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    Approach to traumatic cardiac arrest in the emergency department: a narrative literature review for emergency providers
    Rashed Alremeithi, Quincy K. Tran, Megan T. Quintana, Soroush Shahamatdar, Ali Pourmand
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2024, 15 (1): 3-9.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2023.085
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    BACKGROUND: Traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) is a major contributor to mortality and morbidity in all age groups and poses a significant burden on the healthcare system. Although there have been advances in treatment modalities, survival rates for TCA patients remain low. This narrative literature review critically examines the indications and effectiveness of current therapeutic approaches in treating TCA.
    METHODS: We performed a literature search in the PubMed and Scopus databases for studies published before December 31, 2022. The search was refined by combining search terms, examining relevant study references, and restricting publications to the English language. Following the search, 943 articles were retrieved, and two independent reviewers conducted a screening process.
    RESULTS: A review of various studies on pre- and intra-arrest prognostic factors showed that survival rates were higher when patients had an initial shockable rhythm. There were conflicting results regarding other prognostic factors, such as witnessed arrest, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the use of prehospital or in-hospital epinephrine. Emergency thoracotomy was found to result in more favorable outcomes in cases of penetrating trauma than in those with blunt trauma. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) provides an advantage to emergency thoracotomy in terms of occupational safety for the operator as an alternative in managing hemorrhagic shock. When implemented in the setting of aortic occlusion, emergency thoracotomy and REBOA resulted in comparable mortality rates. Veno-venous extracorporeal life support (V-V ECLS) and veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (V-A ECLS) are viable options for treating respiratory failure and cardiogenic shock, respectively. In the context of traumatic injuries, V-V ECLS has been associated with higher rates of survival to discharge than V-A ECLS.
    CONCLUSION: TCA remains a significant challenge for emergency medical services due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. Pre- and intra-arrest prognostic factors can help identify patients who are likely to benefit from aggressive and resource-intensive resuscitation measures. Further research is needed to enhance guidelines for the clinical use of established and emerging therapeutic approaches that can help optimize treatment efficacy and ameliorate survival outcomes.

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    Emergency department management of acute agitation in the reproductive age female and pregnancy
    Ariella Gartenberg, Kayla Levine, Alexander Petrie
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2024, 15 (2): 83-90.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2024.011
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    BACKGROUND: Agitation is a common presentation within emergent departments (EDs). Agitation during pregnancy should be treated as an obstetric emergency, as the distress may jeopardize both the patient and fetus. The safety of psychotropic medications in the reproductive age female has not been well established. This review aimed to explore a summary of general agitation recommendations with an emphasis on ED management of agitation during pregnancy.

    METHODS: A literature review was conducted to explore the pathophysiology of acute agitation and devise a preferred treatment plan for ED management of acute agitation in the reproductive age or pregnant female.

    RESULTS: While nonpharmacological management is preferred, ED visits for agitation often require medical management. Medication should be selected based on the etiology of agitation and the clinical setting to avoid major adverse effects. Adverse effects are common in pregnant females. For mild to moderate agitation in pregnancy, diphenhydramine is an effective sedating agent with minimal adverse effects. In moderate to severe agitation, high-potency typical psychotropics are preferred due to their neutral effects on hemodynamics. Haloperidol has become the most frequently utilized psychotropic for agitation during pregnancy. Second generation psychotropics are often utilized as second-line therapy, including risperidone. Benzodiazepines and ketamine have demonstrated adverse fetal outcomes.

    CONCLUSION: While randomized control studies cannot be ethically conducted on pregnant patients requiring sedation, animal models and epidemiologic studies have demonstrated the effects of psychotropic medication exposure in utero. As the fetal risk associated with multiple doses of psychotropic medications remains unknown, weighing the risks and benefits of each agent, while utilizing the lowest effective dose remains critical in the treatment of acute agitation within the EDs.

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    Data driven analysis reveals prognostic genes and immunological targets in human sepsis-associated acute kidney injury
    Qing Zhao, Jinfu Ma, Jianguo Xiao, Zhe Feng, Hui Liu
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2024, 15 (2): 91-97.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2024.026
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    BACKGROUND: The molecular mechanism of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) is unclear. We analyzed co-differentially expressed genes (co-DEGs) to elucidate the underlying mechanism and intervention targets of SA-AKI.

    METHODS: The microarray datasets GSE65682, GSE30718, and GSE174220 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We identified the co-DEGs and constructed a gene co-expression network to screen the hub genes. We analyzed immune correlations and disease correlations and performed functional annotation of the hub genes. We also performed single-cell and microenvironment analyses and investigated the enrichment pathways and the main transcription factors. Finally, we conducted a correlation analysis to evaluate the role of the hub genes.

    RESULTS: Interleukin 32 (IL32) was identified as the hub gene in SA-AKI, and the main enriched signaling pathways were associated with hemopoiesis, cellular response to cytokine stimulus, inflammatory response, and regulation of kidney development. Additionally, IL32 was significantly associated with mortality in SA-AKI patients. Monocytes, macrophages, T cells, and NK cells were closely related to IL32 and were involved in the immune microenvironment in SA-AKI patients. IL32 expression increased significantly in the kidney of septic mouse. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) was significantly and negatively correlated with IL32.

    CONCLUSION: IL32 is the key gene involved in SA-AKI and is significantly associated with prognosis. TLR2 and relevant immune cells are closely related to key genes.

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    A cadaveric model for transesophageal echocardiography transducer placement training: A pilot study
    Ryan W. Horton, Kian R. Niknam, Viveta Lobo, Kathryn H. Pade, Drew Jones, Kenton L. Anderson
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2022, 13 (1): 18-22.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2022.005
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    BACKGROUND: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is used in the emergency department to guide resuscitation during cardiac arrest. Insertion of a TEE transducer requires manual skill and experience, yet in some residency programs cardiac arrest is uncommon, so some physicians may lack the means to acquire the manual skills to perform TEE in clinical practice. For other infrequently performed procedural skills, simulation models are used. However, there is currently no model that adequately simulates TEE transducer insertion. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of using a cadaveric model to teach TEE transducer placement among novice users.
    METHODS: A convenience sample of emergency medicine residents was enrolled during a procedure education session using cadavers as tissue models. A pre-session assessment was used to determine prior knowledge and confidence regarding TEE manipulation. Participants subsequently attended a didactic and hands-on education session on TEE placement. All participants practised placing the TEE transducer until they were able to pass a standardized assessment of technical skill (SATS). After the educational session, participants completed a post-session assessment.
    RESULTS: Twenty-five residents participated in the training session. Mean assessment of knowledge improved from 6.2/10 to 8.7/10 (95% confidence interval [CI] of knowledge difference 1.6-3.2, P<0.001) and confidence improved from 1.6/5 to 3.1/5 (95% CI of confidence difference 1.1-2.0, P<0.001). There was no relationship between training level and the delta in knowledge or confidence.
    CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, the use of a cadaveric model to teach TEE transducer placement methods among novice users is feasible and improves both TEE manipulation knowledge and confidence levels.

