J Formos Med Assoc
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Targeted temperature management (TTM) has been recommended for post-resuscitation care of cardiac arrest (CA) patients who remain comatose. However, the differences between cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic causes need further investigation. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the difference in outcomes between cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic CA patients receiving TTM. ⋯ Patients with cardiogenic CA post TTM had better survival and neurologic performance at discharge than those without cardiogenic CA. Cardiogenic etiology was a potential predictor of better cardiac arrest survival, but it was not an independent risk factor for overall outcome after adjusting for potential covariates. In the cardiogenic group, better outcomes were reported in patients with witnessed collapse, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, as well as those receiving coronary intervention.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy of polyacrylate silver salt/polyvinylpyrrolidone-based liquid oral gel in management of concurrence chemoradiotherapy-induced oral mucositis.
Acute oral mucositis (OM) is a painful complication of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). This severe adverse symptom may impact on patient's quality of life, lead to malnutrition. Thus, finding more effective methods in OM management is very important. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of polyacrylate silver salt/Polyvinylpyrrolidone-based liquid oral gel (named as polyacrylate silver salt oral gel) in improving the symptomatic relief of CCRT-induced oral mucositis and oral dysfunction in neck and head cancer patients. ⋯ Our clinical studies demonstrated that polyacrylate silver salt oral gel is an effective interventional option in terms of rapid mucositis healing.
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Pericardial effusion or pericardial tamponade (PE/PT) is a relatively common complication of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC). However, delayed PE/PT is rare with limited data. The aim of the study was to analyze the incidence and clinical consequences of delayed PE/PT following LAAC. ⋯ Delayed PE/PT is rare but can occur, and the incidence of delayed bloody PE/PT for the nitinol plug device was higher than that for the nitinol cage device. The strategy of emergency pericardiocentesis combined with discontinuing antithrombotic medication may be effective for delayed bloody PE/PT.
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Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) measured by Sandell-Kolthoff spectrophotometric method has been used in the Nutrition and Health Surveys in Taiwan but this method is time consuming and produces toxic waste from arsenic trioxide. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) system to determine UIC in Taiwan. ⋯ This validated ICP-MS system can be used for measuring UIC.
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Observational Study
Urban-rural differences in outcomes and management of vertebral fractures: A real-world observational study.
A fracture liaison services (FLSs) and its modified services reduce refractures and mortality and can be cost-effective. Limited studies have addressed whether urban-rural differences exist in vertebral fracture outcomes and management. Therefore, the aims of the study were to investigate any urban-rural differences in refracture, mortality, prescription pattern, and associated factors of vertebral fractures after receiving assistance from an FLSs. ⋯ Our multicomponent services have similar effectiveness in osteoporosis treatment between urban and rural areas. The overall adherence rate was lower in the rural group with higher mortality but no difference in the refracture rate in one year.