柏浦 正広

Case: Sometimes it is difficult to diagnose circumferential aortic dissection with enhanced computed tomography alone. A 58-year-old woman presented with sudden-onset chest discomfort and loss of consciousness. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed mild aortic regurgitation. Enhanced computed tomography scans showed no obvious intimal tear or flap at the proximal ascending aorta, but an intimal flap was observed from the aortic arch to both common iliac arteries. Stanford type B dissection was tentatively diagnosed. Repeat detailed transthoracic echocardiography examination showed an intimal tear and flap at the ascending aorta; prolapse into the left ventricle caused severe aortic regurgitation. Type A aortic dissection was definitively diagnosed; emergent operation showed a circumferential intimal tear originating from the ascending aorta. Outcome: The ascending aorta was replaced; aortic regurgitation disappeared. The patient was discharged in a good condition 58 days postoperatively. Conclusion: Dynamic evaluations with transthoracic echocardiography should be carried out to diagnose circumferential aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: The duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an important factor associated with the outcomes for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, the appropriate CPR duration remains unclear considering pre- and in-hospital settings. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the CPR duration (including both the pre- and in-hospital duration) and neurologically favorable outcomes 1-month after cardiac arrest. METHODS: Data were utilized from a prospective multi-center cohort study of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients transported to 67 emergency hospitals between January 2012 and March 2013 in the Kanto area of Japan. A total of 3,353 patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (age ≥18 years) who underwent CPR by emergency medical service personnel and achieved the return of spontaneous circulation in a pre- or in-hospital setting were analyzed. The primary outcome was a 1-month favorable neurological outcome. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the influence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation duration. The CPR duration that achieved a cumulative proportion >99% of cases with a 1-month neurologically favorable outcome was determined. RESULTS: Of the 3,353 eligible cases, pre-hospital return of spontaneous circulation was obtained in 1,692 cases (50.5%). A total of 279 (8.3%) cases had a 1-month neurologically favorable outcome. The CPR duration was significantly and inversely associated with 1-month neurologically favorable outcomes with adjustment for pre- and in-hospital confounders (adjusted odds ratio: 0.911, per minute, 95% CI: 0.892-0.929, p < 0.001). After 30 min of CPR, the probability of a 1-month neurologically favorable outcome decreased from 8.3 to 0.7%. At 45 min of CPR, the cumulative proportion for a 1-month neurologically favorable outcome reached >99%. CONCLUSIONS: The CPR duration was independently and inversely associated with 1-month neurologically favorable outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The CPR duration required to achieve return of spontaneous circulation in >99% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with a 1-month favorable neurological outcome was 45 min, considering both pre- and in-hospital settings.

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear which cannulation method is best in cases of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. We assessed the effect of ultrasound- and fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous cannulation on complication incidence, compared with that using only ultrasound guidance. METHODS: This single-center retrospective observational study was conducted between February 2011 and December 2015. In the comparison group, cannulation was performed percutaneously using only ultrasound guidance. In the exposure group, cannulation was performed percutaneously using fluoroscopy and ultrasound guidance. The primary outcome assessed was whether complications were associated with cannulation. The secondary outcome assessed was the duration from hospital arrival to extracorporeal circulation start. In addition to univariate analysis, multivariate logistic-regression analysis for cannulation complications was performed to adjust for several presumed confounders. RESULTS: Of the patients who underwent ECPR, 73 were eligible; the comparison group included 50 cases and the exposure group included 23 cases. Univariate analysis showed that the complication incidence of the exposure group was significantly lower than that of the comparison group (8.7 vs. 36.0%, p = 0.022). Duration from hospital arrival to extracorporeal circulation start was almost the same in both groups (median, 17.0 min vs. 17.0 min, p = 0.92). After multivariate logistic regression analysis, cannulation using fluoroscopy and ultrasound was independently associated with a lower complication incidence (adjusted odds ratio, 0.14; p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound- and fluoroscopy-guided cannulation may reduce the complication incidence of cannulation without delaying extracorporeal circulation start.

