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The purpose of this study was to clarify the practical clinical treatment for acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in Japan and to investigate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO.sub.2) therapy in preventing delayed neurological sequelae (DNS) in the acute phase of CO poisoning. We conducted a multicenter, prospective, observational study of acute CO poisoning in Japan. Patients with acute CO poisoning were enrolled and their treatment details were recorded. The primary endpoint was the onset of DNS within 2 months of CO exposure. Factors associated with DNS were assessed with logistic regression analysis. A total of 311 patients from 57 institutions were registered and 255 were analyzed: 171 received HBO.sub.2 therapy (HBO.sub.2 group) and 84 did not (normobaric oxygen [NBO.sub.2 ] group). HBO.sub.2 therapy was performed zero, once, twice, or three times within the first 24 h in 1.8%, 55.9%, 30.9%, and 11.3% of the HBO.sub.2 group, respectively. The treatment pressure in the first HBO.sub.2 session was 2.8 ATA (47.9% of the HBO.sub.2 group), 2.0 ATA (41.8%), 2.5 ATA (7.9%), or another pressure (2.4%). The incidence of DNS was 13/171 (7.6%) in the HBO.sub.2 group and 3/84 (3.6%) in the NBO.sub.2 group (P = 0.212). The number of HBO.sub.2 sessions in the first 24 h was one of the factors associated with the incidence of DNS (odds ratio, 2.082; 95% confidence interval, 1.101-3.937; P = 0.024). The practical clinical treatment for acute CO poisoning, including HBO.sub.2 therapy, varied among the institutions participating in Japan. HBO.sub.2 therapy with inconsistent protocols showed no advantage over NBO.sub.2 therapy in preventing DNS. Multiple HBO.sub.2 sessions was associated with the incidence of DNS.

A man in his 70s suffered cardiac arrest, and his family initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation after placing an emergency call. The initial waveform of the automated external defibrillator performed by emergency medical technicians revealed ventricular fibrillation. The patient received cardiovascular life support, including direct current countershock, and was transported to the hospital. Upon arrival, he underwent extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation using an automated chest compression device. Additionally, an intra-aortic balloon pumping was introduced after coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. Plain computed tomography images revealed leakage of the contrast medium used during coronary angiography in the bilateral renal pelvis and perirenal area as well as bladder retention. Furthermore, a urine test revealed gross hematuria. There were no findings of prostatic hypertrophy or urinary tract disease. Based on the patient's clinical course, injury caused by chest compression was the most likely etiology of urinary tract injury, which must be considered in such patients. The patient was discharged with cerebral performance category 1, without any complication except urinary tract.

A 36-year-old man presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. On arrival, his vital signs were remarkable for fever (39.3 °C) and tachycardia (127 beats/min, regular). His abdomen was distended, and a blood test showed elevations of inflammatory markers. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a superior mesenteric artery thrombus, ischemic colitis, ascites, and infarctions in the spleen and right kidney. He was diagnosed with bowel necrosis due to acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI). An emergent laparotomy was performed. The following day,  was identified in the blood culture. In addition, transthoracic echocardiography revealed vegetation on the mitral valve leaflet. These findings were suggestive of infective endocarditis (IE) caused by ( endocarditis); thus, the patient underwent surgical mitral valve replacement with the administration of antifungal therapy. Following postoperative intensive care and a prolonged course of antifungal treatment, he achieved a full recovery. AMI is only rarely caused by IE, and this case is the first reported instance of AMI secondary to endocarditis. When encountering patients with AMI without any risk factors for thromboembolism, clinicians should be aware that IE may cause AMI.

Blunt thoracic trauma often causes rib fractures, hemothorax, and pneumothorax. Although there is no established definition regarding the duration and management of delayed hemothorax, it commonly occurs in a few days and exhibits at least one displaced rib fracture. Moreover, delayed hemothorax rarely develops tension hemothorax. A 58-year-old male who had a motorcycle accident received conservative treatment from his orthopedic doctor. He felt a sudden severe chest pain 19 days after the accident. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed multiple left-sided rib fractures without displacement, left pleural effusion, and extravasation near the intercostal space of the seventh rib fracture. After transfer to our hospital and a plain CT scan, which showed a more mediastinal shift toward the right, his condition deteriorated with cardiorespiratory embarrassment, such as restlessness, hypotension, and neck vein distention. We diagnosed him with obstructive shock due to tension hemothorax. Immediate chest drainage ameliorated restlessness and elevated blood pressure. Here, we report an extremely rare and atypical case of delayed tension hemothorax after blunt thoracic trauma without displaced rib fractures.

AbstractBackgroundTreating patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) requires early prediction of outcome, ideally on hospital arrival, as it can inform the clinical decisions involved. This study evaluated whether partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO 2) on arrival is associated with outcome at one month OHCA patients. MethodsThis was a single-center retrospective study of adult OHCA patients treated between January 2016 and December 2020. Outcomes were defined along the Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scale. Primary outcome was mortality (CPC 5) at one month. Secondary outcomes were death or unfavorable neurological outcome (CPC 3–5) and unfavorable neurological outcome (CPC 3–4) at one month. Multivariable analysis was adjusted for age, sex, witnessed cardiac arrest, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, initial shockable rhythm, and time from call to emergency medical services to hospital arrival. ResultsOut of 977 OHCA patients in the study period, 19 were excluded because they were aged under 18 years, 79 because they underwent extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and 101 due to lack of PCO 2 data. This study included 778 patients total; mortality (CPC 5) at one month was observed in 706 (90.7%), death or unfavorable neurological outcome (CPC 3–5) in 743 (95.5%), and unfavorable neurological outcome (CPC 3–4) in 37 (4.8%). In multivariable analysis, high PCO 2 levels showed significant association with mortality (CPC 5) at one month (odds ratio [OR] [per 5 mmHg], 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–1.21), death or unfavorable neurological outcome (CPC 3–5) (OR [per 5 mmHg], 1.29; 95% CI, 1.17–1.42), and unfavorable neurological outcome (CPC 3–4) (OR [per 5 mmHg], 1.21; 95% CI, 1.04–1.41). ConclusionsHigh PCO 2 on arrival was significantly associated with mortality and unfavorable neurological outcome in OHCA patients.

