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Shoichi Ohta

Publications and source records attributed to Shoichi Ohta.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Remote support for emergency medicine using a remote-control laser pointer.

We have developed a laser pointing system, the GestureLaser, which allows a remote operator to control a videocamera and a laser beam via a networked personal computer. The laser spot can be moved by the mouse cursor controlled by the remote instructor. The system was tested by giving remote instruction in thoracentesis to inexperienced operators using a training mannekin. Seven medical students received instructions using the laser pointer and another seven received instruction without the laser pointer. All operators completed the task correctly. The laser pointer group correctly identified the centesis space and performed the task on the first trial. When the laser pointer was not used, four operators (57%) made a mistake in selecting the centesis space at the first trial. The mean times for both stage 1--verbal versus GestureLaser 59 s (SD 13) versus 44 s (SD 5), p = 0.015 - and stage 2--verbal versus GestureLaser 98 s (SD 20) versus 64 s (SD 7), P = 0.002 - were significantly shorter when the GestureLaser was used. The study shows that the laser pointing system can be used to remotely instruct a novice operator in performing thoracentesis. It could improve collaboration between geographically separated sites.

Abdominal Wall↗

Prospective evaluation of hemoclip application with injection of epinephrine in hypertonic saline solution for hemostasis in unstable patients with shock caused by upper GI bleeding.

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to arrest severe upper GI bleeding with any of the available hemostatic modalities in unstable patients who are in shock, and the rates of persistent bleeding and mortality in this group remain high. This prospective study evaluated hemoclip application alone and in combination with injection of hypertonic saline solution with epinephrine in this subgroup of patients with GI bleeding. METHODS: Twenty-two patients in shock because of upper GI bleeding were enrolled and divided into 2 groups based on the response of systolic blood pressure to rapid infusion of 1000 mL of lactated Ringer's solution: an unstable shock group, in which systolic blood pressure did not stabilize at greater than 90 mm Hg, and a stable shock group, in which systolic blood pressure stabilized at greater than 90 mm Hg. Emergency endoscopy was performed in both groups; those in the stable group were treated by hemoclip application alone and those in the unstable group were treated by hemoclip application combined with injection of hypertonic saline solution with epinephrine. The following parameters were compared: vital signs on admission and after infusion of lactated Ringer's solution, hemoglobin concentration, endoscopic classification of type and site of bleeding, number of hemoclips required to arrest bleeding, volume of hypertonic saline solution with epinephrine injected, initial hemostatic rate, rate of recurrent bleeding, the need for additional preventive therapy (hemoclip application), and mortality. RESULTS: The rate of initial hemostasis was 92% in the stable shock group and 100% in the unstable shock group. Bleeding did not recur in either group. The volume of packed red cells transfused and the endotracheal intubation rate were significantly greater in the unstable shock group. Preventive application of hemoclips was performed at endoscopic follow-up 12 times in 10 patients in the stable shock group and 9 times in 7 patients in the unstable shock group. There were no deaths in either group. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic injection of hypertonic saline solution with epinephrine combined with hemoclip application provides effective hemostasis in unstable patients in shock caused by severe upper GI bleeding. The hemostatic result is comparable with that achieved by hemoclip application alone in patients with bleeding but less severe shock.

Blood Pressure↗

Aggressive endoscopic hemostasis for severe gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients to decrease mortality.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In critically ill patients, with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding achieving endoscopic hemostasis has been reported to be often difficult, with a high rebleeding rate. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of endoscopic hemoclipping for severe GI bleeding in critically ill patients. METHODOLOGY: This prospective study was performed at the Department of Traumatology and Critical Care Medicine, Kyorin University Hospital from June 1996 to December 1999. Patients with predefined clinically significant GI bleeding were treated using an established endoscopic hemoclipping protocol that covered indications and procedures. RESULTS: A total of 1429 patients were enrolled in this study. Of 11 hospitalized cases meeting the definition of severe GI bleeding, it occurred at 12.3 +/- 3.9 days (mean +/- SD) after admission. Initial hemostasis was possible in all patients. Although rebleeding was seen in 1 patient, the permanent hemostasis rate by additional endoscopic hemostasis was 100%. Of the 11, 9 patients were discharged and there were 2 hospital deaths. The direct cause of death depended on the degree of underlying critical illness and combined severe pneumonia. Complications caused by endoscopic hemostasis were not seen in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic hemostasis is useful in critically ill patients with the severe GI bleeding that occurs during critical care in the intensive care unit.

APACHE↗