Emergency Medicine

Public acceptance of enrollment without prior consent is common in hyperacute stroke in Japan

In a 2024 survey of 1000 Japanese adults, 60.5% accepted emergency research without prior consent (ERWPC) in at least one hyperacute stroke scenario. Only 33.4% were willing to join a standard RCT requiring prospective consent, and 44.3% of those unwilling to join a standard RCT still accepted ERWPC. ERWPC acceptance correlated with trial awareness (AOR 1.64), prior research participation (AOR 2.98), and preference for higher effectiveness. Applicability is to adults aged 20–79 residing in Japan; attitudes may differ elsewhere. 1

OHCA prognostic scores have moderate discrimination and heterogeneous performance

This systematic review pooled 39 cohorts (95,037 patients) evaluating 11 CPMs for poor functional outcome after OHCA. Pooled AUROCs ranged 0.75–0.88, with substantial heterogeneity across validations. A CAHP score ≥150 had pooled sensitivity 81.3% and specificity 77.0% (moderate certainty); OHCA score thresholds had lower certainty. These models provide moderate prognostic information but are insufficiently consistent for sole use in withdrawal decisions. 2

NOAF definitions and outcomes in ICU research are highly heterogeneous

A scoping review screened 8,477 records and included 44 studies (4 RCTs) on new‑onset atrial fibrillation in acutely ill ICU patients. Studies used varied diagnostic criteria for NOAF, including different duration thresholds and heart‑rate cutoffs. Outcome reporting was inconsistent, with mostly clinician‑reported measures and only four patient‑reported outcomes. The review supports developing standardized definitions and a Core Outcome Set to improve research and benchmarking. 3