberculosis from March 2003 to July 2006 at Gyeongsang University Hospital. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics of endobronchial tuberculosis for patients 70 years or older (older group) and for patients below the age of 70 years (younger group). RESULTS: The number of patients in the older group was 41 (55%). Cough was the most common symptom in the two groups of patients and dyspnea on exertion was more common in the older group of patients than in the younger group of patients (31.7% vs. 12.1%). The actively caesating type of disease was more common in the younger group of patients than in the older group of patients (66.7% vs. 39%). The edematous type of disease was more common in the older group of patients than in the younger group of patients (53.7% vs. 27.2%) (p<0.05). Tracheal and main bronchial involvement of lesions were more common for the younger group of patients than for the older group of patients (30.3% vs. 9.7%) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Endobronchial tuberculosis was commonly observed in patients older than 70 years and this group of patients had some clinical characteristics that were different from the younger group of patients.

Mycobacterium Avium Complex Infection Presenting as an Endobronchial Mass in a Patient with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is a common opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). Pulmonary involvement of MAC may range from asymptomatic colonization of the respiratory tract to invasive parenchymal or cavitary disease. However, endobronchial lesions with MAC infection are rare in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed hosts. Here, we report MAC infection presenting as an endobronchial mass in a patient with AIDS.

Tuberculin Skin Test and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Assay before and after Treatment for Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Health Care Workers in Local Tertiary Hospital / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: The QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay and tuberculin skin test (TST) have been useful test for diagnosing latent tuberculosis infections (LTBI). However, there are few reports on the efficacy of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay and TST in evaluating the response after the treatment of LTBI. This study examined the changes in the TST and QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay before and after a treatment for latent tuberculosis in health care workers (HCWs) at a local tertiary hospital. METHODS: A cohort of volunteers working as nurses and doctors who underwent a TST and QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay was established. The volunteers positive for the QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay had been treated with 3 months of isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (RFP). After completing treatment, the TST and QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay were repeated. RESULTS: Of the 48 participants (14 doctors, 34 nurses, M: F=11:37, mean age=29.9+/-5.5 years, mean employment period=74.9+/-64.3 months), 19 (39.6%) tested positive to the TST (mean induration=19.1+/-9.7 mm) and 8 (16.7%) were QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay. Among them, one had active pulmonary tuberculosis. Seven volunteers were consistently positive to both the TST and QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay after being medicated with INH and RFP for 3 months. CONCLUSION: TST and QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay are unsuitable for evaluating the treatment response of LTBI because they were consistently positive both before and after the anti-tuberculosis medication.

Efficacy of Low-dose Hydrocortisone Infusion for Patients with Severe Community-acquired Pneumonia Who Invasive Mechanical Ventilation / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) can develop into respiratory failure that requires mechanical ventilation (MV), which is associated with a higher rate of mortality. It was recently reported that a hydrocortisone infusion in severe CAP patients was associated with a significant reduction in the length of the hospital stay and mortality. This study evaluated efficacy of a hydrocortisone infusion for patients with severe CAP requiring MV. METHODS: From February 2005 to July 2005, 13 patients (M : F = 10 : 3, mean age: 68.6+/-14.1 years), who were diagnosed with severe CAP and required MV, were enrolled in this study. Hydrocortisone was administered as an intravenous 200mg loading bolus, which was followed by an infusion at a rate of 10mg/hour for 7 days. The control group was comprised of patients with severe CAP requiring MV but in whom corticosteroid was not used before study period. The clinical and physiologic parameters on or by day 8 and the outcome in the hydrocortisone infusion group were compared with those in the control group. RESULTS: 1) There was no significant difference in age, gender ratio, SAPS II, SOFA score, temperature, leukocyte count, PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio, the number of patients with P/F ratio or = 100 and the chest radiograph score was significantly higher in the hydrocortisone infusion group than in the control group (61.5% vs. 15.4%, 76.9% vs. 23.1%, p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the other clinical and physiologic parameters. 3). There was no significant difference in the duration of the MV, ICU stay, hospital stay and 10th and 30th day mortality between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Hydrocortisone infusion for patients with severe CAP requiring invasive mechanical ventilation may be effective in improving the level of oxygenation and the chest radiograph score.

