Resuscitation
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Small volume resuscitation with tempol is detrimental during uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock in rats.
In a previous study, titration of a hypertonic saline (HTS) solution during severe uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock (UHS) failed to reduce mortality. In a separate study, a novel antioxidant, polynitroxylated albumin (PNA) plus tempol (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl), infused during shock increased long-term survival. We hypothesized that combining potent antioxidants with a hypertonic solution during UHS would preserve the logistical advantage of small volume resuscitation and improve survival. ⋯ Despite its benefits in other model systems, free tempol is potentially hazardous when combined with hypertonic fluids. PNA abrogates these deleterious effects on acute mortality but may lead to increased blood loss in the setting of UHS.
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The majority of victims who experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have ventricular fibrillation (VF) as the presenting rhythm and are thought to have a cardiac etiology for their arrest. Over the past decade, the incidence of VF OHCA has declined. The aims of this study were to describe the epidemiology of OHCA of non-cardiac origin in Olmsted County MN and to determine the trends that have occurred over time. ⋯ Over the study period, 21.7% of OHCAs were non-cardiac in origin. PEA was the most common presenting rhythm and respiratory failure the most common etiology. 8.9% of patients survived. The decreasing number of VF arrests may be a contributing factor to the increasing proportion of OHCAs of non-cardiac etiology observed in the out-of-hospital setting.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Does the type of out-of-hospital airway interfere with other cardiopulmonary resuscitation tasks?
Out-of-hospital rescuers often perform tracheal intubation (TI) prior to other cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) interventions. TI is a complex and error-prone procedure that may interfere with other key resuscitation tasks. We compared the effects of TI versus esophageal tracheal combitube (ETC) insertion on the accomplishment of other interventions during simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation. ⋯ Compared with TI, ETC reduced time to airway placement and time without chest compressions, but did not affect elapsed times to accomplish other interventions. Additional time differences may be realized if translated to clinical out-of-hospital conditions.
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Pneumothorax is present in about 20% of blunt major trauma cases. Insertion of an intercostal tube drainage is one effective treatment, however it is unclear whether the thoracostomy has more advantages if placed in the ventral (2.-3. intercostal space) or lateral (4.-6. intercostal space) approach. The aim of this study was to determine, whether there are any differences between the two approaches in respect of malposition and complications. ⋯ In our setting physicians preferred the lateral approach on-scene as well as in-hospital. In every fifth patient malpositioning of the tube was observed, mostly interlobal after lateral chest tube, however only few were associated with relevant clinical malfunctions. The probability of interlobal malpositioning is significantly higher when using the lateral approach as opposed to the ventral approach. Correction of malpositioned and ineffective chest tubes was necessary in every 17th case. No statistically significant difference between the two approaches for functional malposition was observed. Hence both approaches for emergency chest tube insertion seem to be equally justified.