Use of the National Early Warning Score for predicting in-hospital mortality in older adults admitted to the emergency department

Objective@#The National Early Warning Score (NEWS), based on the patients’ vital signs, detects clinical deterioration in critically ill patients and is used to reduce the incidence of in-hospital cardiac arrest. However, although mortality prediction based on vital signs may be difficult in older patients, the effectiveness of the NEWS has not yet been evaluated in this population. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that an elevated NEWS at admission increases the mortality risk in older patients admitted to the emergency department (ED). @*Methods@#We conducted a single-center retrospective study, including patients admitted to the ED between November 2016 and February 2017. We included patients aged >65 years who were admitted to the ED for any medical problem. The NEWS was calculated at the time of ED admission. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. @*Results@#In total, 3,169 patients were included in this study. Median age was 75 years (interquartile range [IQR], 70 to 80 years), and 1,557 (49.1%) patients were male. The in-hospital mortality rate was 5.1% (161 patients). Median NEWS was higher in non-survivors than in survivors (5 [IQR, 3–8] vs. 1 [IQR, 0–3], P65 years.

Outcome and status of postcardiac arrest care in Korea: results from the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry

Objective@#High-quality intensive care, including targeted temperature management (TTM) for patients with postcardiac arrest syndrome, is a key element for improving outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We aimed to assess the status of postcardiac arrest syndrome care, including TTM and 6-month survival with neurologically favorable outcomes, after adult OHCA patients were treated with TTM, using data from the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry. @*Methods@#We used the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry, a web-based multicenter registry that includes data from 22 participating hospitals throughout the Republic of Korea. Adult comatose OHCA survivors treated with TTM between October 2015 and December 2018 were included. The primary outcome was neurological outcome at 6 months. @*Results@#Of the 1,354 registered OHCA survivors treated with TTM, 550 (40.6%) survived 6 months, and 413 (30.5%) had good neurological outcomes. We identified 839 (62.0%) patients with preClinsumed cardiac etiology. A total of 937 (69.2%) collapses were witnessed, shockable rhythms were demonstrated in 482 (35.6%) patients, and 421 (31.1%) patients arrived at the emergency department with prehospital return of spontaneous circulation. The most common target temperature was 33°C, and the most common target duration was 24 hours. @*Conclusion@#The survival and good neurologic outcome rates of this prospective registry show great improvements compared with those of an earlier registry. While the optimal target temperature and duration are still unknown, the most common target temperature was 33°C, and the most common target duration was 24 hours.

Outcome and status of postcardiac arrest care in Korea: results from the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry

Objective@#High-quality intensive care, including targeted temperature management (TTM) for patients with postcardiac arrest syndrome, is a key element for improving outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We aimed to assess the status of postcardiac arrest syndrome care, including TTM and 6-month survival with neurologically favorable outcomes, after adult OHCA patients were treated with TTM, using data from the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry. @*Methods@#We used the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry, a web-based multicenter registry that includes data from 22 participating hospitals throughout the Republic of Korea. Adult comatose OHCA survivors treated with TTM between October 2015 and December 2018 were included. The primary outcome was neurological outcome at 6 months. @*Results@#Of the 1,354 registered OHCA survivors treated with TTM, 550 (40.6%) survived 6 months, and 413 (30.5%) had good neurological outcomes. We identified 839 (62.0%) patients with preClinsumed cardiac etiology. A total of 937 (69.2%) collapses were witnessed, shockable rhythms were demonstrated in 482 (35.6%) patients, and 421 (31.1%) patients arrived at the emergency department with prehospital return of spontaneous circulation. The most common target temperature was 33°C, and the most common target duration was 24 hours. @*Conclusion@#The survival and good neurologic outcome rates of this prospective registry show great improvements compared with those of an earlier registry. While the optimal target temperature and duration are still unknown, the most common target temperature was 33°C, and the most common target duration was 24 hours.

