Resuscitation
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Case Reports
Haemothorax: A potentially fatal complication of subclavian cannulation--A case report.
Central venous cannulation forms one of the mainstays of management of trauma and haemodynamically unstable patients. Frequently this procedure has to be done as an emergency in the emergency department. ⋯ This led to massive haemothorax, which eventually caused the patient to succumb. We re-emphasise the need for ultrasound guidance for insertion of central venous lines, especially in the emergency setting.
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Comparative Study
Vasopressors are essential during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in rats: Is vasopressin superior to adrenaline?
Vasopressors are recommended for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after cardiac arrest. In order to assess possible benefits regarding neurological recovery, vasopressin versus adrenaline and the combination of both was tested against placebo in a cardiac arrest model in rats. ⋯ Administration of arginine-vasopressin during CPR does not improve behavioural and cerebral histopathological outcome, compared to the use of adrenaline or the combination of both vasopressors, after cardiac arrest in rats.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Hypertonic saline during CPR: Feasibility and safety of a new protocol of fluid management during resuscitation.
In experimental studies infusion of hypertonic saline during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) increased resuscitation success rate and improved myocardial and cerebral reperfusion during CPR. We tested the feasibility and the safety of this new therapeutic measure in a randomised, preclinical pilot study. ⋯ HHS after CA is feasible and safe and might improve short term survival after CPR. However, whether giving HHS could be a useful measure to increase resuscitation success after out-of-hospital CA requires a larger preclinical trial.
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Nail polish of different colours may alter accuracy and precision of pulse oximetry as previous data in healthy volunteers suggest. This trial evaluates the oxygen saturation determined by pulse oximetry and haematoximetry with nail polish of nine different colours applied. ⋯ Nail polish does not alter pulse oximetry readings in mechanically ventilated patients to a clinically relevant extent. The mean error of measurement for all colours was within the manufacturers' specified range of +/-2%. A 90 degrees rotation of the sensor probe does not eliminate errors in measurement. To remove nail polish might be helpful to decrease the error of measurement in some cases.
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Multicenter Study
Increased survival despite a reduction in out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation in north-east Italy.
We have reported the epidemiology and survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOH-CA) in a north-east region of Italy previously, the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia Arrest Cooperative Study (FACS). We present the results of a second observational, prospective, multicentre study on OOH-CA victims in a local area in the same geographical Italian region. ⋯ Despite a reduction in the rate of VF/VT as presenting rhythm, survival was almost tripled. Manning all ambulances with professional emergency medical personnel and ACLS training together with dispatch-guided CPR may have contributed to the improvements observed in survival rates.