Resuscitation
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The aim of the study was to compare the effect of a 30 and 50% duty cycle on coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) and end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) and to determine whether a duty cycle of 30% can be achieved manually. After 3 min of ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest, pigs were resuscitated in two groups with changing duty cycles every 3 min: group A starting with 50 and then 30%; and group B starting with 30 and then 50%. After administration of epinephrine, duty cycles in group A were 50 and then 30%, in group B initially 30% and then 50% Before administration of epinephrine, no significant differences in CPP between the 30 and 50% duty cycles were found; after epinephrine CPP increased with both duty cycles. ⋯ Survival was 4/6 in group A and 3/5 in group B (NS). It is possible to perform a manual duty cycle of 30%. However, our data do not support the use of a 30% duty cycle during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
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During 138 weeks an emergency medical service (EMS) of mixed skill-level attempted to resuscitate 954 patients from prehospital cardiac arrest (883 attempts per million population per year); 75% of the arrests were of cardiac cause. This paper is one of the first analyses from europe to use the 'Utstein template' to report outcomes of such arrests. ⋯ Using univariate analysis factors associated with a greater likelihood of survival include the presence of a witness, bystander-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), early CPR and VF as the arrest rhythm. Twenty of 155 cases (13%) survived where VF arrest was witnessed by non-EMS personnel.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Quality of mechanical, manual standard and active compression-decompression CPR on the arrest site and during transport in a manikin model.
The quality of mechanical CPR (M-CPR) was compared with manual standard CPR (S-CPR) and active compression-decompression CPR (ACD-CPR) performed by paramedics on the site of a cardiac arrest and during manual and ambulance transport. Each technique was performed 12 times on manikins using teams from a group of 12 paramedic students with good clinical CPR experience using a random cross-over design. Except for some lost ventilations the CPR effort using the mechanical device adhered to the European Resuscitation Council guidelines, with an added time requirement of median 40 s for attaching the device compared with manual standard CPR. ⋯ On the stairs, 68% of S-CPR compressions and 100% of ACD-CPR compressions were too weak. In conclusion, when evaluated on a manikin, in comparison with manual standard and ACD-CPR, mechanical CPR adhered more closely to ERC guidelines. This was particularly true when performing CPR during transport on a stretcher.
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Standard external cardiopulmonary resuscitation (SECPR) frequently produces very low perfusion pressures, which are inadequate to achieve restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and intact survival, particularly when the heart is diseased. Ultra-advanced life support (UALS) techniques may allow support of vital organ systems until either the heart recovers or cardiac repair or replacement is performed. Closed-chest emergency cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) provides control of blood flow, pressure, composition and temperature, but has so far been applied relatively late. ⋯ Other novel UALS approaches for further research include the use of an aortic balloon catheter to improve coronary and cerebral blood flow during SECPR, aortic flush techniques and a double-balloon aortic catheter that could allow separate perfusion (and cooling) of the heart, brain and viscera for optimal resuscitation of each. Decision-making, initiation of UALS methods and diagnostic evaluations must be rapid to maximize the potential for ROSC and facilitate decision-making regarding long-term circulatory support versus withdrawal of life support for hopeless cases. Research and development of UALS techniques needs to be coordinated with cerebral resuscitation research.
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Comparative Study
Open-chest cardiac massage without major thoracotomy: metabolic indicators of coronary and cerebral perfusion.
To compare the coronary and cerebral perfusion achieved using a novel method of minimally-invasive, direct cardiac massage to that obtained using bimanual, open-chest cardiac massage. ⋯ Minimally-invasive, direct cardiac massage provides coronary and cerebral perfusion similar to that achieved using standard open-chest cardiac massage. This method may provide a more effective substitute for standard, closed-chest cardiac massage in cases of refractory cardiac arrest.