Resuscitation
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Controversy exists around CPR in the elderly. The characteristics and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in this age group were studied in Melbourne, Australia. ⋯ Outcomes for OHCA with shockable rhythm have improved over the last 10 years for people aged 65 years and over. Quality of life studies should be performed to help inform the community and EMS on appropriate resuscitative efforts.
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Comparative Study
Epidemiology and patient outcome after medical emergency team calls triggered by atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) in hospitalized patients may lead to activation of the medical emergency team (MET). We sought to assess the baseline characteristics and outcomes of the patients presenting AF as a cause of MET call activation. ⋯ In our hospital, AF triggers one tenth of MET activations and mortality associated with it is high even when issues of LOMT are excluded. The decreased mortality among patients admitted to a higher level ward suggests that some of these deaths may be avoidable.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Performance of an automated external defibrillator during simulated rotor-wing critical care transports.
This study aimed to evaluate whether an automated external defibrillator (AED) was accurate enough to analyze the heart rhythm during a simulated rotor wing critical care transport. We hypothesized that AED analysis of the simulated rhythms during a helicopter flight would result in significant errors (i.e., inappropriate shocks, analysis delay). ⋯ This study suggested that current AEDs could analyze the heart rhythm correctly during simulated helicopter transport. Further studies using an animal model would be needed before applying to patients.
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Editorial Comment
Prehospital intubation in cardiac arrest: the debate continues.
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Letter Case Reports
Survival after 48 min submersion and 107 min cardiopulmonary resuscitation.