Resuscitation
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Comparative Study
Predicting unsuccessful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): a comparison of three morbidity scores.
The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of three different morbidity scores in predicting unsuccessful resuscitation. We reviewed the records of adult patients who underwent CPR between September 1994 and June 1996 in The Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester. Demographic data and enough clinical data to calculate the Pre-Arrest Morbidity score (PAM), the Prognosis After Resuscitation score (PAR) and the Modified PAM Index (MPI) were collected. ⋯ Each score identified a different group of patients for whom CPR was unsuccessful. Using all three scores in combination identified 42% of the unsuccessful CPR attempts. Morbidity scores are likely to need further refinement in order to be a useful bedside tool for predicting success for individual patient resuscitation attempts.
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Review Practice Guideline Guideline
Resuscitation of the newly born infant: an advisory statement from the Pediatric Working Group of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation.
The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), with representation from North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and South America, was formed in 1992 to provide a forum for liaison between resuscitation organizations in the developed world. This consensus document on resuscitation extends previously published ILCOR advisory statements on resuscitation to address the unique and changing physiology of the newly born infant within the first few hours following birth and the techniques for providing advanced life support. After careful review of the international resuscitation literature and after discussion of key and controversial issues, consensus was reached on almost all aspects of neonatal resuscitation, and areas of controversy and high priority for additional research were delineated. ⋯ Common or controversial medications (epinephrine, volume expansion, naloxone, bicarbonate), special resuscitation circumstances affecting care of the newly born, continuing care of the newly born after resuscitation, and ethical considerations for initiation and discontinuation of resuscitation are discussed. There was agreement that insufficient data exist to recommend changes to current guidelines regarding the use of 21% versus 100% oxygen, neuroprotective interventions such as cerebral hypothermia, use of a laryngeal mask versus endotracheal tube, and use of high-dose epinephrine. Areas of controversy are identified, as is the need for additional research to improve the scientific justification of each component of current and future resuscitation guidelines.
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To report the outcomes of patients with a cardiac arrest occurring in an accident and emergency department and discuss whether this would be an appropriate measure of performance of the department. ⋯ Survival from cardiac arrest is a useful measure of performance of an accident and emergency department. It is a condition that has definite outcomes, and is easily auditable. Figures can be compared between departments by comparing cases with the same aetiology or arrest rhythm thus reducing the influence of cases with a poorer outcome. This would provide an additional indicator for comparison of departments other than those currently used. A national database of outcome of cardiac arrests could be created to allow valid comparisons between departments.
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Case Reports
The management of non-traumatic cardiac arrest in the operating room with cardiopulmonary bypass.
We present a case of a 29-year-old woman whom, while undergoing an elective gynecological procedure, acutely arrested. Closed chest cardiopulmonary compressions were not effective. Fortuitously, the cardiac surgical team was in an adjacent operating room, about to start an elective bypass case. ⋯ The etiology of the arrest was never fully explained. Open chest massage and cardiopulmonary bypass should be considered early in the management of unexpected cardiac arrest, especially in the operating room where surgical expertise should be immediately available. Surgeons and anesthesiologists need to be aware of, and consider, the possibility of employing these techniques.
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To evaluate the results of out-of-hospital CPR in a county after seven independent local EMS organisations were merged into one, and to evaluate the use of Utstein registration as a tool in the reorganisation process. ⋯ The Utstein registration functioned well as a tool both internally and externally in an EMS reorganisation process.