Resuscitation
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Half of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) are deemed inappropriate for resuscitation by emergency medical services (EMS). We investigated patient characteristics and reasons for non-treatment of OHCAs, and determined the proportion involving illicit drug use. ⋯ A prolonged interval from the OHCA until EMS assessment was the predominant reason for withholding treatment. Innovative solutions to decrease this interval may increase the proportion of OHCA that are treated by EMS and overall outcomes. Targeted interventions for illicit-drug use-related OHCAs may add additional benefit.
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Accurate and timely prognostication of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) who achieved the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is crucial in clinical decision-making, resource allocation, and communications with next-of-kins. We aimed to develop the Survival After ROSC in Cardiac Arrest (SARICA), a practical clinical decision tool to predict survival in OHCA patients who attained ROSC. ⋯ We developed and internally validated the SARICA score to accurately predict survival of OHCA patients with ROSC at the time of admission. SARICA is clinically practical and developed using an interpretable machine-learning framework. SARICA has unknown generalizability pending external validation studies.
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To evaluate and compare survival after out-of-hospital (OHCA), where an automated external defibrillator (AED) was used, in densely, moderately and thinly populated areas. Also, to evaluate the association between AED retrieval distance and survival after OHCA. ⋯ Survival after OHCA, where an AED was used, did not seem to differ in thinly, moderately and densely populated areas. The length of the AED retrieval distance, however, was correlated with reduced survival after adjusting for other potentially explanatory variables.
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Rearrest occurs commonly after initial resuscitation following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We determined (1) the predictors of rearrest during hospitalisation that can be identified in the hours immediately after OHCA, (2) the association between rearrest and favourable long-term outcomes, and (3) the predictors of favourable long-term outcomes in rearrest patients. ⋯ Rearrest during hospitalisation after OHCA was inversely associated with 6-month favourable outcomes. We identified several risk factors for rearrest and prognostic factors for patients resuscitated from first rearrest.
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Clinical Use and Outcome of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is considered a life-saving treatment option for patients in cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) due to acute pulmonary embolism (PE). We sought to analyze use and outcome of ECMO with or without adjunctive treatment strategies in patients with acute PE. ⋯ Our findings suggest that the use of VA-ECMO alone or as part of a multi-pronged reperfusion approach including embolectomy or thrombolysis might offer survival advantages compared to thrombolysis alone in patients with PE deteriorating to cardiac arrest.