An Effective Methodology for Scoring to Assist Emergency Physicians in Identifying Overcrowding in an Academic Emergency Department in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Emergency Department (ED) overcrowding is a global concern, with tools like NEDOCS, READI, and Work Score used as predictors. These tools aid healthcare professionals in identifying overcrowding and preventing negative patient outcomes. However, there's no agreed-upon method to define ED overcrowding. Most studies on this topic are U.S.-based, limiting their applicability in EDs without waiting rooms or ambulance diversion roles. Additionally, the intricate calculations required for these scores, with multiple variables, make them impractical for use in developing nations. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to examine the relationship between prevalent ED overcrowding scores such as EDWIN, occupancy rate, and Work Score, and a modified version of EDWIN newly introduced by the authors, in comparison to the real-time perspectives of emergency physicians. Additionally, the study explored the links between these overcrowding scores and adverse events related to ED code activations as secondary outcomes. METHOD: The method described in the provided text is a correlational study. The study aims to examine the relationship between various Emergency Department (ED) overcrowding scores and the real-time perceptions of emergency physicians in every two-hour period. Additionally, it seeks to explore the associations between these scores and adverse events related to ED code activations. RESULTS: The study analyzed 459 periods, with 5.2% having Likert scores of 5-6. EDOR had the highest correlation coefficient (0.69, p < 0.001) and an AUC of 0.864. Only EDOR significantly correlated with adverse events (p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: EDOR shows the most robust link with 'emergency physicians' views on overcrowding. Additionally, elevated EDOR scores correlate with a rise in adverse events. Emergency physicians' perceptionof overcrowding could hint at possible adverse events. Notably, all overcrowding scores have high negative predictive values, efficiently negating the likelihood of adverse incidents.

Association between air quality index and effects on emergency department visits for acute respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Several studies suggest that air pollution, particularly PM2.5, increases morbidity and mortality, Emergency Department (ED) visits, and hospitalizations for acute respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. However, no prior study in Southeastern Asia (SEA) has examined the effects of air pollutants on ED visits and health outcomes. This study focused on the association of the Air Quality Index (AQI) of PM2.5 and other pollutants' effects on ED visits, hospitalization, and unexpected deaths due to acute respiratory disease, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), acute heart failure (AHF), and stroke. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study with daily data from ED visits between 2018 and 2019 at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand. The AQI of air pollution data was collected from outdoor air quality from the Smoke Haze Integrated Research Unit and the Air Quality Index Visual Map. A distributed lag, non-linear and quasi-Poisson models were used to explore the relationship between air quality parameters and ED visits for each disease. RESULTS: 3,540 ED visits were recorded during the study period. The mean daily AQI of PM2.5 was 89.0 ± 40.2. We observed associations between AQI of PM2.5 and the ED visits due to ACS on the following day (RR = 1.023, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.002-1.044) and two days after exposure (RR = 1.026, 95% CI: 1.005-1.047). Also, subgroup analysis revealed the association between AQI of PM2.5 and the ED visits due to pneumonia on the current day (RR = 1.071, 95% CI: 1.025-1.118) and on the following day after exposure (RR = 1.024, 95% CI: 1.003-1.046). AQI of PM2.5 associated with increased mortality resulted from ACS on lag day 3 (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.08-1.73). The AQI of PM10 is also associated with increased ED visits due to COPD/asthma and increased hospitalization in AHF. In addition, the AQI of O3 and AQI of NO2 is associated with increased ICU admissions and mortality in AHF. CONCLUSION: Short-term PM2.5 exposure escalates ED visits for ACS and pneumonia. PM10's AQI associates with COPD/asthma ED visits and AHF hospitalizations. AQI of O3 and NO2's link to increased ICU admissions and AHF mortality. Urgent action against air pollution is vital to safeguard public health.

