Resuscitation
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Immediate delivery of oxygen is the most important treatment for victims of drowning at the rescue site. Monitoring oxygen saturation with pulse oximetry is potentially useful, but its use may be limited by poor peripheral perfusion due to hypothermia. This preliminary study explores the feasibility of pulse oximetry in simulated minor drowning scenarios. ⋯ The performance of pulse oximeters varies considerably in healthy volunteers submersed or immersed in warm or cold water. Further studies are needed to understand these differences.
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Comparative Study
Value of post-resuscitation electrocardiogram in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.
Diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients is important because immediate coronary angiography with coronary angioplasty could improve outcome in this setting. However, the value of acute post-resuscitation electrocardiographic (ECG) data for the detection of AMI is debatable. ⋯ In patients with OHCA without obvious non-cardiac causes, selection for coronary angiogram based on the combined criterion would detect all AMI and avoid the performance of the procedure in 30% of the patients, in whom coronary angiogram did not have a therapeutic role.
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Comparative Study
A sternal accelerometer does not impair hemodynamics during piglet CPR.
To determine whether the residual weight of a 260 g sternal accelerometer/force feedback device (AFFD) adversely affects hemodynamics during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a piglet model of ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. ⋯ The use of a 260 g accelerometer/force feedback device designed for real-time feedback to the rescuer during resuscitation efforts did not adversely affect cardiac output or left ventricular myocardial blood flow during 12 min of chest compressions in a piglet model of ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest.
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Arterial lines are widely used in operating rooms, critical care and emergency departments. Although invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring and arterial blood gas analysis are prehospitally available, the use of arterial lines in the field remains an exception. This study evaluates the feasibility, indications and therapeutic consequences of prehospital arterial line insertion. ⋯ The insertion of arterial lines is feasible under prehospital conditions, without delaying or complicating patient care. Indications originating from intrahospital use are also valid in the field. In particular when combined with arterial blood gas measurement, the use of arterial lines often leads to important therapeutic consequences.
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The aim of this study was to calculate the incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in primary health care in Greece and assess general practitioners' (GPs) willingness towards the use of automatic external defibrillator (AED). ⋯ The incidence of OHCA in primary health care in Greece is 15.3/100,000 population per year. Greek GPs may have an important role in managing OHCA victims and are willing to use an AED. This is the first study estimating OHCA in primary health care in Greece.