Acute and Critical Care

Original Articles

CPR/Resuscitation
Initial arterial pH predicts survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in South Korea: Daun Jeong, Sang Do Shin, Tae Gun Shin, Gun Tak Lee, Jong Eun Park, Sung Yeon Hwang, Jin-Ho Choi; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(3):444-451. Published online August 29, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.001050

3,156 View
68 Download
1 Crossref

Background
Arterial pH reflects both metabolic and respiratory distress in cardiac arrest and has prognostic implications. However, it was excluded from the 2024 update of the Utstein out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) registry template. We investigated the rationale for including arterial pH into models predicting clinical outcomes. Methods: Data were sourced from the Korean Cardiac Arrest Research Consortium, a nationwide OHCA registry (NCT03222999). Prediction models were constructed using logistic regression, random forest, and eXtreme Gradient Boosting frameworks. Each framework included three model types: pH, low-flow time, and combined models. Then the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of each predicting model was compared. The primary outcome was 30- day death or neurologically unfavorable status (cerebral performance category ≥3). Results: Among the 15,765 patients analyzed, 92.2% experienced death or unfavorable neurological outcomes. The predicting performance of the models including pH (AUROC, 0.92–0.94) were comparable to the models including low-flow time in all frameworks (0.93–0.94) (all P>0.05). Inclusion of pH into low-flow time models consistently showed higher AUROCs than individual models in all frameworks (AUROC, 0.93–0.95; all P<0.05). Conclusions: The predicting performance of models including arterial pH was comparable to models including low-flow time, and addition of arterial pH into low-flow time models could increase the performance of the models. Key Words: blood pH; hydrogen-ion con

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Comparison of Traumatic and Non-Traumatic Cardiopulmonary Arrest Patients
Kenan Çalışkan, Necmi Baykan
Journal of Anatolian Medical Research.2026; 11(1): 12. CrossRef

Pulmonary
Using machine learning techniques for early prediction of tracheal intubation in patients with septic shock: a multi-center study in South Korea: Ji Han Heo, Taegyun Kim, Tae Gun Shin, Gil Joon Suh, Woon Yong Kwon, Hayoung Kim, Heesu Park, Heejun Kim, Sol Han; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):221-234. Published online April 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.004776

4,956 View
120 Download
2 Web of Science
2 Crossref

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Background
Patients with septic shock frequently require tracheal intubation in the emergency department (ED). However, the criteria for tracheal intubation are subjective, based on physician experience, or require serial evaluations over relatively long intervals to make accurate predictions, which might not be feasible in the ED. We used supervised learning approaches and features routinely available during the initial stages of evaluation and resuscitation to stratify the risks of tracheal intubation within a 24-hour time window.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients diagnosed with septic shock based on the SEPSIS-3 criteria across 21 university hospital EDs in the Republic of Korea. A principal component analysis revealed a complex, non-linear decision boundary with respect to the application of tracheal intubation within a 24-hour time window. Stratified five-fold cross validation and a grid search were used with extreme gradient boost. Shapley values were calculated to explain feature importance and preferences.
Results
In total, data for 4,762 patients were analyzed; within that population, 1,486 (31%) were intubated within a 24-hour window, and 3,276 (69%) were not. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and F1 scores for intubation within a 24-hour window were 0.829 (95% CI, 0.801–0.878) and 0.654 (95% CI, 0.627–0.681), respectively. The Shapley values identified lactate level after initial fluids, suspected lung infection, initial pH, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at enrollment, and respiratory rate at enrollment as important features for prediction.
Conclusions
An extreme gradient boosting machine can moderately discriminate whether intubation is warranted within 24 hours of the recognition of septic shock in the ED.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Early prediction of renal replacement therapy within 24 hours after septic shock recognition in the emergency department using machine learning: a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected multicenter registry
Sangun Nah, Tae Ho Lim, Sung Phil Chung, Gil Joon Suh, Sung-Hyuk Choi, Woon Yong Kwon, Won Young Kim, Kyuseok Kim, Sangchun Choi, Je Sung You, Han Sung Choi, Tae Gun Shin, Sangsoo Han
BMC Emergency Medicine.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Methodological development study: Dynamic mask attention graph neural network for mechanical ventilation in elderly intensive care unit patients
Yi Xie, Ni Xie, Jiao Guo
DIGITAL HEALTH.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