Hemoglobin concentration is associated with neurologic outcome after cardiac arrest in patients treated with targeted temperature management

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that hemoglobin concentration after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is associated with neurologic outcome after cardiac arrest in patients treated with targeted temperature management. METHODS: We studied consecutive adult patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest treated with targeted temperature management between January 2009 and December 2015. We investigated the association between post ROSC hemoglobin concentrations and good neurologic outcome (defined as Cerebral Performance Category of 1 and 2) at hospital discharge using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 246 subjects were ultimately included in this study. The mean age was 54 years (standard deviation, 17); 168 (68%) subjects were male. Eighty-seven (35%) subjects had a good neurologic outcome at hospital discharge. Hemoglobin concentrations were higher in the good outcome group than in the poor outcome group (14.4±2.0 vs. 12.8±2.5 g/dL, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hemoglobin concentrations were associated with good neurologic outcome at hospital discharge after adjusting for other confounding factors (adjusted odds ratio, 1.186; 95% confidence interval, 1.008 to 1.395). CONCLUSION: In post ROSC patients, hemoglobin concentrations after ROSC were associated with neurologic outcome at hospital discharge.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein/albumin ratio as a predictor of in-hospital mortality in older adults admitted to the emergency department

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that an elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)/albumin ratio at admission increases the risk of mortality in older patients admitted to the hospital via the emergency department (ED). METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to the ED with any medical problem between May 2013 and October 2013 who were older than 65 years. The hs-CRP and albumin levels were measured at the time of admission to the ED. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Multivariate logistic analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 811 patients were finally included in this study. The mean age was 76±7 years, and 438 subjects (54%) were male. The in-hospital mortality rate was 9.0% (73 patients). The hs-CRP/albumin ratio was higher in nonsurvivors than in survivors (34.2±37.6 vs. 16.2±25.5, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the hs-CRP/albumin ratio was associated with all-cause in-hospital mortality after adjusting for other confounding factors (odds ratio, 1.011; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.003 to 1.020). The prognostic value of the hs-CRP/albumin ratio for predicting mortality (area under the curve, 0.728; 95% CI, 0.696 to 0.758) was greater than that of hs-CRP alone (area under the curve, 0.706; 95% CI, 0.674 to 0.738; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The hs-CRP/albumin ratio at admission to the ED is associated with all-cause in-hospital mortality among patients older than 65 years. The hs-CRP/albumin ratio may serve as a surrogate marker of disease severity.

Part 1. The update process and highlights: 2015 Korean Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

No abstract available.

Part 4. Post-cardiac arrest care: 2015 Korean Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

No abstract available.

Trends of Intentional Poisoning: A Retrospective Single Center Study During 15 Years

PURPOSE: Intentional poisoning is a major public health issue in many parts of the world. This study was conducted to provide details regarding the epidemiology of intentional poisoning in a metropolitan emergency department and to identify the changing patterns and epidemiology of poisoning. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate intentional poisoning of patients who visited the emergency department in a tertiary teaching hospital between 2001 and 2015. All intentional poisoning-related emergency department visits over three five year periods (2001-2005 (P1), 2006-2010 (P2) and 2011-2015 (P3)) were reviewed to investigate trends in intentional poisoning patients. Information regarding patient sex, age, time from episode to admission, psychiatric history, type of intoxicants, alcohol co-ingestion, gastric lavage, charcoal administration, any previous suicide attempts, need for hospitalization and death before discharge was reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 1269 patients were enrolled in this study. The number of patients admitted during each period was P1=515, P2=439 and P3=315. Comparison of the three groups revealed significant differences according to age (p<0.001), psychiatric history (p<0.001), alcohol co-ingestion (p=0.013), gastric lavage (p<0.001), charcoal administration (p<0.001), need for hospitalization (p=0.044), repeated attempt (p<0.001) and type of intoxicants (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The average age of intentional poisoning patients has increased. While the use of sedatives and multiple drugs increased, the use of pesticides and the antihistamine decreased.

