Resuscitation
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In this report we discuss a patient with predominant right heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, caused by thyrotoxicosis due to Graves disease, which deteriorated to asystole, due to amiodarone administration for rapid atrial fibrillation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of 30 and the 100% inspired oxygen concentrations during early post-resuscitation period: a randomised controlled pilot study.
High oxygen concentration in blood may be harmful in the reperfusion phase after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We compared the effect of 30 and 100% inspired oxygen concentrations on blood oxygenation and the level of serum markers (NSE, S-100) of neuronal injury during the early post-resuscitation period in humans. ⋯ Most patients had acceptable arterial oxygenation when ventilated with 30% oxygen during the immediate post-resuscitation period. There was no indication that 30% oxygen with SpO(2) monitoring and oxygen backup to avoid SpO(2)<95% did worse that the group receiving 100% oxygen. The use of 100% oxygen was associated with increased level of NSE at 24h in patients not treated with therapeutic hypothermia. The clinical significance of this finding is unknown and an outcome-powered study is feasible.
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Multicenter Study
Signs of critical conditions and emergency responses (SOCCER): a model for predicting adverse events in the inpatient setting.
Emergency response systems (ERS) are based on a set of triggers used to identify patients "at risk". This study aimed to establish the association between recordings of disturbed physiological variables and adverse events. ⋯ Both ES and LS were associated with adverse events. This study confirms the validity of current MET call criteria but points to the need to expand them. It provides a possible explanation for the failure to demonstrate efficacy of a MET in some trials because current call criteria maybe too late in the progress of the patient's critical condition. It allows the modelling of ERS and education programmes focused on signs of critical conditions. It potentially brings together ICU outreach and ward based responses. Broader use of clinical signs, monitoring such as pulse oximetry and objective data such as blood gas results may assist early intervention and help prevent loss of life.
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Despite widespread training with CPR guidelines, CPR is often poorly performed. We explore relationships between knowledge of CPR guidelines and performance (compression rate, compression depth, compression to ventilation ratio, and ventilation volume). ⋯ Although accurate knowledge of guidelines is associated with increased odds of correct performance of some aspects of CPR, overall performance remains poor.
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Blood flow during conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is usually less than adequate to sustain vital organ perfusion. A new chest compression device (LifeBelt) which compresses both the sternum and the lateral thoraces (compression and thoracic constraint) has been developed. The device is light weight, portable, manually powered and mechanically advantaged to minimize user fatigue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanism of blood flow with the device, determine the optimal compression force and compare the device to standard manual CPR in a swine arrest model. ⋯ Blood flow with the LifeBelt device is primarily the result of cardiac compression. At a sternal force of 100-130 lb (45-59 kg), the device produces greater CPP than well-performed manual CPR during resuscitation from prolonged VF.