Acute and Critical Care

Case Reports

Cardiology
Successful extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatment of catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy-associated pheochromocytoma: a case report: Sangshin Park, Min Kim, Dae In Lee, Ju-Hee Lee, Sangmin Kim, Sang Yeub Lee, Jang-Whan Bae, Kyung-Kuk Hwang, Dong-Woon Kim, Myeong-Chan Cho, Dae-Hwan Bae; Acute Crit Care. 2024;39(1):194-198. Published online May 11, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.01158

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The main mechanism of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is catecholamine-induced acute myocardial stunning. Pheochromocytoma, a catecholamine-secreting tumor, can cause several cardiovascular complications, including hypertensive crisis, myocardial infarction, toxic myocarditis, and TCM. A 29-year-old woman presented to our hospital with general weakness, vomiting, dyspnea, and chest pain. The patient was nullipara, 28 weeks’ gestation, and had a cachexic morphology. Her cardiac enzyme levels were elevated and bedside echocardiography showed apical akinesia, suggesting TCM. The next day, she could not feel the fetal movement, and an emergency cesarean section was performed. After delivery, the patient experienced cardiac arrest and was transferred to the intensive care unit for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Spontaneous circulation returned after 28 minutes of CPR, but cardiogenic shock continued, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was initiated. On the third day of ECMO maintenance, left ventricular ejection fraction improved and blood pressure stabilized. On the eighth day after ECMO insertion, it was removed. However, complications of the left leg vessels occurred, and several surgeries and interventions were performed. A left adrenal gland mass was found on computed tomography and was removed while repairing the leg vessels. Pheochromocytoma was diagnosed and left adrenalectomy was performed.

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Mechanical Circulatory Support Strategies in Takotsubo Syndrome with Cardiogenic Shock: A Systematic Review
Johanna K. R. von Mackensen, Vanessa I. T. Zwaans, Ahmed El Shazly, Karel M. Van Praet, Roland Heck, Christoph T. Starck, Felix Schoenrath, Evgenij V. Potapov, Joerg Kempfert, Stephan Jacobs, Volkmar Falk, Leonhard Wert
Journal of Clinical Medicine.2024; 13(2): 473. CrossRef

Neurology
Myoclonic status epilepticus after severe hyperthermia in a patient with coronavirus disease 2019: Katherine A Hill, John J Peters, Sara M Schaefer; Acute Crit Care. 2023;38(4):509-512. Published online March 24, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.01452

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Abstract PDF: Myoclonic status epilepticus (MSE) is a sign of severe neurologic injury in cardiac arrest patients. To our knowledge, MSE has not been described as a result of prolonged hyperpyrexia. A 56-yearold man with coronavirus disease 2019 presented with acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic/hypovolemic shock, and presumed community-acquired pneumonia. Five days after presentation, he developed a sustained fever of 42.1°C that did not respond to acetaminophen or ice water gastric lavage. After several hours, he was placed on surface cooling. Three hours after fever resolution, new multifocal myoclonus was noted in the patient’s arms and trunk. Electroencephalography showed midline spikes consistent with MSE, which resolved with 40 mg/kg of levetiracetam. This case demonstrates that severe hyperthermia can cause cortical injury significant enough to trigger MSE and should be treated emergently using the most aggressive measures available. Providers should have a low threshold for electroencephalography in intubated patients with a recent history of hyperpyrexia.

Pulmonary
A fatal case report of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and mucormycosis coinfection in an immunocompetent patient with coronavirus disease 2019 in Korea: Jin Hyoung Kim, Misung Kim, Soyeoun Lim, Sun Young Park, Yangjin Jegal, Taehoon Lee, Byung Ju Kang; Acute Crit Care. 2023;38(3):382-388. Published online June 27, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.01340

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Abstract PDF

Systemic glucocorticoid treatment is highly recommended in critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. However, secondary fungal infections are of concern in such patients. Here, we describe the first case of COVID-19-associated invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) and COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) coinfection in a COVID-19 positive immunocompetent patient in Korea. A 69-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with COVID-19 pneumonia. He had no underlying comorbidities and was not taking medications. He received remdesivir, dexamethasone, and antibiotic therapy under mechanical ventilation. Although his condition improved temporarily, multiple cavities were observed on chest computed tomography, and Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured from tracheal aspiration culture. He was diagnosed with probable CAPA and received voriconazole therapy. However, his condition was not significantly improved despite having received voriconazole therapy for 4 weeks. After release from COVID-19 quarantine, he underwent bronchoscopy examination and was then finally diagnosed with CAPA and CAM coinfection on bronchoscopic biopsy. Antifungal treatment was changed to liposomal amphotericin B. However, his progress deteriorated, and he died 4 months after admission. This case highlights that clinical suspicion and active checkups are required to diagnose secondary fungal infections in immunocompetent COVID-19 patients who receive concurrent glucocorticoid therapy.

