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Wen-Jone Chen

Publications and source records attributed to Wen-Jone Chen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A web-based Utstein style registry system of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Taiwan.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The Web-Based Registry System on In-hospital Resuscitation (WRSIR) is the first prospective, web-based, multi-site, and Utstein-based reporting system in Taiwan. This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of the system in one of the participating hospitals and identify prognostic factors associated with survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The WRSIR is an on-line registry system coded with the active server page (ASP) programming method. Information was gathered and entered on-line by trained staff using spreadsheets that could be automatically created according to the updated Utstein in-hospital template. Through the implementation of the system, in a tertiary teaching hospital we evaluated all adults with in-hospital cardiac arrest receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation between 1 October 2004 and 30 September 2005. The main outcome measures were return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival to hospital discharge, and cerebral performance category score at the time of discharge. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of survival. RESULTS: A total of 330 cases experienced in-hospital resuscitation. ROSC occurred in 233 cases (71%) and 61 patients (18%) survived to hospital discharge. Thirty-five patients (58%) had a good neurological outcome with the cerebral performance category (CPC) score of 1 or 2 among survivors. The major predictor of ROSC was initial rhythm of VT/VF (adjusted OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.16-0.78). CONCLUSION: This study examined the feasibility of a web-based registry system on in-hospital resuscitation using the Utstein style in an oriental country. It provides a comprehensive and standardised method for on-line registry of data collection, allowing individual hospitals to track each case for quality improvement. A further nationwide registry will enforce the possibility of data analysis and future perspective research of in-hospital resuscitation.

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PubMed2006

Postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction: correlated factors and prognostic implications.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical factors correlated with postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction and the prognostic implication such dysfunction may have. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective observational study in a university medical center PATIENTS: 58 adult patients successfully resuscitated from nontraumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest over 2 years. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Echocardiographic evaluation of the left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions was performed 6 h postresuscitation and was analyzed in correlation to the clinical features and resuscitation factors. Univariate analysis revealed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to be significantly lower in patients with hypertension, past history of myocardial infarction, resuscitation duration longer than 20 min, defibrillation, and use of more than 5 mg epinephrine. Isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) was significantly longer in patients with noncardiac cause and initial rhythm of nonventricular fibrillation/tachycardia. Multiple regression analysis showed epinephrine dose and past history of myocardial infarction to be independent factors for LVEF, while the cause of cardiac arrest was independently associated with IVRT. For prognosis, 27 patients survived to hospital discharge. Both LVEF under 40% and IVRT 100 ms or longer were associated with poor survival outcomes. In Cox regression analysis IVRT 100 ms or longer served as an independent factor predicting poor survival prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Postresuscitation left ventricular dysfunction is correlated with a number of clinical factors, among which past history of myocardial infarction, epinephrine dose, and the cause of cardiac arrest play independent roles. Meanwhile, IVRT 100 ms or longer 6 h postresuscitation predicts poor survival outcomes and serves as a marker of poor prognosis.

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PubMed2006

Predictors for coronary artery disease in patients with paradoxical systolic blood pressure elevation during recovery after graded exercise.

The predictors for coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with delayed systolic blood pressure (SBP) recovery after graded exercise are unclear. We studied 672 patients with preceding positive symptom-limited exercise treadmill testing (ETT) and underwent their first coronary angiography within 90 days to determine the high-risk profiles for angiographic CAD in patients with paradoxical SBP elevation (the SBP at 3-min of recovery was equal to or higher than that at 1-min of recovery). Among them, 356 patients were diagnosed as CAD, of which 173 were severe CAD. Among 208 patients with paradoxical SBP elevation, 158 (76%) were CAD, and 101 (48.6%) were severe CAD. Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified male gender and hyperlipidemia as positive predictors and maximal heart rate and exercise time as negative predictors for CAD or severe CAD. In conclusion, patients with both positive ETT for ischemia and paradoxical SBP elevation during recovery have a high prevalence of CAD and severe CAD. The high-risk patients for the presence of CAD or severe CAD were those of male, with hyperlipidemia, low achievable maximal heart rate, and short exercise time after graded exercise.