CaseTwo cases of cardiogenic unilateral pulmonary edema are reported. Both patients presented to the emergency department with dyspnea, and chest radiography revealed unilateral infiltration, which mimics pulmonary disease. However, the patients were diagnosed with cardiogenic pulmonary edema, because echocardiography showed severe mitral regurgitation with an eccentric jet.OutcomeThe patients underwent mitral valve replacement and were discharged without complications.ConclusionUnilateral cardiogenic pulmonary edema is rare, and early diagnosis and treatment are difficult. Delayed treatment leads to high mortality. The major cause of unilateral pulmonary edema is acute mitral regurgitation, and the direction of the jet is suggested as a mechanism of laterality.

BACKGROUND: Patients with water intoxication may develop rhabdomyolysis. Existing studies suggest a relationship between the serum sodium correction rate and rhabdomyolysis. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between the sodium correction rate and rhabdomyolysis in patients with water intoxication. METHODS: Medical records from all cases of water intoxication presenting to the emergency department and admitted to a single tertiary emergency hospital between September 2012 and August 2016 were examined retrospectively. Serum sodium correction rate was defined as the difference in serum sodium levels at admission and approximately 24 h after admission, divided by time. The primary outcome was rhabdomyolysis, defined as peak creatine kinase level ≥ 1500 IU/L. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the adjusted odds ratio of the serum sodium correction rate controlling for age, sex, convulsion, lying down for >8 h before admission to the emergency department, and serum sodium level on admission. RESULTS: A total of 56 cases of water intoxication were included in the study. The median serum sodium correction rate was 1.02 mEq/L/h, and 32 patients (62.5%) had rhabdomyolysis. Logistic regression analysis showed that serum sodium correction rate was an independent risk factor of rhabdomyolysis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.53 per 0.1 mEq/L/h; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.97). CONCLUSIONS: Rapid correction of serum sodium was associated with rhabdomyolysis in patients with water intoxication. Therefore, strict control of serum sodium levels might be needed in such patients.

BACKGROUND: Older patients account for the majority of patients with sepsis. The objective of this study was to determine if decreased skeletal muscle mass is associated with outcomes in elderly patients with sepsis. METHODS: Patients (60 years and older) who were admitted to a tertiary medical center intensive care unit with a primary diagnosis of sepsis between January 2012 and February 2016 were included. Patients who had not undergone abdominal computed tomography on the day of admission, had cardiopulmonary arrest on arrival, or had iliopsoas abscess were excluded from the analyses. Cross-sectional muscle area at the 3rd lumber vertebra was quantified, and the relation to in-hospital mortality was analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis that included sex and APACHE II score as explanatory variables was performed. The optimal cutoff value to define decreased muscle mass (sarcopenia) was calculated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and the odds ratio for in-hospital mortality was determined. RESULTS: There were 150 elderly patients with sepsis (median age, 75 years) enrolled; in-hospital mortality and median APACHE II score were 38.7 and 24%, respectively. The skeletal muscle area of deceased patients was significantly lower than that of the survival group (P < 0.001). The multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that decreased muscle mass was significantly associated with increased mortality (odds ratio = 0.94, 95% confidence interval = 0.90 to 0.97, P < 0.001). The optimal cutoff value of skeletal muscle area to predict in-hospital mortality was 45.2 cm2 for men and 39.0 cm2 for women. With these cutoff values, the adjusted odds ratio for decreased muscle area was 3.27 (95% CI, 1.61 to 6.63, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Less skeletal muscle mass is associated with higher in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with sepsis. The results of this study suggest that identifying patients with low muscularity contributes to better stratification in this population.

Case: A 59-year-old Asian man presented to our emergency department with hypogastrium pain, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. On admission, he was hypotensive and jaundiced. Laboratory test results revealed thrombocytopenia, hypercreatininemia, and hyperbilirubinemia. Color Doppler sonography showed no blood flow in the right and left branches of the portal vein, which seemed similar to biliary obstruction. Enhanced computed tomography showed portal vein thrombi, consistent with pylephlebitis; a broad-spectrum antibiotic and an anticoagulant were administered.Outcome: The patient died of multiple organ failure 22 h post-admission. An autopsy revealed suppurative thrombi in the portal vein, multiple liver abscesses, and diverticulitis in the sigmoid colon.Conclusion: Pylephlebitis, a rare complication of intra-abdominal infections, is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Ultrasonography findings mimic those of biliary obstruction. Enhanced computed tomography is useful for diagnosing this condition.

