Resuscitation
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Outcome among VF/VT patients in the LINC (LUCAS IN Cardiac arrest) trial-A randomised, controlled trial.
The LINC trial evaluated two ALS-CPR algorithms for OHCA patients, consisting of 3min' mechanical chest compression (LUCAS) cycles with defibrillation attempt through compressions vs. 2min' manual compressions with compression pause for defibrillation. The PARAMEDIC trial, using 2min' algorithm found worse outcome for patients with initial VF/VT in the LUCAS group and they received more adrenalin compared to the manual group. We wanted to evaluate if these algorithms had any outcome effect for patients still in VF/VT after the initial defibrillation and how adrenalin timing impacted it. ⋯ No difference in short- or long-term outcomes was found between the 2 algorithms for patients still in VF/VT after the initial defibrillation. The time to the 1st defibrillation and the interval between defibrillations were longer in the mechanical CPR group without impacting the overall outcome. The number of defibrillations required to achieve ROSC or adrenalin doses did not differ between the groups.
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Observational Study
Relationship between age and outcomes of comatose cardiac arrest survivors in a setting without withdrawal of life support.
Previous studies on the relationship between age and outcomes after cardiac arrest were performed in settings where the majority of patients died after the withdrawal of life support (WLS). We examined the association between age and outcomes of comatose cardiac arrest survivors in a setting where WLS was not performed. ⋯ In a setting where WLS is not performed, we found that age was not associated with in-hospital mortality but was independently associated with neurologic outcome at hospital discharge and six-month mortality.
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The introduction of a paediatric Medical Emergency Team (pMET) was accompanied by weekly in-situ simulation team training. Key ward staff participated in team training, focusing on recognition of the deteriorating child, teamwork and early involvement of senior staff. Following an earlier study [1], this investigation aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of ongoing regular team training on hospital response to deteriorating ward patients, patient outcome and financial implications. ⋯ These results indicate that lessons learnt by ward staff during team training led to sustained improvements in the hospital response to critically deteriorating in-patients, significantly improved patient outcomes and substantial savings. Integration of regular in-situ simulation training of medical emergency teams, including key ward staff, in routine clinical care has potential application in all acute specialties.
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Observational Study
Barriers to Patient Positioning for Telephone Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.
9-1-1 callers often face barriers preventing them from starting Telephone CPR (TCPR). The most common problem is getting patients to a hard, flat surface. This study describes barriers callers report when trying to move patients to a hard, flat surface and assesses conditions associated with overcoming these barriers. ⋯ Inability to move patients to a hard, flat surface is associated with a reduced rate of TCPR and increased time to first compression. Assessing the conditions under which such barriers are overcome is important for telecommunicator training and can help improve rates and timeliness of TCPR.
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Observational Study
Recognising Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest During Emergency Calls Increases Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Survival.
Initiation of early bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) depends on bystanders' or medical dispatchers' recognition of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The primary aim of our study was to investigate if OHCA recognition during the emergency call was associated with bystander CPR, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and 30-day survival. Our secondary aim was to identify patient-, setting-, and dispatcher-related predictors of OHCA recognition. ⋯ Recognition of OHCA during emergency calls was positively associated with the provision of bystander CPR, ROSC, and 30-day survival in witnessed OHCA.