How effective is extracorporeal life support for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest initiated at the emergency department? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is commonly initiated for adults experiencing cardiac arrest within the cardiac catheterization lab or the intensive care unit. However, the potential benefit of ECPR for these patients in the emergency department (ED) remains undocumented. This study aims to assess the benefit of ECPR initiated in the ED for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing ECPR initiated in the ED versus conventional CPR. Relevant articles were identified by searching several databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane collaborations up to July 31, 2022. Pooled estimates were calculated using the inverse variance heterogeneity method, while heterogeneity was evaluated using Q and I2 statistics. The risk of bias in included studies was evaluated using validated bias assessment tools. The primary outcome was a favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge, and the secondary outcome was survival to hospital discharge or 30-day survival. Sensitivity analyses were performed to explore the benefits of ED-initiated ECPR in studies utilizing propensity score (PPS) analysis. Publication bias was assessed using Doi plots and the Luis Furuya-Kanamori (LFK) index. RESULTS: The meta-analysis included a total of eight studies comprising 51,173 patients. ED-initiated ECPR may not be associated with a significant increase in favorable neurological outcomes (odds ratio [OR] 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.30-6.70, I2 = 96%). However, this intervention may be linked to improved survival to hospital discharge (OR 3.34, 95% CI 2.23-5.01, I2 = 17%). Notably, when analyzing only PPS data, ED-initiated ECPR demonstrated efficacy for both favorable neurological outcomes (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.26-2.83, I2 = 21%) and survival to hospital discharge (OR 3.37, 95% CI 1.52-7.49, I2 = 57%). Publication bias was detected for primary (LFK index 2.50) and secondary (LFK index 2.14) outcomes. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that ED-initiated ECPR may not offer significant benefits in terms of favorable neurological outcomes for OHCA patients. However, it may be associated with increased survival to hospital discharge. Future studies should prioritize randomized trials with larger sample sizes and strive for homogeneity in patient populations to obtain more robust evidence in this area.

Replacing Potassium in the Emergency Department May Not Decrease the Hospital Mortality in Mild Hypokalemia: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Background: Hypokalemia is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, highlighting the timely correction of potassium levels as a critical medical consideration. However, the management of mild hypokalemia remains a subject of ongoing debate. This study explores the relationship between potassium replacement in the emergency department (ED) and hospital mortality in patients with mild hypokalemia. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital, including patients who presented to the ED with mild hypokalemia, defined as potassium levels between 3.0 and 3.4 mmol/L, between 2020 and 2021. Patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome, diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state, and major cardiac arrhythmias were excluded. The patient cohort was then divided into two groups, based on whether they received potassium replacement in the ED. A propensity score analysis was employed to account for potential pretreatment confounding factors, including age, gender, time on ED arrival, insurance, comorbidities, serum potassium and creatinine levels, and ED length of stay. Subsequently, a multivariable logistic regression analysis, incorporating hospital length of stay and acute comorbidities, was performed post-matching to further adjust for predictive factors. The primary outcome was all-cause hospital mortality. Results: This study included a total of 1931 patients, of which 724 were matched for analysis (362 with potassium replacement and 362 without). The average age was 53.9 years, and most were male (58.5%). After adjusting for confounding factors using propensity score analysis, there was no significant difference in hospital mortality between the potassium replacement and control groups (adjusted odds ratio 0.81, 95% CI 0.36-1.79, p = 0.60). Conclusions: This study's findings indicate that replacing potassium in the ED may not lower the risk of hospital mortality in patients with mild hypokalemia. Consequently, the customary practice of potassium replacement in hospitalized patients may lack justification, and deferring the replacement until after patients leave the ED could be considered.

