Pregnancy-Associated Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Successfully Treated with Ravulizumab: A Case Report.

Pregnancy-associated atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome (p-aHUS) refers to a pregnancy that leads to thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). This disease is associated with adverse maternal outcomes. We encountered a case of p-aHUS, in which treatment with ravulizumab, a long-acting C5 inhibitor, resulted in a favorable clinical course and recovery of renal function.

Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery Complicated by Acquired Hemophilia A and a Subclavian Artery-Esophageal Fistula after Traumatic Injury.

An aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) is a rare developmental anomaly wherein the right subclavian artery arises from the descending aorta as a fourth branch of the aortic arch. We present the case of ARSA in an 81-year-old woman who was injured in a motorcycle accident. The patient had a history of asymptomatic cerebral infarction, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Exploring the Hemostatic Effects of Platelet Lysate-Derived Vesicles: Insights from Mouse Models.

Platelet transfusion has various challenges, and platelet-derived extracellular vesicles have been reported to have more significant procoagulant activity than platelets themselves. Furthermore, platelet products derived from platelet-rich plasma and platelet lysates (PLs) have gained attention for their physiological activity and potential role as drug delivery vehicles owing to the properties of their membranes. We aimed to investigate the characteristics of the fractions isolated through ultracentrifugation from mouse-washed PLs and assess the potential clinical applications of these fractions as a therapeutic approach for bleeding conditions.

Metformin-Associated Lactic Acidosis in Individuals Without Chronic Kidney Disease on Therapeutic Dose: A Case Report.

Metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) is a severe side effect of metformin treatment. We encountered an exceedingly rare case of MALA in a patient taking metformin at recommended doses who had no risk factors except for advanced age. A 77-year-old male with a diagnosis of lactic acidosis was referred to our facility.

Acute Liver Failure After Administration of Acetaminophen at the Recommended Daily Dose in an Adult: A Case Report.

Acetaminophen may cause liver damage in a dose-dependent way: we experienced a case where an intravenous injection of 3 g/day of acetaminophen, which is less than the recommended maximum dose, was thought to have caused acute liver failure in a 73-year-old female. Four courses of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were given, without liver damage until the third course. After the administration of the fourth course, the patient experienced nausea and vomiting.

Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Secondary to Pancreatitis: A Case Report.

This is a report of an extremely rare case of an atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) that appears to have been triggered by acute pancreatitis. A 68-year-old man was examined at a medical institution because of sudden lower abdominal pain. The patient was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis on computed tomography.

Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome Induced by Influenza Type A Infection: A Case Report.

Rhabdomyolysis accompanying influenza virus infection is a notable extrapulmonary complication. We experienced a case of influenza type A followed by rhabdomyolysis and systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS). A 57-year-old man with no significant past medical history was diagnosed as having influenza type A six hours after fever onset, and treatment with oseltamivir was started.

Association of Baseline Renal Function with Mortality in Patients with Sepsis Requiring Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy for Acute Kidney Injury: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Introduction: To date, the prognosis of patients with sepsis and underlying chronic kidney disease (CKD) had been poor. However, the impact of preseptic renal function on the short-term prognosis of patients with extremely severe septic shock with acute kidney injury (AKI) that requires renal replacement therapy (RRT) is unclear.

Methods: Of the septic shock cases treated at the intensive care unit for ≥48 h, 131 adults who were diagnosed as septic AKI and underwent continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration were retrospectively analyzed.

A Thrombomodulin Promoter Gene Polymorphism, rs2239562, Influences Both Susceptibility to and Outcome of Sepsis.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation plays a key role in the pathophysiology of sepsis. Thrombomodulin is essential in the protein C system of coagulation cascade, and functional polymorphisms influence the human thrombomodulin gene (). Therefore, we conducted a multicenter study to evaluate the influence of such polymorphisms on the pathophysiology of sepsis.

Infection Control for a Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Outbreak in an Advanced Emergency Medical Services Center.

Background: A carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) outbreak occurred in an advanced emergency medical service center [hereafter referred to as the intensive care unit (ICU)] between 2016 and 2017.

Aim: Our objective was to evaluate the infection control measures for CRE outbreaks.

Methods: CRE strains were detected in 16 inpatients located at multiple sites.

Risk prediction of biomarkers for early multiple organ dysfunction in critically ill patients.

Background: Shock and organ damage occur in critically ill patients in the emergency department because of biological responses to invasion, and cytokines play an important role in their development. It is important to predict early multiple organ dysfunction (MOD) because it is useful in predicting patient outcomes and selecting treatment strategies. This study examined the accuracy of biomarkers, including interleukin (IL)-6, in predicting early MOD in critically ill patients compared with that of quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA).

