Antifactor Xa Levels in Critically Ill Korean Patients Receiving Enoxaparin for Thromboprophylaxis: A Prospective Observational Study

The aim of this study was to investigate antifactor Xa (aFXa) levels after once daily dose of 40 mg of enoxaparin and to evaluate factors influencing aFXa levels among Korean intensive care unit (ICU) patients. This prospective observational study was conducted between August and December 2011 in medical ICUs at Samsung Medical Center. AFXa levels between 0.1 and 0.3 U/mL were considered to be effective for antithrombotic activity. Fifty-five patients were included. The median aFXa levels were 0.22 (IQR 0.17-0.26) at 4 hr, 0.06 (IQR 0.02-0.1) at 12 hr, and 0 U/mL (IQR 0-0.03) at 24 hr. The numbers of patients showing effective antithrombotic aFXa levels were 48 (87.3%), 18 (32.7%), and 0 (0%) at 4, 12 and 24 hr, respectively. At 12 hr, higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores and hyperbilirubinemia were significantly associated with low aFXa levels (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.36-0.93; P = 0.02 and 0.06; 0.003-0.87; 0.04, respectively). Once daily dose of 40 mg of enoxaparin is inadequate for maintaining effective antithrombotic aFXa levels, and the inadequacy is more salient for patients with high SOFA scores and hyperbilirubinemia.

External Validation of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II in Korean Intensive Care Units

PURPOSE: This study was designed to validate the usefulness of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II for predicting hospital mortality of critically ill Korean patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data on 826 patients who had been admitted to nine intensive care units and were included in the Fever and Antipyretics in Critical Illness Evaluation study cohort. RESULTS: Among the patients enrolled, 62% (512/826) were medical and 38% (314/826) were surgical patients. The median APACHE II score was 17 (11 to 23 interquartile range), and the hospital mortality rate was 19.5%. Age, underlying diseases, medical patients, mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement therapy were independently associated with hospital mortality. The calibration of APACHE II was poor (H=57.54, p<0.0001; C=55.99, p<0.0001), and the discrimination was modest [area under the receiver operating characteristic (aROC)=0.729]. Calibration was poor for both medical and surgical patients (H=63.56, p<0.0001; C=73.83, p<0.0001, and H=33.92, p<0.0001; C=33.34, p=0.0001, respectively), while discrimination was poor for medical patients (aROC=0.651) and modest for surgical patients (aROC=0.704). At the predicted risk of 50%, APACHE II had a sensitivity of 36.6% and a specificity of 87.4% for hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: For Koreans, the APACHE II exhibits poor calibration and modest discrimination for hospital mortality. Therefore, a new model is needed to accurately predict mortality in critically ill Korean patients.

Airway Obstruction and Respiratory Failure Due to Aspergillus Tracheobronchitis / 대한구급학회지

Invasive aspergillosis is a serious threat and a leading cause of death in immunocompromised patients. Aspergillus tracheobronchitis is an infrequent but severe form of invasive pulmonary aspergillos in which the fungal infection is entirely or predominantly confined to the tracheobronchial tree. We report an extraordinary case of acute airway obstruction and respiratory failure due to Aspergillus tracheobronchitis in an immunocompromised patient. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed extensive obstruction of both the main and lobar bronchus with yellowish nodules strongly adhered to the bronchial wall; both histologic examination and culture of these nodules revealed Aspergillus fumigatus. Even with early detection of an intraluminal growth of Aspergillus and prompt institution of antifungal therapy, the patient died of refractory hypoxemia a few days later. This report shows that Aspergillus tracheobronchitis should be considered in immunocompromised patients with suspected lung infection even when the main radiographic finding is atelectasis.

