Resuscitation
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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is widely recognized as an essential part of the medical response to cardiac arrest. Traditional ('basic') CPR has remained essentially unchanged for 40 years despite major problems with training and performance, and survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest remain disappointingly low, despite massive resources devoted to CPR training and public awareness. ⋯ The article received little notice at the time; however, the method of prone CPR merits further consideration based on a number of subsequent supporting studies and case reports. Prone CPR may represent a superior alternative to traditional CPR; research into its effectiveness should be given high priority.
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To describe age-related systolic blood pressures and pulse rates in children following blunt injury. To compare these variables with standard reference values for uninjured children at rest and with reference ranges from the Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) guidelines. ⋯ Injured children have a relative systolic hypertension compared with children at rest. Pulse rates in the two groups are comparable. Following injury, children with apparently 'normal' age-specific systolic blood pressures on arrival in the Emergency Department are relatively hypotensive and should be carefully assessed.
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Transthoracic impedance and current flow are determinants of defibrillation success with monophasic shocks. Whether transthoracic impedance, either independently or via its association with body weight, is a determinant of biphasic waveform shock success has not been determined. ⋯ Body weight is a determinant of shock success with biphasic waveforms at low energy levels in this swine model.
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The latest Adult Basic Life Support (BLS) guidelines support the inclusion of the use of the automated external defibrillator (AED), as part of basic life support (BLS). Emphasis on the provision of early defibrillation as part of BLS acknowledges the importance of this manoeuvre in the successful termination of ventricular fibrillation. The ramifications of such changes for both first responders and organisations implementing the guidelines should not be underestimated. ⋯ Additionally, defibrillation has been identified as one of the key competencies that all trained nurses and other health care providers should be able to undertake. This paper will consider the background to the current guideline changes, analyse the wider implications of translating the recommendations into practice, and offer possible solutions to address the issues raised. Whilst the analysis is particularly pertinent to the United Kingdom, many of the issues raised have international importance.
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The recurrence rate of lethal cardiac events after the survival of a primary cardiac arrest in patients not having received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is investigated. ⋯ Cardiac arrest survivors without an apparent indication for an ICD have a high risk of suffering from a re-arrest of cardiac origin.