Resuscitation
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To determine the incidence of avoidable cardiac arrest among patients who had received resuscitation in a district general hospital. To establish how location and individual or system factors influence avoidable cardiac arrest in order to develop an evidence-based preventive strategy. ⋯ The majority of treated in-hospital cardiac arrests are potentially avoidable. Multiple system failures include delays and errors in diagnosis, inadequate interpretation of investigations, incomplete treatment, inexperienced doctors and management in inappropriate clinical areas.
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Comparative Study
Does veno-arterial bypass without an artificial lung improve the outcome in dogs undergoing cardiac arrest?
We hypothesized that maintaining circulation and blood pressure by veno-arterial bypass (V-A bypass) without oxygenation would improve cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and survival rates. A total of 32 dogs, divided into four groups, were subjected to normothermic ventricular fibrillation (VF) for 15 min. The method of CPR was the same in the four groups, except for the method and timing of V-A bypass. ⋯ No significant difference in survival rates was demonstrated among the four groups (P = 0.11). We concluded that V-A bypass without oxygenation does not improve the chances for CPR and outcome after cardiac arrest in dogs. Our results suggest that oxygenation is indispensable in CPR.
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The purpose of this study was to compare truncated exponential biphasic waveform versus truncated exponential monophasic waveform shocks for transthoracic defibrillation over a wide range of energies. Biphasic waveforms are more effective than monophasic shocks for defibrillation at energies of 150-200 Joules (J) but there are few data available comparing efficacy and safety of biphasic versus monophasic defibrillation at energies of <150 J or >200 J. Thirteen adult swine (weighing 18-26 kg, mean 20 kg) were deeply anesthetized and intubated. ⋯ Biphasic waveform shocks (5/5 ms) for transthoracic defibrillation were superior to monophasic shocks (10 ms) at low energy levels. Percent success increased with increasing energies. PEA occurred infrequently with either waveform.
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Newborn Life Support (NLS) courses use manikins for demonstration and practise of skills required for newborn resuscitation. The aim of this study was to compare currently available manikins for physical characteristics and feedback during psychomotor tasks. ⋯ Features of the 'ideal' manikin are proposed. Manufacturers should consider these features when developing manikins for training in newborn resuscitation.
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To describe the diurnal, weekly and seasonal rhythm among patients suffering from out of hospital cardiac arrest in Sweden. ⋯ We found that out of hospital cardiac arrest of a cardiac etiology has a diurnal, weekly and seasonal rhythm occurring most frequently in the morning hours, on Mondays and in December and January. Age, sex and place of arrest influence these rhythms.