Resuscitation
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Observational Study
Neighborhood characteristics, bystander automated external defibrillator use, and patient outcomes in public out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be used by bystanders to provide rapid defibrillation for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Whether neighborhood characteristics are associated with AED use is unknown. Furthermore, the association between AED use and outcomes has not been well characterized for all (i.e. shockable and non-shockable) public OHCAs. ⋯ Specific neighborhood characteristics were associated with bystander AED use in OHCA. Bystander AED use was associated with an increase in favorable functional outcome.
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We aimed to validate retrospectively the accuracy of simplified electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring derived from the bispectral index (BIS) monitor in post-cardiac arrest (CA) patients. ⋯ Using a simple classification system, raw simplified EEG derived from a BIS monitoring device is comparable to standard EEG monitoring. Moreover, investigators without EEG experience were capable to identify SE in post-CA patients. Future studies will be warranted to confirm our results and to determine the added value of using simplified BIS EEG in terms of prognostic and therapeutic implications.
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Letter Observational Study
Use of mechanical cardiocompressor in uncontrolled donation after cardiac death.
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While therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is an effective neuroprotective therapy for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, TH has not been demonstrated to improve outcome in other pediatric populations. Patients with acquired or congenital heart disease (CHD) are at high risk of both cardiac arrest and neurodevelopmental impairments, and therapies are needed to improve neurologic outcome. The primary goal of our study was to compare safety/efficacy outcomes in post-arrest CHD patients treated with TH versus controls not treated with TH. ⋯ Our data show that pediatric CHD patients who suffer cardiac arrest can be treated effectively and safely with TH, which may decrease the incidence of seizures.
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The aim of this study was to investigate regional variation in the characteristics, incidence and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Australia and New Zealand. ⋯ In the first results of the Aus-ROC Australian and New Zealand OHCA Epistry, significant regional variation in the incidence, characteristics and outcomes was observed. Understanding the system-level and public health drivers of this variation will assist in optimisation of the chain of survival provided to OHCA patients with the aim of improving outcomes.