Engin Ozakin

Elevated lactate level and shock index in nontraumatic hypotensive patients presenting to the emergency department.

Background The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of lactate level (LL) and shock index (SI) on the outcome in nontraumatic hypotensive patients in the emergency department, and also to show the significance of the combined usage of these two parameters. Methods This is a prospective, observational study. Elevated and normal LL (ELL and NLL), elevated and normal SI (ESI and NSI), and a combination of these two parameters (lactate–SI group 1: ELL and ESI, lactate–SI group 2: ELL or ESI, and lactate–SI group 3: NLL and NSI) were evaluated for primary (mortality) and secondary outcome measures. Results A total of 131 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were analysed. Of the patients with ELL, 34.78% were mechanically ventilated (P<0.001), 31.88% received vasoactive drugs (P<0.001), and 68.1% were hospitalized (P<0.01). The mortality rate among patients with ELL was 50.72% (P<0.001). Of the patients with ESI, 39.42% died (P<0.01). Use of mechanical ventilation in the emergency department was higher in lactate–SI group 1 [36.1%, P<0.0001, sensitivity: 100.0%, negative predictive value (NPV): 100.0%]. Vasoactive drug use was higher in lactate–SI group 1 (32.8%, P<0.0001, sensitivity: 100.0%, NPV: 100.0%). Lactate–SI group 1 showed a higher hospitalization rate (67.8%, P>0.05). In-hospital mortality in lactate–SI group 1 was higher (54.1%, P<0.0001, sensitivity: 100.0%, NPV: 100.0%). Conclusion The combination of both parameters is effective in predicting these outcome measures with higher sensitivities and NPVs. Further studies on the subject are required.

An Analysis of Patients That Underwent Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography with the Prediagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism in the Emergency Department

Introduction. The purpose of this study is to analyze the frequency of other diagnoses and findings in patients that were diagnosed with or not diagnosed with PE following the CTPA in the ED and to analyze the relationship between diagnosis and D-dimer. Instrument and Method. This study involves all patients that presented to the ED that underwent CTPA with the prediagnosis of PE. The items considered in this study were their reason for presenting to the ED and pretest clinical risks for PE, D-dimer, and CTPA results. Findings. Of the 696 cases, the most common cause was shortness of breath (59.3%). The CTPA showed that 145 (20.83%) patients were suffering from PE. Among the remaining cases, 464 (66.66%) patients had pathological findings other than PE and 87 (12.5%) patients were reported as normal. The most common pathological results other than PE found in CTPA were atelectasis in 244 (39.9%) and ground glass in 165 (23.7%), as well as nonpulmonary results in 70 (10.05%) patients. The differences in D-dimer results of patients diagnosed with PE, patients diagnosed with another pathology, and patients with normal CTPA results were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion. CTPA scanning, performed on the basis of assessment scoring, helps in discovering other fatal pathologies in addition to PE.

An Evaluation of Complications in Ultrasound-Guided Central Venous Catheter Insertion in the Emergency Department

SUMMARY Objectives In emergency departments, emergency physicians frequently have to perform central venous access. In cases where peripheral venous access is not possible, central venous access is required for dialysis, fulfillment of urgent fluid need, or central venous pressure measurement. This study was carried out to evaluate the emergence of complications in the process of and in the 15 days following the insertion of central venous catheter under ultrasound guidance in the emergency department. Methods For this study, patients who presented to the emergency department over a period of eight months with an urgent need for central catheter were examined prospectively. Age, gender, and accompanying diseases of patients as well as the type, time, duration, and indication of the venous access were recorded. Furthermore, the amount of experience of the physician was taken into consideration. Results In the emergency department, physicians performed ultrasound-guided central venous catheter insertion for 74 patients (40 men and 34 women). For access, internal jugular vein was used in 65 (87.8%) patients, and femoral vein was used in 9 (12.2%) patients. The reason for access was urgent dialysis need in 55 (74.3%), CVP measurement in 3 (4.1%), fluid support due to severe hypovolemia in 6 (8.1%), and difficulty of peripheral venous access in 10 (13.5%) patients. None of the patients developed complications in the process of or after the insertion. Patients did not have infections related to the catheter in 15 days following the insertion. Conclusions Central venous access is frequently required in emergency departments. The risk of complication is little if any in ultrasonographyguided access carried out under appropriate conditions.

Osmangazi University score to reduce ionizing radiation in renal colic patients in emergency department

Objective: Computerized tomography remains the gold standard imaging in renal colic patients. In this study, we develop a scoring system to select patients in emergency department for unnecessary computerized tomography imaging in order to decrease radiation exposure. Methods: Computerized tomography imaging of patients with renal colic in emergency department were retrospectively reviewed. Symptoms, laboratory results were recorded. Significant parameters were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. Coefficients were found to obtain score points and receiver operating curve was used to find a cut-off value. Results: A total of 123 patients with a mean age of 42 years (18–75 years) were enrolled in the study. About, 20.3% of patients were stone-free in computerized tomography. Mean stone size was 6.1 ± 1.89 mm. According to analysis, four parameters were significant; nausea, stone history, creatinine, and hematuria with a total score 9 called as Osmangazi University STONE score. Cut-off value was found as >3, which computerized tomography imaging is recommended. Conclusion: Osmangazi University STONE score is useful and simple tool in emergency department to reduce unnecessary computerized tomography imaging in renal colic patients and also lowers cost and ionizing radiation exposure.