Relationship between Systemic Inflammatory Marker, Oxidative Stress and Body Mass Index in Stable COPD Patient / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: The main factors associated with weight loss in patients with COPD are not well known. Since chronic inflammation and oxidative stress play a major pathogenic role in COPD, these factors may be responsible for the patients' weight loss. Therefore, this study measured the body mass index (BMI) in COPD patients and evaluated the variables, such as systemic inflammatory marker, oxidative stress and lung function, that correlate with the BMI. METHOD: The stable COPD patients (M:F=49:4, mean age=68.25+/-6.32) were divided into the lower (25) BMI group. The severity of the airway obstruction was evaluated by measuring the FEV1. The serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were measured to determine the degree of systemic inflammation, and the carbonyl protein and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha level was measured to determine the level of oxidative stress. Each value in the COPD patients and normal control was compared with the BMI. RESULTS: 1) Serum 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha in COPD patients was significantly higher (456.08+/-574.12 pg/ml) than that in normal control (264.74+/-143.15 pg/ml) (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the serum IL-6, TNF-alpha, carbonyl protein between the COPD patients and normal controls. 2). In the COPD patients, the FEV1 of the lower BMI group was significantly lower (0.93+/-0.25L) than that of the normal BMI (1.34+/-0.52L) and higher BMI groups (1.72+/-0.41L) (p<0.05). The lower FEV1 was significantly associated with a lower BMI in COPD patients (p=0.002, r=0.42). The BMI of very severe COPD patients was significantly lower (19.8+/-2.57) than that of the patients with moderate COPD (22.6+/-3.14) (p<0.05). 3). There were no significant differences in the serum IL-6, TNF-alpha, carbonyl protein and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha according to the BMI in the COPD patients. CONCLUSION: The severity of the airway obstruction, not the systemic inflammatory markers and oxidative stress, might be associated with the BMI in stable COPD patients. Further study will be needed to determine the factors associated with the decrease in the BMI of COPD patients.

Measuring Serum Procalcitonin in Patients with Fever in the ICU to Differentiate Infectious Causes from Non-Infectious Causes / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Although fever is one of the most common and challenging problem in intensive care medicine(ICU), it is difficult to distinguish between infectious and non-infectious causes. Procalcitonin(PCT) has recently been reported to be an indicator of various infectious diseases. This study examined whether or not measuring the serum PCT level in patients with fever in the ICU can help distinguish fevers with infectious causes from those with non-infectious causes. METHODS: ICU patients with fever at 38degrees C or over from March to August 2005 were prospectively enrolled. The cause of the fever was identified by the culture results and clinical course. The leukocytes, CRP, PCT, IL-6, and TNF-alpha in the fever patients with infectious and non-infectious causes were compared, and the PCT level in the patients with fever in the ICU were compared with those without fever. RESULTS: 1) 42 patients were enrolled and 46 cases of fever were analyzed. 26 cases were considered to be infectious, while 13 cases were considered to be non-infectious. 7 cases were found to have no clear causes. 2) There were no significant differences in the degree of fever, leukocytes count, CRP, IL-6, and TNF-alpha levels in the patiemts with infectious and non-infectious causes. 3) The serum PCT level was higher in those with infectious causes than in those with non-infectious causes (15.1+/-32.57ng/mL vs 2 .68+/-3.63ng/mL) but there was no statistical significance (p=0.06). 4) The serum PCT level of the ICU patients with fever was significantly higher than in those without fever (10.94+/- 27.15ng/mL vs 0.45+/-0.49ng/mL) (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: The serum PCT cannot be used to distinguish the fever in ICU patients with infectious causes from that with non-infectious causes.

