Resuscitation
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Following an incident where intravenous lorazepam was not available on a general paediatric ward we undertook a national survey of emergency drug availability on general paediatric units in the United Kingdom. Drugs chosen were those recommended in the Advanced Paediatric Life Support manual and the British National Formulary for the management of the most common paediatric emergencies. Twelve drugs were chosen covering emergencies in the following systems: cardiovascular (adrenaline (epinephrine), atropine and adenosine); neurological (flumazenil, lorazepam, paraldehyde, phenytoin and mannitol); metabolic (Hypostop Gel and glucagon); analgesia related (naloxone); and respiratory (aminophylline). ⋯ Six of the drugs were classified as first line agents (adrenaline, atropine, adenosine, lorazepam, paraldehyde and aminophylline). Over one in 10 units did not stock two or more of these first line drugs. Consideration needs to be given to the compiling of a consensus based list of drugs that ought to be stocked on all general paediatric units.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
A prospective, multicenter pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and safety of using the CoolGard System and Icy catheter following cardiac arrest.
Cardiac arrest causes devastating neurological morbidity and mortality. Mild/moderate hypothermia is neuroprotective after global cerebral ischemia. More rapid controlled attainment of the target temperature may increase efficacy. ⋯ In comatose survivors of cardiac arrest, hypothermia via endovascular methods is safe and feasible, and target temperatures can be achieved and controlled rapidly and precisely. More studies are needed to assess the efficacy of rapid endovascular hypothermia after cardiac arrest.
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Optimum cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for both basic and advanced cardiac life support depends on a compromise between the number of chest compressions delivered and the amount of ventilation provided. This study used theoretical models of blood flow and both arterial and venous blood gas values to investigate the influence of different compression to ventilation ratios on CPR efficiency, as well as the effects of different inspired oxygen concentrations. With mouth-to-mouth ventilation, greater numbers of compressions between each ventilation provided progressively greater blood flow. ⋯ The best results were provided by continuous chest compressions and simultaneous, asynchronous ventilation in an intubated patient. Arterial and venous oxygen and carbon dioxide levels were well maintained, with very good oxygen delivery (0.32 L/min). Intubation with continuous chest compressions and asynchronous ventilation can therefore significantly improve the quality of CPR as a whole, and not just ventilation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Learning effect of a novel interactive basic life support CD: the JUST system.
Electronic interactive learning environments can enhance the learning experience and may prove beneficial in basic life support (BLS) training. As part of the European Union funded project "JUST-in-time health emergency interventions-training of non-professionals by virtual reality and advanced IT tools", an innovative interactive CD-ROM on BLS and other emergency medicine topics was developed. We hypothesised that individuals without previous BLS training could learn CPR techniques from this CD. ⋯ Individuals without prior BLS training showed improved behaviour and assessment skills after exposure to the CD, but motor skill acquisition requires alternative learning strategies.
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The timing and use of norepinephrine (noradrenaline) (NE) in septic shock remain a matter of controversy. ⋯ Early and exclusive use of NE in hyperdynamic septic shock achieved a stable MAP >75 mmHg in all patients. Survival compared favorably with that predicted by illness severity scores.