Resuscitation
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Studies of outcome differences by sex in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have produced mixed results that may depend on age, a potential surrogate for menopausal status. ⋯ Women <55 years were more likely to survive than men <55 years following VF-OHCA. The biologic mechanism represented by VF waveform mediated some, though not all, of the outcome difference.
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To assess whether there were differences in resuscitation efforts and outcomes for medical intensive care unit (MICU) in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) during the COVID-19 pandemic when compared to pre-pandemic. ⋯ It is imperative that COVID-19 patients receive unbiased and unrestricted resuscitation measures, without any discouragement.
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Managing temperature is an important part of post-cardiac arrest care. Fever or hyperthermia during the first few days after cardiac arrest is associated with worse outcomes in many studies. Clinical data have not determined any target temperature or duration of temperature management that clearly improves patient outcomes. ⋯ Heat loss can trigger compensatory reflexes that increase stress and metabolic demand. Therefore, any active temperature management should include specific pharmacotherapy or other interventions to control thermogenesis, especially shivering. More research is required to determine whether individualized temperature management can improve outcomes.
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A significant focus of post-resuscitation research over the last decade has included optimising oxygenation. This has primarily occurred due to an improved understanding of the possible harmful biological effects of high oxygenation, particularly the neurotoxicity of oxygen free radicals. Animal studies and some observational research in humans suggest harm with the occurrence of severe hyperoxaemia (PaO2 > 300 mmHg) in the post-resuscitation phase. ⋯ The EXACT RCT suggested that decreasing oxygen fraction post-resuscitation in the prehospital setting, with limited ability to titrate and measure oxygenation, is too soon. The BOX RCT, suggests delaying titration to a normal level in intensive care may be too late. While further RCTs are currently underway in ICU cohorts, titration of oxygen early after arrival at hospital should be considered.