Prognostic Factors for Endotracheal Silicone Stenting in the Management of Inoperable Post-Intubation Tracheal Stenosis

PURPOSE: Stenting has been developed to deal with airway stenosis and is applicable in patients with post-intubation tracheal stenosis (PITS) in whom surgery would not be indicated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic factors in inoperable patients in whom a silicone stent was inserted due to PITS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 55 PITS patients undergoing silicone stenting between January 2001 and December 2009. RESULTS: Silicone stent was inserted to narrowed trachea after the combination of pre-dilatation including laser cauterization, mechanical bougienation and ballooning. Following airway stabilization, the stent could be removed successfully in 40% (22/55) of the patients after median 12 months of stenting. However, in 60% (33/55) of patients, the stent could not be removed successfully and surgical management was needed after initial stabilization. Multivariate analysis revealed that the stent could be successfully removed more frequently in those who do not have cardiovascular disease [odds ratio (OR)=12.195; p=0.036] and the intervention was performed within 6 months after intubation (OR=13.029; p=0.031). CONCLUSION: Among those patients undergoing silicone stenting due to PITS, the stent could be successfully removed when patients do not have cardiovascular disease and stented within 6 months after intubation.

The Incidence, Causes, and Prognostic Significance of New-Onset Thrombocytopenia in Intensive Care Units: A Prospective Cohort Study in a Korean Hospital

This study was designed to investigate the incidence, causes, and outcomes of new-onset thrombocytopenia (NOT) in Korean intensive care units (ICUs). A prospective cohort study was conducted in medical ICUs of Samsung Medical Center between August 2010 and February 2011. All newly admitted patients were included if they stayed in the ICU for more than 48 hr and did not have thrombocytopenia upon admission. A total of 186 patients were included. NOT developed in 37.1%. Most common cause of NOT was sepsis with disseminated intravascular coagulation (66.7%), followed by drug-induced thrombocytopenia (18.8%), and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (2.9%). IgG-specific antibody to platelet factor 4/heparin was positive in 2.4% among patients treated with heparin, and thrombosis occurred in two patients. Twenty eight-day mortality was higher in patients that developed NOT compared to those that did not develop NOT (39.1% vs 12%, P < 0.001). NOT increased the odds ratio of 28-day mortality and was an independent risk factor for mortality (OR 3.52; 95% CI 1.32-9.38; P = 0.012). In conclusion, NOT is common and is an independent risk factor for mortality in Korean ICU patients. Therefore, clinicians should make every effort to correct the causes of NOT.

The Incidence, Causes, and Prognostic Significance of New-Onset Thrombocytopenia in Intensive Care Units: A Prospective Cohort Study in a Korean Hospital

This study was designed to investigate the incidence, causes, and outcomes of new-onset thrombocytopenia (NOT) in Korean intensive care units (ICUs). A prospective cohort study was conducted in medical ICUs of Samsung Medical Center between August 2010 and February 2011. All newly admitted patients were included if they stayed in the ICU for more than 48 hr and did not have thrombocytopenia upon admission. A total of 186 patients were included. NOT developed in 37.1%. Most common cause of NOT was sepsis with disseminated intravascular coagulation (66.7%), followed by drug-induced thrombocytopenia (18.8%), and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (2.9%). IgG-specific antibody to platelet factor 4/heparin was positive in 2.4% among patients treated with heparin, and thrombosis occurred in two patients. Twenty eight-day mortality was higher in patients that developed NOT compared to those that did not develop NOT (39.1% vs 12%, P < 0.001). NOT increased the odds ratio of 28-day mortality and was an independent risk factor for mortality (OR 3.52; 95% CI 1.32-9.38; P = 0.012). In conclusion, NOT is common and is an independent risk factor for mortality in Korean ICU patients. Therefore, clinicians should make every effort to correct the causes of NOT.

