Resuscitation
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To identify whether a novel pulse check technique, carotid artery compression using an ultrasound probe, can reduce pulse check times compared to manual palpation (MP). ⋯ We found that emergency physicians could quickly determine pulses by applying simple POCUS compression of the carotid artery in cardiac arrest patients.
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Although extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) improves survival outcomes in refractory cardiac arrest, morbidity and mortality remain significantly high. Information on causes of death in ECPR is limited; however, some evidence suggests withdrawal of life sustaining therapy (WLST) is a major factor in ECPR-associated mortality. We sought to describe the patients experiencing WLST after ECPR. ⋯ More than half of ECPR patients experienced early WLST within 72 hours. The patients with early WLST had worse markers of severe critical illness at 24 hours and experienced higher rates of complications. Further research should include an appropriate control group to better adjust confounders for ECPR-associated death and focus on prognostication.