Resuscitation
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Extra-corporeal life support (ECLS) is a life-saving intervention for patients with hypothermia induced cardiac arrest or severe cardiovascular instability. However, its application is highly variable due to a paucity of data in the literature to guide practice. Current guidelines and recommendations are based on expert opinion, single case reports, and small case series. Combining all of the published data in a patient-level analysis can provide a robust assessment of the influence of patient characteristics on survival with ECLS. ⋯ The use of extracorporeal life support in the treatment of hypothermic cardiac arrest provides a favourable chance of survival with good neurologic outcome. When used in a weighted scoring system, asphyxiation, serum potassium and gender can help clinicians prognosticate the benefit of resuscitating hypothermic patients with ECLS.
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The association between intra-arrest and post-arrest hyperoxia and mortality in adults with cardiac arrest (CA) is widely debated. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between intra-arrest and post-arrest hyperoxia and mortality in adults with CA. ⋯ In adults with CA, intra-arrest hyperoxia is associated with lower mortality while post-arrest hyperoxia is associated with higher mortality.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Repetitive versus standard tactile stimulation of preterm infants at birth - A randomized controlled trial.
To evaluate the direct effect of repetitive tactile stimulation on breathing effort of preterm infants at birth. ⋯ Although the increase in respiratory effort during repetitive stimulation did not reach significance, oxygenation significantly improved with a lower level of FiO2 at transport to the NICU. Repetitive tactile stimulation could be of added value to improve breathing effort at birth.
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Observational Study
US-CAB protocol for ultrasonographic evaluation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: Validation and potential impact.
We previously developed a US-CAB protocol for evaluation of circulatory-airway-breathing status during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This study aimed at validating its application in real CPR scenarios and the potential impact on CPR outcomes. ⋯ The US-CAB protocol is feasible in real CPR scenarios. It confers diagnostic value and prognostic implications which potentially impact the efficacy and outcomes of CPR. However, a future prospective multi-center study to validate its feasibility and indicate the need of structured training is mandated.
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Loss of pupillary light reactivity (PLR) three days after a cardiorespiratory arrest is a prognostic factor. Its predictive value upon hospital admission remains unclear. Our objective was to determine the prognostic value of the absence of PLR upon hospital admission in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. ⋯ Loss of pupillary light reactivity upon hospital admission is predictive of a poor outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, it does not have sufficient accuracy to determine prognosis and decision making.