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    A novel predictor of unsustained return of spontaneous circulation in cardiac arrest patients through a combination of capnography and pulse oximetry: a multicenter observational study
    Jing Yang, Hanqi Tang, Shihuan Shao, Feng Xu, Yangyang Fu, Shengyong Xu, Chen Li, Yan Li, Yang Liu, Joseph Harold Walline, Huadong Zhu, Yuguo Chen, Xuezhong Yu, Jun Xu
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2024, 15 (1): 16-22.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2023.186
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    BACKGROUND: Unsustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is a critical barrier to survival in cardiac arrest patients. This study examined whether end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) and pulse oximetry photoplethysmogram (POP) parameters can be used to identify unsustained ROSC.
    METHODS: We conducted a multicenter observational prospective cohort study of consecutive patients with cardiac arrest from 2013 to 2014. Patients’ general information, ETCO2, and POP parameters were collected and statistically analyzed.
    RESULTS: The included 105 ROSC episodes (from 80 cardiac arrest patients) comprised 51 sustained ROSC episodes and 54 unsustained ROSC episodes. The 24-hour survival rate was significantly higher in the sustained ROSC group than in the unsustained ROSC group (29.2% vs. 9.4%, P<0.05). The logistic regression analysis showed that the difference between after and before ROSC in ETCO2 (ΔETCO2) and the difference between after and before ROCS in area under the curve of POP (ΔAUCp) were independently associated with sustained ROSC (odds ratio [OR]=0.931, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.881-0.984, P=0.011 and OR=0.998, 95% CI 0.997-0.999, P<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of ΔETCO2, ΔAUCp, and the combination of both to predict unsustained ROSC were 0.752 (95% CI 0.660-0.844), 0.883 (95% CI 0.818-0.948), and 0.902 (95% CI 0.842-0.962), respectively.
    CONCLUSION: Patients with unsustained ROSC have a poor prognosis. The combination of ΔETCO2 and ΔAUCp showed significant predictive value for unsustained ROSC.

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    Comparison between intravenous morphine versus fentanyl in acute pain relief in drug abusers with acute limb traumatic injury
    Hojat Sheikh Motahar Vahedi, Hadi Hajebi, Elnaz Vahidi, Amir Nejati, Morteza Saeedi
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2019, 10 (1): 27-32.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2019.01.004
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    BACKGROUND: Rapid and effective pain relief in acute traumatic limb injuries (ATLI) is one of the most important roles of emergency physicians. In these situations, opioid addiction is an important concern because of the dependency on opioids. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of intravenous (IV) fentanyl versus morphine in reducing pain in patients with opioid addiction who suffered from ATLI.
    METHODS: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 307 patients with ATLI, who presented to the emergency department (ED) from February 2016 to April 2016, were randomly divided into two groups. One group (152 patients) received 0.1 mg/kg IV morphine. The other group (155 patients) received 1 mcg/kg IV fentanyl. Patients’ demographic data, pain score at specific intervals, vital signs, side effects, satisfaction and the need for rescue analgesia were recorded.
    RESULTS: Eight patients in the morphine group and five patients in the fentanyl group were excluded. Pain score in the fentanyl group had a significant decrease at 5-minute follow-up (P value=0.00). However, at 10, 30, and 60-minute follow-ups no significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of pain score reduction. The rescue analgesia was required in 12 (7.7%) patients in the fentanyl group and in 48 (31.6%) patients in the morphine group (P value=0.00). No significant difference was observed regarding side effects, vital signs and patients’ satisfaction between the two groups.
    CONCLUSION: Fentanyl might be an effective and safe drug in opioid addicts suffering from ATLI.

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    Efficacy of partial and complete resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in the hemorrhagic shock model of liver injury
    Yi Shan, Yang Zhao, Chengcheng Li, Jianxin Gao, Guogeng Song, Tanshi Li
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2024, 15 (1): 10-15.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2024.001
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    BACKGROUND: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) can temporarily control traumatic bleeding. However, its prolonged use potentially leads to ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Partial REBOA (pREBOA) can alleviate ischemic burden; however, its security and effectiveness prior to operative hemorrhage control remains unknown. Hence, we aimed to estimate the efficacy of pREBOA in a swine model of liver injury using an experimental sliding-chamber ballistic gun.
    METHODS: Twenty Landrace pigs were randomized into control (no aortic occlusion) (n=5), intervention with complete REBOA (cREBOA) (n=5), continuous pREBOA (C-pREBOA) (n=5), and sequential pREBOA (S-pREBOA) (n=5) groups. In the cREBOA and C-pREBOA groups, the balloon was inflated for 60 min. The hemodynamic and laboratory values were compared at various observation time points. Tissue samples immediately after animal euthanasia from the myocardium, liver, kidneys, and duodenum were collected for histological assessment using hematoxylin and eosin staining.
    RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the survival rate of the REBOA groups was prominently improved (all P<0.05). The total volume of blood loss was markedly lower in the cREBOA group (493.14±127.31 mL) compared with other groups (P<0.01). The pH was significantly lower at 180 min in the cREBOA and S-pREBOA groups (P<0.05). At 120 min, the S-pREBOA group showed higher alanine aminotransferase (P<0.05) but lower blood urea nitrogen compared with the cREBOA group (P<0.05).
    CONCLUSION: In this trauma model with liver injury, a 60-minute pREBOA resulted in improved survival rate and was effective in maintaining reliable aortic pressure, despite persistent hemorrhage. Extended tolerance time for aortic occlusion in Zone I for non-compressible torso hemorrhage was feasible with both continuous partial and sequential partial measures, and the significant improvement in the severity of acidosis and distal organ injury was observed in the sequential pREBOA.

