Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS)

Cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass can trigger a marked systemic inflammatory response and may contribute to postoperative organ dysfunction and delayed recovery. Electroacupuncture at the Zusanli acupoint (ST36) may regulate inflammatory responses, but its clinical effects in patients undergoing cardiac surgery remain uncertain. This prospective, randomized, parallel-group study will enroll 140 adults undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. After surgery and admission to the intensive care unit, participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either bilateral ST36 electroacupuncture or a control procedure involving the same acupoint localization, skin disinfection, needle insertion, and needle retention without electrical stimulation. Both groups will receive standard postoperative care. The intervention will be administered twice for 30 minutes per session. The primary outcomes are C-reactive protein levels and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores on postoperative day 2. Secondary outcomes include the duration of vasoactive drug use, incidence and severity of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay, and perioperative inflammatory markers. The study will evaluate whether ST36 electroacupuncture can reduce postoperative inflammation and organ injury and improve recovery after cardiac surgery.

Study Title: Implementation of a Sepsis Management Protocol at Armed Forces Hospital Jazan (AFHJ). Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project is to determine if implementing a standardized, evidence-based "sepsis bundle" can improve the care and survival of patients with sepsis and septic shock in the Emergency Department (ED) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU). What the Study Involves: Researchers will implement a specific set of clinical guidelines based on the international Surviving Sepsis Campaign. This include: Using a scoring system (NEWS2 and SOFA) to identify sick patients earlier. Ensuring patients receive five critical treatments (the "one-hour bundle") within 60 minutes of diagnosis, including blood tests, IV fluids, and antibiotics. Comparison: The study will compare the outcomes of 74 patients treated before the protocol was introduced (the "Pre-protocol group") to 46 patients treated after the new protocol was put into effect (the "Protocol group"). Expected Outcome: The goal is to increase the number of patients who receive all necessary treatments within one hour from less than 15% to at least 60%. The study also aims to see if this protocol leads to shorter hospital stays and lower mortality rates.