Ayhan Akoz

S-100β and neuron-specific enolase levels in carbon monoxide―related brain injury

INTRODUCTION Carbon monoxide (CO) toxicity may cause persistent injuries in tissues sensitive to hypoxia. Neuropsychiatric sequelae may be observed in about 67% of cases after severe CO exposure. AIM The aims of this study were to demonstrate the usefulness of S-100beta and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in CO intoxications, show the degree of neurological response, and determine the indications for hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) as biochemical markers. RESULTS The S-100beta and NSE levels of the sera of 30 patients were studied upon admittance and at the third and sixth hours. S-100beta levels were found to be high in all 3 analyses. There was no significant change in NSE levels. When the S-100beta levels were compared with Glasgow Coma Scale levels, a strong negative correlation was found for all hours (r = -0.7, -0.8; P = .00). The correlation between S-100beta and carboxyhemoglobin levels at the initial hour was found to be statistically significant (r = 0.4; P = .01). The S-100beta levels in patients receiving HBOT showed a considerable decrease compared with those in patients not receiving the treatment. The same decrease was valid for NSE, although it was insignificant. CONCLUSION S-100beta may be useful in evaluating intoxications as an early biochemical marker in CO intoxications, as well as in the differential diagnosis due to other causes, and in determining HBOT indications.

Intracranial hemorrhage with electrocardiographic abnormalities and troponin elevation

Electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities and cardiac troponin I elevation are seen in addition to the classic clinical symptoms and signs of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We aimed to show that, in patients with ST elevation, troponin elevation, and altered consciousness, the reason may be SAH. A 36-year-old man presented to emergency service with ECG abnormalities, high level of cardiac troponin I, and neurologic symptoms. In the patients initial ECG, there were sinus arrhythmia, bradycardia, T-wave inversions inferiorly, and concave ST elevations in V1 to V4. Three hours later, his ECG showed increased ST-segment elevations with normal heart rate. The patients troponin I value was 10 mg/L. Ejection fraction was 60%, and there were no wall motion abnormalities on echocardiography. Computed tomographic scan of the brain demonstrated SAH with falx sign and midline cerebellar hematoma (3 × 4 cm in size) in the occipital region. The patient died on the 10th day of follow-up because of severe metabolic acidosis, multiorgan failure, and bradycardia. Cardiac evaluation is recommended in patients with intracranial hemorrhage in many studies. In our opinion, if there are neurologic symptoms or signs in patients diagnosed as acute myocardial infarction with ECG changes and troponin elevation, requesting threshold of brain computed tomography should be low before the thrombolytic therapy.

A prospective study of brain natriuretic peptide levels in three subgroups: Stroke with hypertension, stroke without hypertension, and hypertension alone

Aim: To study brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in three subgroups: patients having stroke with hypertension (HT), those having stroke without HT, and those with HT alone. We also tried to identify whether BNP levels predict the length of stay in hospital and mortality. Materials and Methods: The groups were formed by patients who had been admitted to the emergency department in the first 4–12 h after the onset of symptoms. There were 30 stroke patients with a history of HT (group I), 30 stroke patients without a history of HT (group II), and 20 HT patients without stroke (group III). Patients with congestive heart failure, chronic cor pulmonale, severe valvular heart disease, chronic renal failure, liver insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, and those with a history of stroke were excluded from the study since these diseases can affect the plasma BNP levels. Results: The demographic characteristics, except the age distribution, were similar among the groups. The mean BNP levels in the three groups were 168.8 ± 223.9 pg/ml, 85.0 ± 75.1 pg/ml, and 84.8 ± 178.3 pg/ml, respectively. The differences between the groups were statistically significant. Conclusion: The mean BNP levels were affected by HT and/or stroke. The simultaneous presence of HT and stroke results in a more significant increase BNP than the presence of either stroke or HT alone. When diseases that can affect the plasma BNP levels are excluded, the BNP levels in stroke patients without a history of HT are similar to the levels seen in patients with only HT.

Is one-time carbon monoxide intoxication harmless? Evaluation by argyrophilic nucleolar-organizing regions staining method

In carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, CO affects the oxygen-carrying capacity of the hemoglobin molecule. Nucleolar-organizing regions (NORs) are genetic loci on chromosomes that are composed of ribosomal DNA and proteins. NORs can be stained with silver. A total of 18 rats were exposed to CO in three different concentrations (1000, 3000, and 5000 ppm) with 6 rats as controls. The animals were euthanized 7 days after CO intoxication. Lung tissues were taken, embedded in paraffin blocks, and sectioned at 5 μm thickness. Argyrophilic nucleolar-organizing region (AgNOR) staining was carried out. One hundred nuclei per individual were evaluated, and total AgNOR number per total nuclear number and total AgNOR area per nuclear area (TAA/NA) for each nucleus were analyzed. The CO exposure groups had significantly higher TAA/NA values and AgNOR numbers than the control group (p < 0.05). Although the differences between 1000 ppm and the other two CO-exposed groups were meaningful (p < 0.05) in the TAA/NA values, there were no differences among the CO exposure groups for the AgNOR number (p > 0.05). The increase in TAA/NA value depends on the increase in the CO exposure. Significant correlations between both the AgNOR values and histopathological scoring methods were found. Therefore, AgNOR staining method may be used as an indirect indicator for evaluating the degree of cell damage rate.

The utility of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in Kounis syndrome.

Introduction Current diagnostic measurements used to assess myocardial involvement in Kounis syndrome, such as electrocardiography (ECG), cardiac enzymes, and troponin levels, are relatively insensitive to small but potentially significant functional change. According to our review of the literature, there has been no study using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on Kounis syndrome except for one case report. Aim To identify the findings of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) in patients with Kounis syndrome (KS) type 1. Material and methods We studied 26 patients (35 ±11.5 years, 53.8% male) with known or suspected KS type 1. The patients underwent precontrast, first-pass, and delayed enhancement cardiac MRI (DE-MRI). Contrast enhancement patterns, edema, hypokinesia, and localization for myocardial lesions were evaluated in all KS type 1 patients. Results Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an early-phase subendocardial contrast defect, and T2-weighted images showed high-signal intensity consistent with edema in lesion areas. None of the lesion areas was found upon contrast enhancement on DE-MRI. The area of early-phase subendocardial contrast defect was reported as follows: the interventricular septum in 14 (53.8%) patients, the left ventricular lateral wall in 8 (30.7%), and the left ventricular apex in 4 (15.4%). Conclusions Dynamic cardiac MR imaging is a reliable tool for assessing cardiac involvement in Kounis syndrome. Delayed contrast-enhanced images show normal washout in the subendocardial lesion area in patients with Kounis syndrome type 1.

Two questions for Kounis syndrome: can we use magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and does ST elevation correlates with troponin levels?

Kounis syndrome (KS) is an acute coronary vasospasm after exposure to an allergen due to mast cell degranulation and existing mediators. Various drugs, conditions, and environmental exposures can cause KS. We presented 2 cases, 1 of whom had taken an antiflu drug (containing paracetamol, pseudoephedrine, and dextromethorphan). His electrocardiogram (ECG) showed inferior ST elevations (2 mm) with normal cardiac biomarkers. His cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed hypokinesis and myocardial hibernation on apical septum and on the left ventricle. The second patient took a pill of naproxen sodium. The ECG showed 1-mm ST elevation in leads DII, V5, and V6. His troponin was markedly elevated. These cases showed that there seems to be no correlation with ECG and troponin levels in KS. In addition, for patients in whom KS type 1 is expected without troponin elevation, noninvasive cardiac magnetic resonance imaging study seems to be appropriate for the diagnosis of KS.

Are there any effects of chronic carbon monoxide exposure on argyrophilic nucleolar-organizing region–associated protein synthesis in rat myocardium?

