Resuscitation
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Defibrillation may convert ventricular fibrillation (VF) only to reveal profound mechanical dysfunction. Survival following this dysfunction, known as pulseless electrical activity (PEA) and electromechanical dissociation (EMD), is uncommon. We sought to evaluate an electrical therapy for primary post shock PEA following short duration VF. ⋯ Electrical therapy increased the likelihood of ROSC in primary post defibrillation PEA three-fold (P < 0.01). Recovery occurred in the absence of thoracic compression, mechanical ventilation, or adjunctive drug therapy.
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At present, there is no reliable information indicating the best option of rescuing a non-breathing drowning victim in the water. Our objectives were to compare the outcomes of performing immediate in-water resuscitation (IWR) or delaying resuscitation until the victim is brought to shore. ⋯ Delaying resuscitation efforts were associated with a worse outcome for non-breathing drowning victims. In the cases studied, IWR was associated with improvement of the likelihood of survival. An algorithm was developed for its indications and to avoid unnecessary risks to both victim and rescuer.
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Comparative Study
Long-term prognosis after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
To study the long-term survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). ⋯ Long-term prognosis is good in selected patients after successful out-of-hospital CPR and STEMI treated with primary PCI.
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To create a predictive scale of neurological outcome following cardiac arrest (CA) that incorporates radiological and clinical markers of brain injury. ⋯ BrANOS is a reliable predictor of neurological outcome following CA. It is the first scale to incorporate clinical and radiological markers of brain injury.