CaseAn 82-year-old man taking dabigatran was admitted with syncope. Computed tomography showed extravasation from the stomach. Laboratory data revealed renal insufficiency and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time. The gastric endoscopy showed a gastric ulcer with an exposed vessel. However, an endoscopic hemostatic procedure failed to completely stop the bleeding. The patient experienced cardiac arrest from hypotensive shock. Spontaneous circulation returned after 5min of resuscitation. After endoscopy, computed tomography showed a gastric perforation. For dabigatran removal, the patient underwent a 6-h hemodialysis session. Thrombin activity and thrombin-antithrombin complex increased during hemodialysis, while activated partial thromboplastin time decreased.OutcomeGood recovery was observed after dialysis and the following gastrectomy.ConclusionHemodialysis should be considered for dabigatran removal in cases of life-threatening hemorrhage. The thrombin-antithrombin complex may be useful for monitoring the plasma dabigatran level.

Background: The early prediction of neurological outcomes in postcardiac arrest patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) remains challenging. Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) is a type of quantitative EEG. A particular cutoff time from the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) to the recovery of a normal aEEG trace for predicting a good neurological outcome has not yet been established. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relation between neurological outcomes and the continuous normal voltage (CNV) recovery time in adult comatose survivors of cardiac arrest treated with TH and identify the recovery time cutoff for predicting a good neurological outcome.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated adult survivors of cardiac arrest with initial shockable rhythm treated with TH and monitored with aEEG. A good outcome was defined as a cerebral performance category (CPC) of 1 or 2 at hospital discharge. A CNV trace was considered as the normal aEEG trace, and the CNV recovery time was defined as the time from ROSC to the initial CNV trace.Results: The study included 30 patients, and of these patients, 22 had recovery of CNV trace. The median CNV recovery time was shorter among patients with a good outcome than that among those with a poor outcome (10.7 h [interquartile range (IQR), 7.4-15.8 h] vs. 28.6 h [IQR, 26.9-29.3 h]; p = 0.003). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the CNV recovery time for predicting a good neurological outcome was 0.95 (95 % CI 0.86-1; p = 0.003), and the optimal cutoff was 23 h. The recovery of CNV trace within 23 h had a sensitivity of 89 %, specificity of 100 %, positive predictive value of 100 %, and negative predictive value of 86 % for predicting a good neurological outcome in all the patients, including the eight patients without recovery of CNV trace.Conclusions: A CNV recovery time cutoff of 23 h might help predict a good neurological outcome in adult survivors of cardiac arrest treated with TH.

Background: The 2015 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation recommend Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) rules for termination of resuscitation (TOR). However, it is unclear whether the TOR rules are valid for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) of both cardiac and non-cardiac etiologies. In this study, we validated the TOR rules for OHCA resulting from both etiologies.Methods: This was a prospective multicenter observational study of OHCA patients transported to 67 emergency hospitals between January 2012 and March 2013 in the Kanto region of Japan. We calculated the specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) for neurologically unfavorable outcomes at one month in patients with OHCA of cardiac and non-cardiac etiologies.Results: Of 11,505 eligible cases, 6,138 and 5,367 cases were of cardiac and non-cardiac etiology, respectively. BLS was performed on 2,818 and 2,606 patients with OHCA of cardiac and non-cardiac etiology, respectively. ALS was performed on 3,320 and 2,761 patients with OHCA of cardiac and non-cardiac etiology, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of the TOR rules for predicting unfavorable outcomes in patients with OHCA of cardiac etiology who received BLS included a specificity of 0.985 (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.956-0.997) and a PPV of 0.999 (95 % CI: 0.996-1.000). In patients with OHCA from cardiac etiologies who received ALS, the TOR rules had a specificity of 0.963 (95 % CI: 0.896-0.992) and a PPV of 0.997 (95 % CI: 0.991-0.999). In patients with OHCA from non-cardiac etiologies who received BLS, the specificity was 0.915 (95 % CI: 0.796-0.976) and PPV was 0.998 (95 % CI: 0.995-0.999). For patients with OHCA from non-cardiac etiologies who received ALS, the specificity was 0.833 (95 % CI: 0.586-0.964) and PPV was 0.996 (95 % CI: 0.988-0.999).Conclusions: Both TOR rules have high specificity and PPV in patients with OHCA from cardiac etiologies. For patients with OHCA from non-cardiac etiologies, the rules had a high PPV, but relatively low specificity. Therefore, TOR rules are useful in patients with OHCA from cardiac etiologies, but should be applied with caution to patients with OHCA from non-cardiac etiologies.

