• Quality Improvement in Health Care
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.18-29
• /
• 2021

Purpose: Patients with hematologic malignancy (HM) typically have a high mortality rate when their condition deteriorates. The chronic progressive course of the disease makes it difficult to assess the effect of intervention on acute events. We investigated the effectiveness of a rapid response team (RRT) on in-hospital mortality in patients with HM. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with HM who admitted to the medical intensive care unit between 2006 and 2015. Clinical outcomes before and after RRT implementation were evaluated. Results: A total of 228 patients in the pre-RRT period and 781 patients in the post-RRT period were included. The overall in-hospital mortality was 55.4%. Patients in the post-RRT period had improved survival; however, they required more vasopressor therapy, continuous renal replacement therapy, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Multivariate analysis revealed that in-hospital mortality was associated with RRT activation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.634; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.498-0.807; p < .001), neurological disease (HR, 2.007; 95% CI, 1.439-2.800; p < .001), sequential organ failure assessment score (HR, 1.085; 95% CI, 1.057-1.112; p < .001), need for continuous renal replacement therapy (HR, 1.608; 95% CI, 1.206-1.895; p< .001), mechanical ventilation (HR, 1.512; 95% CI, 1.206-1.895; p< .001), vasopressor (HR, 1.598; 95% CI, 1.105-2.311; p = .013), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (HR, 1.728; 95% CI, 1.105-2.311; p = .030). Conclusion: RRT activation may be associated with improved survival in patients with HM.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.60 no.5
• /
• pp.548-553
• /
• 2006

Background : Alcoholic ketoacidosis(AKA) is a metabolic disturbance that is caused by prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption. Though the prognosis is reportedly good, its outcome is unclear in some cases that are combined with multi-organ failure. There are few reports of an analysis of cases admitted to an intensive care unit(ICU) Method: Cases of AKA admitted to the ICU over the last 5 years were retrospectively analyzed. Severe AKA was characterized by multi-organ failure that required treatment in an ICU Results : All patients were males with a history of excessive alcohol consumption. Five of them (50%) mainly complained of gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), showing metabolic acidosis with an increased asmolar and anion gap. Rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure was the most common combined organ failure. Mechanical ventilation was performed in 80%. Six patients died and 4 patients survived. In the surviving patients, the arterial blood gas analysis(ABGA) was normalized within 12 hours after admission. Conclusion : In severe AKA patients, rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure was the most common complication. The mortality rate was high and death from shock occurred within 3 days.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.49 no.5
• /
• pp.594-600
• /
• 2000

Background : Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilation is well established as an integral part of the management of patients with the acute lung injury. PEEP is a key element in the treatment of hypoxemia resulting from pulmonary edema. Pulmonary capillary pressure (Pcap) is the most important factor influencing lung edema formation, and an understanding of how Pcap is altered by variations of PEEP or pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure (PAOP) is important to improve the treatment of acute lung injury patients. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of PEEP on the pulmonary capillary pressure in acute lung injury patients. Methods : This was a prospective study of 11 acute lung injury patients. The effect of PEEP on pulmonary circulation at four different levels (0,4,8, and 12cm$H_2O$) was analyzed. Pcap was estimated visually at bed side with Swan Ganz catheters. The pulmonary vasculature was analyzed by calculating the pressure difference at the arterial and venous parts of the circulation. Results: As PEEP increased from 0 to 12 cm$H_2O$, the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and Pcap increased respectively from $22.7{\pm}7.4$ to $25.3{\pm}7.3$ mmHg and $15.3{\pm}3.3$ to $17.8{\pm}3.2$ mmHg (p<0.05). Similarly, PAOP increased from $9.8{\pm}2.1$ to $12.8{\pm}2.1$ mmHg and the central venous pressure increased from $6.1{\pm}1.6$ to $9.3{\pm}2.3$ mmHg(p<0.05). However, the pressure gradient at the arterial (PAP-Pcap) and venous (Pcap-Pcwp) parts of pulmonary circulation remained unchanged at all evaluated PEEP levels. Conclusion : Although Pcap increased gradually with increased the pressure gradient at the arterial and venous part of the pulmonary vasculature remained unchanged at all evaluated PEEP levels in acute lung injury patients.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.213-219
• /
• 1988

