Resuscitation
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Patients admitted with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) following out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) are often sedated to facilitate care. Volatile anaesthetics have been proposed as alternative sedatives because of their rapid offset. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the use of volatile anaesthetics to conventional sedation in this population. ⋯ Volatile anaesthetics may be associated with a decreased duration of mechanical ventilation in patients admitted with ROSC however this is based on low-certainty evidence. Further data are needed to assess their role in this population.
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We developed a method which continuously classifies the ECG rhythm during CPR in order to guide clinical care. ⋯ A novel algorithm continuously classified the primary resuscitation rhythms-asystole, organized rhythms, and ventricular fibrillation-with 88-98% accuracy, enabling accurate shock advisory guidance during most two-minute CPR cycles. Additional investigation is required to understand how algorithm implementation could affect rescuer actions and clinical outcomes.
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Post-arrest care is essential to the chain of survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Sparse literature evaluates disparities in post-arrest care. We sought to measure post-arrest care disparities using a statewide OHCA registry. ⋯ Minority OHCA victims experienced disparities in post-arrest care and outcomes. However, adjusting for receiving hospital random-effect largely diminished these findings. Inter-hospital, post-arrest care disparities may exist.