Favorable Outcomes in Septic Shock Patients without Hyperlactatemia or Severe Organ Failure / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: Septic shock is a pathophysiologic state of circulatory failure with tissue hypoperfusion. However, it is usually defined as sepsis-induced hypotension not responding to fluid resuscitation, regardless of the objective findings of tissue hypoperfusion such as lactic acidosis or organ failures. Numerous patients with sepsis-induced hypotension present to the emergency department without hyperlactemia or severe organ failure. Hence, we investigated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with septic shock according to the presence of hyperlactatemia or significant organ failure. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study of adult patients presenting with septic shock in the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital between August 2008 and July 2010. Initial serum lactate was categorized low ( or =2.5 mmol/L). Organ failure was assessed by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. Primary outcome measurement was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 227 patients were enrolled. There were 88 (38.8%) patients in the low lactate group, and 139 (61.2%) patients in the high lactate group. Patients with low lactate levels showed a lower mortality rate (6.8% compared with 25.1% of those with high lactate level). The low lactate group showed less rapid heart rate, less severe organ failures and shorter length of stay in the intensive care unit. During the early goal-directed therapy, they required a smaller amount of fluid administration and a lower dose of norepinephrine although other hemodynamic variables were similarly maintained. In particular, if patients showed less severe organ dysfunction (SOFA score < 8) in the low lactate group (n = 45), in-hospital mortality was 0% (adjusted mortality was 1.3% [95% confidence interval = 0.3-5.0]). CONCLUSION: Patients with septic shock, who were enrolled according to the traditional definition, showed a very favorable outcome if they did not have hyperlactatemia or significant organ failure.

Validation of the Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 Scoring System in a Korean Intensive Care Unit

PURPOSE: The Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) 3 was recently proposed to reflect contemporary changes in intensive care practices. SAPS 3 features customized equations for the prediction of mortality in different geographic regions. However, the usefulness of SAPS 3 and its customized equation (Australasia SAPS 3) have never been externally validated in Korea. This study was designed to validate SAPS 3 and Australasia SAPS 3 for mortality prediction in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the prospective intensive care unit (ICU) registry was conducted in the medical ICU of Samsung Medical Center. Calibration and discrimination were determined by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and area under the receiver operating characteristic (aROC) curve from 633 patients. RESULTS: The mortalities (%) predicted by SAPS 3, Australasia SAPS 3, and SAPS II were 42 +/- 28, 39 +/- 27 and 37 +/- 31, respectively. The calibration of SAPS II was poor (p = 0.003). SAPS 3 and Australasia SAPS 3 were appropriate (p > 0.05). The discriminative power of all models yielded aROC values less than 0.8. CONCLUSION: In Korea, mortality rates predicted using general SAPS 3 and Australasia SAPS 3 exhibited good calibration and modest discrimination. However, Australasia SAPS 3 did not improve the mortality prediction. To better predict mortality in Korean ICUs, a new equation may be needed specifically for Korea.

Lactate Clearance and Outcome in Septic Shock Patients with Low Level of Initial Lactate / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: Serum lactate is a potentially useful biomarker to risk-stratify patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. However, there are only a few studies on the association of serum lactate levels and prognosis in septic shock patients with initial low lactate levels. METHODS: To evaluate whether initial and follow-up lactate levels associated with mortality in septic shock patients with low lactate level, we conducted a retrospective observational study of patients with septic shock, who were hospitalized through the emergency department in February-July 2008. Initial lactate level was stratified as low ( or =4 mmol/L). The primary outcome was 28-day mortality and multiple logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for potential confounders in the association between lactate clearance and mortality. RESULTS: Of 90 patients hospitalized with septic shock during the study period, 68 (76%) patients had low initial lactate. Mortality at 28 days was 18% in patients with low lactate level. In these patients, initial lactate level was not associated with mortality (p = 0.590). However, increased lactate at follow-up and lactate clearance were associated with mortality (p = 0.006, p = 0.002, respectively). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, increased mortality rate independently associated with age (OR 1.162, 95% CI 1.041-1.298) and lactate clearance (OR 0.654, 95% CI 0.498-0.859). CONCLUSIONS: In septic shock patients with a low lactate level, lactate clearance independently associated with a decreased mortality rate. Therefore, lactate clearance could be useful for predicting the outcome in these patients.