Injury, hospitalization, and operation rates are low in aerial sports

Objectivess Aerial sports can cause serious injuries. The rate of injuries is nevertheless reasonably low, contrary to popular belief. This study aimed to evaluate the rate and severity of injuries to ASI patients presented to our Emergency Department (ED). Material and methods The study was held at a university medical center. The patients who were presented or transferred to the ED in a four year period were retrospectively reviewed. Results 73.2% of patients were male. The mean age of patients was 28.6. The distribution of injury rates by activity was as follows: 1.46% in parachuting, 0.35% in paragliding, and 0.04% in hang-gliding. 75.6% of patients were trainees. In 82.9% of patients, the injury occurred during the practical session of training. The most common injury is soft tissue and ligamentous (ST/L) injury (41.5%). 25 patients (61%) had isolated lower extremity injuries (13 of them had fractures). Other isolated injuries were head trauma in 2 (4.9%) and vertebral fractures in 3 (7.3%) patients. 4 (9.8%) patients were diagnosed with multiple injuries. The overall rate of hospitalization was 0.07% (0.16% in parachuting, 0.08% in paragliding, and 0.03% in hang-gliding). The need for operation in overall activities was 0.04% (0.08% in parachuting, 0.03% in paragliding, and 0.03% in hang-gliding). The mortality rate was found to be zero in the region. Conclusion Aerial sports are considered dangerous sports activities, but the injury, hospitalization, and operation rates are low.

A Rare Cause of Acute Abdominal Pain: Splenic Infarct (Case Series)

SUMMARY Splenic infarcts are rare cases. It may not be noticed in the emergency department because the clinical picture is likely to mimic various acute abdominal pains. The splenic infarct is often the result of systemic thromboembolism associated with cardiovascular disorders. The aim of this study is to present an evaluation of the patients that presented to the emergency department (ED) with abdominal pain and were diagnosed with splenic infarct.

A Rare Cause of Acute Abdominal Pain: Spelnic Infarct (Case Series)

SUMMARY Splenic infarcts are rare cases. It may not be noticed in the emergency department because the clinical picture is likely to mimic various acute abdominal pains. The splenic infarct is often the result of systemic thromboembolism associated with cardiovascular disorders. The aim of this study is to present an evaluation of the patients that presented to the emergency department (ED) with abdominal pain and were diagnosed with splenic infarct.

The Cause of Abdominal Pain after Dialysis

A 56-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with a sudden onset of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and distension. Her symptoms started after dialysis and progressively worsened. Upon admission, a physical examination revealed a heart rate 96 beats/min, a blood pressure of 70/40 mmHg, left quadrant tenderness, rebound, and rigidity. Her hemoglobin level was 4.4 gr/dL and her platelet count was normal. Activated prothrombin time was high and the INR was 7.69. A computed tomographic scan without contrast was performed (Figure 1). (see page 39 for diagnosis).

Low perfusion index affects the difference in glucose level between capillary and venous blood

Aim In emergency cases, finger stick testing is primarily used to check the blood glucose value of patients since it takes longer to obtain the venous value. In critical patients, under conditions that cause an increase in metabolic state and level of stress, there occurs considerable difference in glucose levels between capillary and venous measurements. This study aimed to investigate the comparability of capillary and venous glucose values, according to the perfusion index level obtained with the Masimo Radical-7® device, in critical patients aged 18 years and over. Method We conducted this prospective and observational study in the emergency department of the Eskisehir Osmangazi University hospital between November 3, 2008 and February 2, 2009. Results The blood glucose of 300 critical patients was checked by finger stick in the emergency unit. The participants with normal vital signs had perfusion index between 0 and 5; the results obtained by the two methods were more consistent for perfusion index values of 6 and over. The results were most consistent in aged participants with normal vital sign findings and low perfusion index and in young patients with high perfusion index. In the cases where at least one of the vital signs was abnormal, the glucose values obtained by the two methods were more consistent when the perfusion index was 6 or over. In this group, independently from the perfusion index value, the consistency was higher in younger patients compared with aged patients. Conclusion In the emergency department, perfusion index value measured by Masimo Radical-7 and capillary blood glucose levels can serve in blood sugar management in critically ill patients.

Acute Visual Loss Secondary to Sneezing

A case is presented of a 24-year-old woman with acute, painless visual loss that oc- curred after sneezing. The patient had no previ- ous ocular disease history. Ophthalmic work-up revealed a cilioretinal artery occlusion in the right eye. Transesophageal echocardiography showed a secundum atrial septal defect with right-to-left shunt. Sudden visual loss requires thorough inves- tigation to determine the cause. In this case, exami- nation revealed a retinal artery occlusion, whose risk factors include older age, systemic hyperten- sion, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and giant cell arteritis (temporal) in more than 75% of pa- tients. Especially in patients younger than 40 years, an embolus of cardiac origin (atrial septal defect, patent foramen ovale, or valvular) should be sus- pected as a cause of retinal artery occlusion.