Resuscitation
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Comparative Study
Progressing from initial non-shockable rhythms to a shockable rhythm is associated with improved outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Cardiac arrest patients with initial non-shockable rhythm progressing to shockable rhythm have been reported to have inferior outcome to those remaining non-shockable. We wanted to confirm this observation in our prospectively collected database, and assess whether differences in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality could help to explain any such difference in outcome. ⋯ Progressing from initial non-shockable rhythms to a shockable rhythm was associated with improved outcome after OHCA. This occurred despite more pauses in chest compressions in the shockable group, probably related to defibrillation attempts.
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Case Reports
Utility of pre-cordial thump for treatment of out of hospital cardiac arrest: a prospective study.
Prospective data on pre-cordial thump (PT), one of the fastest possible resuscitative manoeuvres, are scant, particularly in out-of-hospital (OOH) cardiac arrest (CA). ⋯ PT can be combined with standard resuscitatory interventions without significant time-delay or apparent side effects. PT efficacy in CA(VF/VT) and CA(PEA) is lacking. However, PT may offer potential for the increasing proportion of asystolic OOH-CA, in particular when witnessed.
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To determine the reliability of pulse palpation to diagnose paediatric cardiac arrest. ⋯ Pulse palpation is unreliable to diagnose paediatric cardiac arrest. Rescuers misdiagnose on 22% of occasions and which may lead them to withhold external cardiac compression on 14% of occasions when needed and on 36% to give it when not needed. Brachial palpation is slightly more reliable than femoral palpation.
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To review the characteristics and outcome of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in children at a rural hospital in Kenya. ⋯ Cardiopulmonary arrest after admission has a very poor prognosis in our hospital. Infectious diseases are the main underlying causes of arrest. If a child fails to respond to the basic tenements of PALS within 15 min then it is unlikely that further efforts to sustain life will be fruitful in hospitals where ventilation facilities are not present.
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To assess the long-term outcome of bystander-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims in Estonia by using the survival rate and quality of life assay. ⋯ In Estonia majority of bystander-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims who survive hospital discharge are alive one and also more than three years after resuscitation. Their quality of life is worse than that of general population.