Resuscitation
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Smaller tidal volumes with room-air are not sufficient to ensure adequate oxygenation during bag-valve-mask ventilation.
The European Resuscitation Council has recommended decreasing tidal volume during basic life support ventilation from 800 to 1200 ml, as recommended by the American Heart Association, to 500 ml in order to minimise stomach inflation. However, if oxygen is not available at the scene of an emergency, and small tidal volumes are given during basic life support ventilation with a paediatric self-inflatable bag and room-air (21% oxygen), insufficient oxygenation and/or inadequate ventilation may result. When apnoea occurred after induction of anaesthesia, 40 patients were randomly allocated to room-air ventilation with either an adult (maximum volume, 1500 ml) or paediatric (maximum volume, 700 ml) self-inflatable bag for 5 min before intubation. ⋯ In conclusion, our results indicate that smaller tidal volumes of approximately 6 ml kg(-1) ( approximately 500 ml) given with a paediatric self-inflatable bag and room-air maintain adequate carbon dioxide elimination, but do not result in sufficient oxygenation during bag-valve-mask ventilation. Thus, if small (6 ml kg(-1)) tidal volumes are being used during bag-valve-mask ventilation, additional oxygen is necessary. Accordingly, when additional oxygen during bag-valve-mask ventilation is not available, only large tidal volumes of approximately 11 ml kg(-1) were able to maintain both sufficient oxygenation and carbon dioxide elimination.
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Comparative Study
Adenosine by aortic flush fails to augment the brain preservation effect of mild hypothermia during exsanguination cardiac arrest in dogs - an exploratory study.
Most trauma cases with rapid exsanguination to cardiac arrest (CA) in the field, as well as many cases of normovolemic sudden cardiac death are 'unresuscitable' by standard cardiopulmonary-cerebral resuscitation (CPCR). We are presenting a dog model for exploring pharmacological strategies for the rapid induction by aortic arch flush of suspended animation (SA), i.e. preservation of cerebral viability for 15 min or longer. This can be extended by profound hypothermic circulatory arrest of at least 60 min, induced and reversed with (portable) cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). ⋯ In both groups, ischemic neurons were as prevalent in the basal ganglia and neocortex as in the cerebellum and hippocampus. The mild hypothermic aortic flush protocol is feasible in dogs. The adenosine strategy used does not abolish the mild histologic brain damage.
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By evaluating tape recordings of true cardiac arrest calls, to judge the dispatchers ability to (a) identify cases as suspected cardiac arrest (CA), (b) give the case the right priority, (c) identify CA cases suitable for dispatcher-assisted, telephone-guided cardiopulmonary resuscitation (T-CPR) and (d) accomplish T-CPR. ⋯ (1) In the majority of the interviews, the quality was very high, while in one-third, serious criticism could be voiced. (2) In our study, only one-third (95% confidence interval, 22-41) of CA cases were suitable for T-CPR, and T-CPR was performed in only 8% of the 99 cases. (3) To optimise the dispatcher ability to identify suspected CA and initiate T-CPR, both medical knowledge and practical training are needed, preferably with protocols for pre-arrival instructions.
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The chance of survival from ventricular fibrillation (VF) is up to ten times higher than those with other cardiac arrest rhythms. To calculate the effect of out-of-hospital resuscitation organisations on survival, it is necessary to know the percentage of cardiac arrest patients initially in VF and the relationship between delay time to defibrillation and survival. ⋯ This study suggests a high initial incidence of VF among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients and a slow rate of transformation into a non-shockable rhythm. The survival rate with very short delay times to defibrillation was approximately 50%, but decreased rapidly as the delay increased.
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To describe patient characteristics, hospital investigations and interventions and early mortality among patients being hospitalized after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in two hospitals. ⋯ Survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest may be affected by the course of hospital management. Other variables that might influence survival are socio-economic factors and cardiorespiratory status on admission to hospital. Further investigation is called for as more patients are being hospitalised alive after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.