Safety and Feasibility of Percutaneous Tracheostomy Performed by Medical Intensivists / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: Tracheostomy is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the intensive care unit (ICU). After its introduction, percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) has been recognized in western countries as a reliable alternative to surgical tracheostomy. However, data on the safety and feasibility of PDT performed by medical intensivists are limited in Korea. METHODS: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of PDT performed by medical intensivists and to compare with those of surgical tracheostomy (ST), we retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of all prospectively registered patients who underwent either PDT or ST in medical ICU from December 2010 to July 2011. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients underwent tracheostomy over the study period: PDT in 56 (69%) and ST in 25 (31%). One patient in whom major bleeding developed during PDT underwent ST as a substitute for PDT. There were no differences in the demographics, laboratory findings, and parameters of mechanical ventilation between the two groups. Procedure time was significantly shorter in the PDT group (20 [IQR 18-30] min) than that in the ST group (38 [27.5-57.5] min) (p < 0.001). The major complication observed in 24 hours after PDT was bleeding in 6 (11%) patients of the PDT group and 4 (16%) patients of the ST group (p = 0.489). However, surgical interventions for major bleeding were required in 2 patients who underwent. CONCLUSIONS: PDT performed by medical intensivists was safe and feasible. However, immediate surgical assistance should be available when required.

The Body Mass Index as a Prognostic Factor of Critical Care

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Obesity is a worldwide concern, but its influence on critical care outcomes is not well understood. We tested the hypothesis that abnormal body mass index (BMI) would be an independent predictor of higher mortality rates in intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who had admitted to the ICU from January 2007 to December 2007. Admission BMI was analyzed as both a three categorical (underweight, or = 25 kg/m2) and continuous variables among all patients with an ICU lenth of stay > or = 4 days. The primary outcome was ICU mortality. RESULTS: The multivariate analysis on ICU mortality selected Mortality Prediction Model-Admission (MPM at time zero) (hazard ratio [HR], 1.024; p = 0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.010 to 1.037), failed extubation (HR, 5.092; p = 0.0001; 95% CI, 2.742 to 9.456) as significant risk factors. When controlling these variables, none of the BMI group and BMI as a continuous variable had an independent association with ICU mortality. CONCLUSIONS: BMI did not have a significant influence on ICU mortality. The ICU mortality was influenced more strongly by severity of illness and failed extubation rather than BMI.

A Preliminary Study on the Effect of "Low-dose" Glucocorticoid Therapy for Patients with Persistent Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: The role of glucocorticoids for treating persistent acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is matter of debate. In the previous studies, the side effects of moderate doses of glucocorticoids might have negated positive effects of glucocorticoids. This study aimed at determining the feasibility of administering "low-dose" glucocorticoid to treat the patients who suffer with persistent ARDS. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of twelve patients with ARDS of at least seven days' duration and who were treated with "low-dose" glucocorticoid (starting dose of 1 mg/kg) between June 2007 to December 2008. The patients were divided by whether or not they were successfully weaned from the ventilator after glucocorticoid therapy. The baseline characteristics and physiologic parameters were recorded for up to 7 days after starting glucocorticoid therapy. RESULTS: Five patients (42%) were included in the weaned group. There was no significant difference in the clinical characteristics and the physiologic parameters between the two groups on the day of ARDS. Yet the weaned group had a significantly lower Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, as compared to that of the failed group [3 (3-6) vs 8 (5-12), p = 0.009)] at start of glucocorticoid treatment. After 3 days of glucocorticoid therapy, there was significant improvement in the PEEP, the PaO2/FIO2 ratio, the PCO2, the SOFA score and the Murray Lung Injury Score of the weaned group, as compared to that of the failed group. There were no major neuromuscular side effects from the therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the "low-dose" glucocorticoid therapy is feasible and that the SOFA score and the physiologic parameters may assist in determining whether or not to initiate and to continue glucocorticoid therapy for the patients who are suffering with persistent ARDS.

