Resuscitation
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Transthoracic impedance (TTI) is a major determinant of transmyocardial current flow, and therefore, the success of defibrillation. European Resuscitation Council (ERC) paediatric guidelines recommend that 'firm' paddle force should be applied to the paddles during defibrillation. No study has yet established the optimal paddle force required to minimise TTI in children of different ages. ⋯ Force is an important determinant of TTI and therefore, outcome of defibrillation. It is recommended that a minimum of 3 kgf be applied to paddles when defibrillating infants with paediatric paddles, and a minimum of 5 kgf be applied to all older children when adult paddles are used.
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Prolongation of the QT interval is a known risk factor for syncope, seizures and sudden cardiac death. Most patients with QT prolongation have an acquired cause, but congenital forms of QT prolongation are being increasingly recognized. ⋯ Here, a young patient with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest secondary to congenital LQTS illustrates critical exceptions to the current ACLS treatment algorithms for ventricular fibrillation and unstable ventricular tachycardia when QT prolongation is congenital in origin. A clarified ACLS algorithm is proposed.
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Tracheal intubation is performed for urgent airway control in injured patients. Current methods of training include working on cadavers and manikins, which lack the realism of a living human being. Work in this field has been limited due to the complex nature of simulating in real-time, the interactive forces and deformations which occur during an actual patient intubation. ⋯ The haptic device along with the real-time performance of the simulator give it both visual and physical realism. The three-dimensional viewing and interaction available through virtual reality make it possible for physicians, pre-hospital personnel and students to practice many endotracheal intubations without ever touching a patient. The ability for a medical professional to practice a procedure multiple times prior to performing it on a patient will both enhance the skill of the individual while reducing the risk to the patient.
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Do not-attempt-resuscitate orders are fundamental for allowing patients to die peacefully without inappropriate resuscitation attempts. Once the decision has been made it is imperative to record this information accurately. However, during a related research projected we noted that documentation was poor and we thought that the introduction of a pre-printed Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) form would improve the documentation process. ⋯ A pre-printed DNAR form can improve documentation significantly but it has little effect in encouraging patient involvement in the decision-making process.
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Tracheal drug administration is a route for drug delivery during cardiopulmonary resuscitation when intravenous access is not immediately available. However, tracheal adrenaline (epinephrine) injection has been recently shown to be associated with detrimental decrease in blood pressure. This was attributed to exaggerated early beta2 mediated effects unopposed by alpha-adrenergic vasoconstriction. We hypothesized that endobronchial adrenaline administration is associated with better drug absorption, which may abolish the deleterious drop of blood pressure associated with tracheal drug administration. ⋯ In a non-arrest model, endobronchial adrenaline administration, as opposed to the effect of tracheal adrenaline, produced only a minor decrease in diastolic and mean blood pressure. We suggest that endobronchial adrenaline administration should be investigated further in a CPR low-flow model when maintaining adequate diastolic pressure may be crucial for survival.