Efficacy of near-infrared spectroscopy in diagnosing skin and soft tissue infections: A single-center retrospective study.

Aim: Skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) is classified as necrotizing fasciitis (NF) or cellulitis based on the invasion depth of the lesion. Cellulitis has a good prognosis and improves with conservative treatment, whereas NF has a poor prognosis with rapid progression requiring prompt debridement of the wound and intensive care control. Therefore, they should be differentiated quickly and accurately; however, a useful diagnostic method, except for the surgical test incision, remains to be established.

Advance Care Planning Initiatives in Critical Care Centers in Japan: A Case Report.

This report examines the promotion of advance care planning (ACP) for patients admitted to critical care centers and discharged to home. Emergency transport experience allows patients and their families to realistically discuss her ACP.

Effectiveness of Zinc Supplementation for Sepsis Treatment: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study.

Background: Zinc plays an important role in sepsis; however, the effectiveness of zinc supplementation and the appropriate dose remain unclear. This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of zinc supplementation and the appropriate dose in patients with sepsis.

Methods: This single-center retrospective observational study included 247 patients with sepsis from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2023 who were receiving ventilatory management.

Carbon dioxide-enhanced angiography for detection of colonic diverticular bleeding and clinical outcomes.

Purpose: To determine the ability of CO-enhanced angiography to detect active diverticular bleeding that is not detected by iodinated contrast medium (ICM)-enhanced angiography and its impact on clinical outcomes when used to confirm embolization, particularly the risks of rebleeding and ischemic complications.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively identified a cohort of patients with colonic diverticular bleeding who underwent catheter angiography between August 2008 and May 2023 at our institution. We divided them according to whether they underwent CO angiography following a negative ICM angiography study or to confirm hemostasis post-embolization (the CO angiography group) or ICM angiography alone in the absence of active bleeding or for confirmation of hemostasis post-embolization (the ICM angiography group).

Carbon dioxide angiography during angioembolization for trauma patients increases the detection of active bleeding and leads to reliable hemostasis: a retrospective, observational study.

Background: Angiography with carbon dioxide (CO) has long been used as an alternative when iodine contrast media (ICM) cannot be used due to allergy to iodine or renal dysfunction. Conversely, CO angiography is also known as a provocation method for active bleeding. In this study, we examined the efficacy of CO angiography in angioembolization (AE) for trauma patients.

Transarterial embolization to treat a massive hemothorax during mechanical circulatory support via puncturing of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit.

Background: Current guidelines recommend the use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for patients with cardiogenic shock that is refractory to medical therapy. Bleeding is the most common complication of MCS. Transarterial embolization (TAE) is often performed to treat this complication, because it is a less invasive hemostatic procedure.

In vitro comparison of the leakage of carbon dioxide and iodine contrast media in a bleeding model.

Background: We aimed to compare the hydrodynamic values of carbon dioxide (CO) and iodine contrast media for bleeding detection using an in vitro model.

Materials And Methods: We created a bleeding model with large and small wounds in simulated blood vessels. We connected a syringe to the bleeding model and the blood pressure transducer, filling the circuit with CO and iodine contrast media.

Carnitine Deficiency in Intensive Care Unit Patients Undergoing Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: A Single-center Retrospective Study.

Introduction: Carnitine deficiency is common in patients undergoing intermittent hemodialysis and may also occur during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). We evaluated intensive care unit (ICU) patients undergoing CRRT for carnitine deficiency and its associated risk factors.

Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study performed between June 2019 and March 2020.

Elevated Plasma Tryptophan in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa Compared with Hypotrophic Controls.

Introduction: We hypothesized that anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with pathological amino acid metabolism. This study aimed to identify amino acids exhibiting abnormal metabolism in patients with AN compared with those in low-nutrient controls.

Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study that compared patients with AN with a low-nutrient control group.

Efficacy of the bleeding risk scoring system for optimal prophylactic anticoagulation therapy of venous thromboembolism in trauma patients: a single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study.

Background: We developed a bleeding risk scoring system (BRSS) using prophylactic anticoagulation therapy to comprehensively assess the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in trauma patients. This study evaluated the usefulness of this system in trauma patients, with a focus on minimizing the rate of bleeding events associated with prophylactic anticoagulation therapy.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of BRSS in trauma patients who received prophylactic anticoagulation therapy for VTE at the Kitasato University Hospital Emergency and Critical Care Center between April 1, 2015, and August 31, 2020.

Distal radial approach for arterial pressure monitoring with a long catheter provides safe and stable monitoring in the intensive care unit: A single-center retrospective study.

Background: To compare the distal radial artery approach (DRA) with a longer catheter to DRA with a shorter catheter in arterial catheter (AC) placement in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study of DRA with a long catheter (60 mm) for arterial catheterization in the ICU. DRA with a short catheter (25-30 mm) was used in the control group, and the groups were compared using multivariate regression analysis.

Evaluation of a new insertion site for arterial pressure line in intensive care unit management: a prospective study.

The arterial pressure line (A-line) is primarily inserted through the radial artery. However, accidental removal due to joint movement can be problematic in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of A-line insertion in the ICU through the distal radial approach (DRA), which is used in cardiac catheterization.

Hybrid surgery for blunt aortic injury with rupture: a case report.

Background: Blunt thoracic aortic injury is one of the most lethal traumatic injuries. Ruptured cases often result in cardiac arrest before arrival at the hospital, and survival is rare.

Case Presentation: A female patient in her 30 s was struck by an automobile while she was walking across an intersection.

Relationship between subarachnoid hemorrhage and nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia as a fatal complication: patient series.

Background: Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) causes intestinal necrosis due to irreversible ischemia of the intestinal tract. The authors evaluated the incidence of NOMI in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to ruptured aneurysms, and they present the clinical characteristics and describe the outcomes to emphasize the importance of recognizing NOMI.

Observations: Overall, 7 of 276 consecutive patients with SAH developed NOMI.

Endovascular thrombectomy using a stent retriever catheter for massive pulmonary thromboembolism.

Acute massive pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) has a high mortality rate of 18%-65%. Along with anticoagulation and thrombolytic therapy, treatment may require a catheter-based thrombectomy or surgical thrombectomy. We report a case of pulmonary thromboembolism treated with a Stent Retriever (Trevo® NXT ProVue Retriever, Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, USA), which is commonly used to treat stroke.

Efficacy of median sacral artery embolization for treating severe pelvic fractures: a retrospective study.

Objective: Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of bilateral internal iliac arteries (IIAs) in patients with a hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture is associated with a low mortality rate. The persistence of unstable hemodynamics after IIA embolization indicates the involvement of other arteries, such as the median sacral artery (MSA). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of MSA embolization.

Difference in postcourse knowledge and confidence between Web-based and on-site training courses on resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta.

Aim: Effective courses are essential for highly invasive procedures such as resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta. However, the coronavirus disease pandemic has forced the postponement of on-site educational courses due to transmission concerns. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of Web-based education in highly invasive procedures.

Advanced do-not-attempt-resuscitation directives and emergency medical services for out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest patients in Japan: a pilot study.

Aims: We investigated how do-not-attempt-resuscitation (DNAR) orders are currently used, and we examined the emergency medical team responses for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) cases in Japan.

Methods: The sample for this prospective study comprised all OHCA cases attended to by the Sagamihara Municipal Fire Department emergency medical services between May 30, 2019 and February 15, 2020. Data were recorded by the responding emergency medical team.

Factors for unsuccessful endoscopic hemostasis in patients with severe peptic ulcer bleeding.

Objectives: Although the first approach for peptic ulcer bleeding is endoscopic hemostasis, quick determination of a hemostatic strategy is important in patients with vitals indicating shock. However, the unsuccessful factors for endoscopic treatment have yet to be sufficiently examined. We aimed to investigate the factors for unsuccessful endoscopic hemostasis in severe peptic ulcer bleeding.

Transcatheter arterial embolization for severe blunt liver injury in hemodynamically unstable patients: a 15-year retrospective study.

Background: Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is the first-line nonsurgical treatment for severe blunt liver injury in patients, whereas operative management (OM) is recommended for hemodynamically unstable patients. This study investigated the comparative efficacy of TAE in hemodynamically unstable patients who responded to initial infusion therapy.

Methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients with severe blunt liver injuries, which were of grades III-V according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Scale (OIS).