scholarly journals Is cardiac arrest an inflammatory state? Adding steroid into ACLS guidelines will save more lives?

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-94
Author(s):  
Tapati Chowdhury ◽  
Arpona Dev Nath ◽  
Tasbirul Islam

Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening condition with low survival rate. Over the years ACLS guidelines have been developed to reduce cardiac arrest specific mortality rate. In this review article, the authors researched steroid use during and after CPR for determining its effect on survival rate and post cardiac arrest disabilities. Scholarly articles from well-known reputed journals relevant to both cardiac arrest and steroid use since 1960 have been reviewed. This article first examines the question whether cardiac arrest can be considered an inflammatory state. Afterwards, evidence of the beneficial role of steroid use in cardiac arrest and in other cardiac conditions have been outlined. In conclusion, this review paper summarizes any benefits of steroid use in cardiac arrest.Bangladesh Crit Care J September 2018; 6(2): 92-94

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 3059
Author(s):  
Corrado Pelaia ◽  
Cecilia Calabrese ◽  
Eugenio Garofalo ◽  
Andrea Bruni ◽  
Alessandro Vatrella ◽  
...  

Among patients suffering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome, one of the worst possible scenarios is represented by the critical lung damage caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced cytokine storm, responsible for a potentially very dangerous hyperinflammatory condition. Within such a context, interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a key pathogenic role, thus being a suitable therapeutic target. Indeed, the IL-6-receptor antagonist tocilizumab, already approved for treatment of refractory rheumatoid arthritis, is often used to treat patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms and lung involvement. Therefore, the aim of this review article is to focus on the rationale of tocilizumab utilization in the SARS-CoV-2-triggered cytokine storm, as well as to discuss current evidence and future perspectives, especially with regard to ongoing trials referring to the evaluation of tocilizumab’s therapeutic effects in patients with life-threatening SARS-CoV-2 infection.


Author(s):  
Chuenruthai Angkoontassaneeyarat ◽  
Chaiyaporn Yuksen ◽  
Chetsadakon Jenpanitpong ◽  
Pemika Rukthai ◽  
Marisa Seanpan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a life-threatening condition with an overall survival rate that generally does not exceed 10%. Several factors play essential roles in increasing survival among patients experiencing cardiac arrest outside the hospital. Previous studies have reported that implementing a dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR) program increases bystander CPR, quality of chest compressions, and patient survival. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a DA-CPR program developed by the Thailand National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEMS). Methods: This was an experimental study using a manikin model. The participants comprised both health care providers and non-health care providers aged 18 to 60 years. They were randomly assigned to either the DA-CPR group or the uninstructed CPR (U-CPR) group and performed chest compressions on a manikin model for two minutes. The sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelope method was used for randomization in blocks of four with a ratio of 1:1. Results: There were 100 participants in this study (49 in the DA-CPR group and 51 in the U-CPR group). Time to initiate chest compressions was statistically significantly longer in the DA-CPR group than in the U-CPR group (85.82 [SD = 32.54] seconds versus 23.94 [SD = 16.70] seconds; P <.001). However, the CPR instruction did not translate into better performance or quality of chest compressions for the overall sample or for health care or non-health care providers. Conclusion: Those in the CPR-trained group applied chest compressions (initiated CPR) more quickly than those who initiated CPR based upon dispatch-based CPR instructions.


Author(s):  
Stefano Sartini ◽  
Laura Massobrio ◽  
Ombretta Cutuli ◽  
Paola Campodonico ◽  
Cristina Bernini ◽  
...  

COVID-19 respiratory failure is a life-threatening condition. Oxygenation targets were evaluated in a non-ICU setting. In this retrospective, observational study, we enrolled all patients admitted to the University Hospital of Genoa, Italy, between 1 February and 31 May 2020 with an RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2. PaO2, PaO2/FiO2 and SatO2% were collected and analyzed at time 0 and in case of admission, patients who required or not C-PAP (groups A and B) were categorized. Each measurement was correlated to adverse outcome. A total of 483 patients were enrolled, and 369 were admitted to hospital. Of these, 153 required C-PAP and 266 had an adverse outcome. Patients with PaO2 <60 and >100 had a higher rate of adverse outcome at time 0, in groups A and B (OR 2.52, 3.45, 2.01, respectively). About the PaO2/FiO2 ratio, the OR for < 300 was 3.10 at time 0, 4.01 in group A and 4.79 in group B. Similar odds were found for < 200 in any groups and < 100 except for group B (OR 11.57). SatO2 < 94% showed OR 1.34, 3.52 and 19.12 at time 0, in groups A and B, respectively. PaO2 < 60 and >100, SatO2 < 94% and PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 300 showed at least two- to three-fold correlation to adverse outcome. This may provide simple but clear targets for clinicians facing COVID-19 respiratory failure in a non ICU-setting.


