The efficacy and application of tranexamic acid in emergency medicine: Emergency Medicine Association of Türkiye clinical policy- 2024.

The clinical policy of the Emergency Medicine Association of Türkiye (EMAT) provides guidance on the use of tranexamic acid (TXA) in emergency settings. TXA, an antifibrinolytic drug, is used to control bleeding by inhibiting plasminogen. Its applications have expanded from hemophilia and severe menstrual bleeding to include various forms of trauma and surgery-related bleeding.

Appropriate dose of tranexamic acid in the topical treatment of anterior epistaxis, 500 mg vs 1000 mg: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Patients with epistaxis typically visit the emergency department for initial treatment. According to recent studies, tranexamic acid (TXA) is effective in the treatment of epistaxis. This study compared the therapeutic superiority of saline to that of 500 and 1000 mg doses of topical TXA for the treatment of anterior epistaxis.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV in a Substance Abuse Treatment Center.

Introduction: Alcohol and substance use disorders are important public health problems with an increased risk for bloodborne and sexually transmitted infections.

Objectives: To determine the frequency and risk factors of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in individuals with drug and alcohol addiction.

Methodology: This prospective study was conducted in the outpatient clinic of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment and Education Center (ASATEC), Izmir, Turkey.

Long-term comparison of horizontal rectus surgery with vertical tendon transposition and combined vertical tendon transposition and inferior oblique-weakening in V-pattern exotropia.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of bilateral lateral rectus recession with vertical tendon transposition (LRVT) and LRVT combined with inferior oblique (IO) disinsertion for V-pattern exotropia.

Methods: The medical records of patients who had mild-to-moderate (+1 and +2) inferior oblique overaction (IOOA) and underwent half-tendon-width upward LRVT (transposition group), and LRVT with IO disinsertion (combined surgery group) for V-pattern exotropia and who had at least 3 years of postoperative follow-up were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: A total of 45 patients were included: 22 in the transposition group and 23 in the combined surgery group.

Comparison of whole body computed tomography findings with physician predictions in high-energy blunt trauma patients: prospective observational study.

Background: The whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) procedure is increasingly common in evaluating patients presenting with high-energy trauma. However, it remains unclear in which population WBCT provides benefit and whether its routine application is truly beneficial. In this study, we aimed to compare physician predictions with WBCT findings in patients with high-energy blunt trauma.

Arterial Stiffness May Predict Subsequent Cancer Therapy-Related Cardiac Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Patients.

Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is still a serious problem. Existing risk scores are insufficient for risk classification, especially in low and medium-risk patients. This study aims to evaluate if arterial stiffness (AS) measurement, which is associated with most of the known risk factors, can be a useful parameter for predicting subsequent CTRCD in patients with breast cancer (BC).

Have Chest Imaging Habits Changed in the Emergency Department after the Pandemic?

The rate of patients undergoing tomography in the emergency department has increased in the last two decades. In the last few years, there has been a more significant increase due to the effects of the pandemic. This study aimed to determine the rate of patients who underwent chest imaging in the emergency department, the preferred imaging method, and the demographic characteristics of the patients undergoing imaging during the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic periods.

Clinical Features, Treatment, and Visual Outcomes of Posterior Scleritis from Tertiary Eye Care Center.

Purpose: To describe the epidemiological and clinical features and course of patients with posterior scleritis (PS).

Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional consecutive case series analyzed the medical records of 16 patients diagnosed with PS.

Results: Female gender and unilateral involvement were dominant.

Changes in corneal high order aberrations and anterior chamber parameters following scleral fixated intraocular lens implantation.

Background: To evaluate the change in corneal high order aberrations (HOAs) and anterior chamber parameters following scleral fixation in aphakic patients using the Scheimpflug camera system.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients who were aphakic after phacoemulsification surgery and underwent scleral-fixed intraocular lens (SF-IOL) implantation with Z suture technique between 2010 and 2022. Preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anterior segment parameters and corneal aberrations were evaluated with a combined Scheimpflug-Placido disk corneal topography device (Sirius Costruzione Strumenti Oftalmici, Florence, Italy).

