Resuscitation
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Ischemic postconditioning (PC) using three intentional pauses at the start of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves outcomes after cardiac arrest in pigs when epinephrine (epi) is used before defibrillation. We hypothesized PC, performed during basic life support (BLS) in the absence of epinephrine, would reduce reperfusion injury and enhance 24h functional recovery. ⋯ 12-11.
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A text message alert system for trained volunteers improves out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival.
The survival rate of sudden out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) increases by early notification of Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) and early application of basic life support (BLS) techniques and defibrillation. A Text Message (TM) alert system for trained volunteers in the community was implemented in the Netherlands to reduce response times. The aim of this study was to assess if this system improves survival after OHCA. ⋯ The TM-alert system is effective in increasing survival to hospital discharge in OHCA victims and the degree of disability or dependence after survival is low.
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Observational Study
Prolonged Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Outcomes after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.
It is unclear whether prolonged resuscitation can result in successful outcome following out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA). We assessed associations between duration of pre-hospital resuscitation on survival and functional outcome following OHCA in patients achieving pre-hospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). ⋯ Even those requiring prolonged resuscitation duration prior to ROSC had meaningful survival rates with the majority of survivors able to return to live in own homes. These data suggest that prolonged resuscitation is not futile.
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Airway management in the out-of-hospital emergency setting is challenging. Failed and even prolonged airway management is associated with serious clinical consequences, such as desaturation, bradycardia, airway injuries, or aspiration. The overall success rate of tracheal intubation ranges between 77% and 99%, depending on the level of experience of the provider. Therefore, advanced airway management should only be performed by highly-skilled and experienced providers. ⋯ Our study demonstrates that HEMS physicians performed airway management frequently and that both the first attempt as well as the overall success rate of tracheal intubation was high. Together with the fact that all failed and difficult intubations were successfully recognized and handled and that no surgical airway had to be established, the current study once more underlines the importance of proper training of HEMS care providers regarding airway management.