Acute and Critical Care

Original Articles

Pulmonary
Characteristics and management of mechanically ventilated patients in South Korea compared with other high-income Asian countries and regions: Kyung Hun Nam, Kyeongman Jeon, Suk-Kyung Hong, Ah Young Leem, Jee Hwan Ahn, Hang Jea Jang, Ki Sup Byun, So Hee Park, Sojung Park, Yoon Mi Shin, Jisoo Park, Sung Wook Kang, Jin Hyoung Kim, Jinkyeong Park, Deokkyu Kim, Bo young Lee, Woo Hyun Cho, Kwangha Lee, Song I Lee, Tai Sun Park, Yun Jung Jung, Sang-Hyun Kwak, Sang-Beom Jeon, Sung Hyun Kim, Won Jai Jung, Sang-Min Lee, Sunghoon Park, Yun Su Sim, Young-Jae Cho, Younsuck Koh; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(3):413-424. Published online August 21, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.003336

2,980 View
93 Download

Abstract PDF: Background
This study investigated the characteristics of mechanically ventilated patients in South Korean intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: We conducted a subgroup analysis of a multinational observational study. Data from 271 mechanically ventilated patients in South Korean ICUs were analyzed for demographics, ventilation practices, and mortality, and were compared with those of 327 patients from other high-income Asian countries. Results: South Korean patients were older (mean age: 67 vs. 62 years, P<0.001) and had lower ratio of the partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen (255.5 vs. 306.2, P<0.001). South Korean ICUs exhibited higher patient-to-nurse ratios (2.6 vs. 1.9, P<0.001) and more beds per unit (20.5 vs. 16.0, P=0.017). The use of sufficient positive end-expiratory pressure for patients (PEEP) for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was less frequent in South Korea (62.2% vs. 91.2%, P=0.005). Mortality rates were similar between South Korean patients and those in other high-income Asian countries (38.0% vs. 34.2%, P=0.401). Significant mortality predictors in South Korea included age ≥65 years (odds ratio [OR], 4.03; P=0.039) and a Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score ≥8 (OR, 2.36; P=0.031). The presence of respiratory therapists was associated with reduced mortality (OR, 0.52; P=0.034). Conclusions: Despite higher age and patient-to-nurse ratios in South Korean ICUs, outcomes were comparable to those in other high-income Asian countries. The suboptimal use of sufficient PEEP with ARDS indicates potential areas for improvement. Additionally, the beneficial impact of respiratory therapists on mortality rates warrants further investigation.

Neurology
Continuous heart rate variability and electroencephalography monitoring in severe acute brain injury: a preliminary study: Hyunjo Lee, Sang-Beom Jeon, Kwang-Soo Lee; Acute Crit Care. 2021;36(2):151-161. Published online March 18, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2020.00703