In the geriatric patient with COPD, incidence of postoperative pulmonary complication is higher than young patient. Therefore, some anesthesiologists preferred spinal anesthesia to general anesthesia for surgery of the perineum, lower extrimities, and pelvic extra peritoneal organs. But, during spinal anesthesia, the same careful observation is requiered as during general anesthesia. We experienced a case of the convulsive seizure at about 1 hour after spinal anesthesia for open prostatectomy in a 76-year-old male patient wit COPD. It was suspected that his convulsive seizure be resulted from hypercapnea combined with hypoxia following upper airway obstruction. This patient was treated successfully by ultrashort acting barbiturate and controlled ventilation.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.15-22
• /
• 2001

This study has measured the pulmonary function by treadmill test for 6 young women who were in twenties, and analyzed the respiratory-circulatory function and the change of hormone and immune response after performing the exercise program (60% severity) for 10 weeks. The results are as follows; 1. 10 weeks regular exercise made a decrease in weight and body fat proportion, and improved the respiratory-circular function by increasing the maximum oxygen absorption and ventilation. 2. 10 weeks regular exercise made a significant increase in count of WBC, lymphocyte, and T lymphocyte, but a significant decrease in B lymphocyte. NK cell also showed an increase in counts, but insignificant. 3. 10 weeks regular exercise made a significant increase in blood norepinephrine level. Epinephrine and cortisol also showed an increase in count, but insignificant. In summary, it suggested that 10 weeks regular exercise improves the immune function by decrease in body fat, increase in respiratory-circular function and metabolic efficiency, and also by raising Th/Ts ratio (an increase in count of WBC, lymphocyte, and T lymphocyte, but a decrease in suppressor T lymphocyte).

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.127-131
• /
• 2004

A laryngeal mask airway (LMA) has many advantages in the management of airway emergencies or the treatment of patients in whom intubation is difficult, but the use of LMA during positive ventilation may seem inappropriate to protect the airway because of the risk of pulmonary aspiration of regurgitated gastric contents. We experienced aspiration pneumonia after general anesthesia using LMA in patient who suffered from panperitonitis. It is considered that the main reason for aspiration pneumonia was a leakage of gastric content through the space surrounding the nasogastric tube while under high airway inflation pressure. We concluded that when LMA or the Proseal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) is chosen for the use in difficult intubations, careful patient-suitability selection and the correct knowledge of LMA and PLMA are needed to protect the airway against aspiration.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.54 no.4
• /
• pp.314-318
• /
• 2021

In this paper, I present the technique of subxiphoid single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) thymectomy for thoracic surgeons to perform this procedure safely. This procedure is indicated for all anterior mediastinal masses and may be extended to lung cancer. The patient is placed in the lithotomy position, and the operator should be on the midline. Below the xiphoid process, a skin incision is made 4-5 cm horizontally at a single thumb's width down. Under two-lung ventilation, CO₂ is insufflated, maintaining 10 mm Hg. The fat tissue and thymic tissue are all resected from the sternum and pericardium between both phrenic nerves using an articulated grasper and an energy device. After retrieval of the mass with a wrap bag, a Jackson-Pratt drain is inserted instead of a chest tube. One of the advantages of this procedure is less postoperative pain than intercostal VATS. The subxiphoid approach can be used for bilateral pneumothorax, bilateral pulmonary metastasectomy, and simple lobectomy for both upper lobes and the right middle lobe.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.416-420
• /
• 2023