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PubMed2006

Delayed fluid resuscitation in hemorrhagic shock induces proinflammatory cytokine response.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study is designed to determine the effects of delayed fluid resuscitation on the hemodynamic changes and cytokine responses in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: Wistar male rats (n=40; 8/group) were subjected to a volume-controlled hemorrhagic shock for 30 minutes and received lactated Ringer's solution resuscitation as follows: (1) immediate resuscitation, (2) delayed resuscitation begun 30 minutes after hemorrhage (delayed resuscitation 30), (3) delayed resuscitation begun 45 minutes after hemorrhage (delayed resuscitation 45), (4) delayed resuscitation begun 60 minutes after hemorrhage (delayed resuscitation 60), or (5) unresuscitated group, induction of hemorrhagic shock without resuscitation. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded and blood samples were collected at 0 minutes and at 30, 90, 150, 210, 270, and 330 minutes after hemorrhage for plasma levels of interleukin (IL) 6, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Repeated-measurement analysis of variance was used for within- and between-groups comparisons. RESULTS: Final mean blood pressure, serum levels of lactate, and hematocrit levels after immediate resuscitation were not different from those in the delayed resuscitation groups. Comparing with the unresuscitated group, TNF-alpha and IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher, whereas IL-10 concentrations were significantly lower in the 4 resuscitation groups. Circulating concentrations of IL-6 were significantly higher in the delayed resuscitation 45 (P<.001) and delayed resuscitation 60 (P<.001) groups. Circulating concentrations of TNF-alpha and IL-10 in the 4 resuscitation groups were comparable throughout the experimental period. CONCLUSION: Delayed fluid resuscitation in hemorrhagic shock induces increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, and the release of cytokine was correlated with the time delayed for resuscitation.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The demand for prehospital advanced life support and the appropriateness of dispatch in Taipei.

INTRODUCTION: Implementing prehospital advanced life support (ALS) services requires more medical and societal resources in training and equipment. The actual demand for ALS services in our communities was not clear. To ensure good use of expensive resources, it is important to evaluate the demand and appropriateness of ALS services before full-scale implementation takes place. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rate and characteristics of demand for ALS, and the appropriateness of ALS dispatch of the emergency medical service (EMS) system in metropolitan Taipei City. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of the EMS records of Taipei City Fire Department from April 1999 to December 2000 was conducted. Stratified random sampling of all EMS records in the second week of January, April, July and October of 2000 were obtained, along with the corresponding ALS dispatch records. Retrospective ALS demand criteria, including the chief complaints, mechanisms of injury/illness, initial vital signs and types of care rendered, were developed to estimate the rate of ALS demand. ALS demand is expressed as the percentage of cases fulfilling ALS criteria over the total number of EMS cases. Appropriate ALS dispatches were those ALS dispatches determined as fulfilling the ALS demand criteria. RESULTS: Among the sampled 5433 EMS cases, 490 (9.02%) were determined as a demand for ALS care. ALS demands varied from region to region, and were higher during winter months and afternoon rush hours. There were 175 actual ALS dispatches, accounting for 3.22% of the sampled EMS services. The triage performance was suboptimal: the appropriateness of ALS dispatch was 37.14%; the overtriage rate was 72.86%. CONCLUSION: Around nine percent of EMS calls demand ALS services. The current triage performance for proper ALS dispatch was suboptimal. A correct ALS dispatch protocol and more dispatcher training programmes should be established in the communities to ensure best use of valuable ALS resources.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support↗
PubMed2006

Relation of improvement in endothelium-dependent flow-mediated vasodilation after rosiglitazone to changes in asymmetric dimethylarginine, endothelin-1, and C-reactive protein in nondiabetic patients with the metabolic syndrome.