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    Risk factors for postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder after emergency admission
    Fengxia Du, Jun Zha, Yan Li, Lichao Fang, Shuyu Xia, Youjia Yu
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2024, 15 (2): 121-125.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2024.013
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    BACKGROUND: Postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur in women who give birth after emergency admission. The identification of risk factors for this condition is crucial for developing effective preventive measures. This retrospective study aimed to explore the incidence and risk factors for postpartum PTSD in women who give birth after emergency admission.

    METHODS: Medical records of women who gave birth after emergency admission were collected between March 2021 and April 2023. The patients’ general conditions and perinatal clinical indicators were recorded. The puerperae were divided into PTSD group and control group based on symptom occurrence at six weeks postpartum. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors.

    RESULTS: A total of 276 puerperae were included, with a PTSD incidence of 20.3% at six weeks postpartum. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified emergency cesarean section (odds ratio [OR]=2.102; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.114-3.966, P=0.022), admission to the emergency department after midnight (12:00 AM) (OR=2.245; 95%CI: 1.170-4.305, P<0.001), and cervical dilation (OR=3.203; 95%CI 1.670-6.141, P=0.039) as independent risk factors for postpartum PTSD. Analgesia pump use (OR= 0.500; 95%CI 0.259-0.966, P=0.015) was found to be a protective factor against postpartum PTSD.

    CONCLUSION: Emergency cesarean section, admission to the emergency department after midnight, and cervical dilation were identified as independent risk factors for postpartum PTSD, while analgesic pump use was a protective factor. These findings provide insights for developing more effective preventive measures for women who give birth after emergency admission.

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    Management of difficult intravenous access: a qualitative review
    Mingwei Ng, Leong Kwok Fai Mark, Lateef Fatimah
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2022, 13 (6): 467-478.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2022.104
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    BACKGROUND: A perennial challenge faced by clinicians and made even more relevant with the global obesity epidemic, difficult intravenous access (DIVA) adversely impacts patient outcomes by causing significant downstream delays with many aspects of diagnoses and therapy. As most published DIVA strategies are limited to various point-of-care ultrasound techniques while other “tricks-of-the-trade” and pearls for overcoming DIVA are mostly relegated to informal nonpublished material, this article seeks to provide a narrative qualitative review of the iterature on DIVA and consolidate these strategies into a practical algorithm.

    METHODS: We conducted a literature search on PubMed using the keywords “difficult intravenous access”, “peripheral vascular access” and “peripheral venous access” and searched emergency medicine and anaesthesiology resources for relevant material. These strategies were then categorized and incorporated into a DIVA algorithm.

    RESULTS: We propose a Vortex approach to DIVA that is modelled after the Difficult Airway Vortex concept: starting off with standard peripheral intravenous cannulation (PIVC) techniques, progressing sequentially on to ultrasound-guided cannulation and central venous cannulation and finally escalating to the most invasive intraosseous access should the patient be in extremis or should best efforts with the other lifelines fail.

    CONCLUSION: DIVA is a perennial problem that healthcare providers across various disciplines will be increasingly challenged with. It is crucial to have a systematic stepwise approach such as the DIVA Vortex when managing such patients and have at hand a wide repertoire of techniques to draw upon.

