Articles: emergency-medical-services.
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Nov 1993
Comparative StudyPrehospital thrombolysis: beneficial effects of very early treatment on infarct size and left ventricular function.
The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of very early (< or = 1.5 h after symptom onset) and later (> 1.5 up to 4 h) thrombolytic therapy on infarct size, left ventricular function and early mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction. To start thrombolysis at the earliest possible moment, it was performed in the prehospital setting. A cutoff time of 1.5 h was prospectively stipulated. ⋯ The data suggest that in evolving myocardial infarction up to 4 h in duration, the start of thrombolytic therapy at < or = 1.5 h compared with > 1.5 h limits infarct size, preserves left ventricular function and may save lives.
-
Critical care medicine · Nov 1993
Comparative StudySurvival in the elderly after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
To evaluate the survival prognosis for the elderly (> or = 70 yrs of age) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in a large urban center, and to identify any specific differences in survival factors relative to those adults < 70 yrs of age. ⋯ Survival chances for the elderly after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are not bleak, and are reasonable if ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia is the presenting rhythm. Survival determinants are similar for younger and older adults.