Annals of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
End-tidal carbon dioxide during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest resuscitation: comparison of active compression-decompression and standard CPR.
To compare the maximal end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure (ETCO2 peak) values obtained during standard (S-CPR) and active compression-decompression CPR (ACD-CPR) during prolonged resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. ⋯ This prospective study suggests that ACD-CPR may improve cardiac output compared with S-CPR.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of prehospital monomorphic and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia: prevalence, response to therapy, and outcome.
Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (MVT) is the most common form of prehospital ventricular tachycardia (VT). Recent literature suggests that polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) is more common during cardiopulmonary arrest than previously thought but responds poorly to advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) therapy. We undertook this study to determine the prevalence, response to therapy, and outcome of both MVT and PVT in the prehospital sudden cardiac death victim. ⋯ We conclude that PVT is a common rhythm occurring in prehospital cardiopulmonary arrest that responds as well as MVT to ACLS therapy. Until prospective data are available, standard ACLS therapy should be used in all forms of prehospital VT occurring during cardiopulmonary arrest.
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To determine compliance with advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) guidelines among ACLS-certified and non-ACLS-certified physicians. ⋯ Despite biannual ACLS training of all medical residents and ICU nurses, noncompliance with ACLS guidelines was noted in 35.2% of treatments. We found no correlation between ACLS certification and ACLS guideline compliance.