Resuscitation
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To describe the frequency of neonatal resuscitation interventions implemented for newborn babies in the state of Queensland over a 10-year period and determine if these changes suggest adherence to changes in Australian guidelines. ⋯ Ten-year trends showed reduced use of oxygen or upper airway suctioning without assisted ventilation, reduced intubation to suction meconium, reduced use of narcotic antagonists and greater use of assisted ventilation suggesting appropriate practice change in response to Australian neonatal resuscitation guidelines. The increase in the use of chest compressions and adrenaline was unexpected and the reasons for it are unclear.
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To describe the long-term survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients and to determine whether survival is improving in comparison to the general age- and sex-matched population. ⋯ Relative long-term survival prospects for initial OHCA survivors are moderately lower than that of the general population, however these differences have reduced over time and may be approaching those of the general population.
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For out-of-hospital-cardiac-arrest (OHCA) due to ventricular fibrillation (VF) guidelines recommend early defibrillation followed by chest compressions for two minutes before analyzing shock success. If rhythm analysis reveals VF again, it is obscure whether VF persisted or reoccurred within the two-minutes-cycle of chest compressions after successful defibrillation. We investigated the time of VF-recurrence in OHCA. ⋯ Although VF was terminated by defibrillation in 74.1%, VF recurred in 81% subsequent to the chest compression interval. Thus, VF reappears frequently and early. It is unclear to which extend chest compressions influence VF-relapse. Further studies need to re-evaluate the algorithm, timing of antiarrhythmic therapy or novel defibrillation strategies to minimize refibrillation during shockable OHCA.
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Applying a face mask could provoke a trigeminocardiac reflex. We compared the effect of applying bi-nasal prongs with a face mask on breathing and heart rate of preterm infants at birth. ⋯ Apnoea and bradycardia occurred often after applying either bi-nasal prongs or a face mask on the face for respiratory support in preterm infants at birth.
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To identify the prognostic factors and effects of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients with ICDs because the clinical characteristics and outcomes of OHCA patients with ICDs are unknown. ⋯ Shockable initial EMS-recorded rhythms and ICD-shock-only defibrillation pattern were independent factors for the favorable outcomes of OHCA patients with ICDs. ICDs were not associated with the outcomes of OHCA, and additional external shocks were needed in a substantial number of OHCA patients with ICDs during field resuscitation.