Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has not yet been established in Japan. We therefore report the characteristics of a screened population and discuss the implications of screening using ultrasound in Japan.The subjects in our screening group were composed of 4428 participants who were 60 years of age or older. Aneurysm was detected in 16 cases, 15 males and 1 female, the detection rate being 0.4% in total and 0.9% in the males. We compare the characteristics of screened patients (n = 16) with non-screened patients operated on for abdominal aortic aneurysm (n = 166).There were no significant differences in the mean age or in the female ratio between the screened and non-screened groups (71 vs 70 y/o, 6% vs 13%, respectively). Solitary iliac aneurysms were significantly (p < 0.05) more frequent in the screened than in the non-screened group (19% vs 3%). The size of aneurysm in the screened group was significantly (p < 0.05) smaller compared with the non-screened group. Sixty-three per cent of the screened group and only 8% of the non-screened group had an aneurysm less than 40 mm in size. Aneurysm was palpable in only 31% of those of the screened group. There were no significant differences between the groups in the frequency of arteriosclerotic risk factors such as hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease and smoking habits. Surgical treatment was selected in 7 out of 16 screened patients. The remaining 9 patients with small-sized abdominal aortic aneurysms have been carefully followed up.Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm using ultrasound is advisable especially for male participants and for the detection of iliac aneurysms. This screening procedure is useful for early detection because the screened aneurysm is generally small-sized and impalpable.
Aim: To evaluate the priority of coronary angiography (CAG) and therapeutic hypothermia therapy (TH) after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Patients and Methods: SOS-KANTO 2012 study is a prospective, multicenter (69 emergency hospitals) and observational study and includes 16,452 patients with OHCA. Among the cases with ROSC in that study, we intended for patients treated with both CAG and TH within 24 hours after arrival. Those patients were divided into two groups; patients in whom TH was firstly performed (TH group), and the others in whom CAG was firstly done (CAG group). We statistically compared the prognosis between the two groups. SPSS Statistics 22 (IBM, Tokyo, Japan) was used for the statistical analysis. Statistical significance was assumed to be present at a p value of less than 0.05. Result: 233 patients were applied in this study. There were 86 patients in the TH group (M/F: 74/12, mean age; 60.0±15.2 y/o) and 147 in the CAG group (M/F: 126/21, mean age: 63.4±11.1 y/o) respectively, and no significant differences were found in the mean age and M/F ratio between the two groups. The overall performance categories (OPC) one month after ROSC in the both groups were as follows; in the TH group, OPC1: 21 (24.4%), OPC2: 3 (3.5%), OPC3: 7 (8.1%), OPC4: 8 (9.3%), OPC5: 43 (50.0%), unknown: 4 (4.7%), and in the CAG group, OPC1: 38 (25.9%), OPC2: 13 (8.8%), OPC3: 15 (10.2%), OPC4: 18 (12.2%), OPC5: 57 (38.8%), unknown: 6 (4.1%). There were no significant differences in the prognosis one month after ROSC between the two groups. Conclusion: The results which of TH and CAG you give priority to over do not affect the prognosis in patients with OHCA.
In this study, we analyzed the respiratory status and the prognosis of patients, including adults with acute respiratory failure requiring venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) to maintain respiratory status. We then evaluated the differences between patients who could be removed from VV ECMO and those who could not.From January 2003 to December 2008, eleven patients in our hospital required VV ECMO for severe acute respiratory failure. All 11 had severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. The age of the patients was 52 ± 24 (range; 8-86) years, and the male/female ratio was 8/3. The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score, ECMO flow, and respiratory parameters, such as PaO2/FiO2 (P/F ratio), pulmonary compliance, and Lung Injury Score (LIS) before and after the introduction of ECMO, were compared among patients in whom ECMO could or could not be removed.ECMO could be removed from six patients (55%, group A), but in five (45%, group B) could not. The duration of ECMO support was significantly shorter in group A than in group B (111 ± 68 hr vs. 380 ± 233 hr, p = 0.011). The pre-ECMO ventilator time was shorter in group A than in group B. Significant differences were found between the two groups in the P/F ratio and LIS from pre-ECMO introduction to 72 hours after. ECMO flow in group A could be weaned for 48 hours after introduction, significantly different compared with group B.The early introduction of ECMO may be desirable if the causes of respiratory failure are recoverable. It is presumed that VV ECMO removal will be difficult if the ECMO flow cannot be weaned within 48 hours after ECMO introduction in patients with severe respiratory failure.
