Resuscitation
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Comparative Study
Cerebral density on CT immediately after a successful resuscitation of cardiopulmonary arrest correlates with outcome.
To evaluate whether cerebral CT findings taken immediately after successful resuscitation from cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) correlate with the outcome or not. ⋯ Although the influence of age cannot be disregarded, the CT number of the putamen and cortex, and also the corticomedullary contrast correlated with outcome of hypoxic encephalopathy even when cerebral CT was performed within 1 h after ROSC following CPA.
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Comparative Study
A study comparing the usability of fully automatic versus semi-automatic defibrillation by untrained nursing students.
Current international guidelines prefer the use of semi-automatic external defibrillators (SAEDs) over fully automatic external defibrillators (FAEDs). However, there is a lack of evidence supporting this recommendation. We conducted a study of usability with nursing students comparing the FAED version against the SAED version of the Lifepak CR Plus AED (Medtronic, Redmond, USA). We hypothesized that FAED use would limit the number of operator-device interactions, thereby increasing compliance by the rescuer, safety and speed. ⋯ Despite a lack of BLS skills and AED training, the majority of students demonstrated safe and effective use of the AED. The use of the FAED version of the CR Plus resulted in increased compliance with the protocol and reduced variability in time to deliver three shocks. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in other groups of first responders.
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Although the long term success of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is still less than hoped for, its value cannot be questioned when carried out appropriately in selected cases. Resuscitation frequently brings only short-term success, and several patients suffer severe consequences also causing an economic, medical and ethical burden to society. The issue of limitation of resuscitation, including Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) and the termination of resuscitation has been surveyed in many European countries using a structured questionnaire. In Hungary no such comprehensive study has been conducted yet. The goal of this investigation was to recognise the ethical factors limiting resuscitation in Hungary. ⋯ The results underline the original presumption that the Hungarian resuscitation practice is at first influenced by professional (or "thought to be professional") standpoints. The quality of life, and patient autonomy plays an important role in the decision making about limitation of resuscitation efforts. Current CPR education emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations, and this could be observed clearly in the answers.
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Comparative Study
Should there be a change in the teaching of airway management in the medical school curriculum?
To evaluate the use of the Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA), the oesophageal-tracheal combitube (ETC) and the tracheal tube (TT) by medical students, with a view to recommend changes to the medical school curriculum. ⋯ The use of the TT is difficult and the skills acquired by the medical students deteriorate significantly over time. The LMA and the ETC seem to have an advantage over the TT in that they are more easily learnt and the skills better retained. It is recommended that these alternative devices be included in the medical school curriculum for airway management.