BACKGROUND: The 2015 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation recommend Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) rules for termination of resuscitation (TOR). However, it is unclear whether the TOR rules are valid for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) of both cardiac and non-cardiac etiologies. In this study, we validated the TOR rules for OHCA resulting from both etiologies. METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter observational study of OHCA patients transported to 67 emergency hospitals between January 2012 and March 2013 in the Kanto region of Japan. We calculated the specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) for neurologically unfavorable outcomes at one month in patients with OHCA of cardiac and non-cardiac etiologies. RESULTS: Of 11,505 eligible cases, 6,138 and 5,367 cases were of cardiac and non-cardiac etiology, respectively. BLS was performed on 2,818 and 2,606 patients with OHCA of cardiac and non-cardiac etiology, respectively. ALS was performed on 3,320 and 2,761 patients with OHCA of cardiac and non-cardiac etiology, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of the TOR rules for predicting unfavorable outcomes in patients with OHCA of cardiac etiology who received BLS included a specificity of 0.985 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.956-0.997) and a PPV of 0.999 (95% CI: 0.996-1.000). In patients with OHCA from cardiac etiologies who received ALS, the TOR rules had a specificity of 0.963 (95% CI: 0.896-0.992) and a PPV of 0.997 (95% CI: 0.991-0.999). In patients with OHCA from non-cardiac etiologies who received BLS, the specificity was 0.915 (95% CI: 0.796-0.976) and PPV was 0.998 (95% CI: 0.995-0.999). For patients with OHCA from non-cardiac etiologies who received ALS, the specificity was 0.833 (95% CI: 0.586-0.964) and PPV was 0.996 (95% CI: 0.988-0.999). CONCLUSIONS: Both TOR rules have high specificity and PPV in patients with OHCA from cardiac etiologies. For patients with OHCA from non-cardiac etiologies, the rules had a high PPV, but relatively low specificity. Therefore, TOR rules are useful in patients with OHCA from cardiac etiologies, but should be applied with caution to patients with OHCA from non-cardiac etiologies.

The intoxication caused by "kiken" drugs (law-evading drugs), such as synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones, and methoxetamine, has recently increased in Japan. We retrospectively examined the characteristics of patients poisoned with the "kiken" drugs. We included patients who presented at the emergency department at the Tokyo Metropolitan Bokutoh Hospital from January 2011 to December 2014. Eighteen patients admitted between January 2011 and December 2013 were included in the early period group and 10 patients admitted between January and December 2014 were categorized into the late period group. The number of the patients transported to our emergency department between 2011 and 2014 increased annually. Patients were mainly admitted between May and October 2014; no patients were admitted after November 2014. The patients' age, history of previous mental disease, habitual use, Triage DOA results, serum creatinine values on admission, and respiratory management differed significantly between the groups. However, the median serum creatinine values of both groups on admission were within the normal level. Patients poisoned with the "kiken" drugs showed more severe symptoms, higher rate of habitual use, and higher average age. The annual increase in the number of the patients observed thus far is expected to decrease in the future. Maintenance of the law and expansion of medical institutions that treat patients addicted to the "kiken" drugs are warranted.

Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) can develop as a complication of dengue in rare cases, but its relationship with dengue is not well known. We report a case of dengue-associated HPS with liver involvement and coagulopathy. The patient, a Japanese female traveler who had recently returned from Thailand, had severe complications of dengue infection, but she recovered fully with symptomatic treatment.