Resuscitation
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Ventricular fibrillation occurs in 10-20% of pediatric cardiac arrests. Survival rates in children with ventricular fibrillation can be as high as 30% when the rhythm is identified and treated promptly. In the last 5 years, recommendations have been made for the use of automated external defibrillators in children between 1 and 8 years of age. ⋯ At the present time, publication of new or interim guidelines in the scientific literature alone is insufficient to ensure that new protocols are implemented. An effective and efficient method to disseminate new pediatric out-of-hospital protocols emergency care to become standard of care in a timely matter must be developed.
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Public access defibrillation (PAD) has shown potential to increase cardiac arrest survival rates. ⋯ We found a definite geographical distribution pattern of cardiac arrest. This study demonstrates the utility of GIS with a national cardiac arrest database and has implications for implementing a PAD program, targeted CPR training, AED placement and ambulance deployment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Public access resuscitation program including defibrillator training for laypersons: a randomized trial to evaluate the impact of training course duration.
Time to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a main determinant of survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Only widespread implementation of training courses for laypersons can decrease response time. ⋯ A 2-h class is sufficient to acquire and retain CPR and AED skills for an extended time period provided that a brief re-evaluation is performed after 6 months.
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While airway and ventilatory compromise are significant concerns following traumatic brain injury (TBI), there is little data supporting an aggressive approach to airway management by prehospital personnel, and a growing number of reports suggesting an association between early intubation and increased mortality. Recent clinical and experimental data suggest that hyperventilation is an important contributor to these adverse outcomes in TBI patients. ⋯ In addition, experimental data regarding potential mechanisms for the adverse effects of hyperventilation and hypocapnia on the injured brain are presented. Finally, the limited data regarding the impact of hypoventilation and hypercapnia on outcome from TBI are discussed.
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Survival of hypothermic avalanche victims with cardiac arrest is rare. This report describes full recovery of a 29-year-old backcountry skier completely buried for 100 min at 3.0m (9.8 ft) depth. On extrication he was unconscious, but breathing spontaneously into an air pocket; core body temperature measured 22.0 degrees C (71.6 degrees F). ⋯ This report confirms previous literature that an air pocket with patent airways is essential for survival of a completely buried avalanche victim after 35 min and endorses the recommended management strategies of the International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine ICAR MEDCOM. In particular, all hypothermic victims extricated with an air pocket and free airways must be treated optimistically, even despite prolonged cardiac arrest. This remarkable case documents the fastest drop in core temperature ever recorded during snow burial, namely 9.0 degrees C (16.2 degrees F)/h, and the second-lowest reversible core temperature in avalanche literature.