Resuscitation
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Sudden cardiac arrest due to blunt anterior chest wall impact (Commotio Cordis) usually occurs in young athletes who are struck by a baseball or other projectile in the precordium. Survival is extremely rare if the induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) is not defibrillated immediately at the scene. We report here a rare case of a one-year-old infant survivor of cardiac arrest caused by blunt chest impact during an accidental fall from a fourth story window. ⋯ He recovered without any subsequent sequelae. To the best of our knowledge, this rare incident represents the first time that an infant has survived such cardiac arrest in these circumstances that has been recorded in the literature. This has implications for the management of paediatric fall injuries.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Estimation of central venous pressure by ultrasound.
Increasing blood volume and cardiac output is one of the most commonly needed intervention in the primary care of traumatized and severely ill patients. Although cardiac filling pressures have severe limitations in assessing the preload, central venous pressure (CVP) is the invasive measure most frequently used in clinical practice for the assessment of volume status and cardiac preload. We combined ultrasound and tissue pressure measurement for non-invasive jugular and brachial venous pressure estimation. ⋯ Ultrasound-based, non-invasive measurement of venous pressure provides a relatively easy method rapid estimation of changes in CVP, although absolute values may differ substantially from invasive CVP and between different investigators.
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Induced hypothermia is underused after resuscitation from cardiac arrest: a current practice survey.
Important recent work has demonstrated that the use of induced hypothermia can improve survival and neurologic recovery after cardiac arrest. We wished to ascertain the extent to which physicians were using this treatment, and what opinions are held by clinicians regarding its use. ⋯ Despite compelling data supporting its use, hypothermia has yet to be broadly incorporated into physician practice. This highlights the need for improved awareness and education regarding this treatment option, as well as the need to consider hypothermia protocols for inclusion in future iterations of ACLS.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The evolution of serum astroglial S-100 beta protein in patients with cardiac arrest treated with mild hypothermia.
To study the effects of mild hypothermia on the 24h concentration of serum astroglial of S-100 beta protein in patients who survived cardiac arrest (CA). ⋯ Induced mild hypothermia reduced the 24h astroglial serum S-100 beta protein concentration and might play a neuroprotective effect after cardiac arrest.