The mechanisms by which thiazolidinediones exert beneficial effects on the endothelium are still not clear. We examined the effects of rosiglitazone on the plasma markers of metabolic control (glucose, insulin, adiponectin, resistin, and lipid profiles), markers of inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin-6, soluble CD40 ligand, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1), and markers of vasoreactivity (asymmetric dimethylarginine [ADMA] and endothelin-1) and analyzed the relations between changes in endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery and changes in these markers to elucidate their roles in mediating the vascular protective effects of rosiglitazone. Of 70 nondiabetic patients who met a modified National Cholesterol Education Program definition of the metabolic syndrome, 35 were randomized to receive rosiglitazone (4 mg/day) and 35 to receive placebo for 8 weeks. At study end, treatment with rosiglitazone had significantly reduced plasma insulin (-25%, p = 0.004) and resistin (-16%, p <0.001), increased adiponectin (164%, p <0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (16%, p = 0.005), and apolipoprotein-B (14%, p = 0.003), and decreased CRP (-30%, p = 0.005), soluble CD40 ligand (-20%, p = 0.014), ADMA (-16%, p <0.001), and endothelin-1 (-11%, p <0.001) concentrations and systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Rosiglitazone treatment significantly improved flow-mediated dilation (p <0.001) and nitroglycerin-induced vasodilation (p = 0.001) of the right brachial artery. On multivariate analysis, changes in ADMA, endothelin-1, and CRP were independent predictors of improved endothelial reactivity with rosiglitazone. In conclusion, we have, for the first time, demonstrated the independent associations between the improvement in flow-mediated dilation and reductions in ADMA, endothelin-1, and CRP after 8 weeks of treatment with rosiglitazone in nondiabetic patients with the metabolic syndrome. These findings suggest that decreases in ADMA, endothelin-1, and CRP may serve as possible mechanisms for the improvement in endothelial function conferred by rosiglitazone treatment.

Arginine↗
PubMed2006

The relation of amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen and severity of coronary artery disease in patients without myocardial infarction or hibernation.

OBJECTIVES: The association of cardiac fibrosis and coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients without infarction or hibernation is unclear. We investigated the relationship between serum concentrations of procollagen propeptides and severity of CAD in such patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty-six patients (32 men; mean age 64 years) with chest pain were enrolled. All patients received stress thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and analysis of the serum levels of the amino-terminal propeptide of type I and III procollagen (PINP and PIIINP). RESULTS: In patients with thallium-201 perfusion defects, the number of diseased vessels was associated significantly with PIIINP (p=0.024) rather than PINP (p=0.613). Follow-up serum PINP and PIIINP levels after coronary intervention (mean 84 days) revealed no significant decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Serum PIIINP level is significantly associated with the severity of CAD in patients without myocardial infarction or hibernation.

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PubMed2006

Ultrasonography in diagnosing colorectal cancers in patients presenting with abdominal distension.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of abdominal ultrasonography for diagnosing colorectal cancer in patients presenting with abdominal distension. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A prospective case series of consecutive adult patients with abdominal distension admitted to the National Taiwan University Hospital between January 2001 and July 2004. All participants were examined by abdominal ultrasonography. Those with suspected colorectal tumours on ultrasonography had follow-up colonoscopy, while all other patients had computed tomography scans. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Accuracy of abdominal ultrasonography for diagnosing colorectal cancer in patients with abdominal distension; incidence of colorectal cancer. RESULTS: Of 511 patients eligible for inclusion in our study, 97 (19.0%) were confirmed to have colorectal cancer. For diagnosis of colorectal cancer, ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 92.8% (95% CI, 85.2%-96.8%); a specificity of 98.8% (95% CI, 97.0%-99.6%); a positive predictive value of 94.7% (95% CI, 87.6%-98.0%); a negative predictive value of 98.3% (95% CI 96.4%-99.3%); and an accuracy of 97.7%. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography is a sensitive tool for diagnosing colorectal cancer in patients presenting with abdominal distension.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2006

Urban air pollution and emergency admissions for cerebrovascular diseases in Taipei, Taiwan.