Guideline

Meta-analysis
Early management of adult sepsis and septic shock: Korean clinical practice guidelines: Chul Park, Nam Su Ku, Dae Won Park, Joo Hyun Park, Tae Sun Ha, Do Wan Kim, So Young Park, Youjin Chang, Kwang Wook Jo, Moon Seong Baek, Yijun Seo, Tae Gun Shin, Gina Yu, Jongmin Lee, Yong Jun Choi, Ji Young Jang, Yun Tae Jung, Inseok Jeong, Hwa Jin Cho, Ala Woo, Sua Kim, Dae-Hwan Bae, Sung Wook Kang, Sun Hyo Park, Gee Young Suh, Sunghoon Park; Acute Crit Care. 2024;39(4):445-472. Published online November 18, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2024.00920

42,753 View
1,760 Download
7 Web of Science
10 Crossref

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Background
Despite recent advances and global improvements in sepsis recognition and supportive care, mortality rates remain high, and adherence to sepsis bundle components in Korea is low. To address this, the Korean Sepsis Alliance, affiliated with the Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine, developed the first sepsis treatment guidelines for Korea based on a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods
A de novo method was used to develop the guidelines. Methodologies included determining key questions, conducting a literature search and selection, assessing the risk of bias, synthesizing evidence, and developing recommendations. The certainty of evidence and the strength of recommendations were determined using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations approach. Draft recommendations underwent internal and external review processes and public hearings. The development of these guidelines was supported by a research grant from the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency.
Results
In these guidelines, we focused on early treatments for adult patients with sepsis and septic shock. Through the guideline development process, 12 key questions and their respective recommendations were formulated. These include lactate measurement, fluid therapies, target blood pressure, antibiotic administration, use of vasopressors and dobutamine, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and echocardiography.
Conclusions
These guidelines aim to support medical professionals in making appropriate decisions about treating adult sepsis and septic shock. We hope these guidelines will increase awareness of sepsis and reduce its mortality rate.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Artificial intelligence-driven cluster analysis for identifying clinical phenotypes in suspected sepsis patients in the emergency department
Daun Jeong, Jong Rul Park, Seung Jin Maeng, Jung Won Choi, Gun Tak Lee, Sung Yeon Hwang, Chulhong Kim, Jong Eun Park, Tae Gun Shin
BMC Emergency Medicine.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Care Pathway and Outcomes in Pediatric Septic Shock: A Narrative Review from Emergency Department Recognition to PICU Management
Efrossini Briassouli, George Briassoulis
Children.2026; 13(5): 622. CrossRef
Comparison between norepinephrine plus epinephrine and norepinephrine plus vasopressin after return of spontaneous circulation in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Sejoong Ahn, Bo-Yeong Jin, Sukyo Lee, Jong-Hak Park, Hanjin Cho, Sungwoo Moon, Sang Kuk Han, Phil Cho Choi, Young Hwan Lee, Sang O. Park, Jong Seok Lee, Ki Young Jeong, Sung Hyuk Choi, Young Hoon Yoon, Su Jin Kim, Kap Su Han, Min Seob Sim, Gun Tak Lee, Yo
Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Recommendations for the use of biomarkers for the management of adults with sepsis: a scoping review and critical appraisal
Miriam Mateos-Haro, Ana Garcia-Santa-Vinuela, Daniel Molano-Franco, Ivan Solà, Federico Gordo-Vidal, María Cruz Martín-Delgado, Jesus Lopez-Alcalde, Javier Zamora
BMJ Open.2025; 15(7): e090922. CrossRef
Regional Adherence to Early Sepsis Management Bundle and Associated Mortality in Hong Kong Between 2009–2018
Jack Zhenhe Zhang, Chun Hei Chan, Lok Ching Chang, Lok Ching Sandra Chiu, Pauline Yeung Ng, Manimala Dharmangadan, Eunise Ho, Steven Ling, Man Yee Man, Ka Man Fong, Ting Liong, Alwin Wai Tak Yeung, Ka Fai Au, Jacky Ka Hing Chan, Michele Tang, Katy Hoi Ki
Open Forum Infectious Diseases.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Outcomes of septic shock from urinary and non-urinary sources in nonagenarians and centenarians admitted to intensive care units
Je Min Suh, Laurence Weinberg, Nattaya Raykateeraroj, Jerry Lim, Angelina Yoon, David Pilcher, Dong-Kyu Lee
Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Association between emergency department–to–intensive care unit transfer time and mortality in patients with septic shock: a target trial emulation with septic shock in South Korea
Ji Hyun Cha, Danbee Kang, Ryoung-Eun Ko, Won Young Kim, Dong-gon Hyun, Yeon Joo Lee, Woo Hyun Cho, Sunghoon Park, Juhee Cho, Gee Young Suh
Acute and Critical Care.2025; 40(4): 548. CrossRef
Early Versus Delayed Norepinephrine Initiation in Septic Shock: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Observational Studies
Chibuzo C Manafa, Oluwayemisi E Ekor, Akintunde C Akinboboye, Okelue E Okobi, Gift Ojukwu, Osemwegie O Ugbo, Michael U Mochu, Emasenyie Isikwei, Sergio Hernandez Borges, Miguel Diaz-Miret
Cureus.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Quality assessment of clinical practice guidelines for sepsis and variations in recommendations
Hong-Yan Li, Shan-Ling Jiang, Jing Wang, Hai-Shan Wang, Li-Hong Wang
BMC Infectious Diseases.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Evidence-Based Interventions for Sepsis Management in Critically Ill Adults: A Systematic Review
Elsa Jardim Sousa, Michelle de Soresa Virissimo, Abel Mendonça Viveiros, Ana Alves, Valter Gonçalves
European Journal of Medical and Health Research.2025; 3(6): 232. CrossRef

