Pre-Hospital Delay in Patients With Acute Stroke During the Initial Phase of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak

Background@#When a sudden outbreak of an infectious disease occurs, emergency medical services (EMS) response could be negatively affected. The poor prognosis of acute stroke may be largely attributed to delays in treatment. This study aimed to identify the impact of the sudden outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on EMS response for patients with acute stroke. @*Methods@#This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in 25 safety centers in Seoul, Korea. We enrolled patients with acute stroke who were transferred to the emergency department by EMS. The study period was from February–April 2020 and the same period in 2019. Patients were divided into two groups, pre-COVID-19 period and early-COVID-19 period, and previously collected patient data were analyzed. We performed comparative analyses of EMS response and clinical outcomes between the groups. @*Results@#Of 465 patients, 231 (49.7%) had an acute stroke during the study period. There was no significant difference between clinical characteristics of patients with acute stroke before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. EMS response times increased significantly during the early COVID-19 outbreak. The intensive care unit admission rate and mortality rate increased during the early COVID-19 outbreak. @*Conclusion@#In the initial phase after the sudden COVID-19 outbreak, EMS response times for acute stroke were delayed and the clinical outcomes of patients with acute stroke deteriorated.

Measurement of height of the cricothyroid membrane using cervical-spine computed tomography

Objective@#Emergency cricothyroidotomy is an infrequently performed procedure and post-procedural complications may result from attempting to pass a device with a large external diameter through the cricothyroid membrane. This study aimed to determine the maximum height of the cricothyroid membrane according to the patient’ s sex and age based on cervical-spine computed tomography (C-spine CT) in the emergency department (ED) and determine the appropriate endotracheal tube (ETT) size. @*Methods@#A retrospective analysis of patients was conducted from May 2014 to April 2020 in the ED. The data were obtained from medical records. Electronic calipers were used to measure the maximum height of the cricothyroid membrane in C-spine CT by an emergency physician and an emergency medicine resident. @*Results@#Six hundred and sixty-four patients were included in the study. The mean height of the cricothyroid membrane was 10.11±2.24 mm in males (n=351) and 8.90±1.84 mm in females (n=313) (P<0.001). In males, the cricothyroid membrane height showed significant variance between the ≥75-year-old and the 25-34-year-old groups (9.26±2.40 mm vs. 11.80±2.36 mm) (P<0.001). The tube size of the cricothyroidotomy equipment was suitable for more than 72.1% of patients when applied with an ETT (internal diameter ≤6.0 mm). @*Conclusion@#This study showed that the height of the cricothyroid membrane differed according to sex and also age in males. It may thus be necessary to consider anatomical differences according to sex and age when selecting the appropriate tube size to reduce complications during emergency cricothyroidotomy.

Clinical features related to alcohol co-ingestion of deliberate self-poisoning patients visiting the emergency department

Purpose@#Alcohol is one of the most commonly co-ingested agents in deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) cases presenting at the emergency department (ED). The increased impulsivity, aggressiveness, and disinhibition caused by alcohol ingestion may have different clinical features and outcomes in cases of DSP. This study investigates whether alcohol co-ingestion affects the clinical features and outcomes of DSP patients in the ED. @*Methods@#This was a single-center retrospective study. We investigated DSP cases who visited our ED from January 2010 to December 2016. Patients were classified into two groups: with (ALC+) or without (ALC–) alcohol co-ingestion. The clinical features of DSP were compared by considering the co-ingestion of alcohol, and the factors related to discharge against medical advice (AMA) of DSP were analyzed. @*Results@#A total of 689 patients were included in the study, with 272 (39.5%) in the ALC+ group. Majority of the ALC+ group patients were middle-aged males (45-54 years old) and arrived at the ED at night. The rate of discharge AMA from ED was significantly higher in the ALC+ group (130; 47.8%) compared to the ALC– group (p=0.001). No significant differences were obtained in the poisoning severity scores between the two groups (p=0.223). Multivariate analysis revealed that alcohol co-ingestion (odds ratio [OR]=1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.98), alert mental status (OR=1.65; 95% CI, 1.17-2.32), past psychiatric history (OR=0.04; 95% CI, 0.01-0.28), age >65 years (OR=0.42; 95% CI, 0.23-0.78), and time from event to ED arrival >6 hrs (OR=0.57; 95% CI, 0.37-0.88) were independent predictive factors of discharge AMA (p=0.043, p=0.004, p=0.001, p=0.006, and p=0.010, respectively). @*Conclusion@#Our results determined a high association between alcohol co-ingestion and the outcome of discharge AMA in DSP patients. Emergency physicians should, therefore, be aware that DSP patients who have co-ingested alcohol may be uncooperative and at high risk of discharge AMA.