The aims of the study are to detect whether there are any possible effects of chronic carbon monoxide (CO) exposure on the argyrophilic nucleolar-organizing region (AgNOR)–associated protein synthesis and evaluate any possible relationship between the amount of AgNOR protein and the level of myocardial injury also and between AgNOR and histopathological evaluation methods. Adult male albino Wistar rats (n = 18) were randomly divided into three groups (groups A, B, and C). Group A served as control, while groups B and C were rats exposed to CO gas chronically (1000 and 3000 ppm CO concentration with a flow rate of 4 L/min for 30 min/day for 7 days, respectively). Total AgNOR area/nuclear area (TAA/NA) and the mean AgNOR numbers for each myocyte nucleus were determined. There were significant differences among all groups for TAA/NA ratio. These differences were not significant for mean AgNOR numbers. According to the histopathological evaluation scores, there were significant differences between the groups. The differences were significant among the groups for loss of sarcomere pattern. A strong positive correlation between histopathological injury scores and TAA/NA ratio was found (Rsq = 0.48; p = 0.002), however, the correlation was not significant for mean AgNOR numbers (Rsq = 0.08; p = 0.25). In conclusion, TAA/NA ratio can be used as an indicator for obtaining information about the level of myocardial damage instead of histopathological evaluation scores.

Patient-staff safety applications: the evaluation of blue code reports.

OBJECTIVE Blue code systems (BCS) are communication systems that ensure the most rapid and effective resuscitation when a patient is in respiratory or cardiac arrest. A hospital employee faced with the situation of a cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) starts the system by dialing 6666 from any phone in the hospital. We created a five-person team that includes a doctor, nurse, anesthesia technician, stretcher officer and security guard. The purpose of this study is to share our experiences in initiating the use of the BCS in our hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS In our hospital, the records of calls that were made by Callvision BCS were analyzed retrospectively from May 2010 to the end of January 2011. RESULTS A total of 474 calls were made using the blue code system. Of those calls, 402 (84.5%) were determined to be inappropriate calls. The remaining 72 calls were responded to. Of the 72 patients who were treated, 21 were discharged after they were hospitalized in the service or intensive care unit, 45 cases resulted in exitus, and 5 cases were referred to the Ataturk University faculty of medicine. CONCLUSION The BCS has achieved its goal. The discharge rate of 29.5% that we achieved is a successful result.

Characteristics of Patients Who Admitted to the Emergency Department Because of Burns Due to Dens Liquids Such as Hot Milk/Oil.

OBJECTIVE Burn is the tissue damage on body caused due to various reasons. Although all burns caused by hot liquids are investigated as scalding burns, dense liquid burns (DLB) caused by such as milk and oil are different from other burns. The aim of this study was to report the properties of DLB. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients admitted to the Emergency Service of Atatürk University Hospital, with DLB from June 2003 to December 2008, were examined retrospectively. RESULTS During the study, 28 DLB patients were admitted to the emergency service. The most common admission were found in autumn 28.6% (n=8), and in May and June, 17.9% (n=5). The frequency of burns on the right upper extremity was seen in 50% (n=14) of the patients. The burn degree of all patients was determined as 2(nd) degree. Seventy-five percent (n=21) of the patients were discharged, 14.3% (n=4) were hospitalized. None of the patients died. CONCLUSION Dense liquid burns is a burn type that is commonly seen in women, absolutely causing 2(nd) degree burns, frequently reported in upper extremity and head/neck regions, and in contrast to other studies, in our region it is completely seen in patients living in city centre.

A rare complication of scorpion venom: atrial fibrillation

Although the clinical findings of scorpion stings are often mild, they may lead to multiorgan failure and even cardiogenic shock. The toxin has both local and systemic effects. Local effects include edema, bruising(ecchymosis), and burning pain,whereas systemic effects include nausea,vomiting, hypotension or hypertension, cardiovascular toxicity, renal failure,and hemorrhage at different areas. The toxins have been implicated in a number of cardiac arrhythmias, including torsade de pointes, long QT syndrome, and atrial fibrillation. Here, we present a 90-year-old woman with no history of drug use or complaints due to dysrhythmias who developed atrial fibrillation after being stung by a scorpion.