J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2015 Apr;26(2):172-178. 10.0000/jksem.2015.26.2.172.

Predictive Variables of Pneumonia Among Adult Submersion Victims without Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest

• Song JH
• Wee JH
• Park JH
• Park KN
• Choi SP

• KMID: 2191799
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jksem.2015.26.2.172

Abstract

PURPOSE
Pneumonia is a serious and relatively common complication among submersion victims without out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors of pneumonia among adult submersion victims without OHCA.
METHODS
All adult submersion victims without OHCA who visited our hospital between 2004 and 2013 were included. This study was conducted retrospectively, with collection of data by review of medical records. Among total submersion victims (310 patients), 191 patients did not suffer OHCA. We investigated the characteristics of the patients and classified them according to two groups based on the presence of pneumonia. We then compared clinical variables between the two groups.
RESULTS
A total of 191 adult submersion patients without OHCA; 157 patients did not have pneumonia during their hospital stay; 34 patients had pneumonia. In respective analysis, alert mentality, pH and core temperature showed correlation with pneumonia. However, in logistic regression analysis with these 3 variables, only pH was a risk factor of pneumonia. All patients with pneumonia except one were discharged with full recovery.
CONCLUSION
The risk of pneumonia among adult submersion victims without OHCA is higher when the lower pH is checked. Further studies are needed in order to evaluate the other risk factors of pneumonia for early prediction and proper management.

Keyword

Immersion; Pneumonia; Heart arrest; Adult respiratory distress syndrome

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Heart Arrest
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Immersion*
Length of Stay
Logistic Models
Medical Records
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest*
Pneumonia*
Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors