Resuscitation
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Providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to a patient in cardiac arrest introduces artefacts into the electrocardiogram (ECG), corrupting the diagnosis of the underlying heart rhythm. CPR must therefore be discontinued for reliable shock advice analysis by an automated external defibrillator (AED). Detection of ventricular fibrillation (VF) during CPR would enable CPR to continue during AED rhythm analysis, thereby increasing the likelihood of resuscitation success. ⋯ CPR artefacts were added to the ECG signals and four degrees of corruption were tested. Mean sensitivities of 97.83%, 98.27%, 98.32% and 98.02% were achieved, producing sensitivity increases of 28.44%, 49.75%, 59.10% and 64.25%, respectively, sufficient for ECG analysis during CPR. Although satisfactory and encouraging sensitivity values have been obtained, further clinical and experimental investigation is required in order to integrate this type of artefact suppressing algorithm in current AEDs.
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Biography Historical Article
Robert Woods (1865-1938): The rationale for mouth-to-mouth respiration.
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Review Comparative Study
Pre-hospital pleural decompression and chest tube placement after blunt trauma: A systematic review.
Pre-hospital insertion of chest tubes or decompression of air within the pleural space is one of the controversial topics in emergency medical care of trauma patients. While a wide variety of opinions exist medical personnel on the scene require guidance in situations when tension pneumothorax or progressive pneumothorax is suspected. To ensure evidence based decisions we performed a systematic review of the current literature with respect to the diagnostic accuracy in the pre-hospital setting to identify patients with (tension) pneumothorax, the efficacy and safety of performing pleural decompression in the field and the choice of method and technique for the procedure. The evidence found is presented and discussed and recommendations are drawn from the authors' perspective.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
CPREzy improves performance of external chest compressions in simulated cardiac arrest.
External chest compression (ECC) is an essential part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and usually performed without any adjuncts. Although different supportive devices have been developed, none have yet been implemented as a standard procedure to guide rescuers in resuscitation. This study investigates the effects of the CPREzy-pad on ECC performed by first year medical students during simulated cardiac arrest. ⋯ CPREzy as a simple portable and re-usable device is able to improve performance of ECC in simulated cardiac arrest.