Clinically Significant Monocyte Biomarker for Differential Diagnosis of COVID-19 Pneumonia in the Emergency Department / 계명의대학술지

Objectives@#To determine basic patient characteristics and biomarkers to help in the early diagnosis of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia in patients with pneumonia who visited the emergency department (ED). @*Methods@#This retrospective study evaluated patients diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) or COVID-19 pneumonia in ED at four tertiary medical centers between February 1 and March 31, 2020. Parameters related to the differential diagnosis between CAP and COVID-19 were investigated. Clinical characteristics and laboratory results of biomarkers were analyzed. @*Results@#In total, 81 patients presented to the ED with COVID-19 pneumonia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that monocyte count [odds ratio (OR): 0.996; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.994–0.999] and pneumonia severity index (PSI) [OR: 1.025; 95% CI: 1.002–1.049] were associated with diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. The area under the curve comprising the combination of monocyte and PSI was 0.789. @*Conclusion@#Differential diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia from pneumonia patients who visited the emergency room can be made by monocyte count and PSI score.

Clinically Significant Monocyte Biomarker for Differential Diagnosis of COVID-19 Pneumonia in the Emergency Department / 계명의대학술지

Objectives@#To determine basic patient characteristics and biomarkers to help in the early diagnosis of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia in patients with pneumonia who visited the emergency department (ED). @*Methods@#This retrospective study evaluated patients diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) or COVID-19 pneumonia in ED at four tertiary medical centers between February 1 and March 31, 2020. Parameters related to the differential diagnosis between CAP and COVID-19 were investigated. Clinical characteristics and laboratory results of biomarkers were analyzed. @*Results@#In total, 81 patients presented to the ED with COVID-19 pneumonia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that monocyte count [odds ratio (OR): 0.996; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.994–0.999] and pneumonia severity index (PSI) [OR: 1.025; 95% CI: 1.002–1.049] were associated with diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. The area under the curve comprising the combination of monocyte and PSI was 0.789. @*Conclusion@#Differential diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia from pneumonia patients who visited the emergency room can be made by monocyte count and PSI score.

Rhabdomyolysis with Acute Kidney Injury Successfully Treated with External Cooling / 계명의대학술지

Hyperthermia can cause severe complications such as rhabdomyolysis, which can induce acute kidney injury. Normal thermoregulation can be disturbed by high fever, and maintenance of a normal body temperature by external cooling can reduce oxygen consumption, and increase vascular tone. Several studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of external cooling in treat rhabdomyolysis or renal failure. We report a case of rhabdomyolysis leading to multiple organ dysfunction, including renal failure. The use of an external cooling device achieved fever control and successfully treated rhabdomyolysis and renal failure.

Acute Respiratory Distress Due to Methane Inhalation / 결핵및호흡기질환

Inhalation of toxic gases can lead to pneumonitis. It has been known that methane gas intoxication causes loss of consciousness or asphyxia. There is, however, a paucity of information about acute pulmonary toxicity from methane gas inhalation. A 21-year-old man was presented with respiratory distress after an accidental exposure to methane gas for one minute. He came in with a drowsy mentality and hypoxemia. Mechanical ventilation was applied immediately. The patient's symptoms and chest radiographic findings were consistent with acute pneumonitis. He recovered spontaneously and was discharged after 5 days without other specific treatment. His pulmonary function test, 4 days after methane gas exposure, revealed a restrictive ventilatory defect. In conclusion, acute pulmonary injury can occur with a restrictive ventilator defect after a short exposure to methane gas. The lung injury was spontaneously resolved without any significant sequela.

Factors Related to Exertional Oxygen Desaturation in Patients with COPD / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: The causes of exertional desaturation in patients with COPD can be multifactorial. We aimed to investigate factors predict exertional desaturation in patients with moderate to severe COPD. METHODS: We tested 51 consecutive patients with stable COPD (FEV1/FVC, 40+/-13% predicted). Patients performed a six minute walk test (6MWT). Pulse oxymetric saturation (SpO2) and pulse rate were recorded. RESULTS: Oxygen desaturation was found in 15 subjects after 6MWT, while 36 subjects were not desaturated. Lung diffusing capacity was significantly lower in desaturation (DS) group (62+/-18% predicted) compared with not desaturated (ND) group (84+/-20, p<0.01). However there was no statistical difference of FEV1/FVC ratio or residual volume between two groups. The pulse rate change was significantly higher in the desaturated compared with the not desaturated group. Six minute walking distance, subjective dyspnea scale, airflow obstruction, and residual volume did not predict exertional oxygen desaturation. Independent factors assessed by multiple logistic regression revealed that a pulse rate increment (odd ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01~1.40; p=0.02), a decrease in baseline PaO2 (OR, 1.105; 95% CI, 1.003~1.218; p=0.04) and a decrease in lung diffusing capacity (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01~1.19; p=0.01) were significantly associated with oxygen desaturation. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that an absolute increment in pulse rate of 16/min gave optimal discrimination between desaturated and not desaturated patients after 6MWT. CONCLUSION: Pulse rate increment and diffusion capacity can predict exertional oxygen desaturation in stable COPD patients with moderate to severe airflow obstruction.

