Resuscitation
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To determine effective interventional targets for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by analyzing the distribution characteristics of arrest patients according to age and sex with special emphasis on ventricular fibrillation (VF). ⋯ Our study provides evidence that there are significant age and sex related epidemiological differences in cardiac arrests and we need to understand them better. Strategies that focus on high yielded patients, those in witnessed VF, should be pursued. These efforts should be expected to yield sex and age related differences in survivors.
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Prolonged coma is not an uncommon clinical problem following resuscitation from cardiac arrest. Early and precise prediction of outcome is highly desirable for ethical and economical reasons. The aims of this study were to use positron emission tomography (PET) to investigate the regional dynamic changes of cerebral blood flow and metabolism during the early period after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in unconscious patients and to evaluate if PET may be a potential prognostic evaluator. ⋯ An initially low CMRO(2) was common to all patients. Early development of subclinical focal ischemic lesions was also common. The progressive depression of CMRO(2) over the first week in those patients remaining unconscious may be an indication of prolonged but not necessarily permanent coma. Further studies are required to identify pathophysiological features that can predict the long-term clinical outcome in patients who remain unconscious after 1 week.
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Do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) decision-making and recording in case notes can be poor. We have audited current practices pertaining to DNAR orders in a district hospital before and after the introduction of a standardised order form (SOF). ⋯ Documentation of DNAR decisions in medical case notes is poor. Standardised order forms, based on recommended national guidelines that complement case note entries, improve the process and recording of this sensitive decision.
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In some patients with ventricular fibrillation (VF) there may be a better chance of successful defibrillation after a period of chest compression and ventilation before the defibrillation attempt. It is therefore important to know whether a defibrillation attempt will be successful. The predictive power of a model developed by 'genetic' programming (GP) to predict defibrillation success was studied. ⋯ The VF ECG contains information predictive of defibrillation success. The model developed by GP, including data from the time-domain, frequency-domain and nonlinear dynamics, could reduce the incidence of unsuccessful defibrillations.
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Comparative Study
Prehospital ECG transmission: comparison of advanced mobile phone and facsimile devices in an urban Emergency Medical Service System.
To compare the speed and reliability of electrocardiogram (ECG) transmissions from the prehospital setting to a conventional table facsimile device and to an advanced mobile phone in a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service System (HEMS). ⋯ An advanced mobile phone is as fast and reliable as a conventional table fax in receiving ECGs. A mobile phone with advanced features is a practical tool for HEMS physicians who need to evaluate ECGs in the prehospital setting.