Clinical Features of Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Cardiovascular Adverse Reactions After COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination

Background@#Since the implementation of the nationwide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination campaign, emergency departments (EDs) have had an increasing number of patients reporting postvaccination cardiovascular adverse effects. We investigated the clinical features of patients who visited the ED for cardiovascular adverse reactions after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. @*Methods@#We conducted a retrospective observational study in two EDs. Patients with cardiovascular adverse reactions after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination who visited EDs between June 1, 2021, and October 15, 2021, were selected. The clinical data of these patients were collected by reviewing medical records. @*Results@#Among 683 patients, 426 (62.4%) were female. The number of patients in their 20s was the highest (38.9% of males, 28.2% of females) (P < 0.001). More patients visited the ED for adverse reactions following the first vaccine dose than following the second dose (67.6% vs. 32.2%). Chief complaints were chest pain/discomfort (74.4%), dyspnea (14.3%) and palpitation (11.3%). The final diagnosis was a nonspecific cause (63.1%), and 663 (97.1%) patients were discharged from the ED. The admission rate was higher in males than in females (3.9% vs. 1.9%). Myocarditis was diagnosed in four males, who showed mild clinical progression and were discharged within 5 hospital days. @*Conclusion@#Most patients who visited the ED with cardiovascular adverse reactions were discharged from the ED, but some were admitted for other medical diseases as well as adverse vaccine reactions. Therefore, further surveillance and a differential diagnosis of cardiovascular adverse events after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination should be considered by emergency physicians.

The association between the meteorological factors and the daily number of patients who visited an emergency department after suicide attempts

Objective@#This study was conducted to investigate the association between meteorological factors and the number of patients who visited an emergency department after suicide attempts daily. @*Methods@#We conducted a retrospective analysis study of 359 patients who visited an emergency department after suicide attempts from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016. We used the Poisson regression model to analyze the association. @*Results@#Three hundred and fifty-nine patients were enrolled in this study. According to the Poisson regression analysis, the average temperature on the day of visit (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.038; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.018-1.058), relative humidity (aOR, 0.987; 95% CI, 0.976-0.997), and solar radiation (aOR, 0.965; 95% CI, 0.939-0.993) were meteorological factors associated with the daily number of patients in the non-violent suicidal attempt group. @*Conclusion@#This study showed that meteorological factors are associated with the number of patients who visited an emergency department after suicide attempts daily.

Association of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Low-rescue Suicide Attempts in Patients Visiting the Emergency Department after Attempting Suicide

