Resuscitation
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Comparative Study
Emergency cardio-pulmonary bypass in cardiac arrest: seventeen years of experience.
Emergency cardiopulmonary bypass (E-CPB) is an advanced and rarely used procedure for patients in cardiac arrest that do not regain restoration of spontaneous circulation with standard resuscitation methods. The feasibility, safety and outcome of the intervention with E-CPB in cardiac arrest situations at our department have been evaluated. ⋯ E-CPB for cardiac arrest is feasible and safe. In this seemingly desperate patient population after prolonged cardiac arrest, we observed a high survival rate of 15%. E-CPB is a meaningful treatment option, which should be considered more often and earlier.
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Review Comparative Study
Emergency department factors associated with survival after sudden cardiac arrest.
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in the US. Recent innovations in post-arrest care have been demonstrated to increase survival. However, little is known about the impact of emergency department (ED) and hospital characteristics on survival to hospital admission and ultimate outcome. ⋯ An estimated 175,000 cases of SCA present to or occur in US EDs each year. Percutaneous coronary intervention capability, ED volume, and teaching status were associated with higher survival to hospital admission. Emergency departments with higher annual SCA volume had lower survival rates, possibly because they transfer fewer patients. An improved understanding of the contribution of ED care to survival following SCA may be useful in advancing our understanding of how best to organize a system of care to ensure optimal outcomes for patients with SCA.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Common laboratory tests predict imminent death in ward patients.
To estimate the ability of commonly measured laboratory variables to predict an imminent (within the same or next calendar day) death in ward patients. ⋯ Commonly performed laboratory tests can help predict imminent death in ward patients. Prospective investigations of the clinical utility of such predictions appear justified.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A comparison of rectilinear and truncated exponential biphasic waveforms in elective cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: a prospective randomized controlled trial.
Several different biphasic waveforms are used clinically, but few studies have compared their efficacy. The two main waveforms are the biphasic rectilinear (BR) and biphasic truncated exponential (BTE) waveforms, both of which have important differences, particularly at the extremes of transthoracic impedance. ⋯ BR and BTE waveforms show similar high efficacy in the elective cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A critical reappraisal of the ATLS classification of hypovolaemic shock: does it really reflect clinical reality?
The aim of this study was to validate the classification of hypovolaemic shock given by the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). ⋯ This study indicates that the ATLS classification of hypovolaemic shock does not seem to reflect clinical reality accurately.