Background Whether extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is indicated for patients with pulseless electrical activity (PEA) remains unclear. Pulmonary embolism with PEA is a good candidate for ECPR; however, PEA can sometimes include an aortic disease and intracranial haemorrhage, with extremely poor neurological outcomes, and can thus not be used as a suitable candidate. We began employing an ECPR strategy that utilised a hybrid emergency room (ER) to perform computed tomography (CT) before extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) induction from January 2020. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this ECPR strategy. Methods Medical records of patients who transferred to our hybrid ER and required ECPR for PEA between January 2020 and November 2021 were reviewed. Results Twelve consecutive patients (median age, 67 [range, 57–73] years) with PEA requiring ECPR were identified in our hybrid ER. Among these patients, nine were diagnosed using an initial CT scan (intracranial haemorrhage (3); cardiac tamponade due to aortic dissection (3); aortic rupture (2); and cardiac rupture (1)), and unnecessary ECMO was avoided. The remaining three patients underwent ECPR, and two of them survived with favourable neurological outcomes. Patients not indicated for ECPR were excluded before ECMO induction. Conclusion Our ECPR strategy that involved the utilisation of a hybrid ER may be useful for the exclusion of patients with PEA not indicated for ECPR and decision making.

Introduction:For recent years, we often hear the words, “never experienced before” on a weather forecast in Japan.Aim:To evaluate our response to “Heisei 30-year July heavy rain” in the Hyogo Emergency Medical Operations Center.Methods:Review our actions taken and exchanges of views with local government representatives in a time-related manner compared with public announcements of evacuation/sheltering warning.Results:A specialized warning of heavy rain was announced at 10:50 PM on Friday by the local meteorological observatory. At 11:50 PM, the emergency management headquarters of prefectural medical response was established in the hospital, but a connection could not be established to 10 regional health centers for the weekend. Water levels of some rivers were increasing nearly to flood levels, and an evacuation order was announced to hundreds of thousands of people. This situation continued for a few days throughout many regions. The information of flood or landslide probability was continuously monitored, but an attempt was made to decide the timing of cancellations of standby.Discussion:An ordinary response to disaster depends on a clear turning point, such as the occurrence time. In heavy rainfall, there are two issues. One is about actions to prevent disaster and another is a recognition of geographic points or surface. Many critiques to the response focus on the judgments and actions for prevention before a critical event. Lessons learned included the importance of preventive actions along with a timeline and the judgment of restoration.

Background We report the first case of retro‐odontoid pseudotumor with an isolated symptom of C2–C3 dysesthesia triggered by a traumatic event. Case Presentation An 86‐year‐old man, who was a wood craftsman for more than 50 years, presented to the emergency room with sudden‐onset severe posterior head and neck dysesthesia after accidentally falling backward. No neurological impairment of the extremities was noted. Computed tomography revealed a C2–C7 osteophyte formation, mainly in front of the vertebral bodies. Moreover, magnetic resonance imaging showed cervical spinal cord compression by a soft tissue mass posterior to the odontoid process of the axis. Therefore, we diagnosed a cervical spine injury with an isolated symptom of C2–C3 dysesthesia due to a retro‐odontoid pseudotumor. He did not undergo surgical intervention and was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital on day 11 for pain control. Conclusion Our report could be useful to emergency physicians dealing with similar cases of cervical symptoms following trauma. We report an uncommon presentation of central cord syndrome due to a relatively rare condition, retro‐odontoid pseudotumor. To the best of our knowledge, no previous reports have described a relationship between the two entities. Our report could help emergency physicians dealing with similar cases of cervical symptoms following trauma.

A 65-year-old man was referred to our hospital with dyspnoea due to acute heart failure. He presented with swelling in the left clavicle and pustulosis on both soles. An antihypertensive drug and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation improved his condition rapidly. Since all his physical symptoms were compatible with the criteria of SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteomyelitis) syndrome, we suspected that the SAPHO syndrome might cause acute heart failure. The aetiology between SAPHO syndrome and heart failure is unclear. Further studies are needed to clarify their relationship.

There are some cases of traumatic asphyxia whose therapeutic efficacy is very good even with cardiac arrest, so it is important not to spare efforts for life support in such cases. Aim To investigate the clinical features of traumatic asphyxia, specifically the presence of cardiac arrest and therapeutic efficacy. This review will be useful for future emergencies. Methods Sixteen traumatic asphyxia cases from our hospital between April 2007 and March 2019 were reviewed and divided into three groups: those experiencing cardiac arrest at the time of rescue (group A, six cases), those experiencing cardiac arrest after rescue (group B, five cases), and those who did not experience cardiac arrest (group C, five cases). Results All cases had abnormal findings in the skin or conjunctiva. The total mortality rate reached 56%. Among the 11 cases in groups A and B that resulted in cardiac arrest, 10 had an Injury Severity Score of 16 or higher and an Abbreviated Injury Scale score in the chest of 3 or higher. The patients’ injuries included pneumothorax, flail chest, and pericardial hematoma. The heartbeat was restarted in seven cases, and two cases completely recovered. Conclusion In some traumatic asphyxia cases, the treatment course was relatively effective even with cardiac arrest; thus, life support efforts should not be spared in such cases.