Resuscitation
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Endotracheal intubation is the preferred method to ensure proper artificial ventilation. Early detection of esophageal intubation is important for an individual patient's outcome. The aim of the study was to see if impedance measurements can be used to detect esophageal intubation, using the impedance measurement system of an experimental defibrillator. ⋯ There is a large and significant reduction in transthoracic impedance when the tube is malpositioned in the esophagus. It may therefore be feasible to detect malintubation via thoracic impedance changes as an aid to improve the survival of critical ill patients. Further investigations on a larger population are needed.
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Systemic and microvascular hemodynamic responses to hemorrhagic shock resuscitation with hypertonic saline (HTS, 7.5% NaCl) followed with a small volume of plasma expander were studied in the hamster window chamber model to determine the role of plasma expander viscosity in the acute resuscitation outcome. Moderate hemorrhagic shock was induced by arterial controlled bleeding of 50% of blood volume (BV) and the hypovolemic state was maintained for 1 h. Volume restitution was performed by infusion of HTS, 3.5% of BV followed by 10% of BV plasma expanders. ⋯ Functional capillary density (FCD) was higher for Hextend+V than Hextend and NVR. The level of restoration of acid-base balance correlated with microvascular perfusion and was significantly improved with Hextend+V when compared to Hextend and NVR. These results suggest the importance of restoration of blood rheological properties through enhancing plasma viscosity, influencing the re-establishment of microvascular perfusion during small volume resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock.
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Healthcare workers in the emergency department are particularly vulnerable to communicable disease. This study aimed to evaluate compliance with standard precautions by analysis of the incidence and systems sources of such contaminations and by quantifying the use of personal protective equipment. ⋯ Among healthcare workers in the emergency setting, the study disclosed suboptimal compliance with basic infection control measures, including use of personal protective equipment and avoiding contamination. By further time-motion analysis of resuscitation sessions, major systems sources and strategies for improvement could be identified.
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Increases in serum cytokines have been reported after successful resuscitation from prolonged ventricular fibrillation (VF). Pro-inflammatory cytokines can stimulate inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) to produce excessive levels of nitric oxide (NO). High levels of both myocardial inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide levels can depress myocardial contractile function. We hypothesized that myocardial pro-inflammatory cytokines and iNOS activity would increase following successful resuscitation from prolonged ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest, and that such increases would parallel the development of post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction. ⋯ Myocardial inflammatory cytokines and iNOS activity increase during and after prolonged cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation. These increases correspond to the well described decrease in LV function post-resuscitation.