Background@#The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may increase the total number of suicide attempts and the proportion of low-rescue attempts. We investigated the factors affecting low-rescue suicide attempts using the risk-rescue rating scale (RRRS) among patients who visited the emergency department (ED) after attempting suicide before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. @*Methods@#We retrospectively investigated suicide attempts made by patients who visited our ED from March 2019 to September 2020. Patients were classified into two groups based on whether they attempted suicide before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on demographic variables, psychiatric factors, suicide risk factors and rescue factors were collected and compared. @*Results@#A total of 518 patients were included in the study, 275 (53.1%) of whom attempted suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proportion of patients who made low-rescue suicide attempts differed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (37.1% vs. 28.8%) (P = 0.046). However, the proportions of patients who made high-risk suicide attempts and high-lethality suicide attempts did not significantly differ between the two periods.The independent risk factors for low-rescue suicide attempts were age and the COVID-19 pandemic (odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–1.03; P = 0.006) (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.03–2.25; P = 0.034). @*Conclusion@#The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with low-rescue suicide attempts in patients visiting the ED after attempting suicide. Thus, we need to consider the implementation of measures to prevent low-rescue suicide attempts during similar infectious disease crises.

The association between the meteorological factors and the daily number of patients who visited an emergency department after suicide attempts

Objective@#This study was conducted to investigate the association between meteorological factors and the number of patients who visited an emergency department after suicide attempts daily. @*Methods@#We conducted a retrospective analysis study of 359 patients who visited an emergency department after suicide attempts from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016. We used the Poisson regression model to analyze the association. @*Results@#Three hundred and fifty-nine patients were enrolled in this study. According to the Poisson regression analysis, the average temperature on the day of visit (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.038; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.018-1.058), relative humidity (aOR, 0.987; 95% CI, 0.976-0.997), and solar radiation (aOR, 0.965; 95% CI, 0.939-0.993) were meteorological factors associated with the daily number of patients in the non-violent suicidal attempt group. @*Conclusion@#This study showed that meteorological factors are associated with the number of patients who visited an emergency department after suicide attempts daily.

Association of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Low-rescue Suicide Attempts in Patients Visiting the Emergency Department after Attempting Suicide

Background@#The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may increase the total number of suicide attempts and the proportion of low-rescue attempts. We investigated the factors affecting low-rescue suicide attempts using the risk-rescue rating scale (RRRS) among patients who visited the emergency department (ED) after attempting suicide before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. @*Methods@#We retrospectively investigated suicide attempts made by patients who visited our ED from March 2019 to September 2020. Patients were classified into two groups based on whether they attempted suicide before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on demographic variables, psychiatric factors, suicide risk factors and rescue factors were collected and compared. @*Results@#A total of 518 patients were included in the study, 275 (53.1%) of whom attempted suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proportion of patients who made low-rescue suicide attempts differed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (37.1% vs. 28.8%) (P = 0.046). However, the proportions of patients who made high-risk suicide attempts and high-lethality suicide attempts did not significantly differ between the two periods.The independent risk factors for low-rescue suicide attempts were age and the COVID-19 pandemic (odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–1.03; P = 0.006) (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.03–2.25; P = 0.034). @*Conclusion@#The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with low-rescue suicide attempts in patients visiting the ED after attempting suicide. Thus, we need to consider the implementation of measures to prevent low-rescue suicide attempts during similar infectious disease crises.

Factors Affecting Collaborations between a Tertiary-level Emergency Department and Community-based Mental Healthcare Centers for Managing Suicide Attempts

Background@#Community-based active contact and follow-up are known to be effective in reducing the risk of repeat suicide attempts among patients admitted to emergency departments after attempting suicide. However, the characteristics that define successful collaborations between emergency departments and community-based mental healthcare centers in this context are not well known. @*Methods@#This study investigated patients visiting the emergency department after suicide attempts from May 2017 to April 2019. Patients were classified in either the successful collaboration group or the failed collaboration group depending on whether or not they were linked to a community-based follow-up intervention. Clinical features and socioeconomic status were considered as independent variables. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing the collaboration. @*Results@#Of 674 patients, 153 (22.7%) were managed successfully via the targeted collaboration. Completion of hospital-based psychological counseling (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 233.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 14.99–3,637.67), supported out-of-pocket expenses (aOR, 11.17; 95% CI, 3.03–41.03), Korean Triage and Acuity Scale 1–3 (aOR, 4.31;95% CI, 1.18–15.73), suicide attempt associated with mental disorder (aOR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.04–0.52), and self-discharge against medical advice (aOR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02–0.70) were independent factors influencing the collaboration. @*Conclusion@#Completion of hospital-based psychological counseling was the most highly influential factor determining the outcome of the collaboration between the emergency department and community-based mental healthcare center in the management of individuals who had attempted suicide. Completion of hospital-based psychological counseling is expected to help reduce the risk of repeat suicide attempts.