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Mixed Aspergillosis and Mucormycosis Infections in Patients with COVID-19: Case Series and Literature Review
Elahe Sasani, Farzad Pakdel, Sadegh Khodavaisy, Mohammadreza Salehi, Amir Salami, Marjan Sohrabi, Pouyan Aminishakiba, Iman Amirafzali, Arezoo Salami Khaneshan
Mycopathologia.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Dual Disseminated Aspergillosis and Mucormycosis Diagnosed at Autopsy: A Report of Two Cases of Coinfection and a Review of the Literature
Jason Murray, Zhen A. Lu, Karin Miller, Alex Meadows, Marissa Totten, Sean X. Zhang
Journal of Fungi.2023; 9(3): 357. CrossRef
COVID-19 and Fungal infections: a double debacle
Sara Mina, Hajar Yaakoub, Cédric Annweiler, Vincent Dubée, Nicolas Papon
Microbes and Infection.2022; 24(8): 105039. CrossRef

Neurosurgery
What should an intensivist know about pneumocephalus and tension pneumocephalus?: Bhushan Sudhakar Wankhade, Maged Mohsen Kamel Beniamein, Zeyad Faoor Alrais, Jyoti Ittoop Mathew, Ghaya Zeyad Alrais; Acute Crit Care. 2023;38(2):244-248. Published online April 13, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.01102

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Abstract PDF

Collection of air in the cranial cavity is called pneumocephalus. Although simple pneumocephalus is a benign condition, accompanying increased intracranial pressure can produce a life-threatening condition comparable to tension pneumothorax, which is termed tension pneumocephalus. We report a case of tension pneumocephalus after drainage of a cerebrospinal fluid hygroma. The tension pneumocephalus was treated with decompression craniotomy, but the patient later died due to the complications related to critical care. Traumatic brain injury and neurosurgical intervention are the most common causes of pneumocephalus. Pneumocephalus and tension pneumocephalus are neurosurgical emergencies, and anesthetics and intensive care management like the use of nitrous oxide during anesthesia and positive pressure ventilation have important implications in their development and progress. Clinically, patients can present with various nonspecific neurological manifestations that are indistinguishable from a those of a primary neurological condition. If the diagnosis is questionable, patients should be investigated using computed tomography of the brain. Immediate neurosurgical consultation with decompression is the treatment of choice.

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Sudden-onset, non-traumatic large volume pneumocephalus following presentation of acute bacterial meningitis
Alexandra Krez, Michael Malinzak, Colby Feeney
BMJ Case Reports.2024; 17(1): e256194. CrossRef
Pneumocephalus; a rare cause of coma
Elisavet Simoulidou, Vivian Georgopoulou, Panagiotis Kalmoukos, Dimitrios Kouroupis, Nikoleta Moscha, Maria Sidiropoulou, Sofia Chatzimichailidou, Konstantinos Petidis, Athina Pyrpasopoulou
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine.2023; 68: 215.e1. CrossRef
Pneumocephalus secondary to epidural analgesia: a case report
Maira Ahmad, Shannay Bellamy, William Ott, Rany Mekhail
Journal of Medical Case Reports.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Transnasal Endoscopic Treatment of Tension Pneumocephalus Caused by Posttraumatic or Iatrogenic Ethmoidal Damage
Goran Latif Omer, Riccardo Maurizi, Beatrice Francavilla, Kareem Rekawt Hama Rashid, Gianluca Velletrani, Hasan Mustafa Salah, Giulia Marzocchella, Mohammed Ibrahim Mohialdeen Gubari, Stefano Di Girolamo, Rong-San Jiang
Case Reports in Otolaryngology.2023; 2023: 1. CrossRef
Tension pneumocephalus as a complication of surgical evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma: case report and literature review
Mohammed A. Azab, Ahmed Hazem, Brandon Lucke-Wold
Exploration of Neuroprotective Therapy.2023; 3(4): 177. CrossRef

Pharmacology
Successful treatment of propofol-related infusion syndrome in critically ill patient receiving low-dose propofol infusion: a case report: Nahyeon Park, Tae Sun Ha; Acute Crit Care. 2023;38(1):144-148. Published online November 26, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.00829

