The ROX, shock and diastolic shock indexes in the prediction of mortality in COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine the role of Respiratory Rate Oxygenation (ROX), shock, and diastolic shock indexes ​​in predicting mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients admitted to the emergency department. BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 spread worldwide in a short time and caused a major pandemic. The ROX, shock, and diastolic shock indexes are used in various life-threatening clinical situations. The use of these indexes in triage at emergency departments can accelerate the determination of COVID-19 patients' severity. METHODS: The ROX, shock and diastolic shock indices were calculated and recorded. Patients were divided into three groups; 1) who were discharged from the hospital, 2) who were admitted to the hospital and 3) who were admitted to the intensive care unit. RESULTS: Increased diastolic shock index and decreased ROX index were found to be independent risk factors for mortality. In the prediction of mortality, the sensitivity and specificity of the diastolic shock index were 61.2% and 60.8%, respectively. However, the sensitivity and specificity of ROX index was 73.1% and 71.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we found that the ROX index had higher sensitivity and specificity than other indexes in predicting mortality in the evaluation of COVID-19 patients (Tab. 3, Fig. 2, Ref. 18).

Evaluation of respiratory function in healthcare workers wearing face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID pandemic, which has caused high mortality rates worldwide, has mainly affected the working environment of healthcare workers. Metabolic and respiratory changes occur in healthcare workers working with surgical masks. OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to identify the metabolic and respiratory problems faced by healthcare personnel working with surgical masks and to produce solutions to minimize them. METHODS: The study was conducted among emergency service workers who used surgical masks for at least 8 h in the emergency room between June 2020 and July 2020. Venous blood gas samples were taken from the health personnel participating in the study and their vital signs were checked. RESULT: A total of 60 healthcare professionals with a mean age of 28.20 ± 6.30 years were included in the study. The distribution of men and women in the study was balanced with 30 (50.0%) men and 30 (50.0%) women. When the first and last vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, saturation) of the health workers participating in the study were examined, no statistically significant differences were found (p > 0.05). While there was no statistically significant difference in the Na, Chlorine, Ca values of metabolic indicators (p > 0.05), the first measurements of K (0.017) and Lactate (0.037) values were found to be higher than the last measurements (p > 0.05). The first measurements of the respiratory parameters pH (0.002), pCO2 (0.028), sO2 (0.045) and pO2 (0.048) were lower than the last measurements (p > 0.05). The first measurement value of pCO2 (0.028) was found to be higher than the last (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Regular and long-term use of surgical masks does not harm the body metabolically and respiratorily.

Assessment of serum glucose potassium ratio as a predictor for morbidity and mortality of blunt abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: Our hypothesis is that glucose-potassium (GLU/K) ratio can be used to predict morbidity and mortality in the evaluation of patients with blunt abdominal trauma in emergency departments. The aim of the study is to demonstrate the effect of changes in serum GLU/K ratio on morbidity and mortality and to ensure that patient management is performed more quickly and effectively. METHODS: The hemogram and biochemical parameters of 99 patients with isolated blunt abdominal trauma, applied to our hospital between January 2016 and January 2020, have been retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups as non-survivors and survivors. The GLU/K ratio was calculated, and their ability to predict mortality and morbidity was statistically evaluated between the groups. RESULTS: In the non-survivor (mortal) group; blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum GLU and GLU/K ratio were statistically higher than the living group (p<0.005). Moreover, the sensitivity and specificity of the serum GLU/K ratio were found 72.7% and 84.1% respectively. CONCLUSION: We think that serum GLU/K ratio can have an important role in the follow-up and management of patients using it as a simple, quickly accessible, and easy predictor in evaluating patients with blunt abdominal trauma.

Eosinophil Cell Count Predicts Mortality in the Intensive Care Unit after Return of Spontaneous Circulation.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophils constitute 1%-5% of peripheral blood leukocytes, less in the presence of acute infections (referred to as eosinopenia). Studies indicate that eosinopenia can be used as a prognostic predictor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation, sepsis, or acute myocardial infarction disease. There are only a few studies about predicting mortality in emergency departments and intensive care units (ICUs). Prognostic studies about patients in ICUs are generally carried out using different scoring systems. We aimed to analyze if the eosinophil count can estimate the prognosis among non-traumatic patients who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation and were hospitalized in ICU thereafter. METHODS: The data were evaluated of 865 non-traumatic adult patients (>18 years of age) who were admitted with cardiopulmonary arrest or developed cardiopulmonary arrest during clinical follow-ups. Admission venous blood sample tests, complete blood count, and biochemical laboratory results were recorded. Arterial blood gas results were also evaluated. The mean results of the recorded laboratory results were compared between the surviving and non-surviving patients groups. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the two groups in regard to platelet, eosinophil count, pH, PaO2, SaO2, and HCO3- (P<0.001 for all). In the multiple linear regression analysis, eosinophil counts were found to be an independent factor (odds ratio=0.03, 95% confidence interval 0.33-0.56, P<0.001) associated with the mortality after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CONCLUSION: Because admission eosinophil counts can be measured easily, they are inexpensive biomarkers that can be used for predicting the prognosis among the patients who have return of spontaneous circulation and are treated in ICUs.