The Relationship Between the Dipping Pattern and Coronary Artery Disease Severity Assessed by the SYNTAX Score in Patients With Hypertension.

Background The morbidity and mortality rates related to hypertension (HT) are still high despite the developments in this area. Nondipper hypertension (NDHT) is related to worse clinical outcomes. But the dipping pattern of HT is not still used for treatment targets.

Investigation of health literacy level and its effect on quality of life in patients with spinal cord injury.

Objectives: To determine the health literacy HL) level in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and evaluate the relationship between HL and the quality of life (QoL).

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Ankara Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Education and Research Hospital, Turkey.

Does Microalbuminuria Predict Mortality in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit?

The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of microalbuminuria (MA) to predict the mortality in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Between December 2014 and November 2015, 250 patients who were 1 month to 18 years old monitored at least 24 hours in PICU and met study criteria were included. Spot urine samples were measured for microalbuminuria.

The use of computed tomography as the first imaging modality in patients with renal colic and microscopic haematuria.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the use of computed tomography (CT) as the first imaging modality in patients with renal colic and microscopic haematuria.

Methodology: The patients that presented to the emergency service of six health centers with renal colic between January 2017 and January 2018 and were found to have microscopic hematuria on urinalysis were retrospectively evaluated. Only patients for whom non-contrast CT was used as the first imaging modality were included in the study.

Validation of the scale of assessment of self-care behaviours for arteriovenous fistula in patients ongoing haemodialysis in Turkey.

Background: Several guidelines recommend that patients with chronic kidney disease treated by haemodialysis (HD) take care of their own arteriovenous fistula (AVF). The dialysis nurse plays an important role in the development of such self-care behaviours. A very small number of instruments are available to assess self-care behaviours with AVF in Turkey.

Clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of acute decompensated heart failure patients with and without atrial fibrillation.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) are common cardiovascular diseases. The impact of AF on in-hospital outcomes in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is controversial. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of AF among hospitalized patients with ADHF and describe the clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of these patients with and without AF.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy: acute and reversible left ventricular systolic dysfunction due to cardiotoxicity of hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state-a case report†.

Background: Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC) is defined as a ventricular diastolic and/or systolic dysfunction, which is directly related to diabetes mellitus (DM) in the absence of coronary artery disease, valvular, congenital or hypertensive heart disease, and alcoholism. In this report, we present an unusual case of a patient with DC and reversible, acute left ventricular systolic dysfunction due to cardiotoxicity of hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS).

Case Summary: A 20-year-old male patient presented with weakness and polyuria.

Predictive value of CHA2DS2-VASc and CHA2DS2-VASc-HS scores for failed reperfusion after thrombolytic therapy in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Thrombolytic therapy is recommended for patients with acute ST-segment elevation myo- cardial infarction (STEMI) who cannot undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention within the first 120 min. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the value of CHA2DS2-VASc and CHA2DS2- -VASc-HS scores in predicting failed reperfusion in STEMI patients treated with thrombolytic therapy.

Methods: A total of 537 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study; 139 had failed thrombolysis while the remaining 398 fulfilled the criteria for successful thrombolysis.

The Severity of Coronary Arterial Stenosis in Patients With Acute ST-Elevated Myocardial Infarction: A Thrombolytic Therapy Study.

Background: It is widely believed that ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) generally occurs at the site of mild to moderate coronary stenosis. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of stenosis of infarct-related artery (IRA) in STEMI patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) after successful reperfusion with thrombolytic therapy (TT).

Methods: A total of 463 consecutive patients between January 2008 and December 2013 with acute STEMI treated with TT were evaluated retrospectively.

Quality of life of patients with atrial septal defect following percutaneous closure.

Introduction: Quality of life has become an important outcome measure in addition to mortality and morbidity in patients with congenital heart disease. Atrial septal defect is a common congenital heart disease, and transcatheter atrial septal defect closure has become an accepted treatment modality. The aim of this study is to assess the quality of life of patients with atrial septal defect who underwent percutaneous closure.