2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 189-191
Author(s):  
Nagendra Singh Sonwani ◽  
Navneet Ateriya ◽  
Arvind Kumar ◽  
Anil Kohli ◽  
Kalyan Kumar Banerjee

Acute haemorrhage from ruptured oesophageal varices is a serious consequence of portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients. It represents a medical emergency with a high morbidity and mortality rate. Studies over the years have shown a direct link with chronic alcoholism in the development of such complications. Although the gastrointestinal system accounts for a few numbers of sudden deaths, bleeding through ruptured varices represent a life-threatening condition. The role of forensic pathologist is vital in dealing with sudden deaths. Here, we report a case of a 46-year-old man who died suddenly following the rupture of oesophageal varices.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory C. Davenport ◽  
James B. Hittner ◽  
Vincent Otieno ◽  
Zachary Karim ◽  
Harshini Mukundan ◽  
...  

Bacteremia and malaria coinfection is a common and life-threatening condition in children residing in sub-Saharan Africa. We previously showed that coinfection with Gram negative (G[−]) enteric Bacilli andPlasmodium falciparum(Pf[+]) was associated with reduced high-density parasitemia (HDP, >10,000 parasites/μL), enhanced respiratory distress, and severe anemia. Since inflammatory mediators are largely unexplored in such coinfections, circulating cytokines were determined in four groups of children (n=206, aged <3 yrs): healthy;Pf[+] alone; G[−] coinfected; and G[+] coinfected.Staphylococcus aureusand non-TyphiSalmonellawere the most frequently isolated G[+] and G[−] organisms, respectively. Coinfected children, particularly those with G[−] pathogens, had lower parasite burden (peripheral and geometric mean parasitemia and HDP). In addition, both coinfected groups had increased IL-4, IL-5, IL-7, IL-12, IL-15, IL-17, IFN-γ, and IFN-αand decreased TNF-αrelative to malaria alone. Children with G[−] coinfection had higher IL-1βand IL-1Ra and lower IL-10 than thePf[+] group and higher IFN-γthan the G[+] group. To determine how the immune response to malaria regulates parasitemia, cytokine production was investigated with a multiple mediation model. Cytokines with the greatest mediational impact on parasitemia were IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, and IFN-γ. Results here suggest that enhanced immune activation, especially in G[−] coinfected children, acts to reduce malaria parasite burden.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 136-136
Author(s):  
Sanjeev Parshad ◽  
Parvinder Sandu ◽  
Shekar Gogna ◽  
Abhijeet Beniwal ◽  
Rajendra Karwasra

Abstract Background Chyle leak after esophagectomy for carcinoma esophagus is a rare but life threatening condition with reported an incidence of 1–6%. Mortality rate of up to 50% have been reported. Management of chyle leak is controversial. We reviewed our experience with iatrogenic chylothorax after esophagectomy for carcinoma esophagus. Methods From 2003 to 2017, 560 patients underwent esophagectomy for cancer at our department of oncosurgery. Eight patients developed post operative chyle leak. Transthoracic or transabdominal ligation of duct was done in six patients with in first week. 100 ml of cream was given 30 min before induction to visualize the leak intraoperatively. We used 4–0 prolene pledgeted suture to ligate the duct. Results Six patients who underwent early ligation could be salvaged and the two who were managed conservatively succumbed. Oringer et al. pointed towards conservative treatment having little place in the management of chylothorax in nutritionally depleted patients. Hence, prompt ligation of thoracic duct decreases morbidity and mortality of chylothorax. Thus the role of early surgery needs to stressed. There is a wide difference of mortality rate of conservative management of 82% with respect to the mortality rate of surgery of 10–16%. Though no conclusion data are available regarding the indication and time point of surgical ligation of the thoracic duct, it is important not to procrastinate while the condition deteriorates to a level at which surgery would be detrimental.Administration of cream to the patient (through feeding jejunostomy) around half an hour before surgery makes identification of site of leak simpler.The importance of pledgeted sutures cannot be denied as the thoracic duct is paper thin and chyle contains no fibrin. Thus non pledgeted sutures will tear it further. Infact, stitching should not be done through the duct but into the surrounding tissue around the duct and should allow the pledgets to close the duct. Conclusion Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.