Bedside Temporary Transvenous Pacemaker Insertion in the Emergency Department: A Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVES: Insertion of a temporary transvenous pacemaker (TTPM) is one of the life-saving interventions performed in the emergency department (ED). The aim of the study was to determine demographic, clinical characteristics, and in-hospital outcomes of patients who underwent TTPM insertion due to hemodynamically unstable bradyarrhythmia in the ED. METHODS: In our study, 234 consecutive patients who underwent TTPM insertion at the bedside in the ED between January 2014 and October 2019 were included in the study. Etiological characteristics, electrocardiographic (ECG) findings, requirements for permanent pacemaker (PPM), and in-hospital mortality of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Extrinsic causes were the most common etiology of unstable bradyarrhythmia (57.6%). Most extrinsic causes were drug therapy-related factors (60.7%). Bradyarrhythmia persisted in 60% of patients after extrinsic causes were eliminated. The most common ECG finding was a high-degree atrioventricular block (62%). PPM was implanted in 44% of patients. In-hospital mortality rate was 19.7%. In the multivariate regression analysis, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) measured at admission (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) were determined to be independent predictors for in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: First diagnosis and intervention in the ED are of great importance for patients with unstable bradyarrhythmia. The fastest possible TTPM insertion in the ED can reduce mortality by reducing the exposure time to hypoperfusion of vital organs, especially in patients with reduced LVEF and low DBP. Furthermore, it should be kept in mind that an underlying latent conduction system disease can also be present in bradyarrhythmias thought to occur potentially due to extrinsic factors.

The role of trauma scoring systems and serum lactate level in predicting prognosis in thoracic trauma.

BACKGROUND: Chest trauma constitutes 10% of admissions due to trauma and causes 25-50% of trauma-related deaths. It is important to evaluate the level of thoracic trauma in patients accurately and early, start the correct treatment, predict the need for intensive care and mortality, and prevent complications that may develop. In this study, the predictive efficiency of the serum lactate level, shock index, and scoring systems regarding the prognosis in patients with major thoracic trauma were compared. METHODS: The files of the 683 patients who applied to the emergency department of our hospital due to trauma, between 2014 and 2020, were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with isolated thoracic trauma were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 683 patients were included in the study. Of the patients, 34 (5%) were in the non-survivor group and 649 (95%) were in the survivor group. There was no statistically significant difference between the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, or shock index in either group (p>0.05). The Glasgow Come Scale (GCS) score in the non-survivor group was significantly lower than that in the survivor group (p=0.000). The lactate level, revised trauma score (RTS), injury severity score (ISS), and New ISS (NISS) in the non-survivor group were significantly higher than those in the survivor group. A significant difference was found in terms of age, lactate level, and the GCS, RTS, ISS, and NISS (p<0.05). In logistic regression analysis, it was found that a 1 unit increase in the lactate value increased the mortality rate by 1.19 times in terms of the effect of the trauma scores and numerical change in the lactate level on mortality. CONCLUSION: In patients with thoracic trauma, the NISS may be a useful factor that can be used in emergency rooms when a quick decision is required. However, increases in blood lactate levels during patient follow-up may also be a blood parameter that the clinician should pay attention to. In addition, further studies should be conducted on scoring in patients with thoracic trauma.

Perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection among women undergoing major gynecologic cancer surgery in the COVID-19 era: A nationwide, cohort study from Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the rate of perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection among gynecologic cancer patients undergoing major surgery. METHODS: The database of the Turkish Ministry of Health was searched in order to identify all consecutive gynecologic cancer patients undergoing major surgery between March 11, 2020 and April 30, 2020 for this retrospective, nationwide, cohort study. The inclusion criteria were strictly founded on a final histopathological diagnosis of a malignant gynecologic tumor. COVID-19 cases were diagnosed by reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction testing for SARS-CoV-2. The rate of perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and the 30-day mortality rate of COVID-19 patients were investigated. RESULTS: During the study period, 688 women with gynecologic cancer undergoing major surgery were identified nationwide. The median age of the patients was 59 years. Most of the surgeries were open (634/688, 92.2%). There were 410 (59.6%) women with endometrial cancer, 195 (28.3%) with ovarian cancer, 66 (9.6%) with cervical cancer, 14 (2.0%) with vulvar cancer and 3 (0.4%) with uterine sarcoma. The rate of SARS-CoV-2 infections confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery was 46/688 (6.7%). All but one woman was diagnosed postoperatively (45/46, 97.8%). The rates of intensive care unit admission and invasive mechanical ventilation were 4/46 (8.7%) and 2/46 (4.3%), respectively. The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. CONCLUSION: In the COVID-19 era, gynecologic cancer surgery may be performed with an acceptable rate of perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection if the staff and the patients strictly adhere to the established infection control measures.