Original Articles

Body Mass Index and Outcomes in Patients with Severe Sepsis or Septic Shock: Minjung Kathy Chae, Dae Jong Choi, Tae Gun Shin, Kyeongman Jeon, Gee Young Suh, Min Seob Sim, Keun Jeong Song, Yeon Kwon Jeong, Ik Joon Jo; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2013;28(4):266-271.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2013.28.4.266

5,547 View
62 Download
2 Crossref

Abstract PDF

BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and survival in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.
METHODS
We analyzed the sepsis registry of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary urban hospital and meeting the criteria for severe sepsis or septic shock from August 2008 to March 2012. We categorized patients into the underweight group (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), the normal weight group (18.5 < or = BMI < 25 kg/m2) and the obese group (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2). Then, we analyzed the registry to evaluate the relation between obesity and in-hospital mortality.
RESULTS
A total of 770 adult patients with severe sepsis and septic shock were analyzed. In-hospital mortality rate of the underweight group (n = 86), the normal weight group (n = 489) and the obese group (n = 195) was 22.1%, 15.3% and 16.4%, respectively. In a multivariate regression analysis, the underweight group had a significant association with in-hospital mortality compared with the normal weight group (odds ratio [OR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68-1.87; p = 0.028). The obese group showed no significant difference in mortality (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.08-3.86; p = 0.65).
CONCLUSIONS
The underweight patients showed significantly higher mortality than the normal weight patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Association of body mass index with mortality of sepsis or septic shock: an updated meta-analysis
Le Bai, Jingyi Huang, Dan Wang, Dongwei Zhu, Qi Zhao, Tingyuan Li, Xianmei Zhou, Yong Xu
Journal of Intensive Care.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Necrotizing soft tissue infection: analysis of the factors related to mortality in 30 cases of a single institution for 5 years
Sung Jin Park, Dong Heon Kim, Chang In Choi, Sung Pil Yun, Jae Hun Kim, Hyung Il Seo, Hong Jae Jo, Tae Yong Jun
Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research.2016; 91(1): 45. CrossRef

Favorable Outcomes in Septic Shock Patients without Hyperlactatemia or Severe Organ Failure: Sung Jong Roh, Tae Gun Shin, Kyeongman Jeon, Gee Young Suh, Min Seob Sim, So Yeon Lim, Mun Ju Kang, Keun Jeong Song, Yeon Kwon Jeong, Ik Joon Jo; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2012;27(4):224-229.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2012.27.4.224

4,008 View
24 Download
1 Crossref

Abstract PDF

BACKGROUND
Septic shock is a pathophysiologic state of circulatory failure with tissue hypoperfusion. However, it is usually defined as sepsis-induced hypotension not responding to fluid resuscitation, regardless of the objective findings of tissue hypoperfusion such as lactic acidosis or organ failures. Numerous patients with sepsis-induced hypotension present to the emergency department without hyperlactemia or severe organ failure. Hence, we investigated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with septic shock according to the presence of hyperlactatemia or significant organ failure.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective observational study of adult patients presenting with septic shock in the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital between August 2008 and July 2010. Initial serum lactate was categorized low (<2.5 mmol/L) and high (> or =2.5 mmol/L). Organ failure was assessed by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. Primary outcome measurement was in-hospital mortality.
RESULTS
A total of 227 patients were enrolled. There were 88 (38.8%) patients in the low lactate group, and 139 (61.2%) patients in the high lactate group. Patients with low lactate levels showed a lower mortality rate (6.8% compared with 25.1% of those with high lactate level). The low lactate group showed less rapid heart rate, less severe organ failures and shorter length of stay in the intensive care unit. During the early goal-directed therapy, they required a smaller amount of fluid administration and a lower dose of norepinephrine although other hemodynamic variables were similarly maintained. In particular, if patients showed less severe organ dysfunction (SOFA score < 8) in the low lactate group (n = 45), in-hospital mortality was 0% (adjusted mortality was 1.3% [95% confidence interval = 0.3-5.0]).
CONCLUSION
Patients with septic shock, who were enrolled according to the traditional definition, showed a very favorable outcome if they did not have hyperlactatemia or significant organ failure.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Evaluating the diagnostic performance of adult sepsis event criteria in the emergency department: impact of including isolated serum lactate elevations
Hyojun Park, Ryoung-Eun Ko, Hyo-Seok Oh, Jae Young Moon, Youjin Chang, Gee Young Suh
Journal of Intensive Care.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

