Resuscitation
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
What is the optimal position of an intubator wearing CBRN-PPE when intubating on the floor: a manikin study.
Prompt airway management following a CBRN incident is linked to improved patient survival. However, responding rescuers will have to wear CBRN-PPE and treat patients positioned on the floor which will adversely impact on intubation skill performance. ⋯ This manikin-based study serves to reaffirm that CBRN-PPE has an adverse impact on intubation performance as well as identifying the negative impact of patient position on the performance of intubation within a CBRN environment. Elevating the patient off the floor, prior to intubation, could improve intubation success when wearing CBRN-PPE as well as potentially improving safety of the intubator. In the immediate phase of a CBRN incident, intubation attempts should be delayed until optimal intubating conditions are available or at least until the patient is removed from the floor. Use of and intermediate airway devices should be considered as a 'stop gap'.
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Comparative Study
Distribution of potassium levels on admission for CPR--severe hypokalaemia with dysmorphophobic eating disorders.
To evaluate the prevalence and cause of severe hypokalaemia in patients administered for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for non-traumatic cardiac arrest. ⋯ In contrast to moderately reduced potassium which is a frequent finding in adult patients at the time of admission for non-traumatic cardiac arrest, severe hypokalaemia is uncommon. The high prevalence of patients with body dysmorphophobic eating disorders in this group underscores accidental self-induced hypokalaemia may evolve as an important differential diagnosis in cardiac arrest in young female patients.
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Comparative Study
Extra corporeal life support makes advanced radiologic examinations and cardiac interventions possible in patients with cardiac arrest.
Extra corporeal life support (ECLS) with a mobile system is an option in the treatment of cardiac arrest often of unknown reason. After commencing ECLS the search for a provoking origin may include advanced radiologic examinations before deciding further treatment. ⋯ It is possible to make radiological examinations i.e., CT scans, pulmonary and coronary angiography in patients suffering heart arrest of unknown origin with the use of ECLS in order to improve patient treatment in this very high-risk population.
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Comparative Study
Training rates and willingness to perform CPR in King County, Washington: a community survey.
It has been hypothesized that high rates of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training in a community will lead to improved survival for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, factors to consider when designing a far-reaching community CPR training program are not well defined. We explored factors associated with receiving CPR training in the survey community and characteristics contributing to willingness to perform CPR in an emergency. ⋯ Retraining rates, methods for reaching underserved populations and measures that will improve the likelihood that bystanders will perform CPR in an emergency should be considered when designing a community CPR education program.