Trends of Intentional Poisoning: A Retrospective Single Center Study During 15 Years

PURPOSE: Intentional poisoning is a major public health issue in many parts of the world. This study was conducted to provide details regarding the epidemiology of intentional poisoning in a metropolitan emergency department and to identify the changing patterns and epidemiology of poisoning. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate intentional poisoning of patients who visited the emergency department in a tertiary teaching hospital between 2001 and 2015. All intentional poisoning-related emergency department visits over three five year periods (2001-2005 (P1), 2006-2010 (P2) and 2011-2015 (P3)) were reviewed to investigate trends in intentional poisoning patients. Information regarding patient sex, age, time from episode to admission, psychiatric history, type of intoxicants, alcohol co-ingestion, gastric lavage, charcoal administration, any previous suicide attempts, need for hospitalization and death before discharge was reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 1269 patients were enrolled in this study. The number of patients admitted during each period was P1=515, P2=439 and P3=315. Comparison of the three groups revealed significant differences according to age (p<0.001), psychiatric history (p<0.001), alcohol co-ingestion (p=0.013), gastric lavage (p<0.001), charcoal administration (p<0.001), need for hospitalization (p=0.044), repeated attempt (p<0.001) and type of intoxicants (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The average age of intentional poisoning patients has increased. While the use of sedatives and multiple drugs increased, the use of pesticides and the antihistamine decreased.

Factors Associated with False-positive ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Activated by Emergency Physician

PURPOSE: Rapid activation of the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) is fundamental in the treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and it is recommended that emergency department physicians activate CCL as soon as possible, however false positive activation is a major concern. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between false positive activation and clinical factors available at the time of diagnosis. METHODS: All subjects with CCL activation by an emergency physician between August 2009 and May 2012 were included in this study. False-positive CCL activation was defined as absence of a clear culprit lesion on coronary angiography or by assessment of electrocardiographic and biomarker data in the absence of angiography. RESULTS: Of 222 STEMI activations by emergency physicians, 55 (25%) were false-positive STEMI. Coronary spasm, cardiomyopathy, known CAD, and heart failure were the most common diagnoses among false-positive STEMI. A history of cardiomyopathy (adjusted odds ratio, 13.393; 95% CI, 2.550-70.334; p=0.002), systolic blood pressure<100 mmHg at presentation (adjusted odds ratio, 2.817; 95% CI, 1.129-7.026; p=0.026), no chest pain on admission (adjusted odds ratio, 2.460; 95% CI, 1.162-5.209; p=0.019), and prior coronary disease (adjusted odds ratio, 3.966; 95% CI, 1.828-8.606; p<0.001) independently increased the odds of false-positive STEMI activations. CONCLUSION: False-positive CCL activations were relatively common according to the definition in this study. Various patient-level characteristics were significantly associated with false-positive CCL activation.

The Relation between Coagulation Profile Test and Outcome in Survivors who were Treated with Therapeutic Hypothermia after Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to clarify the clinical significance of coagulation factor as a prognostic tool in patients with cardiac arrest treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH). METHODS: We designed a retrospective case review study in one university hospital. All adult patients who suffered cardiac arrest from December 2011 to February 2014 were considered for inclusion in the study. Patients who did not undergo TH were excluded from the analysis. Patients with any hematologic disorder were also excluded. Patients were divided into two groups, the good outcome group and the poor outcome group depending on the final cerebral performance category (CPC). Serum D-dimer, FDP, PT, aPTT, anti-thrombin III, fibrinogen, Troponin T, CK-MB, Troponin-I, DIC score, NSE, and S-100 were taken within one hour after ROSC. Logistic regression was used for multivariable analysis. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients were included; 22 in the good outcome group, 70 in the poor outcome group. The median serum PT, aPTT, FDP, fibrinogen, and D-dimer levels were grossly elevated in the poor outcome group. Only serum PT, D-dimer level showed significant association with poor outcome (PT: OR=1.577; 95% CI=1.08-17.49, D-dimer: OR=1.577; 95% CI=1.06-2.33). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) of PT, D-dimer, and S-100 for prediction of poor outcome was 0.822 (95% CI=0.72-0.89), 0.68 (95% CI=0.57-0.77), and 0.811 (95% CI=0.70-0.89), respectively. Other factors were not associated with prognosis. CONCLUSION: Increased PT and D-dimer levels are significantly associated with poor outcome. PT and D-dimer values have potential for use as new prognostic predictors along with the current prognostic factor, S-100 protein.