Effect of Hydrogel Pad and Conventional Method on the Induction Time of Therapeutic Hypothermia in Patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Ga Young Chung, Tae Rim Lee, Dae Jong Choi, Sung Su Lee, Mun Ju Kang, Won Chul Cha, Tae Gun Shin, Min Seob Sim, Ik Joon Jo, Keun Jeong Song, Yeon Kwon Jeong; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2012;27(4):218-223.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2012.27.4.218

4,026 View
26 Download

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Therapeutic hypothermia has been recommended as a standard treatment of cardiac arrest patients after return of spontaneous circulation. There are various methods to drop patient's core body temperature below 33.5degrees C. We compared the cooling rate of the conventional cooling method using cold saline bladder irrigation with the commercial hydrogel pad in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients.
METHODS
We collected data retrospectively from the Samsung Medical Center hypothermia database. The conventional method group was cooled with IV infusion of 2,000 ml of 4degrees C cold saline and cold saline bladder irrigation. Patients in the hydrogel pad group had their body temperature lowered with the Artic Sun(R) after receiving 2,000 ml of 4degrees C cold saline intravenously. The induction time was defined as time from cold saline infusion to the esophageal core temperature below 33.5degrees C. The esophageal temperature probe insertion to the target temperature time (ET to target BT time) was defined as the time from the esophageal probe insertion to the core temperature below 33.5degrees C. We compared these times and cooling rates between the two groups.
RESULTS
Eighty one patients were enrolled. Fifty seven patients were included in the hydrogel pad group and 24 patients were in the conventional group. There were no statistical differences of baseline characteristics between the two groups. The induction time of the conventional group (138 min., IQR 98-295) was shorter than that of the hydrogel pad group (190 min., IQR 140-250). The ET to target BT time of the conventional group (106 min., IQR 68-249) was shorter than that of the hydrogel pad group (163 min., IQR 108-222). The cooling rate of the conventional group (0.93degrees C/hr., IQR 0.58-2.08) was lower than that of the hydrogel pad group (1.05degrees C/hr., IQR 0.74-1.96). However, there were no statistical differences in the induction time, the ET to target BT time and the cooling rate between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant statistical difference of the cooling rate of the hydrogel pad and conventional method on the induction time of therapeutic hypothermia in Patients with OHCA. The conventional cooling method can be used as an effective and efficient way to lower OHCA patient's core body temperature during the induction phase of therapeutic hypothermia.

A Retrospective Study about Characteristics of Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Caused by Non-traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Min Seob Sim, Ki Dong Sung, Mun Ju Kang, Ji Ung Na, Tae Gun Shin, Ik Joon Jo, Hyoung Gon Song, Keun Jeong Song, Yeon Kwon Jeong; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2011;26(3):151-156.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2011.26.3.151

3,474 View
32 Download

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a fatal disease relatively common in the East Asian population. It can lead to cardiac arrest in several pathologic processes. We attempted to elucidate the characteristics of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest caused by non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective, observational study in which patients who had visited Samsung medical center emergency room for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest from January, 1999 to December 2008 were enrolled. A total of 218 OHCA patients who had achieved ROSC were investigated by review of medical charts. Excluding those who had worn trauma, we analyzed 22 patients who had been diagnosed for SAH by brain non-contrast CT scan.
RESULTS
Median age of aneurysmal SAH-induced OHCA patients was 61 (IQR 54-67) years. Fourteen patients (64%) were female and 15 patients (68%) were witnessed. Besides, 7 patients (32%) had complained of headache before collapse. We also found 11 patients (50%) had been diagnosed with hypertension previously. All of them showed unshockable rhythm (asystole 60%, PEA 40%) initially. Their median duration of ACLS was 10 minutes. Majority of patients died within 24 hours and survivors showed poor neurologic outcome.
CONCLUSIONS
Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a relatively uncommon cause of cardiac arrest, and the outcome of OHCA induced by SAH is very poor. However, emergency physicians have to consider the possibility of SAH when trying to determine the cause of arrest, especially when treating patients who have the characteristics described above.

First
Prev
Page of 1
Next
Last

Search