Resuscitation
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To provide researchers with a description of the method of dealing with out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, and the results thereof, using the Utstein style. ⋯ of the 234 (61%) patients in whom resuscitation was attempted, 41 (17%) were hospitalised and 12 (5%) discharged were still alive at 1 year follow-up. Of the patients who showed signs of cardiac arrest of cardiac aetiology, classified as having initial ventricular fibrillation (VF) rhythms: 62% of the cases (5/8) were alive at 1 year if the cardiac arrest occurred in the presence of emergency medical personnel; 6% of the cases (2/31) were alive at 1 year if the cardiac arrest occurred in the presence of non-specialised bystanders.
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At present there are about 1 million trained cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) rescuers in Sweden. CPR out-of-hospital is initiated about 2000 times a year in Sweden. However, very little is known about the bystanders' experiences and reactions. ⋯ Ninety-two percent of the bystanders had no hesitation because of fear of contracting the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) virus. Ninety-three percent of the rescuers regarded their intervention as a mainly positive experience. Of 425 interviewed rescuers, 99.5% were prepared to start CPR again.
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Documentation of profound changes in serum thyroid hormone concentrations associated with cardiac arrest and resuscitation, as well as other acute emergencies, have spurred evaluation of possible therapeutic thyroid hormone administration. Acute and significant, this state, characterized by abnormally low serum thyroid hormone concentrations, may indicate selective thyroid replacement therapy. In a previous investigation, post-resuscitation infusion of levothyroxine sodium (L-T4) to normalize serum 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations was associated with significant reduction of neurologic deficit caused by severe global cerebral ischemia. ⋯ In contrast to previous studies using L-T4 infusion, no significant reduction of neurologic deficit was observed. Serum thyroid hormone changes confirmed previously described decreases and in no case did changes in cTSH appear causal in these changes. Thus, we concluded that L-T4 may offer a therapeutic advantage over T3 or rT3.
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to evaluate the efficiency of the first experience in pediatric basic and advanced life support courses in Spain. ⋯ basic and advanced pediatric life support courses are a useful educational method for the general population, health professionals, physicians and nurses in theoretical and practical pediatric resuscitation.