Adequacy of Videos for Adult Basic Life Support in a Portal Site of Korea

PURPOSE: Prompt initiation of effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation is underlined in the guideline. Many people search health-related information on the internet. The objective of this study was to evaluate the content and quality of videos for adult basic life support (BLS) on the internet. METHODS: We searched 'Daum' for the term 'CPR' in Korean. Videos dealing with BLS over 5 sequences were included. Videos inserted in the news and drama or used for advertisement or entertainment, or which only contained pediatric BLS were excluded. Two emergency physicians analyzed videos using a standardized checklist. RESULTS: Of 1,600 videos, 32 met the inclusion criteria, except for duplicate videos. More than 90% of videos showed appropriate demonstration for check response, activate emergency response system, correct hand placement, minimize interruptions in chest compression, 30:2 compression to ventilation ratio, open airway, and deliver rescue breath; 13 (40.6%) and 12 (37.5%) videos demonstrated 'call for automated external defibrillator (AED)' and 'apply AED', respectively; 25 (78.1%), 23 (71.9%), and 27 (84.4%) videos showed correct demonstration for chest compression rate and depth, and complete chest recoil, respectively; 6 (18.8%) and 10 (31.3%) videos contained instructions for 'complete chest recoil' and 'minimize interruptions in chest compression', respectively. Only 2 (6.3%) videos dealt with hands-only CPR. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of educational videos for adult BLS contained basic sequence of BLS, except for 'call for AED' and 'apply AED'. There is a lack of instruction for high-quality CPR, particularly for minimizing interruptions in chest compression and complete chest recoil, and hands-only CPR.

Effect of Rapid Administration Time to Analgesia on Adequate Pain Relief in the Emergency Department

PURPOSE: Patients presenting to an emergency department (ED) with pain related complaint continue to experience significant delay to analgesia. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the associations of adequate pain relief with analgesia and time to analgesia with ED length of stay. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of real time data collected from the ED. We included all consecutive patients age 18 years and above with acute painful conditions during May 2013 to June 2013. We evaluated numerical rating scale (NRS) in patients with pain on admission to the ED and re-evaluated NRS at 30 minutes after analgesia administration. Adequate pain relief was defined as reduction of 50% or more of the initial pain score. RESULTS: A total of 560 patients met our inclusion criteria. Mean age was 44.7 years old and 52.7% were men; 13.6% of the patients were admitted with trauma. Among them, there were significant differences in terms of the proportion of male sex and NRS between those with time to analgesia within 30 minutes and beyond. In multivariate logistic analysis, trauma, higher initial NRS and time to analgesia within 30 minutes showed association with adequate pain relief (OR=2.77, 1.14 and 1.84 respectively). CONCLUSION: In our study, male and patients who had higher initial NRS showed association with rapid analgesia administration. In addition, trauma, higher initial NRS, single use of analgesia, chest pain and time to analgesia within 30 minutes showed association with adequate pain relief in the emergency department.

Predictive Variables of Pneumonia Among Adult Submersion Victims without Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest

PURPOSE: Pneumonia is a serious and relatively common complication among submersion victims without out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors of pneumonia among adult submersion victims without OHCA. METHODS: All adult submersion victims without OHCA who visited our hospital between 2004 and 2013 were included. This study was conducted retrospectively, with collection of data by review of medical records. Among total submersion victims (310 patients), 191 patients did not suffer OHCA. We investigated the characteristics of the patients and classified them according to two groups based on the presence of pneumonia. We then compared clinical variables between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 191 adult submersion patients without OHCA; 157 patients did not have pneumonia during their hospital stay; 34 patients had pneumonia. In respective analysis, alert mentality, pH and core temperature showed correlation with pneumonia. However, in logistic regression analysis with these 3 variables, only pH was a risk factor of pneumonia. All patients with pneumonia except one were discharged with full recovery. CONCLUSION: The risk of pneumonia among adult submersion victims without OHCA is higher when the lower pH is checked. Further studies are needed in order to evaluate the other risk factors of pneumonia for early prediction and proper management.