A Case of Lung Cancer Obscured by Endobronchial Aspergilloma / 결핵및호흡기질환

A 70-year-old man was referred to the department of pulmonology due to blood tinged sputum and an abnormal chest X-ray. The chest X-ray and CT scans revealed a lobulated contour mass-like lesion in the left upper lung field. The bronchoscopic examination showed a whitish and polypoid mass occluding the left upper lobe bronchus. A biopsy specimen from the lesion revealed many aspergillus hyphae. Intravenous and oral itraconozole were administered over a 4 weeks period. Several months later, the size of the mass on chest X-ray increased and a percutaneous lung biopsy revealed a sarcomatoid carcinoma. We reported a case of lung cancer that was obscured by an endobronchial aspergilloma with a review of the relevant literature.

Relationship between Change of RBC Shape and Multi-organ Failure in Sepsis / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: Microcirculatory derangement in sepsis plays a crucial role in the impairment of tissue oxygenation that can lead to multi-organ failure and death. The change of RBC rheology in sepsis has been known to be important factors in microcirculatory derangement. Several studies have demonstrated that RBCs have decreased deformability in sepsis. We investigated the relationship between multi-organ failure and spherical index of RBC estimated by flow cytometer in critically ill patients with or without sepsis compared with the relationship in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Fourteen non-septic critically ill patients, 18 septic patients and 10 healthy volunteers were evaluated. We obtained peripheral venous blood from each patient and analyzed the change of RBC shape using flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson FACSCalibur) within 90 minute. The change of RBC shape was accessed with spherical index (M2/M1). A decrease in M2/M1 was correlated with the sphericity of the RBC and considered to have a lower capacity to alter their shape when placed in microcirculation. Multi-organ failure was accessed with sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score. RESULTS: The M2/M1 ratio of healthy volunteers, non-septic patients and septic patients were 2.25+/-0.08, 2.16+/-0.39 and 2.05+/-0.53, respectively. But, there was no significant difference between each group (p>0.05). And, there was no significant correlation between M2/M1 ratio of septic and non- septic patients and SOFA score (p>0.05, r2= -0.13). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the spherical index of RBC was not associated with multi-organ failure in sepsis. But, further studies may be needed to evaluate the role of RBC rheology in sepsis.

Usefulness of Troponin-I, Lactate, C-reactive protein as a Prognostic Markers in Critically Ill Non-cardiac Patients / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: The severity scoring system is useful for predicting the outcome of critically ill patients. However, the system is quite complicated and cost-ineffective. Simple serologic markers have been proposed to predict the outcome, which include troponin-I, lactate and C-reactive protein(CRP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic values of troponin-I, lactate and CRP in critically ill non-cardiac patients. METHODS: From September 2003 to June 2004, 139 patients(Age: 63.3+/-14.7, M:F=88:51), who were admitted to the MICU with non-cardiac critical illness at Gyeongsang National University Hospital, were enrolled in this study. This study evaluated the severity of the illness and the multi-organ failure score (Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation II, Simplified Acute Physiologic Score II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) and measured the troponin-I, lactate and CRP within 24 hours after admission in the MICU. Each value in the survivors and non-survivors was compared at the 10th and 30th day after ICU admission. The mortality rate was compared at 10th and 30th day in normal and abnormal group. In addition, the correlations between each value and the severity score were assessed. RESULTS: There were significantly higher troponin-I and CRP levels, not lactate, in the non-survivors than in the survivors at 10th day(1.018+/-2.58ng/ml, 98.48+/-69.24mg/L vs. 4.208+/-10.23ng/ml, 137.69 +/-70.18 mg/L) (p<0.05). There were significantly higher troponin-I, lactate and CRP levels in the non-survivors than in the survivors on the 30th day (0.99+/-2.66ng/ml, 8.02+/-9.54ng/dl, 96.87+/-68.83mg/L vs. 3.36+/-8.74ng/ml, 15.42+/-20.57ng/dl, 131.28+/-71.23mg/L) (p<0.05). The mortality rate was significantly higher in the abnormal group of troponin-I, lactate and CRP than in the normal group of troponin-I, lactate and CRP at 10th day(28.1%, 31.6%, 18.9% vs. 11.0%, 15.8 %, 0%) and 30th day(38.6%, 47.4%, 25.8% vs. 15.9%, 21.7%, 14.3%) (p<0.05). Troponin-I and lactate were significantly correlated with the SAPS II score(r2=0.254, 0.365, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Measuring the troponin-I, lactate and CRP levels upon admission may be useful for predicting the outcome of critically ill non-cardiac patients.