Accuracy of Pain Scales in Predicting Critical Diagnoses in Non-Traumatic Abdominal Pain Cases; a Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Accurate assessment and management of abdominal pain in the emergency department (ED) is crucial, as it can indicate potentially life-threatening conditions requiring timely treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of pain scales to predict critical diagnoses in patients with non-traumatic abdominal pain. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary university hospital and involved individuals aged 15 years and above who presented to the ED with non-traumatic abdominal pain. Pain severity was evaluated using subjective pain scales, including the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the Face Pain Scale (FPS), as well as objective pain scales, including the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) and the Non-verbal Pain Score (NVPS). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AuROC) was employed to determine the discriminative ability of each pain scale to predict critical diagnosis. Results: 264 cases with the mean age of 47.2±19.4 years were studied (53.0% male). The most common location of abdominal pain was epigastric pain (43.9%). Most patients presented with dull-aching pain, and those with critical diagnoses had more of this characteristic than those with non-critical diagnoses. (52.5% vs. 28.3%, p = 0.01). The overall median NRS, FPS, CPOT, and NVPS of included participants were 8 (interquartile range (IQR) 7-10), 8 (IQR 6-8), 3 (IQR 1-4), and 3 (IQR 2-4), respectively. Patients with critical diagnoses had a higher NVPS score than patients with non-critical diagnoses (median score of 4 vs. 3, p = 0.02). The AuROC of NRS, FPS, CPOT, and NVPS were 0.53 (95% CI: 0.45-0.62), 0.55 (95% CI: 0.46-0.63), 0.59 (95% CI: 0.50-0.68), and 0.62 (95% CI: 0.53-0.71), respectively. The correlation coefficients among these scales were considered moderately correlated or higher. Conclusion: In evaluating patients with non-traumatic abdominal pain, the NVPS demonstrated the highest accuracy in predicting critical diagnoses. However, all pain scales, whether subjective or objective, exhibited suboptimal performance in predicting critical diagnoses.

Safety and Effects of Lactobacillus paracasei TISTR 2593 Supplementation on Improving Cholesterol Metabolism and Atherosclerosis-Related Parameters in Subjects with Hypercholesterolemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Probiotics have the potential as a multi-target approach to modulate hypercholesterolemia associated with premature atherosclerosis. Various strains of Lactobacillus paracasei have been reported to affect hypercholesterolemia positively. This study aimed to investigate the effects of L. paracasei TISTR 2593 on lipid profile, cholesterol metabolism, and atherosclerosis according to the registration of Thai Clinical Trial Registry as identification number TCTR 20220917002. A total of 50 participants with hypercholesterolemia were randomly and equally assigned to consume L. paracasei TISTR 2593 or a placebo in maltodextrin capsules daily. Biomarkers of lipid profiles, oxidative stress state, inflammatory state, and other biological indicators were examined on days 0, 45, and 90. The results showed that subjects taking the L. paracasei TISTR 2593 could significantly reduce the level of serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p < 0.05), malondialdehyde (p < 0.001), and tumor necrosis factor-α (p < 0.01). Moreover, L. paracasei TISTR 2593 increased the level of serum apolipoprotein E (p < 0.01) and adiponectin (p < 0.001) significantly. No changes in serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride, total bile acids, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were observed during L. paracasei TISTR 2593 supplementation. Therefore, L. paracasei TISTR 2593 could be an adjuvant probiotic supplement to ameliorate hypercholesterolemia and prevent or delay the development of atherosclerosis.

Dextrose Administration and Resuscitation Outcomes in Patients with Blood Sugar Less Than 150 mg/dL during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: An Observational Data Analysis.

Low blood sugar is commonly found during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, current guidelines do not mention the importance of glucose testing and acute management for hypoglycemia during CPR. We intended to investigate the association between dextrose administration and resuscitation outcomes in patients with blood sugar less than 150 mg/dL during cardiac arrest in the emergency department (ED). We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary hospital between 2017 and 2020, including patients with intra-arrest blood glucose <150 mg/dL. Logistic regression with inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) was used. The primary outcome was the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Secondary outcomes included survival to hospital admission and hospital discharge and favorable neurological outcomes at discharge. A total of 865 patients received CPR at the ED during the study period. Of these, 229 with low blood sugar were included (60 in the treatment group and 169 in the non-treatment group). The mean age was 59.5 ± 21.4 years. After IPTW, dextrose administration during CPR was not associated with ROSC (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.44, 95% CI 0.30−0.69), survival to hospital admission (aOR 1.27, 95% CI 0.54−3.00), survival to hospital discharge (aOR 0.68, 95% CI 0.20−2.29), and favorable neurological status (aOR 2.21, 95% CI 0.23−21.42). Our findings suggested that dextrose administration during CPR at the ED might not lead to better or worse resuscitation outcomes. Owing to the design limitations and residual confounding factors, strong recommendations for dextrose administration could not be formulated. Further evidence is needed from prospective trials to confirm the efficacy of dextrose during CPR.

