Resuscitation
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Survival after prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is often associated with neurological and other sequelae. We describe a patient who survived prolonged cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation neurologically intact but suffered colon ischaemia and necrosis in the post-resuscitation period. Subtotal colectomy was performed. We wonder whether this complication was related to the use of vasopressin.
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Only a few data are available on the survival rate following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in different Italian settings. We report an analysis of a 10-year experience in a mixed rural/urban setting, the main variables associated with survival, and the preliminary results of the implementation of an automated external defibrillator (AED) programme operated by lay volunteers on the effectiveness of the existing Emergency Medical Service (EMS). ⋯ Even in a mixed urban/rural setting, survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is dependent on well-known predictors. In our setting, the number of cases saved by an AED programme is limited when accompanied by an efficient traditional EMS. The allocation of resources to an AED programme should be reconsidered in a mixed rural/urban setting.
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The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of an automated external defibrillation (AED) training programme on the knowledge, attitudes and application of BLS and AED use in young people of secondary school age in Manchester, United Kingdom. ⋯ This study demonstrates that training through the ORCS scheme has a positive influence on the ability of secondary school teenagers to perform emergency life support (ELS), but particularly in their ability to deploy an AED and perform CPR.
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To evaluate the outcome and quality of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and factors affecting the outcome. ⋯ In our setting, survival to discharge is 6.9%. Initial survival rate was strongly associated with being in a monitored area. Defibrillators and the critical care areas were insufficient.
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To study the reliability and validity of a scoring instrument for the assessment of neonatal resuscitation skills in a training setting. ⋯ A useful and valid instrument with good intra-rater and reasonable inter-rater reliability is now available for the assessment of neonatal resuscitation skills in a training setting. Its reliability can be improved by using a more advanced manikin and by training of the raters.