The Effect of Warm Irrigation Fluid on Body Temperature during Laparoscopic Surgery in Gynecologic Patients / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Perioperative hypothermia is a common problem during both laparotomy and laparoscopic surgery. Hypothermia during laparoscopic surgery is related to the use of irrigation fluid and the large volume of CO2 for maintaining pneumoperitoneum. The aim of this study is to estimate whether the use of warm irrigation fluid can reduce the incidence of hypothermia and the decrease of body temperature. METHODS: Forty-two female patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (n = 20) was given an ambient temperature irrigation fluid and group 2 (n = 22) a warm irrigation fluid. The core esophageal body temperatures of all the patients were measured every 10 minutes for 70 minutes. Body temperature 10 minutes after induction was a control value. The degree of body temperature decrease was measured, and the incidence of hypothermia was recorded. RESULTS: The incidences of hypothermia in group 2 were decreased significantly 60 and 70 minutes after induction, compared with those of group 1. The degree of body temperature decrease was revealed to be significantly different between the two groups starting 50 minutes after induction. CONCLUSIONS: The use of warm irrigation fluid during laparoscopic surgery can reduce the incidence of hypothermia and degree of body temperature decrease.

The Effect of Warm Irrigation Fluid on Body Temperature during Laparoscopic Surgery in Gynecologic Patients / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Perioperative hypothermia is a common problem during both laparotomy and laparoscopic surgery. Hypothermia during laparoscopic surgery is related to the use of irrigation fluid and the large volume of CO2 for maintaining pneumoperitoneum. The aim of this study is to estimate whether the use of warm irrigation fluid can reduce the incidence of hypothermia and the decrease of body temperature. METHODS: Forty-two female patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (n = 20) was given an ambient temperature irrigation fluid and group 2 (n = 22) a warm irrigation fluid. The core esophageal body temperatures of all the patients were measured every 10 minutes for 70 minutes. Body temperature 10 minutes after induction was a control value. The degree of body temperature decrease was measured, and the incidence of hypothermia was recorded. RESULTS: The incidences of hypothermia in group 2 were decreased significantly 60 and 70 minutes after induction, compared with those of group 1. The degree of body temperature decrease was revealed to be significantly different between the two groups starting 50 minutes after induction. CONCLUSIONS: The use of warm irrigation fluid during laparoscopic surgery can reduce the incidence of hypothermia and degree of body temperature decrease.

A Study of Epidural Droperidol Dosage for Reducing Nausea, Vomiting and Pruritus Due to Epidural Morphine and Fentanyl in Epidural Pain Management of Patients Undergoing Vaginal Total Hysterectomy / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Epidural pain control has been used extensively for postoperative pain management, but nausea, vomiting and pruritus associated with morphine and fentanyl administration remain intractable problems. The aim of this study is to find the optimal epidural droperidol dosage for reducing the side effects of epidural morphine and fentanyl. METHODS: 140 patients randomly sampled and undergoing vaginal total hysterectomy were divided into 7 groups. Groups I and IV, and groups II and V, and groups III and VI, received 5 mg, 3.75 mg, 2.5 mg of droperidol by 2-day infusion pump through the indwelling epidural catheter, respectively. Group IV, V, VI patients received 1.25 mg of bolus droperidol through the indwelling epidural catheter at the time of peritoneal closure. As group VII was the control group, these patients received only epidural analgesics (morphine 10 mg, fentanyl citrate 300 microgram and 0.05% bupivacaine 100 ml) by 2-day infusion pump. RESULTS: Droperidol significantly reduced the incidence and severity of postoperative nausea, vomiting and itching sensation compared with the control group but verbal rating scale (VRS) of sedation was increased with the dosage of droperidol. There was no significant difference in the intensity of analgesia between the there groups. CONCLUSIONS: An effective epidural droperidol dosage for reducing postoperative nausea, vomiting and pruritus due to epidural pain control is 2.5 mg by 2-day infusion pump.

A Study of Epidural Droperidol Dosage for Reducing Nausea, Vomiting and Pruritus Due to Epidural Morphine and Fentanyl in Epidural Pain Management of Patients Undergoing Vaginal Total Hysterectomy / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Epidural pain control has been used extensively for postoperative pain management, but nausea, vomiting and pruritus associated with morphine and fentanyl administration remain intractable problems. The aim of this study is to find the optimal epidural droperidol dosage for reducing the side effects of epidural morphine and fentanyl. METHODS: 140 patients randomly sampled and undergoing vaginal total hysterectomy were divided into 7 groups. Groups I and IV, and groups II and V, and groups III and VI, received 5 mg, 3.75 mg, 2.5 mg of droperidol by 2-day infusion pump through the indwelling epidural catheter, respectively. Group IV, V, VI patients received 1.25 mg of bolus droperidol through the indwelling epidural catheter at the time of peritoneal closure. As group VII was the control group, these patients received only epidural analgesics (morphine 10 mg, fentanyl citrate 300 microgram and 0.05% bupivacaine 100 ml) by 2-day infusion pump. RESULTS: Droperidol significantly reduced the incidence and severity of postoperative nausea, vomiting and itching sensation compared with the control group but verbal rating scale (VRS) of sedation was increased with the dosage of droperidol. There was no significant difference in the intensity of analgesia between the there groups. CONCLUSIONS: An effective epidural droperidol dosage for reducing postoperative nausea, vomiting and pruritus due to epidural pain control is 2.5 mg by 2-day infusion pump.

Hydrothorax and Inadvertent Administration of Thiopental Sodium Following Malpositioned Internal Jugular Vein Catheter: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

A 53-year-old female admitted for multiple rib fracture, hemoptysis and dyspnea due to traffic accident. High resonance CT of the chest revealed bronchiectasis in left lower lobe. She presented for left lower lobectomy with the consent of her. A day before the operation, right internal jugular vein catheter was placed using anterior approach, and free blood flow was achieved. 2 hours after the procedure, she complained of mild chest pain and dyspnea but it was thought to reflect the rib fracture, and then 2 liters of fluid was administered through internal jugular vein catheter. Conducting anesthesia, thiopental sodium and succinylcholine chloride was administered through this route. But loss of consciousness of the patient didn't occur. The chest x-ray taken in OR showed hydrothorax on right pleural cavity.