Resuscitation
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Most resuscitation guidelines have recommendations regarding maximum delay times from collapse to calling for the rescue team and initiation of treatment following cardiac arrest. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between adherence to guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) and survival with a focus on delay to treatment. ⋯ Adherence to guidelines was associated with increased probability of survival and improved neurological function in patients with a shockable and non-shockable rhythm, respectively. Increased adherence to guidelines could increase cardiac arrest survival.
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Coronary angiogram (CA) may be useful after resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), but data regarding its benefit in patients with non-shockable initial rhythm without ST-segment elevation is scarce. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and survival in OHCA patients with non-shockable initial rhythm without ST-segment elevation and compare them to patients with shockable initial rhythm without ST-segment elevation. ⋯ Prevalence of ACS in patients without ST-segment elevation and non-shockable initial rhythm is extremely low, and survival extremely poor, therefore routine emergency CA does not seem beneficial in these patients.
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Prehospital perimortem caesarean delivery (PCD) is a rarely performed procedure. In this study, we aimed to examine all PCDs performed by the four Helicopter Emergency Medical Services in the Netherlands; to describe the procedures, outcomes, complications, and compliance with the recommended guidelines; and to formulate recommendations. ⋯ There was a low incidence of maternal perimortem caesarean deliveries in The Netherlands. Only some neonates survived after PCD. It is recommended that PCD be performed as quickly as possible. Due to the delay, the mother has a far lower chance of survival than the neonate. In fatal cases, autopsy is strongly recommended.
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Generalized periodic discharge (GPD) is an EEG pattern of poor neurological outcome, frequently observed in comatose patients after cardiac arrest. The aim of our study was to identify the neuronal network generating ≤2.5 Hz GPD using EEG source localization and connectivity analysis. ⋯ We hypothesize that the anoxic-ischemic dysfunction, leading to hyperactivity of the thalamo-cortical (limbic presumably) circuit, can result in an oscillatory thalamic activity capable of inducing periodic cortical (limbic, mostly medial-temporal and orbitofrontal) discharges, similarly to the case of generalized rhythmic spike-wave discharge in convulsive or non-convulsive status epilepticus.
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Targeted temperature management (TTM) may alter the results of clinical examination and delay motor response recovery; hence, re-establishing the accuracy and optimal timing of performing clinical examinations are crucial. Therefore, we aimed to identify the optimal combination and timing of clinical examinations for predicting the neurologic outcomes in patients undergoing TTM. ⋯ The combination of PLR with CR showed specificity approaching 100% 72 h after the ROSC or 24 h after rewarming completion. These findings can provide a clinical reference for predicting the neurological outcomes in patients undergoing TTM, especially in institutions without up-to-date facilities.