Factors associated with delayed emergency room visits in adult immigrant patients with mild abdominal pain in Korea

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors associated with unmet needs in immigrant patients complaining of abdominal pain, by analyzing those associated with the time from symptom onset to emergency room visit.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of immigrants with abdominal pain who visited a tertiary hospital emergency department from January to December 2016. The dependent variable was the time from symptom onset to emergency room visit. The independent variables were age, sex, vital signs, disposition, health insurance status, date of visit, time of visit, level of education, employment status, economic satisfaction, marital status, living with family, duration of residence, having a native spouse, and subjective proficiency in Korean. We analyzed the association of the dependent variable with each independent variable.RESULTS: In total, 102 immigrant patients with abdominal pain were enrolled in this study. The patients who had earlier visits had good subjective proficiency in Korean, high economic satisfaction, longer durations of residence, a tendency to have a native spouse, and a high employment rate. After linear regression analysis, the time from symptom onset to emergency room visit was negatively associated with employment (adjusted odds ratio, -13.67; 95% confidence interval, -23.25 to -4.09; P=0.006) and having a native spouse (adjusted odds ratio, -11.7; 95% confidence interval, -20.61 to -2.8; P=0.011).CONCLUSION: The factors influencing the time from symptom onset to emergency room visit in immigrant patients with abdominal pain are associated with social capital, which improves access to emergency care. Policies that improve immigrant access to emergency care should be considered.

Locking horizontal mattress suture as the alternative closure method for scalp lacerations difficult to suture with staple

OBJECTIVE: This paper reports the possibility of using of a locking horizontal mattress suture technique in repairing lacerations that are difficult to suture with staples. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively over a 6-month period regarding the routine repair of scalp lacerations: those in areas injured by a high energy blunt mechanism, continued to bleed after pressure, nonlinear or damaged skin repaired with a locking horizontal mattress technique, and simple interrupted technique. The effects of the two techniques used to repair scalp lacerations on wound healing, complication rate, and patient satisfaction were examined. The categorical variables are expressed as the number and percent. A Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test was used for statistical analysis. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Thirty-seven consecutive patients with scalp lacerations presented for care. Wound closure was accomplished with the locking horizontal mattress sutures in 40.5% (n=15) (median length, 5.0 cm; interquartile range [IQR], 4.0–7.0 cm). Simple interrupted sutures (median length, 4 cm; IQR, 3.0–5.0 cm) were used in 59.5% (n=22) (P=0.015). The frequency of additional bandage compression (P=0.008), frequency of exudative hemorrhage (P=0.018), and suture mark frequency at suture removal (P=0.047) were significantly lower in the locking horizontal mattress group. CONCLUSION: The locking horizontal mattress suture, which has the advantage of a horizontal mattress suture, may be one of the ways that can be used alternatively to treat scalp lacerations that difficult to suture with staples.

Factors Associated with Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Colonization in Patients Transferred to Emergency Departments in Korea