How Epinephrine Administration Interval Impacts the Outcomes of Resuscitation during Adult Cardiac Arrest: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Current guidelines for treating cardiac arrest recommend administering 1 mg of epinephrine every 3−5 min. However, this interval is based solely on expert opinion. We aimed to investigate the impact of the epinephrine administration interval (EAI) on resuscitation outcomes in adults with cardiac arrest. We systematically reviewed the PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases. We included studies comparing different EAIs in adult cardiac arrest patients with reported neurological outcomes. Pooled estimates were calculated using the IVhet meta-analysis, and the heterogeneities were assessed using Q and I2 statistics. We evaluated the study risk of bias and overall quality using validated bias assessment tools. Three studies were included. All were classified as "good quality" studies. Only two reported the primary outcome. Compared with a recommended EAI of 3−5 min, a favorable neurological outcome was not significantly different in patients with the other frequencies: for <3 min, odds ratio (OR) 1.93 (95% CI: 0.82−4.54); for >5 min, OR 1.01 (95% CI: 0.55−1.87). For survival to hospital discharge, administering epinephrine for less than 3 min was not associated with a good outcome (OR 1.66, 95% CI: 0.89−3.10). Moreover, EAI of >5 min did not pose a benefit (OR 0.87, 95% CI: 0.68−1.11). Our review showed that EAI during CPR was not associated with better hospital outcomes. Further clinical trials are necessary to determine the optimal dosing interval for epinephrine in adults with cardiac arrest.

Cholestatic liver injury: A rare but fatal complication during and after COVID-19 infection.

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), resulting from the severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 virus, has transformed our globe and provided a new perspective on respiratory tract infections. However, COVID-19 would not be recognized as a condition restricted to only pneumonia. This narrative review was conducted by searching manuscripts in several databases, including PubMed/ MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Reference Citation Analysis, from December 2019 to July 2022. Many studies have revealed a broad spectrum of potential systemic symptoms, including biliary complications. Although biliary injury has been observed in a very low proportion of COVID-19 patients, it is associated with increased mortalities and long-term morbidities. We identify a cholangiopathy condition in individuals during infection and after recovering from severe COVID-19, defined by a significant increase in serum alkaline phosphatase and signs of bile duct injury. Understanding the pathogeneses behind this condition would help us develop new techniques to prevent these complications. This review thoroughly discusses and summarizes the current information regarding COVID-19-associated cholangiopathy. In addition, the possible explanations for COVID-19-associated cholangiopathy are presented. Since the exact pathogenesis may not be concluded, this review could provide relevant information to encourage additional investigations shortly.

Antidyslipidemic, Antioxidant, and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Jelly Drink Containing Polyphenol-Rich Roselle Calyces Extract and Passion Fruit Juice with Pulp in Adults with Dyslipidemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Oxidative stress and inflammation play key roles in the pathophysiology in the pathophysiology of dyslipidemia, which are positive risks that increase atherosclerosis leading to important healthcare problems. Therefore, we aimed to study the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering effects of jelly drink containing polyphenol-rich roselle calyces extract and passion fruit juice with pulp concentrate (RP jelly drink) in comparison to a placebo jelly drink for 8 weeks. Forty-three adults with dyslipidemia were randomly assigned into two groups: the RP jelly drink group and the placebo group. Glucose, total cholesterol (TC) triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), oxidative stress biomarkers, inflammatory parameters, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) were measured with fasting blood samples at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks of intervention. Results showed a significant decrease in LDL-C and TG, respectively, after 8 weeks of RP jelly drink consumption (LDL-C: 107.63 ± 22.98 mg/dL; TG: 109.79 ± 38.83 mg/dL) compared to baseline measurements (LDL-C: 128.43 ± 32.74 mg/dL; TG: 132.33 ± 75.11 mg/dL). These may be possible due to reduced inflammation and improvements in oxidative stress, as demonstrated by the reduction of tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α and malondialdehyde (MDA), and the enhancement of glutathione (GSH) after consuming the RP jelly drink for 8 weeks. However, no significant differences of treatment on glucose, total cholesterol, MCP-1, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10 were observed. In conclusion, daily consumption of RP jelly drink for 8 weeks resulted in significant improvement in lipid profiles in subjects with dyslipidemia. However, more research is needed to assess its nutritional and functional potential.

Emergency department visits and hospital admissions in kidney transplant recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A hospital-based study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected daily living and the healthcare system. No previous study has described the consequences of COVID-19 on emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admission among kidney transplant (KT) recipients. AIM: To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ED visits and hospital admissions within 1 year in patients who underwent KT in Thailand. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study at a university hospital in Thailand. We reviewed the hospital records of KT patients who visited the ED during the outbreak of COVID-19 (from January 2020 to December 2021). We used the previous 2 years as the control period in the analysis. We obtained baseline demographics and ED visit characteristics for each KT patient. The outcomes of interest were ED visits and ED visits leading to hospital admission within the 1st year following a KT. The rate of ED visits and ED visits leading to hospital admissions between the two periods were compared using the stratified Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: A total of 263 patients were included in this study: 112 during the COVID-19 period and 151 during the control period. There were 34 and 41 ED visits after KT in the COVID-19 and control periods, respectively. The rate of first ED visit at 1 year was not significantly different in the COVID-19 period, compared with the control period [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54-1.92; P = 0.96]. The hospital admission rate was similar between periods (HR = 0.92, 95%CI: 0.50-1.69; P = 0.78). CONCLUSION: ED visits and hospital admissions within the 1st year in KT recipients were not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these findings, we believe that communication between post-KT patients and healthcare providers is essential to highlight the importance of prompt ED visits for acute health conditions, particularly in post-KT patients.

Pain reduction and adverse effects of intravenous metoclopramide for acute migraine attack: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Metoclopramide may be used to treat people suffering from acute migraine. However, no comprehensive investigation on this issue has been recorded. This review will provide more solid evidence for the use of metoclopramide in treating acute migraine. AIM: To compare the efficacy of intravenous metoclopramide with other therapies in migraine attack treatment in an emergency department (ED). METHODS: We included randomized controlled trials of participants older than 18 years with acute migraine headaches, which included at least one arm that received intravenous (IV) metoclopramide at the ED. A literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Collaboration, and Reference Citation Analysis on December 31, 2021 retrieved other drugs or placebo-controlled studies without language limitation. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The primary endpoint was pain reduction at 60 min or closest to 1 h after treatment, as measured by the pain scale. Secondary endpoints included adverse effects or reactions resulting from metoclopramide or comparisons. RESULTS: Fourteen trials with a total of 1661 individuals were eligible for review. The risk of bias ranged from low to intermediate. IV metoclopramide administration was not associated with higher pain reduction at 1 h (Standard mean difference [SMD] = -0.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.33-0.28, P = 0.87). However, metoclopramide was associated with better pain reduction than placebo (SMD = 1.04, 95%CI: 0.50-1.58, P = 0.0002). In addition, side effects were not significantly different between IV metoclopramide and other drugs or placebo (odds ratio [OR] = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.48-1.19, P = 0.09 and OR = 0.92, 95%CI: 0.31-2.74, P = 0.54, respectively). CONCLUSION: Metoclopramide is more effective than placebo in treating migraine in the ED. Despite the observed tendency of decreased side effects, its effectiveness compared to other regimens is poorly understood. More research on this area is needed to treat migraine in acute care settings effectively.

Developing a Simple Score for Diagnosis of Acute Cholecystitis at the Emergency Department.

We aim to develop a diagnostic score for acute cholecystitis that integrates symptoms, physical examinations, and laboratory data to help clinicians for timely detection and early treatment of this disease. We retrospectively collected data from our database from 2010 to 2020. Patients with acute abdominal pain who underwent an ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan at the emergency department (ED) were included. Cases were identified by pathological, CT, or ultrasound reports. Non-cases were those who did not fulfill any of these criteria. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of acute cholecystitis. The model included 244 patients suspected of acute cholecystitis. Eighty-six patients (35.2%) were acute cholecystitis confirmed cases. Five final predictors remained within the reduced logistic model: age < 60, nausea and/or vomiting, right upper quadrant pain, positive Murphy's sign, and AST ≥ two times upper limit of normal. A practical score diagnostic performance was AuROC 0.74 (95% CI, 0.67−0.81). Patients were categorized with a high probability of acute cholecystitis at score points of 9−12 with a positive likelihood ratio of 3.79 (95% CI, 1.68−8.94). ED Chole Score from these five predictors may aid in diagnosing acute cholecystitis at ED. Patients with an ED Chole Score >8 should be further investigated.