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    Protective mechanism of quercetin in alleviating sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments
    Weichao Ding, Wei Zhang, Juan Chen, Mengmeng Wang, Yi Ren, Jing Feng, Xiaoqin Han, Xiaohang Ji, Shinan Nie, Zhaorui Sun
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2024, 15 (2): 111-120.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2024.030
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    BACKGROUND: Sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has a high mortality rate, and no effective treatment is available currently. Quercetin is a natural plant product with many pharmacological activities, such as antioxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to elucidate the protective mechanism of quercetin against sepsis-related ARDS.

    METHODS: In this study, network pharmacology and in vitro experiments were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms of quercetin against sepsis-related ARDS. Core targets and signaling pathways of quercetin against sepsis-related ARDS were screened and were verified by in vitro experiments.

    RESULTS: A total of 4,230 targets of quercetin, 360 disease targets of sepsis-related ARDS, and 211 intersection targets were obtained via database screening. Among the 211 intersection targets, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), albumin (ALB), AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were identified as the core targets. A Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed 894 genes involved in the inflammatory response, apoptosis regulation, and response to hypoxia. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis identified 106 pathways. After eliminating and generalizing, the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), TNF, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor signaling pathways were identified. Molecular docking revealed that quercetin had good binding activity with the core targets. Moreover, quercetin blocked the HIF-1, TNF, NF-κB, and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine alveolar macrophage (MH-S) cells. It also suppressed the inflammatory response, oxidative reactions, and cell apoptosis.

    CONCLUSION: Quercetin ameliorates sepsis-related ARDS by binding to its core targets and blocking the HIF-1, TNF, NF-κB, and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways to reduce inflammation, cell apoptosis, and oxidative stress.

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    Value of procalcitonin and presepsin in the diagnosis and severity stratification of sepsis and septic shock
    Enfeng Ren, Hongli Xiao, Guoxing Wang, Yongzhen Zhao, Han Yu, Chunsheng Li
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2024, 15 (2): 135-138.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2024.028
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    Effects of sepsis on hippocampal volume and memory function
    Miao Yuan, Ding-yi Yan, Fang-shi Xu, Yi-di Zhao, Yang Zhou, Long-fei Pan
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2020, 11 (4): 223-230.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2020.04.004
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    BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the effects of sepsis on brain integrity, memory, and executive function.

    METHODS: Twenty sepsis patients who were not diagnosed with sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) but had abnormal electroencephalograms (EEGs) were included. The control group included twenty healthy persons. A neuropsychological test of memory and executive function and a brain magnetic resonance imaging scan were performed. The volumes of cortex and subcortex were measured using the FreeSurfer software. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score was used to determine the disease severity.

    RESULTS: In the sepsis group, the levels of immediate free recall, immediate cued recall, and delayed cued recall in the California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II) were significantly lower; the explicit memory (recollection process) in the process dissociation procedure test was lower; and the volumes of the left and right hippocampi were significantly lower compared with the control group. The volume of the presubiculum in the hippocampus of sepsis patients showed statistically significant decrease. In the sepsis group, the volumes of the left and right hippocampi were negatively correlated with the APACHE II score and positively with immediate free recall, immediate cued recall, and delayed cued recall in the CVLT-II; moreover, the hippocampal volume was significantly correlated with recollection but not with familiarity.

    CONCLUSIONS: Patients with abnormal EEGs during hospitalization but with no SAE still have reduced hippocampal volume and memory deficits. This finding indicates that sepsis leads to damage to specific parts of the hippocampus.

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    Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 preserves mitochondrial morphology and attenuates hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced cardiomyocyte injury
    Rui Zhang, Meng-yang Xue, Bao-shan Liu, Wen-jun Wang, Xin-hui Fan, Bo-yuan Zheng, Qiu-huan Yuan, Feng Xu, Jia-li Wang, Yu-guo Chen
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2020, 11 (4): 246-254.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2020.04.007
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    BACKGROUND: Disturbance of mitochondrial fission and fusion (termed mitochondrial dynamics) is one of the leading causes of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced myocardial injury. Previous studies showed that mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) conferred cardioprotective effect against myocardial I/R injury and suppressed I/R-induced excessive mitophagy in cardiomyocytes. However, whether ALDH2 participates in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics during myocardial I/R injury remains unknown.

