Resuscitation
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Because children have less subcutaneous fat, and a higher surface area to body weight ratio than adults, it has been suggested that children cool more rapidly during submersion, and therefore have a better outcome following near-drowning incidents. ⋯ Although submersion time is usually an estimate, it is the best prognostic factor after a near drowning incident. Children did not have a better outcome than adults.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Retention of basic life support skills 6 months after training with an automated voice advisory manikin system without instructor involvement.
To evaluate the retention of skills 6 months after training in ventilation and chest compressions (CPR) on a manikin with computer based on-line voice advisory feedback and the possible effects of initial overtraining. ⋯ The computer-based voice advisory manikin (VAM) feedback system can improve immediate performance of basic life support (BLS) skills, with better long-term retention with overtraining.
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It is difficult to assemble data from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest since there is often lack of objective information. The true incidence of sudden cardiac death out-of-hospital is not known since far from all of these patients are attended by emergency medical services. The incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest increases with age and is more common among men. ⋯ Witnessed arrest, ventricular fibrillation as initial arrhythmia and cardiopulmonary resuscitation are important predictors for immediate survival. In the long-term perspective, cardiac arrest in connection with acute myocardial infarction, high left ventricular ejection fraction, moderate age, absence of other heart failure signs and no history of myocardial infarction promotes better prognosis. Still there is much to learn about time trends, the influence of patient characteristics, comorbidity and hospital treatment among patients with prehospital cardiac arrest.