Articles: cardiac-arrest.
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This systematic review of the Brazilian and worldwide literature aims to evaluate the incidence and causes of perioperative and anesthesia-related mortality. Studies were identified by searching the Medline and Scielo databases, followed by a manual search for relevant articles. Our review includes studies published between 1954 and 2007. ⋯ Our systematic review of the literature shows that perioperative mortality rates are higher in Brazil than in developed countries, while anesthesia-related mortality rates are similar in Brazil and in developed countries. Most cases of anesthesia-related mortality are associated with cardiocirculatory and airway events. These data may be useful in developing strategies to prevent anesthesia-related deaths.
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This study was designed to evaluate the effects of terlipressin versus fluid resuscitation with normal saline, hypertonic saline or hypertonic-hyperoncotic hydroxyethyl starch, on hemodynamics, metabolics, blood loss and short-term survival in hemorrhagic shock. ⋯ Hyperkalemia accompanies hemorrhagic shock and, in addition to providing an early sign of the acute ischemic insult severity, may be responsible for cardiac arrest related to hemorrhagic shock.
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This study attempted to correlate the initial cardiac rhythm and survival from prehospital cardiac arrest, as a secondary end-point. ⋯ The most common presenting arrhythmia was VF (45%), while survival is greatest in those presenting with AVB (57.1%).
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Survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest frequently suffer devastating effects from anoxic brain injury. Therapeutic hypothermia is the first therapy to show benefit in improving survival as well as limiting neurologic injury. We review the data supporting the use of therapeutic hypothermia in this patient population, the pathophysiologic basis of its neuroprotectant effects, the methods of hypothermic induction, and the clinical application.
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The long-term outcome of patients requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation depends heavily on swift and appropriate care. The aim of this study was to obtain data on the composition and training of resuscitation teams in specialist departments for internal medicine and anesthesiology. ⋯ The majority of hospitals that participated in this survey have an emergency team in place and organize resuscitation training for their medical personnel. The training varies greatly, however, in frequency, size of group, and qualification of the trainer. Implementation of standardized training for and management of in-hospital resuscitation measures might further hone staff skills and therefore improve the long-term outcome for the patients concerned.