Scand J Trauma Resus
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Jan 2012
Earlier reperfusion in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction by use of helicopter.
In patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) reperfusion therapy should be initiated as soon as possible. This study evaluated whether use of a helicopter for transportation of patients is associated with earlier initiation of reperfusion therapy. ⋯ The present study indicates that use of a helicopter should be considered for field-triage of patients with STEMI to the PCI-center in case of long transportation. Such a strategy may ensure that patients living up to 150 km. from the PCI-center can be treated within 120 minutes of emergency call.
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Jan 2012
LetterDifferences and discrepancies between 2005 and 2008 Abbreviated Injury Scale versions - time to standardise.
The aim of this letter is to facilitate the standardisation of Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) codesets used to code injuries in trauma registries. We have compiled a definitive list of the changes which have been implemented between the AIS 2005 and Update 2008 versions. While the AIS 2008 codeset appears to have remained consistent since its release, we have identified discrepancies between the codesets in copies of AIS 2005 dictionaries. As a result, we recommend that use of the AIS 2005 should be discontinued in favour of the Update 2008 version.
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Jan 2012
Comparative StudyLoad-distributing band improves ventilation and hemodynamics during resuscitation in a porcine model of prolonged cardiac arrest.
The use of mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has great potential for the clinical setting. The purpose of present study is to compare the hemodynamics and ventilation during and after the load-distributing band CPR, versus the manual CPR in a porcine model of prolonged cardiac arrest, and to investigate the influence of rescue breathing in different CPR protocols. ⋯ The load-distributing band CPR significantly improved respiratory parameters during resuscitation by augmenting passive ventilation, and significantly improved coronary perfusion pressure. The volume of ventilation produced by the load-distributing band CPR was adequate to maintain sufficient gas exchange independent of rescue breathing.
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Jan 2012
Prognostic value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its potential role in guiding fluid therapy in critically ill septic patients.
The prognostic role of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in septic patients is controversial. The study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of BNP in critically ill septic patients. Furthermore, because BNP is primarily released from ventricles in response to myocardial stretch, the second aim of the study was to test whether the change in BNP was correlated to the amount of fluid balance. ⋯ BNP measured on ICU entry is associated with mortality, duration of MV, LOS(ICU) and LOS(hospital). ΔBNP is able to predict the LOS(ICU) and LOS(hospital) with satisfactory sensitivity and specificity. ΔBNP is closely correlated to the amount of fluid balance during resuscitation period. However, this could only be considered as a hypothesis-generating pilot study due to its small sample size and the observational nature.
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Dec 2011
ReviewBlood lactate as a predictor for in-hospital mortality in patients admitted acutely to hospital: a systematic review.
Using blood lactate monitoring for risk assessment in the critically ill patient remains controversial. Some of the discrepancy is due to uncertainty regarding the appropriate reference interval, and whether to perform a single lactate measurement as a screening method at admission to the hospital, or serial lactate measurements. Furthermore there is no consensus whether the sample should be drawn from arterial, peripheral venous, or capillary blood. The aim of this review was: 1) To examine whether blood lactate levels are predictive for in-hospital mortality in patients in the acute setting, i.e. patients assessed pre-hospitally, in the trauma centre, emergency department, or intensive care unit. 2) To examine the agreement between arterial, peripheral venous, and capillary blood lactate levels in patients in the acute setting. ⋯ The literature reviewed supported blood lactate monitoring as being useful for risk assessment in patients admitted acutely to hospital, and especially the trend, achieved by serial lactate sampling, is valuable in predicting in-hospital mortality. All patients with a lactate at admission above 2.5 mM should be closely monitored for signs of deterioration, but patients with even lower lactate levels should be considered for serial lactate monitoring. The correlation between lactate levels in arterial and venous blood was found to be acceptable, and venous sampling should therefore be encouraged, as the risk and inconvenience for this procedure is minimal for the patient. The relevance of lactate guided therapy has to be supported by more studies.