Resuscitation
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Multicenter Study
Cost effectiveness and quality of life analysis of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for refractory cardiac arrest.
The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in refractory cardiac arrest (ECPR) has increased exponentially. ECPR is a resource intensive service and its cost effectiveness has yet to be demonstrated. We sought to complete a cost analysis with modelling of cost effectiveness and quality of life outcomes. We sought to complete a cost analysis with modelling of cost effectiveness and quality of life outcomes of patients who have undergone ECPR. ⋯ ECMO support for refractory cardiac arrests is cost effective and compares favourably to accepted cost effectiveness thresholds.
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Multicenter Study
The response to patient deterioration in the UK National Health Service - a survey of acute hospital policies.
The assessment of acute-illness severity in adult non-pregnant patients in the United Kingdom is based on early warning score (EWS) values that determine the urgency and nature of the response to patient deterioration. This study aimed to describe, and identify variations in, the expected clinical response outlined in 'deteriorating patient' policies/guidelines in acute NHS hospitals. ⋯ The 'deteriorating patient' policies of the hospitals studied varied in their contents and often omitted precise instructions for staff. We recommend that individual hospitals review these documents, and that research and/or consensus are used to develop a national algorithm regarding the response to patient deterioration.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Direct or Subacute Coronary Angiography in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (DISCO)- an initial pilot-study of a randomized clinical trial.
The clinical importance of immediate coronary angiography, with potentially subsequent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients without ST-elevation on the ECG is unclear. In this study, we assessed feasibility and safety aspects of performing immediate coronary angiography in a pre-specified pilot phase of the 'DIrect or Subacute Coronary angiography in Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest' (DISCO) randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02309151). ⋯ In this out-of-hospital cardiac arrest population without ST-elevation, randomization to a strategy to perform immediate coronary angiography was feasible although the time window of 120 min from EMS arrival at the scene of the arrest to start of coronary angiography was not achieved. No significant safety issues were reported.
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Post-resuscitation care of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients often involves inter-hospital transfer (IHT). We aimed to determine the association between IHT and outcomes of OHCA. ⋯ IHT should be considered when treating OHCA patients in LVEDs.
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To determine the initial defibrillation energy dose that is associated with sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) during paediatric cardiac arrest with ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. ⋯ Defibrillation energy doses and thresholds varied according to the body weight and trended higher for infants. No definitive association between initial defibrillation doses and the sustained ROSC or survival could be demonstrated. Clinicians should follow local consensus-based guidelines.