11,248 View
173 Download
5 Web of Science
5 Crossref

Background
Decreases in heart rate variability have been shown to be associated with poor outcomes in severe acute brain injury. However, it is unknown whether the changes in heart rate variability precede neurological deterioration in such patients. We explored the changes in heart rate variability measured by electrocardiography in patients who had neurological deterioration following severe acute brain injury, and examined the relationship between heart rate variability and electroencephalography parameters.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of 25 patients who manifested neurological deterioration after severe acute brain injury and underwent simultaneous electroencephalography plus electrocardiography monitoring.
Results
Eighteen electroencephalography channels and one simultaneously recorded electrocardiography channel were segmented into epochs of 120-second duration and processed to compute 10 heart rate variability parameters and three quantitative electroencephalography parameters. Raw electroencephalography of the epochs was also assessed by standardized visual interpretation and categorized based on their background abnormalities and ictalinterictal continuum patterns. The heart rate variability and electroencephalography parameters showed consistent changes in the 2-day period before neurological deterioration commenced. Remarkably, the suppression ratio and background abnormality of the electroencephalography parameters had significant reverse correlations with all heart rate variability parameters.
Conclusions
We observed a significantly progressive decline in heart rate variability from the day before the neurological deterioration events in patients with severe acute brain injury were first observed.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Cross-modal synchronization of EEG and ECG reveals hidden signatures of recovery in traumatic brain injury
Xulong Li, Haibo Teng, Peng Chen, Yuzhe Yuan, Pingchun Li, Mali Song, Jiaxin Yu, Jianguo Xu, Xiangyun Li, Kang Li, Zhiyong Liu
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Heart Rate Variability Applications in Medical Specialties: A Narrative Review
Jennifer S. Addleman, Nicholas S. Lackey, Molly A. Tobin, Grace A. Lara, Sankalp Sinha, Rebecca M. Morse, Alexander G. Hajduczok, Raouf S. Gharbo, Richard N. Gevirtz
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback.2025; 50(3): 359. CrossRef
Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Dysfunction After Stroke: Prognostic Markers for Recovery
Sara Lago, Toon T. de Beukelaar, Ilaria Casetta, Giorgio Arcara, Dante Mantini
Biomedicines.2025; 13(7): 1659. CrossRef
Association of Depressive and Somatic Symptoms with Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury
Seung Don Yoo, Eo Jin Park
Journal of Clinical Medicine.2022; 12(1): 104. CrossRef
Influencing Cardiovascular Outcomes through Heart Rate Variability Modulation: A Systematic Review
Alexandru Burlacu, Crischentian Brinza, Iolanda Valentina Popa, Adrian Covic, Mariana Floria
Diagnostics.2021; 11(12): 2198. CrossRef

Case Reports

Neurology/Obstetric
A Critical Case of Wernicke's Encephalopathy Induced by Hyperemesis Gravidarum: Byung Ju Kang, Min Gu Kim, Jwa Hoon Kim, Mingee Lee, Sang-Beom Jeon, Ha Il Kim, Jin Won Huh; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2015;30(2):128-131. Published online May 31, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2015.30.2.128

10,496 View
113 Download
3 Crossref

Abstract PDF

Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a reversible but potentially critical disease caused by thiamine deficiency. Most patients complain of symptoms such as ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and confusion. Heavy alcohol drinking is commonly associated with the disease, but other clinical conditions also can provoke it. In pregnant women, hyperemesis gravidarum can lead to the depletion of body thiamine due to poor oral intake and a high metabolic demand. We report a case of Wernicke’s encephalopathy following hyperemesis gravidarum in a 36-year-old female at 20 weeks of pregnancy, who visited our hospital because of shock with vaginal bleeding. This case suggests that although the initial presentation may include atypical symptoms (e.g., shock or bleeding), Wernicke’s encephalopathy should be considered, and thiamine replacement should be performed in pregnant women with neurologic symptoms and poor oral intake.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Wernicke's Encephalopathy in Acute and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review
Erik Oudman, Jan W. Wijnia, David Severs, Misha J. Oey, Mirjam van Dam, Maaike van Dorp, Albert Postma
Journal of Renal Nutrition.2024; 34(2): 105. CrossRef
Intrauterine Fetal Demise: A Rare Complication of Wernicke's Encephalopathy Secondary to Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Anthony Pham, Robin Okpara, Nancy Rollins, Roy Jacob
Cureus.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Wernicke’s encephalopathy in hyperemesis gravidarum: A systematic review
Erik Oudman, Jan W. Wijnia, Misha Oey, Mirjam van Dam, Rebecca C. Painter, Albert Postma
European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology.2019; 236: 84. CrossRef

Neurology
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in a Critically Ill Postoperative Patient: Min Ae Keum, Hyo Keun No, Choong Wook Lee, Sang-Beom Jeon, Suk-Kyung Hong; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2015;30(1):46-51. Published online February 28, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2015.30.1.46

10,192 View
73 Download

Abstract PDF: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a transient condition characterized by altered mental status, seizure, headache, and visual disturbance with typical neuro-imaging findings in the bilateral parieto-occipital regions. Clinicians should be aware of this syndrome because delayed diagnosis and treatment result in irreversible neurologic deficits. We present the case of a 77-year-old male diagnosed with PRES in the setting of postoperative critical illness caused by small-bowel strangulation.

First
Prev
Page of 1
Next
Last

Search