Red Cell Distribution width in Older Patients with Community-acquired Pneumonia in the Emergency Department

PURPOSE: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a quantitative measure of variability in the size of circulating erythrocytes. Recent studies have shown that higher RDW is associated with increased mortality risk in patients with several diseases. In particular, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a prevalent and potentially life-threatening infection and has poor prognosis in older patients. We investigated the association of RDW in older patients with CAP. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis study during the period from May, 2013 to October, 2013. Patients older than 65 who were treated with CAP in our emergency department were included in this study. We divided the two groups by RDW 14.5%, the best cutoff value for mortality by receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. APACHE II, SOFA, PSI Class, and CURB 65 were calculated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for mortality. RESULTS: A total of 569 patients were analyzed and overall mortality was 10.2%. Mean age was 76.7 years and range of RDW was 10.5%~26.2%. There were 208 patients above 14.5%. Significant differences in in-hospital mortality were observed between the two groups (15.0% vs. 22.1%, respectively). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, RDW>14.5% showed an association with mortality (OR=2.08, 95% CI 1.03-4.19). In ROC analysis, area under the curve of RDW was 0.716 (95%CI, 0.677-0.753). CONCLUSION: RDW at admission is associated with in-hospital mortality in older patients with CAP; and it might be a prognostic marker for mortality of CAP in older patients in the emergency department.

Mid-Term Effects of Tertiary Hospital Beds Expansion on Emergency Department Overcrowding

PURPOSE: Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is recognized as a major concern not only because it is associated with patient dissatisfaction, but also because it impinges on quality of care. The goal of this study is to evaluate the mid-term effects of hospital bed capacity expansion on overcrowding in the emergency department for two years. METHODS: This was a pre-post study conducted using administrative data from the ED. On May 1st, 2011, the hospital licensed beds were expanded from 1150 to 1300. Data from one year of the pre-expansion period (May 1st, 2010 to April 30th, 2011) and two years of post-expansion were divided into two periods; early period and late period were included for this analysis. In these periods, we calculated the National Emergency Department Overcrowding Scale (NEDOCS) and occupancy rate at the same time of every day. The main outcomes included length of stay (LOS) in the ED and NEDOCS. RESULTS: A total of 177,766 patients were included. The mean number of daily ED patients was increased; 156.3+/-32.5 in the pre-expansion period, 162.5+/-32.5 and 167.9+/-32.4 in the early and late post-expansion periods, respectively (p<0.001). In multivariate linear regression analysis, hospital bed expansion, the number of admission hold patients, age, number of admission patients and operating rate of hospital beds showed association with mean ED LOS (coefficient=-82.9, 2.7, 6.4, 11.4 and 5.4 respectively, R2=0.628, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Expansion of hospital beds could be helpful in resolving ED overcrowding for at least two years.

Outcome and Current Status of Therapeutic Hypothermia Following Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest in Korea from the Korea Hypothermia Network Registry

PURPOSE: Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has become a standard strategy for reducing brain damage in the postresuscitation period. The aim of this study is to investigate the outcomes and current performance of TH with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors through the Korean hypothermia network (KORHN) registry. METHODS: We used the KORHN registry, a web-based, multicenter registry that includes 24 participating hospitals throughout the Republic of Korea. Adult comatose OHCA survivors treated with TH from 2007 to 2012 were included. The primary outcomes were neurologic outcome at hospital discharge and in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcomes were TH performance and adverse events during TH. RESULTS: A total of 930 patients were included; of these, 556 (59.8%) patients survived to discharge and 249 (26.8%) were discharged with good neurologic outcomes. The median time from return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) to the start of TH was 101 (interquartile range (IQR): 46-200) minutes. The induction, maintenance, and rewarming durations were 150 (IQR: 80-267) minutes, 1440 (IQR: 1290-1440) minutes, and 708 (IQR: 420-900) minutes, respectively. The time from the ROSC to coronary angiography was 1,045 (IQR: 121-12,051) hours. Hyperglycemia (46.3%) was the most frequent adverse event. CONCLUSION: Over one quarter of OHCA survivors (26.8%) were discharged with good neurologic outcome. TH performance was managed appropriately in terms of the factors related to the timing of TH, which were the start time for cooling and the rewarming duration.

