Resuscitation
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Review
Goal-directed hemodynamic optimization in the post-cardiac arrest syndrome: a systematic review.
The treatment recommendations from the 2005 International Consensus Conference on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science (hosted by the American Heart Association) advocate a goal-directed treatment strategy for hemodynamic optimization after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in post-cardiac arrest care. We performed a systematic review to (1) examine the available evidence for goal-directed hemodynamic support in the post-cardiac arrest syndrome, (2) determine the effect of such a treatment strategy on survival, and (3) define the specific hemodynamic goals, if any, that have been tested in clinical trials of post-cardiac arrest patients. ⋯ To date, no clinical trials have examined hemodynamic optimization in post-cardiac arrest patients. Although clinical acumen may support the concept that hemodynamic derangements after ROSC should be normalized, there is currently no evidence available to indicate the best strategy for goal-directed hemodynamic support. The current study indicates the need for future clinical investigations designed to determine both the efficacy of hemodynamic optimization in post-cardiac arrest patients and the best endpoints to target as part of a goal-directed strategy.
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Multicenter Study
Cardiac arrest patients rarely receive chest compressions before ambulance arrival despite the availability of pre-arrival CPR instructions.
To determine the proportion of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) patients who received chest compressions, before EMS arrival, from bystanders who called the EMS emergency telephone number (9-1-1) at dispatch centers that provided telephone CPR instructions and to describe barriers to following instructions. ⋯ Few 9-1-1 callers provided chest compressions following telephone CPR instructions that included airway and breathing steps. The majority of callers were unwilling or emotionally or physically unable to follow the instructions.
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Comparative Study
Periodic acceleration (pGz) CPR in a swine model of asphyxia induced cardiac arrest. Short-term hemodynamic comparisons.
Asphyxia is one of the most common causes of pediatric cardiac arrest, and becoming a more frequently recognized cause in adults. Periodic acceleration (pGz) is a novel method of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). pGz is achieved by rapid motion of the supine body headward-footward that generates adequate perfusion and ventilation during cardiac arrest. In a swine ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest model, pGz produced a higher return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), superior neurological outcome, less echocardiography evidence of post resuscitation myocardial stunning, and decreased indices of tissue injury. In contrast to standard chest compression CPR, pGz does not produce rib fractures. We investigated the feasibility of pGz in severe asphyxia cardiac arrest and assessed whether beneficial effects seen in the VF model of cardiac arrest could be realized. ⋯ In a lethal model of asphyxia cardiac arrest, pGz is equivalent to standard CPR, with respect to acute outcomes and resuscitation survival rates but is associated with significantly lower pulmonary artery pressures and does not produce traumatic rib fractures.
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Although many different drugs and interventions have been studied in cardiac arrest to improve survival rates and neurological outcome, the results are still very poor. Magnesium (Mg) has important electrophysiological effects and normal concentrations are required to maintain regular cardiac conduction, rhythm and vascular tone, but its role in improving survival rates and neurological outcome in victims of cardiac arrest is not completely understood. ⋯ We found that there are very few data available about the role of Mg in the treatment of cardiac arrest. Although two non-randomised and one animal study reported promising results, the lack of high quality studies makes it impossible to recommend for or against the administration of Mg during or early after resuscitation to improve outcome.