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Abstract PDF

Propofol is widely used to sedate agitated patients in intensive care units. However, it can cause a rare but fatal complication, propofol-related infusion syndrome (PRIS). The pathophysiology of PRIS is not clear, and there is no definitive diagnosis and treatment. We report a successfully treated case of PRIS in a critically ill patient receiving low-dose propofol infusion. A 59-year-old male patient complaining of sudden chest pain repeatedly collapsed in an ambulance and the emergency room, and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was delivered. He was diagnosed with a total occluded left anterior descending coronary artery in coronary angiography. On day 20, he showed arrhythmia, increased creatinine kinase (CK), and increased CK-MB and troponin I, accompanied by unstable hemodynamic status despite high-dose vasopressors. He was administered propofol for 20 days at an average dose of 1.3 mg/kg/hr owing to issues with agitation and ventilator synchrony. We strongly suspected PRIS and immediately discontinued propofol infusion, and he was successfully treated with aggressive supportive care. PRIS can occur in patients administered propofol for a prolonged period at low doses. Thus, clinicians should use propofol with caution for PRIS and change to alternative sedatives for long-term sedation.

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Propofol in ICU Settings: Understanding and Managing Anti-Arrhythmic, Pro-Arrhythmic Effects, and Propofol Infusion Syndrome
Jananthan Paramsothy, Sai Dheeraj Gutlapalli, Vijay Durga Pradeep Ganipineni, Isabelle Mulango, Ikpechukwu J Okorie, Divine Besong Arrey Agbor, Crystal Delp, Hanim Apple, Borislav Kheyson, Jay Nfonoyim, Nidal Isber, Mallikarjuna Yalamanchili
Cureus.2023;[Epub] CrossRef

Nephrology
Continuous renal replacement therapy increased plasma cholinesterase activity in a case of acute organophosphate poisoning: In Ho Kwon, Jinwoo Jeong, Yuri Choi; Acute Crit Care. 2022;37(4):669-671. Published online November 16, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.00780

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Abstract PDF: Extracorporeal removal of organophosphate from blood has been proposed, but the efficacy of hemodialysis and hemoperfusion has not been established. We report a case of organophosphate poisoning in which continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was applied with conventional indications and was found to increase plasma cholinesterase levels by hemodiafiltration. A 73-year-old male was found unconscious at home and was brought to the emergency department by ambulance. An empty bottle of Supracide insecticide, of which the active ingredient is methidathion, was found beside him. CRRT was initiated because he showed signs of oliguria and acidosis with an unstable hemodynamic condition. Although his condition improved temporarily after CRRT initiation, it subsequently deteriorated, and he died despite maximal supportive effort. His prefilter plasma cholinesterase levels remained at <200 U/L for 3 days, while his postfilter levels were 358 U/L 1 hour after CRRT initiation and they were 689 U/L 18 hours later. Our case suggests that CRRT might play a role in treating organophosphate poisoning by possibly eliminating organophosphate.

Basic science and research
COVID-19–related acute respiratory distress syndrome treated with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and programmed multi-level ventilation: a case report: Filip Depta, Anton Turčan, Pavol Török, Petra Kapraľová, Michael A. Gentile; Acute Crit Care. 2022;37(3):470-473. Published online January 21, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.01109

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We report a patient with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) treated with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) and programmed multi-level ventilation (PMLV). VV ECMO as a treatment modality for severe ARDS has been described multiple times as a rescue therapy for refractory hypoxemia. It is well known that conventional ventilation can cause ventilator-induced lung injury. Protective ventilation during VV ECMO seems to be beneficial, translating to using low tidal volumes, prone positioning with general concept of open lung approach. However, mechanical ventilation is still required as ECMO per se is usually not sufficient to maintain adequate gas exchange due to hyperdynamic state of the patient and limitation of blood flow via VV ECMO. This report describes ventilation strategy using PMLV during “resting” period of the lung. In short, PMLV is a strategy for ventilating non-homogenous lungs that incorporates expiratory time constants and multiple levels of positive end-expiratory pressure. Using this approach, most affected acute lung injury/ARDS areas can be recruited, while preventing overdistension in healthy areas. To our knowledge, case report using such ventilation strategy for lung resting period has not been previously published.