AIMS: This study was designed to evaluate the association between urban air pollutants and emergency admissions for cerebrovascular diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS: Daily emergency admissions for cerebrovascular diseases (ICD-9-CM, 430-437) to the National Taiwan University Hospital were regressed against daily concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), sulphur dioxide (SO(2)), ozone (O(3)), and particulate matters with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 (PM(2.5)) and 10 microm (PM(10)) from 12 April 1997 to 31 December 2002 in Taipei metropolitan areas by the Poisson regression models adjusting for meteorological conditions and temporal trends. Single-pollutant models showed O(3) lagged 0 day, CO lagged 2 days, and PM(2.5) and PM(10) lagged 3 days were significantly associated with increasing emergency admissions for cerebrovascular diseases and CO lagged 2 days was significantly associated with increasing emergency admissions for strokes (ICD-9-CM, 430-434). Such association remained significant for O(3), CO, and cerebrovascular admissions after adjusting for PM(2.5) and PM(10) in two-pollutant models. The odds ratios were 1.021-1.022 per 31.3 ppb O(3) and 1.023-1.031 per 0.8 ppm CO, respectively. However, only CO was significantly associated with emergency admissions for stroke in the three-pollutant models with CO, O(3), and PM(2.5) or PM(10). CONCLUSION: Emergency admissions for cerebrovascular diseases among adults were positively associated with increasing urban air pollution levels of O(3) lagged 0 day and CO lagged 2 days in Taipei.

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PubMed2006

Specific oral medications decrease the need for surgery in adhesive partial small-bowel obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Nothing by mouth (NPO) is the standard treatment for small-bowel obstruction. Whether oral medications should be prohibited during treatment of adhesive, partial small-bowel obstruction is unclear. The goal of this study was to determine whether a combination of specific oral medications in adhesive, partial small-bowel obstruction will decrease the need for operative intervention. METHODS: Of 266 consecutive adult patients with partial small-bowel obstruction admitted at a tertiary medical center, 236 were randomized into 2 groups. Group I patients were treated with intravenous hydration, nasogastric tube decompression, and NPO. Group II patients were placed on intravenous hydration, nasogastric tube decompression, and oral fluids incorporating an oral laxative, a digestant, and a defoaming agent. We compared differences between the groups in (1) the number of patients having a successful nonoperative treatment, (2) complications, and (3) recurrence of symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 116 and 120 patients comprised groups I and II, respectively. The number of patients treated successfully by a nonoperative approach was less in group I than in group II (77% vs 90%, P < .01). The complications and recurrence rate for groups I and II did not differ (4% vs 5% and 5% vs 4%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The NPO status for patients with adhesive, partial small-bowel obstruction may not be necessary. This cocktail of oral medications can decrease the need for operative intervention in patients with presumed adhesive, partial small-bowel obstruction.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2006

Dyslipidemia is associated with ventricular tachyarrhythmia in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular tachyarrhythmia developing in the acute stage of myocardial infarction (MI) is an important cause of sudden cardiac death. The aim of this study was to determine whether dyslipidemia is associated with the occurrence of ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF) during the acute stage of ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI). METHODS: A total of 58 patients experiencing VT/VF within 24 hours after the onset of MI were selected as the study group. A group of 58 patients with MI but without VT/VF was selected as the control group matched for sex (overall, 104 males), age (overall, 58 +/- 10 years), and the use of thrombolytic therapy (n = 82). The lipid profiles including total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride were measured during the first week and at the third month after the index MI. Other coronary risk factors, and clinical, hemodynamic and angiographic characteristics were also included in the assessment. RESULTS: During the acute stage, patients with VT/VF had higher levels of LDL-C and lower blood pressure on initial arrival at our hospital. At the 3-month follow-up, those patients with VT/VF showed higher levels of TC, LDL-C and triglyceride. Multivariate analysis revealed that LDL-C (p < 0.001) at the 3-month follow-up, mean blood pressure on arrival (p < 0.01), and the difference in triglyceride levels between the first week and the third month (p < 0.05) were independent predictors for the occurrence of VT/VF in the acute stage of MI. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that dyslipidemia imposes a higher risk of developing tachyarrhythmia in the acute phase of STEMI.

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