Extreme Drug Resistant Acinetobacter Nosocomial Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Treated Successfully with Tigecycline and Amikacin in Intensive Care Unit: A Case Report / 대한구급학회지

Infections due to multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii have become a challenging problem in intensive care units. Tigecycline is a derivative of minocyline, and has provided new hope for the treatment of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii infections. Because isolates showing reduced susceptibility to minocycline or tigecycline have emerged in many countries, empirical combination therapy has become common practice to treat patients infected with extreme drug-resistant A. baumannii. Herein we report a case of extreme drug-resistant A. baumannii infection successfully treated with tigecycline and amikacin.

Effect of the Neutrophil Elastase Inhibitor on Acute Lung Injury after Pulmonary Resection for Lung Cancer: A Preliminary Study / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are the leading causes of death after lungresection. Neutrophil elastase is thought to be an important mediator in the pathogenesis of ALI. Sivelestat is a new neutrophil elastase inhibitor which may improve the outcome in patients with ALI/ARDS after lung resection. The objective of this study was to determine whether or not sivelestat can reduce mortality in patients with ALI after pulmonary resection for lung cancer. METHODS: This study was a retrospective case-control study of twenty three patients who developed ALI/ARDS within seven days of lung resection for lung cancer. The control group (n = 12) received standard care, while the sivelestat group (n = 11) received a continuous infusion of sivelestat (0.2 mg/kg/hr) for seven days in addition to standard care. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the baseline characteristics between the control and sivelestat groups, except for heart rate. Six of twelve patients (50%) in the control group survived, while seven of twelve patients (64%) survived in the sivelestat group (p = 0.34). There was also no significant difference between the two groups in the progression to ARDS. In the sivelelestat group, survivors had lower APACHE II and SOFA scores than the patients in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no additional effect of a neutrophil elastase inhibitor in the treatment of ALI after pulmonary resection for lung cancer.

Prediction of Intubation after Bronchoscopy with Non-invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation Support in Patients with Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) ensures adequate gas exchange during bronchoscopy in spontaneously breathing, hypoxemic patients, thus avoiding endotracheal intubation. However, in some patients, endotracheal intubation is eventually required after bronchoscopy. This study investigated the incidence of intubation and predictors of a need for emergency intubation prior to NPPV bronchoscopy initiation. METHODS: On a retrospective basis, we reviewed the medical records of 36 patients (median age, 55 years; interquartile range [IQR], 43~65 years) with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure who required NPPV during bronchoscopy between January 2005 and October 2007. RESULTS: All patients were hypoxemic (median PaO2/FiO2 ratio 155; IQR 90~190), but tolerated bronchoscopy with NPPV support. SOFA score and SAPS II score immediately before NPPV initiation were 4 (3~7) and 36 (30~42), respectively. Seventeen (47%) patients needed endotracheal intubation at a median time of 22 (2~50) hours after bronchoscopy. Patients who needed intubation after bronchoscopy had a higher in-hospital mortality (11 [65%] vs. 4 [21%], p=0.017). Upon multiple logistic regression analysis, the need for intubation after bronchoscopy was independently associated with a PaO2/FiO2 ratio (OR, 0.961; 95% CI, 0.924~0.999; p=0.047) immediately before NPPV initiation for bronchoscopy. CONCLUSION: The severity of the hypoxemia immediately prior to NPPV initiation for bronchoscopy was associated with the need for intubation after bronchoscopy in patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure.

Spontaneous Massive Hemothorax Associated with Solitary Posterior Mediastinal Neurilemmoma / 결핵및호흡기질환

Neurogenic tumors are common in posterior mediastinal tumors and neurilemmoma represents approximately 40% of neurogenic tumors arising in the mediastinum. It is usually asymptomatic, and is generally diagnosed incidentally. In some cases, they presented with symptoms of nerve or airway compression. However, a solitary neurilemmoma, particularly not associated with von Recklinghausen disease, with spontaneous hemothorax is quite rare. We report a case of spontaneous massive hemothorax associated with a solitary neurilemmoma.