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Treatment of acute respiratory failure: extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Jin-Young Kim, Sang-Bum Hong
Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(3): 157. CrossRef

Cardiology
Acute perimyocarditis mimicking acute myocardial infarction in a 12-year-old boy with duchenne muscular dystrophy: Ho Jung Choi, Hye Won Kwon, Kyung Jin Oh, Mi Kyoung Song; Acute Crit Care. 2022;37(2):258-262. Published online November 16, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.00290

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Differential diagnosis of chest pain in the pediatric population is important but can be challenging. A 12-year-old boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy presented with chest pain, cardiac enzyme elevation, and convex ST elevations in the inferior leads with reciprocal ST depression in the anterior leads on electrocardiogram. Echocardiography on admission revealed normal left ventricular function. Suspecting acute myocardial infarction, we performed invasive coronary angiography, which revealed normal coronary arteries. A follow-up electrocardiogram showed an acute pericarditis pattern with concave ST elevations in most leads and PR depression, and follow-up echocardiography revealed global left ventricular dysfunction, suggestive of acute perimyocarditis. Ibuprofen was administered for acute pericarditis, and a continuous milrinone infusion was commenced for myocardial dysfunction. The chest pain improved by the next day, and the ST segment elevations normalized on day 4. Echocardiography on day 9 revealed improved left ventricular function. The patient was discharged on day 11, and he is doing well without chest pain through 12 months of follow-up. The last electrocardiogram showed normal sinus rhythm without ST change. Differential diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction and acute perimyocarditis is important for proper treatment strategies and the different prognoses of these two conditions.

Citations

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Pediatric Chest Pain: A Review of Diagnostic Tools in the Pediatric Emergency Department
Szu-Wei Huang, Ying-Kuo Liu
Diagnostics.2024; 14(5): 526. CrossRef
Successful treatment of acute myocardial injury of Duchenne muscular dystrophy with steroids: a case report
Merve Oğuz, Dolunay Gürses, Furkan Ufuk, Münevver Yılmaz, Olcay Güngör
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Comprehensive cardiac magnetic resonance T1, T2, and extracellular volume mapping to define Duchenne cardiomyopathy
Sudeep D. Sunthankar, Kristen George-Durrett, Kimberly Crum, James C. Slaughter, Jennifer Kasten, Frank J. Raucci, Larry W. Markham, Jonathan H. Soslow
Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.2023; 25(1): 44. CrossRef

Pulmonary
Successful noninvasive ventilation in a severely acidotic and hypercapnic comatose COVID-19 patient with multiple comorbidities: a case report: Joseph Abraham Poonuraparampil, Habib Md Reazaul Karim, Manu P Kesavankutty, Porika Prashanth Nayak; Acute Crit Care. 2022;37(1):120-123. Published online November 26, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2020.00983

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Abstract PDF

Effective use of noninvasive ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is well-known. However, noninvasive ventilation in patients presenting with altered sensorium and severe acidosis (pH <7.1) has been rarely described. Invasive mechanical ventilation is associated with high mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and use of noninvasive ventilation over invasive ventilation is an area of investigation. We report a case of COVID-19-induced acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a 66-year-old male. His past medical history included obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, cor pulmonale, atrial fibrillation, and amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism. On presentation, he had acute hypercapnic respiratory failure, severe acidosis (partial pressure of carbon dioxide [PCO2], 147 mm Hg; pH, 7.06), and altered mentation. The patient was successfully managed with noninvasive ventilation, avoiding endotracheal intubation, invasive ventilation, and related complications. Although precarious, a trial of noninvasive ventilation can be considered in COVID-19-induced acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with hypercapnic respiratory failure, severe acidosis, and altered mentation.

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Lipid Emulsion-Mediated Improvement of Hemodynamic Depression Caused by Amlodipine Toxicity
Ju-Tae Sohn
Pediatric Emergency Care.2023; 39(3): 205. CrossRef

Infection
The first case of abdominal mycotic aneurysm caused by K1 hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in a healthy adult: Misun Kim, Jeong Rae Yoo, Hyunjoo Oh, Young Ree Kim, Keun Hwa Lee, Sang Taek Heo; Acute Crit Care. 2021;36(4):390-394. Published online November 16, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.00010

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Abstract PDF

Incidence of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) infection has been steadily increasing in the Asia-Pacific rim. The characteristic of hvKp infection is its ability to cause multiple site infections and unpredictable metastatic spread in the community. We describe the first case of mycotic aneurysm caused by hvKp serotype K1 in a previously healthy man and review the literature. Of a total of 13 cases, including our case, three cases were related to hvKp. Among patients with hvKp, the level of mycotic aneurysm in most patients was the infrarenal aorta, and they underwent an aortic graft or coil embolization. All strains were susceptible to most antimicrobial agents, except ampicillin. Early detection of hvKp can help to prevent the metastatic spread of pathogens and be useful for optimal patient care and epidemiologic research.

