Resuscitation
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To describe the barriers to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) initiation and continuation in emergency calls for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). ⋯ Barriers to CPR initiation and continuation were commonly experienced by callers, however they were frequently overcome. Future research should investigate the strategies that were successful.
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We studied short-term (30-day) and long-term (up to ten-year) survival among children and young adults following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Sweden over the course of the past 30 years. We also studied the causes of OHCA in children and examined predictors of survival. ⋯ Survival rate after OHCA in children and young adults has increased three-fold over the past 30 years. Still overall mortality is high underscoring the need for continued efforts to mitigate risk factors and optimize survival.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized Feasibility Trial of Remote Ischemic Conditioning to Enhance Resuscitation (RICE).
Restoration of blood flow after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is associated with inflammation that causes cellular injury. The extent of this reperfusion injury (RI) is associated with the duration of ischemia and adequacy of resuscitation. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) consists of repeated application of non-lethal ischemia then reperfusion to a limb distal to the heart by inflating a blood pressure (BP) cuff. Trials in animal models in cardiac arrest and in humans with acute infarction show RIC reduces RI. ⋯ Application of RIC to patients resuscitated from CA and transported to an ED is feasible and safe. An adequately powered trial is required to assess whether RIC is effective at decreasing morbidity and mortality after CA.