Resuscitation
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If sudden cardiac arrest occurs during cardiac catheterization, the underlying coronary condition may be defined immediately by coronary angiography. This may, in turn, allow a lifesaving attempt of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We report on two patients with critical proximal disease of the left coronary artery in whom successful PCI during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) led to the restoration of a spontaneous circulation and long-term survival.
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Comparative Study
The attitude of cardiac care patients towards CPR and CPR education.
The recommended targeting of the elderly, those with heart conditions and their family members for CPR education remains unaccomplished. Little is known about cardiac patients' knowledge of and attitude towards CPR and CPR education. This study aimed to investigate cardiac care patients' attitude towards CPR and interest in CPR education. ⋯ A hospital was the preferred location for the course, often due to the perceived higher competence of the instructors, but sometimes, because it offered a safe environment. The primary health care centre was preferred because of its location near the participants' homes. In order to increase the proportion of people trained in CPR in target groups such as cardiac care patients and their family members, healthcare professionals should provide patients with information and opportunities to attend locally situated, professionally led courses.
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Review Comparative Study
Role of semiautomatic defibrillators in a general hospital: "Naples Heart Project".
In Italian hospitals, 85% of patients hospitalized in general medical wards who experience cardiac arrest die, while the incidence is much lower in patients in intensive care units. Defibrillation, in Italian hospitals, often occurs very late, either due to a lack of defibrillators, or due to architectural and structural barriers. ⋯ The Naples Heart Project was based on a feasibility study of the in-hospital emergency service to evaluate and analyze problems associated with type of structure, departmental and institutional dislocation, internal practicability (architectural features and preferential ways), staff numbers and distribution, the calling system for emergency, and the equipment available. The Naples Heart Project began in July 2001, since then it has already created 835 BLSD first responders among the hospital staff; 440 were physicians and physicians still in training, 310 were nurses and 85 were administrative staff.
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Comparative Study
Feasibility of shock advice analysis during CPR through removal of CPR artefacts from the human ECG.
Mechanical activity from chest compressions and ventilations during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) introduces artefact components into the electrocardiogram (ECG). CPR must therefore be discontinued for reliable shock advice analysis in automated external defibrillators. Reducing or eliminating this detrimental "hands-off" time by removing the CPR artefacts, should significantly improve the defibrillation success rate. ⋯ Good sensitivity was achieved, enabling ECG analysis during CPR that would reduce the hands-off time on patients with shockable rhythms. However, CPR artefact removal on non-shockable rhythms proved a more difficult problem. We need a better understanding of the physiological mixing of artefacts and the underlying heart rhythm and suggest clinical trials to investigate the nature of CPR artefacts further.
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Comparative Study
Long-term survival and neurological outcome of patients who received recombinant tissue plasminogen activator during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
The long-term outcome in patients who received recombinant tissue plasminogen activator during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) of non-traumatic aetiology was assessed. ⋯ Thrombolytic therapy during cardiopulmonary resuscitation may produce a favourable neurological outcome. The majority of long-term survivors reported a good subjective quality of life. In one-third of close family members some negative factors had a lasting impact on the quality of daily living.