Resuscitation
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Comparative Study
Simultaneous sterno-thoracic cardiopulmonary resuscitation improves short-term survival rate in canine cardiac arrests.
We have reported previously that simultaneous sterno-thoracic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (SST-CPR) using a device that compresses the sternum and constricts the thorax circumferentially during a compression systole that can be achieved using standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation (STD-CPR). This study was designed to assess whether SST-CPR improves the survival rate of dogs with cardiac arrest compared with STD-CPR. Twenty-nine mongrel dogs (19-31 kg) were enrolled in this study. ⋯ SST-CPR resulted in a significantly (P<0.001) higher systolic arterial pressure (91+/-47 vs 47+/-24 mmHg), diastolic pressure (43+/-24 vs 17+/-10 mmHg), coronary perfusion pressure (35+/-25 vs 13+/-9 mmHg), and end tidal CO(2) tension (9+/-4 vs 3+/-2 mmHg). Two of 15 animals (13%) resuscitated by STD-CPR and seven of 14 animals (50%) resuscitated by SST-CPR survived for 12 h after cardiac arrest (P<0.05). In conclusion, SST-CPR improves the short-term survival rate in canine cardiac arrest compared with STD-CPR.
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Anaphylactoid reactions to iodinated contrast media can cause life-threatening events and even death. A 44-year-old woman presented with cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) immediately following the administration of nonionic iodinated contrast media for an intravenous pyelography. Her cardiac rhythm during CPA was asystole. ⋯ The patient did not have a history of allergy, but had experienced a myocardial infarction and aortitis. She had undergone 11 angiographies and had been taking a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist. Planned emergency medical backup is advisable to ensure resuscitation in the event of an anaphylactoid reaction to the use of contrast media in-hospital settings.
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An asphyxial cardiac arrest rat model, originally developed for Sprague-Dawley rats, was transferred to a Wistar rat model. Several strain specific life support adjustments, i.e. ventilator settings, anaesthesia, and drug requirements, were necessary to stabilize the model for Wistar rats. Despite these arrangements numerous resuscitation related variables appeared different. ⋯ Without strict temperature control (as in groups 2+3 rats) group 1 rats went into spontaneous mild to moderate hypothermia during the first 24 h after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Spontaneous hypothermia delayed the development of overall visible CA1 neuronal damage 24-48 h, but did not prevent it; therefore the model seemed to be suitable for future studies. Neuronal damages in the CA1 region in Wistar rats appeared to be more as shrunken cell bodies and pyknotic nuclei before resorption took place, whereas in Sprague-Dawley rats appeared in the same region.
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Comparative Study
Characteristics and outcome among patients suffering from in hospital cardiac arrest in relation to whether the arrest took place during office hours.
To describe the characteristics and outcome among patients suffering from in hospital cardiac arrest in relation to whether the arrest took place during office hours. ⋯ Among patients suffering from in hospital cardiac arrest and in whom CPR was attempted those who had the arrest during office hours had a survival rate being more than twice that of patients who had the arrest during other times of the day and night. These results indicate that the preparedness for optimal treatment of in hospital cardiac arrest is of ultimate importance for the final outcome and that an increased preparedness during evenings and nights might increase survival among patients suffering from in hospital cardiac arrest.