Blunt intrathoracic tracheal injuries are rare, even among blunt chest trauma patients. An early diagnosis based on a high index of suspicion allows for timely surgical management of potentially fatal airway trauma, thereby improving overall outcomes. Diagnosing these injuries can be difficult due to their nonspecific clinical features and the occasional difficulty in radiologic diagnosis. If a patient exhibits respiratory compromise with difficult ventilation and poor lung expansion, despite the insertion and management of an intercostal drain following high-energy blunt trauma, there should be a heightened suspicion of potential airway trauma. The aim of primary repair is to restore airway integrity and to minimize the loss of pulmonary parenchyma function. This case report discusses the rare clinical presentation of a patient with blunt trauma to the intrathoracic airway, the surgical management thereof, and his overall outcome. Although blunt traumatic injuries of the trachea are extremely rare and often fatal, early surgical intervention can potentially reduce the risk of mortality.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.179-188
• /
• 2000

Background : The decision to institute mechanical ventilation for patients with COPD is very difficult. The accurate information regarding weaning success and long-term survival will improve communication with patients and family and enhance informed consent. The aims of this study are to describe outcomes and identify variables associated with survival for patients experiencing mechanical ventilation with an acute respiratory failure of COPD. Methods : The 53 cases of mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit in the National Medical Center from 1989 to 1998 were included. Data were collected retrospectively from medical records. Weaning success rate and 3 month and 1 year survival rates were estimated. Factors associated with weaning success and survival were determined. Results : Weaning sucess was 55%. For success group with 29 cases, 3 months survival rate was 61% and 1 year survival rate 37%. APACHE II scores in weaning success group were significantly lower than those in the failure group. Factors such as age, sex, comorbid-illnes. previous steroid use, causes of respiratory failure, RVH or arrhythmia on EKG, serum albumin level, arterial blood pH, $PaO_2$, $PaCO_2$, $FEV_1$ duration of mechanical ventilation and steroid use during mechanical ventilation were not associated with weaning success. Only age and serum albumin level were associated with 3 month and 1 year survival. No COPD patients of age more than 75 years and serum albumin level less than 3g/dl had survived at 1 year after weaning success. Conclusion : While weaning success from mechanical ventilation can be predicted by APACHE II score in COPD patients, long-term outcomes of survivors may be influenced by nutritional status and age.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.62 no.4
• /
• pp.276-283
• /
• 2007

Background: A national health care initiative recommends routine spirometry screening of all smokers over age 45 or patients with respiratory symptoms. In response to the recommendation, new, simple, and inexpensive desktop spirometers for the purpose of promoting widespread spirometric screening were marketed. The performance of these spirometers was evaluated in vivo testing with healthy subjects. However, the clinical setting allows spirometric assessment of various pathologic combinations of flow and volume. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of a desktop spirometer to a standard laboratory spirometer, in a clinical setting with pathologic pulmonary function. Method: In a health check-up center, where screening pulmonary funct test was performed using the HI-801 spirometer. Subjects who revealed the ventilation defect in screening spirometry, performed the spirometry again using the standard Vmax spectra 22d spirometer in a tertiary care hospital pulmonary function laboratory. Pulmonary function test with both spirometer was performed according to the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society. Results: 109 patients were enrolled. Pulmonary function measurements (FVC, $FEV_1$, PEFR, FEF25%-75%) from the HI-801 correlated closely (r=0.94, 0.93, 0.81, 0.84, respectively) with those performed with the Vmax spectra 22d and showed the good limits of agreement and differences between the 2 devices; FVC +0.35 L, $FEV_1$ +0.16 L, PEFR +1.85 L/s, FEF25%-75%-0.13 L/s. With the exception of $FEV_1$, FEF25%-75%, these differences were significant(p<0.05) but small. Conclusion: The HI-801 spirometer is comparable to the standard laboratory spirometer, Vmax spectra 22d, with high accurary for $FEV_1$ and FVC and acceptable differences for clinical use.