Resuscitation
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Comparative Study
Effect of nitric oxide synthase modulation on resuscitation success in a swine ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest model.
We have demonstrated previously that the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) decreases free radical generation and nitrosative injury via peroxynitrite formation after epicardial dc shocks. ⋯ NOS inhibition pre-arrest did not improve survival, but did reduce requirements for epinephrine and closed-chest compression in a swine resuscitation model.
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Comparative Study
Treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with LUCAS, a new device for automatic mechanical compression and active decompression resuscitation.
Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System (LUCAS) is a new gas-driven CPR device providing automatic chest compression and active decompression. This is a report of the first 100 consecutive cases treated with LUCAS due to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (58% asystole, 42% ventricular fibrillation (VF)). Safety aspects were also investigated and it was found that LUCAS can be used safely regarding noise levels and oxygen concentrations within the ambulance. ⋯ One patient where ROSC could not be achieved was transported with on-going LUCAS-CPR to the catheter laboratory and after PCI for an occluded LAD a stable ROSC occurred, but the patient never regained consciousness and died 15 days later. To conclude, establishment of an adequate cerebral circulation as quickly as possible after cardiac arrest is mandatory for a good outcome. In this report patients with a witnessed cardiac arrest receiving LUCAS-CPR within 15 min from the ambulance call had a 30-day survival of 25% in VF and 5% in asystole, but if the interval was more than 15 min, there were no 30-day survivors.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Effectiveness of a 30-min CPR self-instruction program for lay responders: a controlled randomized study.
The length of current 4-h classes in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a barrier to widespread dissemination of CPR training. The effectiveness of video-based self-instruction (VSI) has been demonstrated in several studies; however, the effectiveness of this method with older adults is not certain. Although older adults are most likely to witness out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, these potential rescuers are underrepresented in traditional classes. We evaluated a VSI program that comprised a 22-min video, an inflatable training manikin, and an audio prompting device with individuals 40-70 years old. The hypotheses were that VSI results in performance of basic CPR skills superior to that of untrained learners and similar to that of learners in Heartsaver classes. ⋯ Older adults learned the fundamental skills of CPR with this training program in about half an hour. If properly distributed, this type of training could produce a significant increase in the number of lay responders who can perform CPR.
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Review Case Reports
Recovery of a hypothermic drowned child after resuscitation with cardiopulmonary bypass followed by prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Drowning is a leading cause of death in children worldwide. However, there is uncertainty about the initiation and the extent of adequate therapeutic interventions after drowning accidents. ⋯ After a prolonged period in a vegetative state eventually she made an almost complete neurological recovery. We do not have knowledge of any case of drowning reported with a favourable neurological outcome after such a prolonged period of ECMO.
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Review Comparative Study
Incidence of EMS-treated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Europe.
The potential impact of efforts in Europe to improve survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is unclear, in part, because estimates of incidence and survival are uncertain. The aim of the investigation was to determine a representative European incidence and survival from cardiac arrest in all-rhythms and in ventricular fibrillation treated by the emergency medical services (EMS). ⋯ The results provide a framework to assess opportunities and limitations of EMS care with regard to the public health burden of cardiac arrest in Europe.