Resuscitation
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
New visual feedback device improves performance of chest compressions by professionals in simulated cardiac arrest.
Quality of external chest compression (ECC) is a key component of Basic Life Support. Different approaches to improve rescuers' performance have been evaluated, but few attempts have been made to invent simple devices to improve performance. This study evaluates a new visual feedback system for ECC for healthcare professionals. ⋯ The new visual feedback device significantly improved ECC performance (compression rate and depth) by healthcare professionals in simulated cardiac arrest. Most participants found the device easy to use.
-
Comparative Study
Utility of the Pentax-AWS without interruption of chest compression: comparison of the Macintosh laryngoscope with the Pentax-AWS in manikin model.
Emergency airway management in suboptimal conditions can result in difficulties in tracheal intubation. The video laryngoscope (Pentax-AWS) has potential advantages during difficult tracheal intubations. According to the 2005 guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), all rescuers should minimize interruption of chest compressions. Our hypothesis is that tracheal intubation using the Pentax-AWS is possible without interruption of chest compressions. We tested this using tracheal intubation performed by less experienced medical personnel in a manikin model. ⋯ The Pentax-AWS was an effective tool for endotracheal intubation during chest compression performed by less experienced medical personnel in a manikin model simulating cardiac arrest, both under conditions of normal and difficult airways.
-
This study was done, using a swine model of prolonged ventricular fibrillation out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, to determine the feasibility of inducing therapeutic hypothermia after successful resuscitation by giving an intraosseous infusion of iced saline. ⋯ Mild therapeutic hypothermia can be effectively induced in swine after successful resuscitation of prolonged ventricular fibrillation by infusion of iced saline through an IO needle.
-
Hypocalcemia associated with cardiac arrest has been reported. However, mechanistic hypotheses for the decrease in ionized calcium (iCa) vary and its importance unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the relationships of iCa, pH, base excess (BE), and lactate in two porcine cardiac arrest models, and to determine the effect of exogenous calcium administration on post-resuscitation hemodynamics. ⋯ Ionized hypocalcemia occurs following ROSC. CaCl(2) improves post-ROSC hemodynamics suggesting that hypocalcemia may play a role in early post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction.