Resuscitation
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Currently, the decision to initiate extracorporeal life support for patients who suffer cardiac arrest due to accidental hypothermia is essentially based on serum potassium level. Our goal was to build a prediction score in order to determine the probability of survival following rewarming of hypothermic arrested patients based on several covariates available at admission. ⋯ In this large retrospective study we found that our score was superior to dichotomous triage based on serum potassium level in assessing which hypothermic patients in cardiac arrest would benefit from extracorporeal life support. External validation of our findings is required.
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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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Randomized Controlled Trial
Self-learning basic life support: A randomised controlled trial on learning conditions.
To investigate whether pure self-learning without instructor support, resulted in the same BLS-competencies as facilitator-led learning, when using the same commercially available video BLS teaching kit. ⋯ Self-learning is not inferior to facilitator-led learning in the short term. Self-learning resulted in a better retention of BLS-skills three months after training compared to facilitator-led training.
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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.