    METHODS: In the present study, we investigated the effect of ALDH2 on mitochondrial dynamics and the underlying mechanisms using the H9c2 cells exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) as an in vitro model of myocardial I/R injury.

    RESULTS: Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was significantly increased after oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R), and ALDH2 activation largely decreased the cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Additionally, we found that both ALDH2 activation and overexpression significantly inhibited the increased mitochondrial fission after OGD/R. Furthermore, we found that ALDH2 dominantly suppressed dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) phosphorylation (Ser616) and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation (Thr172) but not interfered with the expression levels of mitochondrial shaping proteins.

    CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the protective effect of ALDH2 against cardiomyocyte H/R injury with a novel mechanism on mitochondrial fission/fusion.

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    Comparison of neurological clinical manifestation in patients with hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke
    Seyedhossein Ojaghihaghighi, Samad Shams Vahdati, Akram Mikaeilpour, Ali Ramouz
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2017, 8 (1): 34-38.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2017.01.006
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    BACKGROUND: Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the third leading cause of death and disability in developed countries. Anyone suspected of having a stroke should be taken immediately to a medical facility for diagnosis and treatment. The symptoms that follow a stroke aren't significant and depend on the area of the brain that has been affected and the amount of tissue damaged. Parameters for predicting long-term outcome in such patients have not been clearly delineated, therefore the aim of this study was to investigate this possibility and to test a system that might practicably be used routinely to aid management and predict outcomes of individual stroke patients.

    METHODS: A descriptive hospital-based study of the neurological symptoms and signs of 503 patients with ischemic stroke, including severe headache, seizure, eye movement disorder, pupil size, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), agitation were analyzed in this study.

    RESULTS: In the current study, dilated pupils, agitation, acute onset headache, lower GCS score, seizure, and eye gaze impairment had significantly higher prevalence in hemorrhagic stroke patients (P<0.001). However, the rate of gradual progressive headache is significantly higher in ischemic stroke patients (P<0.001).

    CONCLUSION: Although this result provides reliable indicators for discrimination of stroke types, imaging studies are still the gold standard modality for diagnosis.

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    Utilization of biomarkers for the prognostic prediction of cardiac arrest survivors using a multi-modal approach
    Changshin Kang, Yeonho You, Jung Soo Park, Byeong Kwon Park, Jae Kwang Lee, Byung Kook Lee
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2024, 15 (2): 131-134.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2024.029
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    A case of Rickettsia felis infection-induced encephalitis in a pregnant woman
    Jinghua Qiu, Hui Feng, Lijun Liu, Jianjun Zhu
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2024, 15 (2): 150-152.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2024.019
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    Effects of fluid balance on prognosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome patients secondary to sepsis
    Yu-ming Wang, Yan-jun Zheng, Ying Chen, Yun-chuan Huang, Wei-wei Chen, Ran Ji, Li-li Xu, Zhi-tao Yang, Hui-qiu Sheng, Hong-ping Qu, En-qiang Mao, Er-zhen Chen
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2020, 11 (4): 216-222.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2020.04.003
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    BACKGROUND: Fluid management is crucial to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to sepsis. However, choices of fluid resuscitation strategies and fluid input volumes remain a thorny problem. Our study aimed to elucidate the relationship between fluid balance and prognosis of ARDS patients secondary to sepsis.

    METHODS: Our study included 322 sepsis patients from Ruijin Hospital between 2014 and 2018, and 84 patients were diagnosed as ARDS within 72 hours after onset of sepsis according to Berlin ARDS Definition.