Anaphylaxis is a life‐threatening, systemic allergic reaction that presents unique challenges for emergency care practitioners. Anaphylaxis occurs more frequently than previously believed. Therefore, proper knowledge regarding the epidemiology, mechanisms, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of anaphylaxis is essential. In particular, the initial treatment strategy, followed by correct diagnosis, in the emergency room is critical for preventing fatal anaphylaxis, although making a diagnosis is not easy because of the broad and often atypical presentation of anaphylaxis. To this end, the clinical criteria proposed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network are useful, which, together with a differential diagnosis, could enable a more accurate diagnosis. Additional in vitro tests, such as plasma histamine and tryptase measurements, are also helpful. It should be emphasized that adrenaline is the only drug recommended as first‐line therapy in all published national anaphylaxis guidelines. Most international anaphylaxis guidelines recommend injecting adrenaline by the intramuscular route in the mid‐anterolateral thigh, whereas i.v. adrenaline is an option for patients with severe hypotension or cardiac arrest unresponsive to intramuscular adrenaline and fluid resuscitation. In addition to the route of administration, choosing the appropriate dose of adrenaline is essential, because serious adverse effects can potentially occur after an overdose of adrenaline. Furthermore, to avoid future recurrence of anaphylaxis, providing adrenaline auto‐injectors and making an etiological diagnosis, including confirmation of the offending trigger, are recommended for patients at risk of anaphylaxis before their discharge from the emergency room.
Equestrianism is associated with a risk of severe trauma due to falls and/or direct injury from the horse, depending on the mechanism of injury. This article presents four cases of equestrian injury treated in Gunma University Hospital: Case 1: hepatic injury (fall and kick by the horse); Case 2: left hemopneumothorax and pulmonary contusion with multiple rib fractures (fall and trampling by the horse); Case 3: lumbar compression fracture (fall); and Case 4: scrotum injury (horse bite). Equestrian injuries may be high-energy traumas. Therefore, adhering to relevant primary care guidelines may prevent mortality by trauma.
Celsior is a new extracellular-type cardiac preservation solution. We recently developed an apparatus for preservation using low-pressure continuous coronary perfusion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of coronary perfusion with an oxygenated Celsior solution using the new apparatus for prolonged cardiac preservation. Adult mongrel dogs weighing 9-13 kg were divided into two groups: the coronary perfusion group (CP; n = 5) and the simple immersion group (SI; n = 7). The coronary vascular beds were washed out with a 4 degrees C Celsior solution following cardiac arrest using the same solution, and their hearts were excised. In the CP group, the graft was immersed in a 4 degrees C Celsior solution and perfused with the same oxygenated solution. In the SI group, the graft was simply immersed in a 4 degrees C Celsior solution. beta-adenosine triphosphate (beta-ATP), phosphocreatine (Pcr), inorganic phosphate (Pi) levels and myocardial pH (pHi) were measured immediately after excising the heart, and at 3, 6, and 12 hours after preservation. beta-ATP, Pcr, and Pi values were expressed as a percentage of control values, which were measured immediately after excising the heart. beta-ATP/Pi and Pcr/Pi levels were significantly higher in the CP group than in the SI group at 6 and at 12 hours after preservation. The pHi levels during preservation were significantly higher in the CP group than in the SI group. Low-pressure hypothermic coronary perfusion with an oxygenated Celsior solution is effective for long-term heart preservation.