The Quantitative Evaluation of the Density of the Segmental Branches of the MCA in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the density of the segmental branches of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) quantitatively as a predictor of acute ischemic stroke in patients without definitive infarct findings at cerebral parenchyma by non-contrast computed tomography (CT). CLINICAL RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY: The clinical rationale for the study is to evaluate if the measurement of Sylvian fissure dot sign (SDS) would help early management of patients with stroke at the emergency department. METHODS: Computed tomography scans of 101 patients admitted to the emergency department with stroke symptoms and/or signs were included in the study, retrospectively. In the patient group, the quantitative density of the segmental branches of the MCA in the Sylvian fissure was measured on the affected side and the contralateral side. RESULTS: Quantitative density of SDS was significantly higher on the ischemic side of the brain. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed a cut-off value of 38.5 Hounsfield units (HU) as a predictor for acute ischemic stroke, with a sensitivity and specificity of 79% and 92%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Quantitative density of SDS on the affected side in patients without definitive cerebral infarct findings of parenchyma can be used in the emergency room as an objective predictor sign for the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke. Considering this finding in the differential diagnosis of acute stroke patients in the emergency room has the potential to improve their clinical management, particularly for the patients without early parenchymal and vascular signs of stroke.

Comparison of the Predictive Performances of qSOFA, APACHE II, and SGS for Evaluation of the Disease Prognosis of CCHF Patients at the Emergency Department.

In this study, we compared the predictive performances of quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA), the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) scores, and the severity grading score (SGS) for evaluation of the disease prognosis of patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) at the emergency department. We recorded the qSOFA, SGS, and APACHE II scores at admission and at the 72nd and 120th hour in 97 patients admitted to the emergency department and diagnosed with CCHF. In our study, the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve values of qSOFA, SGS, and APACHE II at admission were found to be 0.640, 0.824, and 0.576, respectively. No statistical significance was found for a qSOFA score ≥ 2 at admission as a predictor of mortality. The use of qSOFA score for diseases with a mortal prognosis such as CCHF is insufficient in predicting the prognosis.

Serum TLR9 and NF-κB Biochemical Markers in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis on Admission.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the serum TLR9 and NF-κB levels in patients for the diagnosis and prognostication of AP in the emergency department. METHODS: In the current study, we looked at the TLR9 and NF-κB levels in patients for the diagnosis and prognostication of AP in the emergency department. RESULTS: Of the patients with acute pancreatitis, 22 (49%) were male and 23 (51%) were female. The mean age of the patient group was 62 years, with a range of 25-95 years. The control group consisted of 19 (43.1%) male and 25 (56.9%) female patients. The serum TLR9 and NF-κB levels in patients for the diagnosis and prognostication of AP in the emergency department. p < 0.001 and 8.04 ± 1.76 vs. 4.76 ± 1.13; p < 0.001 and 8.04 ± 1.76 vs. 4.76 ± 1.13; κB levels in patients for the diagnosis and prognostication of AP in the emergency department. p < 0.001 and 8.04 ± 1.76 vs. 4.76 ± 1.13; κB levels in patients for the diagnosis and prognostication of AP in the emergency department. p < 0.001 and 8.04 ± 1.76 vs. 4.76 ± 1.13. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the TLR9 and NF-κB pathway is activated in acute pancreatitis and increases the inflammatory process. This may help to further understand the pathogenesis of disorder, diagnosis, and clinical severity. We proposed that blockage of these inflammatory pathways may play a role in the prevention of the disease progression and development of inflammatory complications.κB levels in patients for the diagnosis and prognostication of AP in the emergency department.

Comparison of the factors affecting neurological outcome in out-of vs in-hospital cardiac arrest cases.

Objective: To determine the differences between the factors such as return of spontaneous circulation positivity, duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and cardiac rhythm at first arrival affecting neurological outcomes in cardiac-arrest cases. Methods: This study was conducted at the Malatya State Hospital, Malatya, Turkey, from January to December 2014, and comprised patients who had received cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Patients were divided into two groups; in-hospital cardiac arrest and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The groups were compared in terms of gender, age, initial rhythm, cardiopulmonary resuscitation durations, cardiopulmonary resuscitation results (exitus, return), return of spontaneous circulation rates observed after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and neurological outcome responses of the cases in which return of spontaneous circulation was observed. SPSS 22 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 321 cases, 88(27.41%) were in-hospital and 233(72.59%) were out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases. Besides, 189(58.9%) of the patients were men and 132(41.1%) were women with an overall mean age of 67.21±15.25 years (range: 18-98 years). Moreover, 16(18.2%) in-hospital cases and 47(20.2%) out-of-hospital cases had shockable rhythms at the time of arrival. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was applied to 74(23%) patients for less than 20 minutes and to 247(76.9%) for more than 20 minutes. Return of spontaneous circulation positivity was recorded in 134(41.7%) patients, of whom 62(70.5%) were in-hospital and 72(30.9%) were out-of-hospital cases. Moreover, 19(5.9%) patients were discharged with good neurological outcome. In cases where cardiopulmonary resuscitation was applied for less than 20 minutes, return of spontaneous circulation positivity was present in 43(100%) in-hospital and 31(100%) out-of-hospital cases. Return of spontaneous circulation positivity and good neurological outcome rate of the patients having shockable rhythms was 48(76.2%) and 8(12.7%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Return of spontaneous circulation positivity, favourable neurological outcome response and survival rates were significantly higher among in-hospital cardiac arrest cases.