Author(s):  
Rehab AL-Ansari ◽  
Mohanad Bakkar ◽  
Leena Abdalla ◽  
Khaled Sewify

Background: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an uncommon haematological disease which can occur at any age and may present with COVID-19. This case describes a COVID-19 complication associated with a presentation resembling TTP. Case description: A 51-year-old man who had received a kidney transplant and was on immunosuppressant medication, was admitted to a critical care unit with severe COVID-19 pneumonia/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which required intubation, mechanical ventilation and inotropic support. The course was complicated by the classic pentad of thrombocytopenia, intravascular haemolysis, acute kidney injury, neurological symptoms and fever, which prompted the diagnosis of probable TTP. After five sessions of therapeutic plasma exchange, the patient’s general status improved, he was weaned off mechanical ventilation and his renal panel and haemolytic markers normalized. Conclusion: TTP is a life-threatening condition which requires urgent management with therapeutic plasma exchange. This case highlights some possible complications of COVID-19 generally and in immunocompromised patients specifically. The potential role of plasma exchange in COVID-19 patients without a positive diagnosis of TTP (the so-called ‘TTP resembling presentation’) is an area of further research.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wandang Wang ◽  
Xuran Yang ◽  
Mingfa Guo ◽  
Zhifeng Pan ◽  
Mingjin Qiu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Neonatal sepsis is an acute life-threatening condition in neonates, and a proper innate inflammatory is essential for prevention of the systemic inflammation associated with sepsis. As the most potential antigen-presenting innate immune cells, dentritic cells (DCs) dysfunction has been verified detrimental for sepsis. B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) is an immune-regulatory receptor shown to be associated with DCs dysfunction. However, the role of BTLA expression in myeloid DCs (mDCs) in neonatal sepsis is unknown. Methods: 61 of neonates with sepsis and 32 of neonates having no suspicion of sepsis as control were enrolled into this study. BTLA and HLA-DR expression in mDCs was measured by flow cytometry. To further study the role of BTLA in regulating mDCs function, BTLA+mDCs and BTLA-mDCs from septic neonates were sorted and utilized to evaluate the phagacytosis capacity, bactericidal ability as well as cytokine secretion of mDCs.Results: A higher percentage of BTLA+mDCs were observed in neonatal septic patients and the percentage was positively correlated to the duration of hospitalization of neonates as well as the severity of sepsis. Moreover, a decrease MFI expression of HLA-DR was found in mDCs in neonatal sepsis, which expression was negatively correlated with the percentage of BTLA+mDCs. When compared to BTLA-mDCs, sorted BTLA+mDCs exhibited lower FITC-dextran uptake capacity but more CFU E.coli number after cells challenged by E.coli. In addition, BTLA+mDCs comparatively secreted lower level of TNF-α and IL-12, but higher IL-10. Conclusions: A higher level of BTLA in mDCs in the observed septic neonates was associated to the severity of neonatal sepsis; therefore, BTLA expression in mDCs could be a useful biomarker help to determine the neonatal sepsis development. Additionally, BTLA negatively regulated the phagocytosis capacity and bactericidal ability of mDCs and lowered their antigen-presenting ability as well as altered cells into an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Thus, targeting BTLA in mDCs may be a new therapeutic strategy for neonatal sepsis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaia Cipolla ◽  
Rosalba Relo ◽  
Elisa Pasciuta ◽  
Domenica Catalano ◽  
Federica Lo Bello ◽  
...  

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is an acute often life-threatening condition characterized by a variable combination of hemoptysis, dyspnoea, diffuse and bilateral ground glass pulmonary opacities, anemia and hypoxemia, that can be induced by different causes, including several drugs. We report here the case of a 25-year-old woman who has been admitted to our pulmonary clinic for the onset of chest pain, cough and haemoptysis, started one week after her first treatment with alemtuzumab for multiple sclerosis. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest at the admission showed diffuse and bilateral ground glass pulmonary opacities. Her symptoms resolved completely without any treatment, after the interruption of alemtuzumab, and CT scan of the chest performed one month later showed total disappearance of the pulmonary opacities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Campos ◽  
V Baert ◽  
H Hubert ◽  
E Wiel ◽  
N Benameur

Abstract Background Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major public health concern in France, given that there are 61.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants a year. The impact of bystander action, performed before the arrival of emergency medical services (EMS), on survival has never been studied in France. Purpose Determine whether bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), performed before the arrival of EMS, was correlated with an increased 30-day survival rate after an OHCA. Methods 24,885 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests witnessed in France from 1 January 2012 to 1 May 2018 were analysed to determine whether CPR, performed before the arrival of EMS, was correlated with survival. Data from the Electronic Registry of Cardiac Arrests was used. The association between the effect of CPR performed before the arrival of EMS and 30-day survival rate was studied, using propensity analysis (which included variables such as age and sex of the patient, location, cause, and year of cardiac arrest, initial cardiac rhythm, EMS response time and no-flow time). Results CPR was performed before the arrival of EMS in 14,904 cases (59.9%) and was not performed in 9,981 cases (40.1%). The 30-day survival rate was 10.2% when CRP was performed by bystanders versus 3.9% when CRP was not performed before the EMS arrival (p<0.001). CPR performed by bystanders was associated with an increased 30-day survival rate (odds ratio 1.269; 1.207 to 1.334). The effect of bystander CPR on survival Conclusion Bystander CPR performed before the arrival of EMS was associated with an increased 30-day survival rate after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in France.


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