The American journal of emergency medicine
-
Observational Study
Safety and efficacy of pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation: a single-center experience.
The management of patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) presenting at emergency departments (EDs) varies widely. Our aim was to describe the management of patients with recent-onset (<48 hours) AF, to determine safety and efficacy of pharmacological cardioversion at the ED, and to evaluate the incidence of thromboembolism or death at 30 days. ⋯ Pharmacological cardioversion followed by discharge after a short observation period is safe. There was no significant difference between the agents used in terms of short-term safety and efficacy. Importantly, the coherence of the ED to recent guidelines regarding first-line therapy is high.
-
Multicenter Study
Emergency transport of stroke suspects in a rural state: opportunities for improvement.
Time delay is the key obstacle for receiving successful stroke treatment. Alteplase therapy must start within 4.5 hours from stroke occurrence. Rapid transport to a primary stroke center (PSC) or acute stroke-ready hospital (ASRH) by the emergency medical system (EMS) paramedics is vital. We determined transport time and destination data for EMS-identified and -delivered stroke suspects in Arkansas during 2013. Our objective was to analyze transport time and the hospital qualification for stroke care across the state. ⋯ With only a few PSCs in Arkansas, EMS agencies should prioritize transporting stroke patients to ASRHs when PSCs are not regionally located.
-
We hypothesized that recent hands-on practice for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) would be strongly associated with a higher likelihood of self-efficacy in bystander CPR among laypersons according to age and gender group. ⋯ Self-efficacy in bystander CPR was higher in person with recent CPR training with hands-on practice with a manikin.
-
Activation of autophagy improved the neurologic outcome after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in rats.
Recent studies have shown the existence of autophagy in cerebral ischemia; however, there has been no research on the role of autophagy in cerebral injury after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This study was conducted to determine the role of autophagy in an animal model of ventricular fibrillation (VF)/CPR. ⋯ The activation of autophagy after ROSC offered a remarkable tolerance to VF/CPR ischemic insult and improved the neurologic outcomes.