Association between Intra-Arrest Blood Glucose Level and Outcomes of Resuscitation at the Emergency Department: A Retrospective Study.

Since current cardiac arrest guidelines do not address the benefit of blood glucose measurement, the ideal ranges and target of blood glucose (BG) levels during cardiac arrest to achieve a better result are warranted. We intended to investigate the associations between intra-arrest BG levels and outcomes of cardiac arrest resuscitation at the emergency department (ED). We conducted a retrospective observational study at a single university hospital. Cardiac arrest patients at the ED between 2017 and 2020 were included. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the associations between intra-arrest BG levels and clinical outcomes. We categorized intra-arrest BG into five groups: <70 mg/dL, 70−99 mg/dL, 100−180 mg/dL, 181−250 mg/dL, and >250 mg/dL. Eight hundred and nineteen patients experienced ED cardiac arrest during the study period. Of all, 385 intra-arrest BG measurements were included in the data analysis. The mean age was 60.4 years. The mean intra-arrest BG level was 171.1 mg/dL, with 64 (16.6%) patients who had intra-arrest BG level below 70 mg/dL and 73 (19.0%) patients who had intra-arrest BG level more than 250 mg/dL. Markedly low (<70 mg/dL) and low (70−99 mg/dL) intra-arrest BG levels were significantly associated with a lower chance of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC, OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.14−0.99, p = 0.05 and OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.12−0.93, p = 0.04, respectively). For patients who experienced cardiac arrest at the ED, an intra-arrest BG level of less than 100 was inversely correlated with sustained ROSC. Although we could not draw a causal relationship between variables concerning this study design, normalizing intra-arrest BG was shown to result in good clinical outcomes.

Health characteristics, knowledge, and attitude towards basic life support among marathon runners in Thailand: a population-based survey.

BACKGROUND: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is not common but associated with a low survival rate. There is no evidence investigating the effects of previous Basic Life Support (BLS) training among long-distance runners. The goal of this study is to demonstrate the health characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes towards BLS among marathon runners. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was asked to all 2019 Chiang Mai University marathon participants as a part of the running registration. Details of health characteristic, running history, and BLS training details were requested. The primary outcomes were knowledge and attitude towards BLS among marathon runners. RESULTS: Of all 10,507 questionnaires sent, the response rate was 92.9%. One-nineth of participants were 50 years of age or above. The mean age was 36.8±9.9 years. Most were male (56.1%) and Thai (99.4%). Only a quarter (2454 out of 9761 runners) of study population had previous BLS training. Family history of sudden cardiac death or cardiac death with unknown causes was more in participants with previous BLS training than those without (1.1% vs. 0.6%, P=0.01). Previous BLS training group answered the national emergency call number correctly more than those without (90.4% vs. 73.0%, P<0.001) and previous BLS training group were more likely to initiate CPR than those without (median self-confidence 8 vs. 5, respectively, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Only a quarter of running participants have participated in BLS training before entering a marathon running. Having previous BLS training is associated with higher self-confidence to attempt CPR. Organized planning including trained medical staff, adequate equipment, and qualified bystanders is recommended.