    RESULTS: Among the 322 sepsis patients, 84 (26.1%) were complicated with ARDS within 72 hours. ARDS patients had a lower oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2 166.4±71.0 vs. 255.0±91.2, P<0.05), longer duration of mechanical ventilation (11 [6-24] days vs. 0 [0-0] days, P<0.05) than those without ARDS. Sepsis patients with ARDS showed daily positive net fluid balance during seven days compared with those without ARDS who showed daily negative net fluid balance since the second day with significant statistical differences. Among the 84 sepsis patients with ARDS, 58 (69.0%) died. Mean daily fluid input volumes were much lower in survivors than in non-survivors (43.2±16.7 mL/kg vs. 51.0±25.2 mL/kg, P<0.05) while output volumes were much higher in survivors (45.2±19.8 mL/kg vs. 40.2±22.7 mL/kg, P<0.05). Using binary logistic regression analysis, we found that the mean daily fluid balance was independently associated with mortality of sepsis patients complicating with ARDS (P<0.05).

    CONCLUSIONS: Early negative fluid balance is independently associated with a better prognosis of sepsis patients complicated with ARDS.

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    Pulmonary embolism secondary to acute anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a case report
    Lin Yuan, Hong Li, Yuhong Mi, Ying Liang
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2024, 15 (2): 139-141.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2024.017
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    The Emergency Department Crash Cart: A systematic review and suggested contents
    Gabrielle A. Jacquet, Bachar Hamade, Karim A. Diab, Rasha Sawaya, Gilbert Abou Dagher, Eveline Hitti, Jamil D. Bayram
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2018, 9 (2): 93-98.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2018.02.002
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    BACKGROUND: As the field of Emergency Medicine grows worldwide, the importance of an Emergency Department Crash Cart (EDCC) has long been recognized. Yet, there is paucity of relevant peer-reviewed literature specifically discussing EDCCs or proposing detailed features for an EDCC suitable for both adult and pediatric patients.
    METHODS: The authors performed a systematic review of EDCC-specific literature indexed in Pubmed and Embase on December 20, 2016. In addition, the authors reviewed the 2015 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care, the 2015 European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines for resuscitation, and the 2013 American College of Surgeons (ACS) Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) 9th edition.
    RESULTS: There were a total of 277 results, with 192 unique results and 85 duplicates. After careful review by two independent reviewers, all but four references were excluded. None of the four included articles described comprehensive contents of equipment and medications for both the adult and pediatric populations. This article describes in detail the final four articles specific to EDCC, and proposes a set of suggested contents for the EDCC.
    CONCLUSION: Our systematic review shows the striking paucity of such a high impact indispensable item in the ED. We hope that our EDCC content suggestions help enhance the level of response of EDs in the resuscitation of adult and pediatric populations, and encourage the implementation of and adherence to the latest evidence-based resuscitation guidelines.

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    Effect of a cervical collar on optic nerve sheath diameter in trauma patients
    Mümin Murat Yazici, Özcan Yavaşi̇
    World Journal of Emergency Medicine    2024, 15 (2): 126-130.   DOI: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2024.023
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    BACKGROUND: As advocated in advanced trauma life support and prehospital trauma life support protocols, cervical immobilization is applied until cervical spine injury is excluded. This study aimed to show the difference in optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) between patients with and without a cervical collar using computed tomography (CT).

    METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective study examining trauma patients who presented to the emergency department between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021. The ONSD on brain CT of the trauma patients was measured and analyzed to determine whether there was a difference between the ONSD with and without the cervical collar.

    RESULTS: The study population consisted of 169 patients. On CT imaging of patients with (n=66) and without (n=103) cervical collars, the mean ONSD in the axial plane were 5.43 ± 0.50 mm and 5.04 ± 0.46 mm respectively for the right eye and 5.50 ± 0.52 mm and 5.11 ± 0.46 mm respectively for the left eye. The results revealed an association between the presence of a cervical collar and the mean ONSD, which was statistically significant (P<0.001) for both the right and left eyes.

    CONCLUSION: A cervical collar may be associated with increased ONSD. The effect of this increase in the ONSD on clinical outcomes needs to be investigated, and the actual need for cervical collar in the emergency department should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

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