Usefulness of Cardiac Troponin I as a Prognostic Marker in Non-cardiac Critically Ill Patients / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a specific marker of myocardial injury. It is known that a higher level of cTnI is associated with a poor clinical outcome in patients with acute coronary syndrome. An elevation in cTnI is also observed in various noncardiac critical illnesses. This study evaluated whether cTnI is useful for predicting the prognosis in noncardiac critically ill patients. METHODS: From June 2003 to July 2004 at Gyeongsang National University Hospital, we enrolled 215 patients (male:142, female:73, mean age:63+/-15 years ) who were admitted for critical illness other than acute coronary syndrome at the medical intensive care unit(ICU). The severity score of critical illness (SAPS II and SOFA) was determined and serum cTnI level was measured within 24 hours after admission to the ICU. The mortality rate was compared between the cTnI-positive (> or =0.1microgram/L) and cTnI-negative (cTnI<0.1microgram/L) patients at the 10th and 30th day after admission to the ICU. The mean cTnI value was compared between the survivors and non-survivors at the 10th and 30th day after admission to the ICU in the cTnI-positive patients. The correlation between cTnI and the severity of the critical illness score (SAPS II and SOFA) was also analyzed in cTnI-positive patients. RESULTS: 1) The number of cTnI-negative and positive patients were 95(44%) and 120(56%), respectively. 2) The mortality rate at the 10th and 30th day after admission to the ICU was significantly higher in the cTnI-positive patients (29%, 41%) than in the cTnI-negative patients (12%, 21%)(p<0.01). 3) In the cTnI-positive patients, the mean value of the cTnI at the 10th and 30th day after admission to the ICU was significantly higher in the non-survivors (4.5 +/- 9.2 microgram/L, 3.5 +/- 7.9 microgram/L) than in the survivors( 1.8 +/- 3.6 microgram/L, 2.0 +/- 3.9 microgram/L) (p < 0.05). 4) In the cTnI-positive patients, the cTnI level was significantly correlated with the SAPS II score (r=0.24, p<0.001) and SOFA score (r=0.30, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The cTnI may be a useful prognostic marker in noncardiac critically ill patients.

The Diagnostic Usefulness of Pleural Fluid Adenosine deaminase with Lymphocyte/Neutrophil Ratio in Tuberculous Pleural Effusion / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: The measurement of adenosine deaminase(ADA) level in pleural fluid is useful in the diagnosis of tuberculous(TB) pleural effusion. However, ADA is also elevated in other diseases such as malignancy, bacterial infections, empyema, and collagen vascular disease, ADA alone has limited value. The object of this study is to determine diagnostic usefulness of the combined use of ADA value with lymphocyte/neutrophil ratio(L/N ratio) rather than the use of ADA alone. METHOD: We evaluated 198 patients(age=55.9+/-12.9, M/F=2.7:1) with pleural effusion who had admitted in Gyeong-sang National University Hospital from Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2001. retrospectively. Patients were divided into four diagnostic groups: TB pleural effusion(n=91), parapneumonic effusion(n=65), malignant effusion(n=21), and transudative effusion(n=13). The ADA level, differential cell count, biochemistry, cytology, and microbiology of each diagnostic groups were evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value(npv), positive predictive value(ppv) and efficiency were calculated at each ADA values and combined ADA value with various L/N ratios. RESULT: The ADA level in TB pleural effusion was significantly higher than that of parapneumonic effusion, malignant pleural effusion, and transudative effusion(por=50 IU/L in the diagnosis of TB pleural effusion were 89.0%, 82.2%, 81.0%, 89.8% and 85.5% respectively. When ADA>or=50 IU/L was combined with lymphocyte/neutrophil ratio>or=0.75, sensitivity, specificity, ppv, npv, and efficiency were 83.5%, 96.3%, 95.0%, 87.9% and 90.5% respectively. Specificity, ppv and efficiency were increased with combination of ADA value and L/N ratio. CONCLUSION: Combination of ADA value and L/N ratio in pleural effusion is more useful than ADA value alone in the diagnosis of TB pleural effusion.