The Prognostic Value of 20-minute Spot Electroencephalography within 72 hr after Resuscitation for Comatose Cardiac Arrest Survivors Treated with Therapeutic Hypothermia

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the utility of 20-minute spot electroencephalography (sEEG) for prognostication in patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study using a prospectively collected hypothermia registry conducted at a single tertiary hospital over three years. We included patients who were monitored by sEEG within three days after resuscitation. We evaluated the prognostic value of continuous activity pattern (diffuse slowing or normal wave) for good outcome predictor and malignant pattern (epileptiform, burst suppression, and isoelectric pattern) for poor outcome predictors during hypothermia and normothermia period. RESULTS: Of 98 patients, continuous activity was displayed in 45 patients. Of these, 27 were included in the good outcome group, resulting in a positive predictive value (PPV) of 60.0% (sensitivity and specificity of 100.0 and 74.6%, respectively). Malignant patterns resulted in a PPV of 100.0% for poor outcomes (sensitivity and specificity of 35.2% and 100.0%, respectively). Continuous activity during hypothermia showed better prognostic performance for good outcome than those during normothermia (area under the curve (AUC)=0.900 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.825-0.975) and AUC=0.827 (95% CI 0.692-0.962), respectively). For the poor outcome prediction, the AUC was 0.712 (95% CI 0.536-0.887) for malignant patterns during normothermia, and 0.656 (95% CI 0.522-0.789) for those during hypothermia. CONCLUSION: For patients treated with TH, continuous activity on sEEG, particularly during hypothermia, could contribute to the prediction of good outcomes with high specificity. Epileptiform discharge, burst suppression, and isoelectric patterns accurately predicted poor outcomes in this cohort.

A Comprehensive Combination Method for Cooling Induction After Cardiac Arrest: A Clinical Feasibility Study

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cooling efficacy and safety of a comprehensive combination method for cooling induction in post-cardiac arrest patients. METHODS: Adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients cooled using combination methods in a tertiary teaching hospital from January 2009 to June 2011were enrolled in the study. Patients were placed into one of two groups: 1) a typical combination (combination I) group, in which cold saline infusion, ice bags,and endovascular cooling were applied, and 2) acomprehensive combination (combination II) group, in which cold saline infusion, ice bags, endovascular cooling, skin exposure, and fanning with ice-water massage were applied. The time from cardiac arrest, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and cooling start to 34degrees C, as well asadverse events during cooling, were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-two out of 125(34%) of OHCA patients with ROSC were cooled usingcombination methods. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the two combination groups. The time [median (IQR)] from arrest, ROSC, and cooling to 34degrees C of the combination II group were significantly shorter than those of the combination I group [215 min(range 156~270 min) vs. 320 min (range 263-385) for median IQR, p=.002; 189 min (range 135-220 min) vs. 288 min (range 227-358 min) for ROSC, p=.002; 150min (range 120-180 min) vs. 210 min (range 180-260 min) for cooling to 34degrees C, p=.030, respectively]. There were no statistical differences in adverse events during and after cooling induction between the two groups. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive combination cooling method is feasible and capable of reducing the induction time for endovascular cooling in post-cardiac arrest patients.

A Comprehensive Combination Method for Cooling Induction After Cardiac Arrest: A Clinical Feasibility Study

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cooling efficacy and safety of a comprehensive combination method for cooling induction in post-cardiac arrest patients. METHODS: Adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients cooled using combination methods in a tertiary teaching hospital from January 2009 to June 2011were enrolled in the study. Patients were placed into one of two groups: 1) a typical combination (combination I) group, in which cold saline infusion, ice bags,and endovascular cooling were applied, and 2) acomprehensive combination (combination II) group, in which cold saline infusion, ice bags, endovascular cooling, skin exposure, and fanning with ice-water massage were applied. The time from cardiac arrest, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and cooling start to 34degrees C, as well asadverse events during cooling, were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-two out of 125(34%) of OHCA patients with ROSC were cooled usingcombination methods. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the two combination groups. The time [median (IQR)] from arrest, ROSC, and cooling to 34degrees C of the combination II group were significantly shorter than those of the combination I group [215 min(range 156~270 min) vs. 320 min (range 263-385) for median IQR, p=.002; 189 min (range 135-220 min) vs. 288 min (range 227-358 min) for ROSC, p=.002; 150min (range 120-180 min) vs. 210 min (range 180-260 min) for cooling to 34degrees C, p=.030, respectively]. There were no statistical differences in adverse events during and after cooling induction between the two groups. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive combination cooling method is feasible and capable of reducing the induction time for endovascular cooling in post-cardiac arrest patients.