Citations

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Designing a conjugate vaccine targeting Klebsiella pneumoniae ST258 and ST11
Min Li, Mingkai Yu, Yigang Yuan, Danyang Li, Daijiao Ye, Min Zhao, Zihan Lin, Liuzhi Shi
Heliyon.2024; 10(5): e27417. CrossRef
Successful treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and continuous renal replacement therapy: A case report and literature review
Wenzhong Peng, Yanhao Wu, Rongli Lu, Yunpeng Zheng, Jie Chen, Pinhua Pan
Frontiers in Medicine.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Gut microbiome sheds light on the development and treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm
Xuebin Ling, Wei Jie, Xue Qin, Shuya Zhang, Kaijia Shi, Tianfa Li, Junli Guo
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine.2022;[Epub] CrossRef

Gastroenterology
Circumferential esophageal perforation resulting in tension hydropneumothorax in a patient with septic shock: Saad Saffo, James Farrell, Anil Nagar; Acute Crit Care. 2021;36(3):264-268. Published online March 11, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2020.01067

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Esophageal perforations occur traumatically or spontaneously and are typically associated with high mortality rates. Early recognition and prompt management are essential. We present the case of a 76-year-old man who was admitted to the medical intensive care unit with fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis, shock, and multi-organ failure. After an initial period of improvement, his condition rapidly deteriorated despite aggressive medical management, and he required mechanical ventilation. Radiography after endotracheal intubation showed interval development of pneumomediastinum and bilateral hydropneumothorax with tension physiology. Chest tube placement resulted in the drainage of multiple liters of dark fluid, and pleural fluid analysis was notable for polymicrobial empyemas. Despite the unusual presentation, esophageal perforation was suspected. Endoscopy ultimately confirmed circumferential separation of the distal esophagus from the stomach, and bedside endoscopic stenting was performed with transient improvement. Two weeks after admission, he developed mediastinitis complicated by recurrent respiratory failure and passed away. This report further characterizes our patient’s unique presentation and briefly highlights the clinical manifestations, management options, and outcomes of esophageal perforations.

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Current approach for Boerhaaves syndrome: A systematic review of case reports
Ippei Yamana, Takahisa Fujikawa, Yuichiro Kawamura, Suguru Hasegawa
World Journal of Meta-Analysis.2023; 11(4): 112. CrossRef

Cardiology
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator as a treatment for massive left ventricular fibroma-induced ventricular arrhythmia in a child: In Su Choi, Hyung Ki Jeong, Hyung Wook Park, Yi-Seul Kim; Acute Crit Care. 2021;36(2):164-168. Published online May 28, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2020.00269

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Abstract PDF

Pediatric cardiac tumors are rare. Among these, cardiac fibroma is the second most common. Its clinical manifestations depend on size and location of the tumor and include arrhythmia or obstruction to blood flow. Symptomatic cardiac fibroma is generally treated with surgical resection or cardiac transplantation. We present the case of a 12-year-old boy with a lethal ventricular arrhythmia induced by a remnant tumor that was previously partially resected. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator was inserted as the arrhythmia was resistant to medical treatment. He was discharged in stable condition with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator generator and followed up in the outpatient clinic.

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Lipid emulsion attenuates propranolol-induced early apoptosis in rat cardiomyoblasts
Seong-Ho Ok, Seung Hyun Ahn, Soo Hee Lee, Hyun-Jin Kim, Gyujin Sim, Jin Kyeong Park, Ju-Tae Sohn
Human & Experimental Toxicology.2022; 41: 096032712211108. CrossRef

Cardiology
A successfully treated case of primary purulent pericarditis complicated by cardiac tamponade and pneumopericardium: Jong Wook Beom, Yeekyoung Ko, Ki Yung Boo, Jae-Geun Lee, Joon Hyouk Choi, Seung-Jae Joo, Ji Hwan Moon, Su Wan Kim, Song-Yi Kim; Acute Crit Care. 2021;36(1):70-74. Published online October 12, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2020.00234