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infections have become a major healthcare-associated pathogen problem worldwide. Nosocomial VRE infections could be effectively controlled by screening patients at high risk of harboring VRE and thereby lowering the influx of VRE into healthcare centers. In this study, we evaluated factors associated with VRE colonization in patients transferred to emergency departments, to detect patients at risk for VRE carriage. METHODS: This study was conducted in the emergency department of a medical college-affiliated hospital in Korea. Every patient transferred to the emergency department and admitted to the hospital from January to December 2016 was screened for VRE using rectal cultures. In this cross-sectional study, the dependent variable was VRE colonization and the independent variables were demographic and clinical factors of the patients and factors related to the transferring hospital. Patients were divided into two groups, VRE and non-VRE, and previously collected patient data were analyzed. Then we performed logistic regression analyses of characteristics that differed significantly between groups. RESULTS: Out of 650 patients, 106 (16.3%) had positive VRE culture results. Significant variables in the logistic analysis were transfer from geriatric long-term care hospital (adjusted odds ration [aOR]: 8.017; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.378–46.651), hospital days (4–7 days; aOR: 7.246; 95% CI: 3.229–16.261), duration of antimicrobial exposure (1–3 days; aOR: 1.976; 95% CI: 1.137–3.436), and age (aOR: 1.025; 95% CI: 1.007–1.043). CONCLUSION: VRE colonization in patients transferred to the emergency department is associated primarily with factors related to the transferred hospitals rather than demographic and clinical characteristics.

High white blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate are associated with perforated appendicitis in children

PURPOSE: To investigate the predictors of perforated appendicitis (PA) in pediatric patients with appendicitis seen in the emergency department. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 564 pediatric patients ( 13.5 × 109/L (odds ratio [OR], 3.27; confidence interval [CI], 1.49–7.18; P = 0.003) and ESR > 15 mm/h (OR, 3.18; 95% CI, 2.13–4.74; P < 0.001) are independent predictors of PA. CONCLUSION: WBC count and ESR might be better predictors of PA in pediatric patients with appendicitis in the emergency department than the Alvarado score and CRP concentration.

Factors associated with administration of analgesics for children with forearm fracture

PURPOSE: Analgesia is essential for the treatment of children's fracture. We aimed to investigate the factors associated with administration of analgesics in children with forearm fracture. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of children (< 20 years) with forearm fracture who visited 2 tertiary hospital emergency departments from 2014 to 2015. We analyzed factors, such as gender, age, whether the mother accompanied the visit, visiting time and route, mechanism of injury, duration of symptoms, complicated fracture, manual reduction, surgery, and type and route of analgesics. We also performed logistic regression analysis to identify the factors associated with administration of analgesics. RESULTS: Of 179 children with forearm fracture, 48 (26.8%) were administered analgesics. These children showed older age, shorter duration of symptoms, and more frequent visit with their mothers, visit during the day, use of emergency medical services, and surgery. After logistic regression analysis, we found use of emergency medical service (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 8.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.16–24.08; P < 0.001), visit with the mother (OR, 6.23; 95% CI, 1.68–23.09; P = 0.006), age (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.05–1.32; P = 0.004), and duration of symptoms (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.986–0.999; P = 0.035) as the factors associated with administration of analgesics. CONCLUSION: The factors associated with administration of analgesics might be communicating skill-related factors, such as older age and shorter duration of symptoms. Children with poor communicating skill may need more aggressive analgesia in the emergency department.

Management of right main bronchial rupture with a double lumen endotracheal tube in a patient with blunt chest trauma

Tracheobronchial disruption is one of the most severe injuries caused by blunt chest trauma. It may cause airway obstruction and resulting life-threatening respiratory deficiency. However, the clinical presentations are variable and frequently difficult to diagnose. We report a case of a previously healthy 16-year-old man with complete right main bronchial transection sustained after a vehicular accident, who had progressive dyspnea, subcutaneous emphysema in the neck and anterior chest wall, and bilateral tension pneumothorax. Prompt chest tube drainage for suspected bilateral tension pneumothorax and a tracheal intubation were performed. Shortly after the positive pressure ventilation, severe subcutaneous emphysema developed and he was at risk for developing shock. Additional chest tubes were inserted. An emergency bronchoscopy showed rupture of the right main bronchus. After changing to a double lumen endotracheal tube, the patient’s condition improved. A surgical closure was performed and postoperative bronchoscopy showed good repair. The patient was discharged without complications.

