Resuscitation
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The mechanisms and degree of myocardial recovery during treatment with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) are unclear. We performed a descriptive study to evaluate myocardial recovery and changes in parameters of myocardial loading using echocardiography. ⋯ Refractory cardiac arrest patients treated with VA-ECMO experience significant recovery of ventricular function during treatment. We postulate that this primarily occurs via reduction of LV preload.
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To quantitatively assess the severity of anoxic-ischemic brain injury early after cardiac arrest (CA) using a novel automated method applied to head computed tomography (HCT). ⋯ In comatose survivors of CA, automated quantitative analysis of HCT revealed very early multifocal changes in brain tissue density which are mostly overlooked on conventional neuroradiologic interpretation and are associated with neurological outcome.
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Observational Study
Intra-arrest transoesophageal echocardiographic findings and resuscitation outcomes.
The relationship between echocardiographic findings of intra-arrest TEE and resuscitation outcomes was not clearly identified. We assessed echocardiographic findings observed in intra-arrest TEE and its relationship with resuscitation outcomes. ⋯ Intra-arrest TEE identifies specific findings related to causes of cardiac arrest. Presence of specific findings is associated with poor resuscitation outcomes.