Resuscitation
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Direct or Subacute Coronary Angiography in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (DISCO)- an initial pilot-study of a randomized clinical trial.
The clinical importance of immediate coronary angiography, with potentially subsequent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients without ST-elevation on the ECG is unclear. In this study, we assessed feasibility and safety aspects of performing immediate coronary angiography in a pre-specified pilot phase of the 'DIrect or Subacute Coronary angiography in Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest' (DISCO) randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02309151). ⋯ In this out-of-hospital cardiac arrest population without ST-elevation, randomization to a strategy to perform immediate coronary angiography was feasible although the time window of 120 min from EMS arrival at the scene of the arrest to start of coronary angiography was not achieved. No significant safety issues were reported.
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To determine the initial defibrillation energy dose that is associated with sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) during paediatric cardiac arrest with ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. ⋯ Defibrillation energy doses and thresholds varied according to the body weight and trended higher for infants. No definitive association between initial defibrillation doses and the sustained ROSC or survival could be demonstrated. Clinicians should follow local consensus-based guidelines.
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Experimental and observational research suggests hyperoxia following resuscitation from cardiac arrest is associated with neurological injury and worse clinical outcomes. This paper describes the rationale and design of the EXACT trial. EXACT aims to determine whether reducing oxygen in the acute phase of post-resuscitation care for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) improves survival. ⋯ This study will determine if early reduction of oxygen leads to improved outcomes in OHCA. Such a finding may potentially change clinical practice with implications on future OHCA survival outcomes.
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Observational Study
Impact of adrenaline dose and timing on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival and neurological outcomes.
The 2015 ILCOR Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Guidelines recommend intravenous adrenaline (epinephrine) as a crucial pharmacologic treatment during cardiac arrest resuscitation. Some recent observational studies and clinical trials have questioned the efficacy of its use and suggested possible deleterious effects on overall survival and long-term outcomes. This study aimed to describe the association between time and dose of adrenaline on return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and neurologic function. ⋯ Early adrenaline administration is associated with a higher percentage of survival to discharge but not associated with favorable neurological outcome. Those patients with a favorable neurologic outcome received a lower total adrenaline dose prior to ROSC.
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Correct defibrillation pad positioning optimises the chances of successful defibrillation. AEDs have pictoral representation to guide untrained bystanders in correct pad positioning. There is a wide variation in this pictoral guidance and evidence suggests that correct anatomical pad placement is poor. We reviewed all currently available diagrams and assessed the resultant pad placement achieved by untrained bystanders following these instructions. ⋯ All current defibrillation pad diagrams fail to achieve accurate defibrillation pad placement. A clearer, more effective diagram, such as the one we designed, is urgently needed to ensure bystander defibrillation is effective as possible.