A Case of Persistent Hiccup in a Patient with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer / 결핵및호흡기질환

A hiccup is caused by involuntary, intermittent, and spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. It starts with a sudden inspiration and ends with an abrupt closure of the glottis. Even though a hiccup is thought to develop through the hiccup reflex arc, its exact pathophysiology is still unclear. The etiologies include gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory abnormalities, psychogenic factors, toxic-metabolic disorders, central nervous system dysfunctions and irritation of the vagus and phrenic nerves. Most benign hiccups can be controlled by traditional empirical therapy such as breath holding and swallowing water. However, though rare, a persistent hiccup longer than 48 hours can lead to significant adverse effects including malnutrition, dehydration, insomnia, electrolyte imbalance, and cardiac arrhythmia. An intractable hiccup can sometimes even cause death. We herein describe a patient with non-small cell lung cancer who was severely distressed by a persistent hiccup.

Complications associated with dental implant surgery: Case report

According to the increase in use of implants in clinical dentistry, new kinds of complications happen. Complications that can happen during implant placement are bleeding, nerve injury, jaw fracture, fenestration of maxillary sinus or nasal cavity, dehiscence, fenestration, injury of adjacent tooth. And complications that can happen after implant operation are infection, bleeding, hematoma, chronic sinusitis, peri-implantitis. Problems that are confronted during implant placement happen by inadequate preoperative treatment plan, inadequate consideration about individual anatomic difference, inadequate operation process and lack of experience of clinician. It is important that clinicians consider possible complications in advance and make a comprehensive treatment plan. We report the patient who was happened ramus fracture during block bone harvesting from ramus of severely atrophic mandible, the patient who came to emergency ward due to postoperative swelling and bleeding and the patient whose implant was migrated to maxillary sinus with a review of literature.

A Case of Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome with Pulmonary Thromboembolism / 결핵및호흡기질환

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) causes recurrent thromboses and morbidity during pregnancy, including fetal loss. This malady is associated with the persistent presence of anticardiolipin antibody or lupus anticoagulant. The pulmonary manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome include pulmonary thromboembolism, pulmonary hypertension, acute respiratory distress syndrome, etc. Pulmonary thromboembolism is often the initial manifestation of antiphospholipid syndrome and a timely diagnosis is critical due to the high mortality rate. We herein report on a 19-year-old man with pulmonary thromboembolism that was caused by primary antiphospholipid syndrome. He presented with blood-tinged sputum, fever and epigastric pain, and his chest computerized tomography showed pulmonary thromboembolism. The other possible causes of pulmonary thromboembolism were excluded and the diagnosis of primary antiphospholipid syndrome was confirmed by the lupus anticoagulant that was present on two occasions six weeks apart. We also discuss the nature and management of antiphospholipid syndrome, along with a brief review of the relevant literatures.

Synchronous Double Primary Cancers of Lung and Liver / 결핵및호흡기질환

Although reports of multiple primary malignant tumors have increased recently, cases of synchronous double primary tumors of lung and liver are rare. A 73-year-old man suffered from chronic cough. His chest x-ray showed segmental atelectasis of the right upper lobe. Bronchoscopy revealed a mass occluding the orifice of the anterior segmental bronchus of the right upper lobe, and a biopsy showed a squamous cell carcinoma. A synchronous hepatic mass was found by ultrasonography. However, F18-FDG-PET showed no evidence of a distant metastasis. The liver biopsy revealed a hepatocellular carcinoma. A right upper lobe lobectomy and a sleeve resection were performed for the lung cancer, and radiofrequency ablation was performed for the hepatocellular carcinoma.