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Abstract PDF

Acute pericarditis is caused by various factors, but purulent pericarditis is rare. Primary purulent pericarditis in immunocompetent hosts is very rare in the modern antibiotics era. We report a successfully treated case of primary purulent pericarditis complicated with cardiac tamponade and pneumopericardium in an immunocompetent host. A 69-year-old female was referred from another hospital because of pleuritic chest pain with a large amount of pericardial effusion. She was diagnosed with acute pericarditis accompanied by cardiac tamponade. We performed emergency pericardiocentesis, with drainage of 360 ml of bloody pericardial fluid. The culture grew Streptococcus anginosus, confirming the diagnosis of acute purulent pericarditis. We performed pericardiostomy because cardiomegaly and pneumopericardium were aggravated after removal of the pericardial drainage catheter. The patient received antibiotics for a total of 23 days intravenously and was discharged with oral antibiotic therapy. Purulent pericarditis is one of the rare forms of pericarditis and is lifethreatening. A multimodality approach is required for proper diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Citations

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A Rare Case of Primary Purulent Pericarditis Caused by Streptococcus constellatus
Medeinė Kapačinskaitė, Dovilė Gabartaitė, Agnė Šatrauskienė, Ieva Sakaitė, Vytė Valerija Maneikienė, Aleksejus Zorinas, Vilius Janušauskas
Medicina.2023; 59(1): 159. CrossRef
The Clinical View on Streptococcus anginosus Group – Opportunistic Pathogens Coming Out of Hiding
Magdalena Pilarczyk-Zurek, Izabela Sitkiewicz, Joanna Koziel
Frontiers in Microbiology.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
The effects of pneumopericardium during epicardial catheter ablation after dry pericardiocentesis on patients with ventricular arrhythmia
Qingyong Chen, Bosen Yang, Zhenggang Lai, Wen Yue, Qing Yang
Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology.2022; 66(2): 373. CrossRef

CPR/Resuscitation
Successful resuscitation of refractory ventricular fibrillation with double sequence defibrillation: SungJoon Park, Jung-Youn Kim, Young-Duck Cho, Eusun Lee, Bosun Shim, Young-Hoon Yoon; Acute Crit Care. 2021;36(1):67-69. Published online October 21, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2020.00122

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Abstract PDF

In cardiac arrest, if the initial rhythm is ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, the survival rates are high and good neurologic outcomes are expected. However, the mortality rate increases when refractory ventricular fibrillation (RVF) occurs. We report a case of RVF that was successfully resuscitated with double sequence defibrillation (DSD). A 51-year-old man visited the emergency department with chest pain. The initial electrocardiography showed markedly elevated ST-segment on V1–V5 leads, and VF arrest occurred. Although 10 defibrillations were administered over 20 minutes, there was no response. Two rounds of DSD were performed by placing additional pads on the patient’s anterior-posterior areas and sequentially applying the maximum energy setting. The patient returned to spontaneous circulation and was discharged with cerebral performance category 1 after 14 days of hospital admission. Therefore, DSD could be an option for treatment and termination of RVF.

Citations

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Keep shocking: Double sequential defibrillation for refractory ventricular fibrillation
Ahmed Kamal Mohamed, Mohamed Shakaib Nayaz, Ali Nawaz, Carl B Kapadia
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine.2023; 63: 178.e5. CrossRef

Pulmonary
Direct hemoperfusion with polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column in a patient with acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Shin Young Kim, Jin Han Park, Hyo Jung Kim, Hang Jea Jang, Hyun Kuk Kim, Seung Hoon Kim, Jae Ha Lee; Acute Crit Care. 2020;35(4):302-306. Published online April 13, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2020.00038

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Abstract PDF: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease characterized by dyspnea and a worsening of the lung function. Acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) are defined by a clinically significant respiratory deterioration, that typically develops in less than 1 month, accompanied by new radiologic abnormalities on high-resolution computed tomography, including diffused and bilateral ground-glass opacification, along with an absence of other obvious clinical etiologies. Recently, AE-IPF has gained significant importance as a major cause of mortality and morbidity. However, despite the extremely poor prognosis of the condition, no well-validated therapeutic interventions are currently available. Therefore, novel treatment modalities are being investigated and applied in addition to conventional treatments. Among them, several studies have reported that a direct hemoperfusion with a polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column (PMX-DHP), developed for endotoxin removal in septic shock, has an effect on AE-IPF. We describe two cases of PMX-DHP treatment with conflicting results. One patient successfully recovered via a PMX-DHP in severe AE-IPF that required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). PMX-DHP subsequently improved oxygenation (PaO2/FiO2 ratio) and decreased the levels of inflammatory markers (interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and white blood cells). The patient dramatically recovered without the need for ECMO. PMX-DHP may be considered an alternative therapy in AE-IPF patients requiring mechanical ventilation or ECMO.

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