Background: During cardiac arrest (CA) and after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, activation of blood coagulation and inadequate endogenous fibrinolysis occur. The aim of this study was to describe the time course of coagulation abnormalities after out-of-hospital CA (OHCA) and to examine the association with clinical outcomes in patients undergoing targeted temperature management (TTM) after OHCA. Methods: This prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study was performed in eight emergency departments in Korea between September 2018 and September 2019. Laboratory findings from hospital admission and 24 hours after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) were analyzed. The primary outcome was cerebral performance category (CPC) at discharge, and the secondary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 170 patients were included in this study. The lactic acid, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thrombin time (aPTT), international normalized ratio (INR), and D-dimer levels were higher in patients with poor neurological outcomes at admission and 24 h after ROSC. The lactic acid and D-dimer levels decreased over time, while fibrinogen increased over time. PT, aPTT, and INR did not change over time. The PT at admission and D-dimer levels 24 h after ROSC were associated with neurological outcomes at hospital discharge. Coagulation-related factors were moderately correlated with the duration of time from collapse to ROSC. Conclusion: The time-dependent changes in coagulation-related factors are diverse. Among coagulation-related factors, PT at admission and D-dimer levels 24 h after ROSC were associated with poor neurological outcomes at hospital discharge in patients treated with TTM.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the usage patterns and hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) profiles of six nonionic iodinated contrast media (ICMs) used in computed tomography (CT) to enhance patient safety and inform evidence-based contrast agent selection. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 248,209 CT scans obtained between January 2020 and December 2022. Six ICMs (iomeprol, iohexol, ioversol, iopromide, iodixanol, and iobitridol) were compared on the basis of their usage rates, HSR incidence, and severity. This study also evaluated the impact of premedication protocol reinforcement and assessed the quarterly HSR rates. Results: Among the 248,209 CT scans, 1603 (0.65%) were associated with HSRs. Most HSRs were mild (86.2%), with moderate (10.9%) and severe (2.9%) reactions being less common. Four ICMs were used as first-line agents and two ICMs were used as second-line agents. The second-line agents, iobitridol and iodixanol, exhibited 7–8 times higher HSR rates compared to the first-line agents. A modified premedication protocol implemented in mid-2022 significantly reduced the incidence of moderate HSRs (p = 0.0075). The quarterly analysis indicated a trend in higher HSR rates in the first quarter and a statistically significant increase in severe HSRs in the third quarter (p = 0.033). Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of tailored premedication protocols and a 7–8 times higher rate of HSR with second-line agents in contrast-enhanced imaging. Future research should focus on elucidating the mechanisms underlying these variations to further refine contrast agent selection and management strategies.

Background: The association of body mass index with outcome in patients treated with targeted temperature management (TTM) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of body mass index (BMI) on neurological outcomes and mortality in resuscitated patients treated with TTM after OHCA. Methods: This multicenter, prospective, observational study was performed with data from 22 hospitals included in the Korean Hypothermia Network KORHN-PRO registry. Comatose adult patients treated with TTM after OHCA between October 2015 and December 2018 were enrolled. The BMI of each patient was calculated and classified according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). Each group was analyzed in terms of demographic characteristics and associations with six-month neurologic outcomes and mortality after cardiac arrest (CA). Results: Of 1,373 patients treated with TTM identified in the registry, 1,315 were included in this study. One hundred two patients were underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m²), 798 were normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m²), 332 were overweight (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m²), and 73 were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²). The higher BMI group had younger patients and a greater incidence of diabetes and hypertension. Six-month neurologic outcomes and mortality were not different among the BMI groups (p = 0.111, p = 0.234). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that BMI classification was not associated with six-month neurologic outcomes or mortality. In the subgroup analysis, the underweight group treated with TTM at 33°C was associated with poor neurologic outcomes six months after CA (OR 2.090, 95% CI 1.010–4.325, p = 0.047), whereas the TTM at 36°C group was not (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.249–3.112, p = 0.843). Conclusions: BMI was not associated with six-month neurologic outcomes or mortality in patients surviving OHCA. However, in the subgroup analysis, underweight patients were associated with poor neurologic outcomes when treated with TTM at 33°C.

Purpose: Using simulation in continuing professional development (CPD) courses for local practitioners is uncommon in Korea. The aim of our study was to evaluate the responses of the local practitioners for a simulation-based short CPD course.Methods: Following the targeted needs assessment of local practitioners, we developed and implemented a 3-hour simulation-based CPD course for the first 5 minutes of cardiac arrest in the resource-limited local clinics. We evaluated the participant’s responses to the course using a questionnaire.Results: During the 3-year implementation period, 115 practitioners participated in 10 courses, and 113 (98%) responded to the questionnaire. The overall course satisfaction (10-point scale) was very positive (10 in 93 [82.3%], 9 in 19 [16.8%], and 8 in 1 [0.8%]). The level (5-point scale) of recommendation to the others was also high (5 in 103 [91.2%] and 4 in 10 [8.8%]). Many participants positively commented on the authentic practical experience of the uncommon crisis in their contexts.Conclusion: A simulation-based short CPD course for in-hospital cardiac arrest could provide an authentic practical experience for local practitioners working in resource-limited clinics.