Association between calcium administration and outcomes during adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: Calcium administration during cardiac arrest is limited in some circumstances, mainly due to lack of consistent evidence. This study aims to investigate whether calcium therapy administered during cardiac arrest at the Emergency Department is associated with good outcomes, including the probability of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival to hospital admission, survival to hospital discharge, and favorable neurological outcome at discharge. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 599 consecutive adult cardiac arrest events between 2016 and 2018. The primary outcome was the ROSC rate. Secondary outcomes included survival to hospital admission, survival to hospital discharge, and favorable neurologic outcome at hospital discharge. Multivariable logistic regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting was analyzed to examine the association between calcium administration and outcomes. RESULTS: Of 599 events, calcium was administered in 72 (12%) cases. The use of calcium during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after adjusting for confounding factors was not associated with any better outcomes, including ROSC (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.24-1.17), survival to hospital admission (aOR 1.07, 95% CI 0.47-2.41), survival to hospital discharge (aOR 1.93, 95% CI 0.43-8.56), and favorable neurological outcome (aOR 6.60, 95% CI 0.72-60.74). Besides, calcium use in traumatic cardiac arrest patients was associated with unfavorable outcomes, including ROSC (aOR 0.02, 95% CI 0.00-0.09) and survival to hospital admission (aOR 0.16, 95% CI 0.03-0.84). CONCLUSION: The use of calcium during an adult cardiac arrest was not associated with better outcomes. Although associations drawn from this study did not indicate the causality, given calcium during CPR was linked to poorer outcomes in traumatic cardiac arrest patients, including ROSC and survival to hospital admission.

A retrospective multi-centre cohort study: Pre-hospital survival factors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore significant pre-hospital factors affecting the survivability of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) patients in countries with developing EMS systems. METHOD: A retrospective cohort study was conducted examining data from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020 from Utstein Registry databases in Thailand, collected through Pan-Asian Resuscitation Outcomes Study (PAROS). Data were collected from three centres, including regional, suburban-capital, and urban-capital hospitals. The primary endpoint of this study was 30-day survival or discharged alive after an OHCA event. The multivariable risk regression was done by modified Poisson regression with robust error variance to explore the association between 30-day survival and pre-hospital factors with potential confounders adjustments. FINDINGS: Of 1,240 OHCA cases transferred by Emergency Medical Services (EMS), 42 patients (3.4%) were discharged alive after 30 days, including 22 (8.6%), 8 (3.0%), and 12 (1.7%) from regional, suburban-capital, and urban-capital centres, respectively. The initial arrest rhythm was 89.7% unshockable, with no significant variations across the three centres. Overall, bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) was 40.4%. However, bystander CPR with Automated External Defibrillator (AED) application was 0.8%. Bystander CPR significantly increased 30-day survival probability (aRR 1.88, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.51; p 0.049). Additionally, reducing the EMS response time by one minute significantly increased OHCA survivability (aRR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.20; p 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Response time and bystander CPR are the factors that improve the 30-day survival outcomes of OHCA patients. In contrast, scene time, transport time, and pre-hospital advanced airway management didn't improve 30-day OHCA survival.

Clinical benefits of corticosteroid administration during adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A systemic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The clinical benefits of steroid administration during cardiac arrest remain unclear. Several studies reported that patients who received steroids after achieving a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) had better outcomes, but few studies have investigated the benefits of steroid administration during resuscitation. We hypothesized that administration of steroid during cardiac arrest would be associated with better clinical outcomes in adults with cardiac arrest. AIM: To investigate the effect of steroid administration during cardiac arrest and the outcomes of resuscitation. METHODS: We included studies of participants older than 18 years of age who experienced cardiac arrest and included at least one arm that received corticosteroids during cardiac arrest. A literature search of PubMed and Embase on 31 January 2021 retrieved placebo-controlled studies without limitation for type, location, and initial presenting rhythm of cardiac arrest. The study outcomes were reported by odds ratios (ORs) compared with placebo. The primary outcome was survival rate at hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included a sustained ROSC, survival rate at hospital admission, and neurological outcome at hospital discharge. RESULTS: Six studies including 146262 participants were selected for analysis. The risk of bias ranged from low to high for randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) and low (for non-RCTs). Steroid administration was associated with increased survival at hospital discharge [OR: 3.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.98-6.20, P < 0.001], and steroid administration during cardiac arrest was associated with both an increased rate of sustained ROSC (OR: 1.81, 95%CI: 1.91-4.02, P < 0.001) and a favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge (OR: 3.02, 95%CI: 1.26-7.24, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Steroid administration during cardiac arrest was associated with better outcomes of resuscitation. Further study of the use of steroid in the selected circumstances are warranted.