Prospective Evaluation of the Diagnostic Scoring Systems for Acute Appendicitis

PURPOSE: Scoring systems such as the Modified Alvarado Score (MAS), Eskelinen score (ES), Lintula score (LS), nd Ohmann score (OS) can be helpful in the early diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA). We analyze and compare the diagnostic value of each scoring system and investigate the optimal cut off point. METHODS: A total of 62 adult patients admitted for suspicion of acute appendicitis in a tertiary hospital emergency department were analyzed prospectively. Each scoring system was calculated at admission and compared to the final diagnosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the appropriate cutoff scores of scoring systems. The sensitivity and specificity, and area under the ROC curve were calculated. RESULTS: The area under curve of the Ohmann score was higher than those of the other scoring systems (OS: 0.79, MAS: 0.73, ES: 0.65, LS: 0.67). In pairwise comparison of the ROC curve of two scoring systems, OS was found to have significantly higher predictive power than ES and LS. However, no difference was observed between MAS and OS. CONCLUSION: No single score may be used alone to dictate or decline surgery. However, the scoring system may provide helpful information for primary or emergency physicians to determine whether the patient should undergo surgical consultation may provide helpful information for use by primary or emergency physicians in determination of whether the patient should undergo surgical consultation.

The Prognostic Value of Alveolar-arterial Oxygen Gradient for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the ED

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of the alveolar-arterial (A-a) oxygen gradient for patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: A prospective study of patients with CAP in the ED was performed. Patients with clinical and a radiographic diagnosis of CAP were enrolled. Inflammatory biomarkers, such as WBC (white blood cell) count, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and A-a oxygen gradient were measured. The severity of CAP was assessed by three prediction rules: The Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI), CURB65 (confusion, blood urea nitrogen, respiratory rate, blood pressure and age> or =65 yrs), and the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) and American Thoracic Society (ATS) rules. The value of each biomarker (WBC, CRP, ESR) and A-a oxygen gradient for the prediction of mortality and CAP severity were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients with CAP were included. Sixteen patients, older and in the high-risk group, died within 30 days. Non-survivors had a significantly increased A-a oxygen gradient compared to survivors (91.20 vs. 46.71 mmHg, respectively; p<.01) and a high-sensitivity to C-reactive protein (158.57 vs. 91.28 mg/dL, respectively; p<.01). The median A-a oxygen gradient was significantly higher with severe disease based on the three prediction rules. In regression logistic analyses, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient was 0.807(95% confidence interval, 0.727-0.872). The addition of A-a oxygen gradient to the three prediction rules significantly increased the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that A-a oxygen gradient is useful for the prediction of mortality and disease severity among CAP patients in the ED. The A-a oxygen gradient, as an adjunct to CAP prediction rules, may be worth while for the assessment of prognosis and severity.

The Prognostic Value of Alveolar-arterial Oxygen Gradient for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the ED

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of the alveolar-arterial (A-a) oxygen gradient for patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: A prospective study of patients with CAP in the ED was performed. Patients with clinical and a radiographic diagnosis of CAP were enrolled. Inflammatory biomarkers, such as WBC (white blood cell) count, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and A-a oxygen gradient were measured. The severity of CAP was assessed by three prediction rules: The Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI), CURB65 (confusion, blood urea nitrogen, respiratory rate, blood pressure and age> or =65 yrs), and the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) and American Thoracic Society (ATS) rules. The value of each biomarker (WBC, CRP, ESR) and A-a oxygen gradient for the prediction of mortality and CAP severity were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients with CAP were included. Sixteen patients, older and in the high-risk group, died within 30 days. Non-survivors had a significantly increased A-a oxygen gradient compared to survivors (91.20 vs. 46.71 mmHg, respectively; p<.01) and a high-sensitivity to C-reactive protein (158.57 vs. 91.28 mg/dL, respectively; p<.01). The median A-a oxygen gradient was significantly higher with severe disease based on the three prediction rules. In regression logistic analyses, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient was 0.807(95% confidence interval, 0.727-0.872). The addition of A-a oxygen gradient to the three prediction rules significantly increased the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that A-a oxygen gradient is useful for the prediction of mortality and disease severity among CAP patients in the ED. The A-a oxygen gradient, as an adjunct to CAP prediction rules, may be worth while for the assessment of prognosis and severity.

