Resuscitation
-
To determine if a new protocol can increase the detection of agonal respirations by emergency medical dispatchers and thus the presence of cardiac arrest. ⋯ Introduction of a new 9-1-1 dispatcher assessment protocol to assess for the presence of agonal respirations can significantly increase the detection cardiac arrest over the telephone.
-
There is mounting evidence to support the concept of chest compression-only CPR for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims, not least because it is simple and does not require rescuers to perform unpleasant mouth-to-mouth ventilation. The problem is that for a small, but important, minority of victims (children and those suffering an asphyxial or prolonged arrest) this is suboptimal treatment. The forthcoming guidelines revision process will require a compromise to be reached. The solution proposed is citizen training in two stages: adult compression-only CPR initially, then a second, follow-up stage when ventilation is added to satisfy the needs of minority victims.
-
Editorial Comment
Coagulopathy during therapeutic hypothermia: Where are the data?