Severe drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia due to cefmetazole: A case report.

Objective: To report a case of drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) that was suspected to have been caused by cefmetazole.

Case Summary: A 93-year-old woman with no previous history of liver complications underwent a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan, which resulted in a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. The patient experienced intravascular hemolysis and rapid progression of anemia after being exposed to 2 g/day of cefmetazole.

Efficacy of a Novel Prophylactic Barbiturate Therapy for Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries: Step-down Infusion of a Barbiturate with Normothermia.

This study aimed to examine the beneficial effects of a novel prophylactic barbiturate therapy, step-down infusion of barbiturates, using thiamylal with normothermia (NOR+sdB), on the poor outcome in the patients with severe traumatic brain injuries (sTBI), in comparison with mild hypothermia (MD-HYPO). From January 2000 to March 2019, 4133 patients with TBI were admitted to our hospital. The inclusion criteria were: a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score of ≤8 on admission, age between 20 and 80 years, intracranial hematoma requiring surgical evacuation of the hematoma with craniotomy and/or external decompression, and patients who underwent management of body temperature and assessed their outcome at 6-12 months.

Accuracy for Mortality Prediction With Additive Biomarkers Including Interleukin-6 in Critically Ill Patients: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study.

Objectives: Several inflammation markers have been reported to be associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. We aimed to elucidate whether serum interleukin-6 concentration considered with Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score can better predict mortality in critically ill patients.

Design: A prospective observational study.

Comparison of physician-staffed helicopter with ground-based emergency medical services for trauma patients.

Introduction: Few studies have discussed whether physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) provide temporal and geographical benefits for patients in remote locations compared to ground emergency medical services (GEMS). Our study seeks to clarify the significance of HEMS for patients with severe trauma by comparing the mortality of patients transported directly from crash scenes by HEMS or GEMS, taking geographical factors into account.

Methods: Using medical records from a single center, collected from January 2014 to December 2018, we retrospectively identified 1674 trauma patients.

Blood Interleukin-6 Levels Predict Multiple Organ Dysfunction in Critically Ill Patients.

Background: Predicting multiple organ dysfunction (MOD) in the late phase of critical illnesses is essential. Cytokines are considered biomarkers that can predict clinical outcomes; however, their predictive value for late-phase MOD is unknown. This study aimed to identify the biomarker with the highest predictive value for late-phase MOD.

Disturbance of consciousness due to hyperammonemia and lactic acidosis during mFOLFOX6 regimen: Case report.

Introduction: FOLFOX therapy is the main chemotherapy regimen for colorectal cancer. Peripheral neuropathy, hematotoxicity, and digestive symptoms are known to be the most frequent adverse events. Hyperammonemia and lactic acidosis rarely occur simultaneously during treatment with FOLFOX therapy; the number of case reports is limited worldwide.

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis caused by canagliflozin: a case report.

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is seen relatively frequently in the emergency department (ED). DKA is characterized by hyperglycemia, acidosis, and ketonemia, and sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) represent a new diabetes medication that has been associated with euglycemic DKA (eu-DKA).

Case Presentation: A 71-year-old female who was being treated for type 2 diabetes with canagliflozin, metformin, and saxagliptin orally presented to the ED for evaluation of reduced oral intake, malaise, nausea, and abdominal pain.

Influenza A with hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy syndrome in an adult: A case report.

Introduction: Hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy syndrome (HSES) is a type of acute encephalopathy mainly seen in infants. It is a syndrome encompassing an onset of high fever, disturbance of consciousness, convulsion, and shock that rapidly progresses to watery diarrhea and liver and renal dysfunctions. It is extremely rare in adults, and the number of reports is limited worldwide.

[Head Injuries due to Ladder-related Falls].

We examined the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients who had fallen from ladders and statistically analyzed the prognostic factors, highlighting the impact of the coexistence of head injuries on their prognoses. The clinical records of patients who had experienced ladder-related falls who were admitted to the Advanced Emergency Medical Service Center at Kurume University Hospital between April 2013 and August 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 86 patients were enrolled.

Leakage sign for acute subdural hematoma in clinical treatment.

Background: Acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) is a serious traumatic disease, and predictive methods for hematoma growth are necessary to decide whether emergent operation is necessary. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of "leakage" using computed tomography angiography (CTA) in patients with ASDH and to identify its prognostic value.

Methods: Sixty-seven patients with ASDH were examined using CTA (mean age 64.