Clinical Predictors of Abnormalities in Headache Patients as Confirmed by Three-Dimensional Computed Tomographic Angiography

PURPOSE: Headache patients with an alert mental state and normal neurologic examination findings who visit the emergency department (ED) should be differentially diagnosed for the presence of cerebral vessel disease. Hence, the purpose of this study was to analyze the abnormal three-dimensional cerebral computed tomographic angiography (3D-CTA) findings of mentally alert patients presenting headache, and investigate the clinical factors predictive of an intracranial abnormality. METHODS: A total of 227 patients visiting the ED presenting headache and possessing an alert mental status were enrolled in this study and examined by 3D-CTA from January 2008 to December 2008. We compared the results of the 3D-CTA and the final clinical diagnosis for each patient. The patient participants were divided into two groups: an abnormal group, as confirmed by 3D-CTA, and a non-abnormal group. We compared the vital signs, past hypertension history, clinical manifestations, and the clinical factors predictive of abnormality between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the total patients, 44 were identified with abnormal findings by non-enhanced CT, and 61 patients were identified with abnormal findings by 3D-CTA. SAH was found in 29 patients and unruptured aneurysm was discovered in 17 patients using 3D-CTA. The time interval between onset of headache to arrival at the ED was shorter in the SAH group (p=0.012), and sudden bursting headache was observed in 22 subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients (p<0.001). Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups for symptoms of nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness and seizure. According to the results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis, sudden bursting headache and neck stiffness were independent predictable variables that affected the abnormal 3D-CTA group. According to the results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis, sudden bursting headache and neck stiffness were independent predictable variables for the abnormal 3D-CTA group. CONCLUSION: Sudden bursting headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, and advanced age were independent predictable variables observed in the abnormal 3D-CTA group.

Clinical Predictors of Abnormalities in Headache Patients as Confirmed by Three-Dimensional Computed Tomographic Angiography

PURPOSE: Headache patients with an alert mental state and normal neurologic examination findings who visit the emergency department (ED) should be differentially diagnosed for the presence of cerebral vessel disease. Hence, the purpose of this study was to analyze the abnormal three-dimensional cerebral computed tomographic angiography (3D-CTA) findings of mentally alert patients presenting headache, and investigate the clinical factors predictive of an intracranial abnormality. METHODS: A total of 227 patients visiting the ED presenting headache and possessing an alert mental status were enrolled in this study and examined by 3D-CTA from January 2008 to December 2008. We compared the results of the 3D-CTA and the final clinical diagnosis for each patient. The patient participants were divided into two groups: an abnormal group, as confirmed by 3D-CTA, and a non-abnormal group. We compared the vital signs, past hypertension history, clinical manifestations, and the clinical factors predictive of abnormality between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the total patients, 44 were identified with abnormal findings by non-enhanced CT, and 61 patients were identified with abnormal findings by 3D-CTA. SAH was found in 29 patients and unruptured aneurysm was discovered in 17 patients using 3D-CTA. The time interval between onset of headache to arrival at the ED was shorter in the SAH group (p=0.012), and sudden bursting headache was observed in 22 subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients (p<0.001). Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups for symptoms of nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness and seizure. According to the results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis, sudden bursting headache and neck stiffness were independent predictable variables that affected the abnormal 3D-CTA group. According to the results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis, sudden bursting headache and neck stiffness were independent predictable variables for the abnormal 3D-CTA group. CONCLUSION: Sudden bursting headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, and advanced age were independent predictable variables observed in the abnormal 3D-CTA group.