Resuscitation
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Cardiac arrest (CA) was considered irreversible until 1960, when basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was defined. CPR guidelines include early recognition of CA, rapid and effective CPR, effective defibrillation strategies and organized post-resuscitation to ensure a strengthening of the survival chain. Bystanders are the key to extremely early management, which is associated with the early medical care provided by EMS. This study aims to assess the prognosis of a bystander's cardiac CPR when it is initiated by the Dispatch Centre (DC). ⋯ Bystander CPR initiated by the DC represents a suitable option following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
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Acute respiratory compromise (ARC), respiratory distress requiring emergent assisted ventilation, has a mortality of 20-40%. The relationship between recent discharge from an intensive care unit (ICU) and outcomes of patients suffering ARC on hospital wards is not well known. We hypothesized that a significant percentage of ARC events would occur in patients recently discharged from an ICU, that these patients would have worse outcomes than those without prior ICU stays, and that weekend ICU discharge would be associated with higher than expected post-ICU ARC frequency. ⋯ Contrary to our hypothesis, discharge from an ICU within two calendar days was associated with better odds for survival compared to no prior ICU discharge or ICU discharge more than two days prior.
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To study the frequency, etiology, and premortal abnormalities in exercise-related sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the young in Sweden. ⋯ The increased risk of exercise-related SCD in HCM and ARVC underlines the importance of early detection and eligibility recommendations. There is a major reduction in deaths among athletes in the 2000s, compared to the previous decade. These results may partly be explained by improved acute preparedness for sudden cardiac arrest (CPR, defibrillation), but as a substantial percentage have preceding risk factors, such as symptoms and ECG-abnormalities, increased cardiac screening and increased general awareness, may also play a role.
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Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is associated with high mortality. Current methods for predicting mortality post-arrest require data unavailable at the time of initial medical contact. We created and validated a risk prediction model for patients experiencing OHCA who achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) which relies only on objective information routinely obtained at first medical contact. ⋯ CASS accurately predicts mortality in OHCA patients. The model uses only binary, objective clinical data routinely obtained at first medical contact. Early risk stratification may allow identification of more patients in whom timely and aggressive invasive management may improve outcomes.