Resuscitation
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Review Meta Analysis
Effects of in-hospital low targeted temperature after out of hospital cardiac arrest: A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
We performed this systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of in-hospital low targeted temperature in adult patients after out of hospital cardiac arrest on survival and neurologic performance. ⋯ In-hospital low targeted temperature (<4 °C) improved short and long-term mortality when compared to no targeted temperature. In contrast, low T did not improve outcome compared with a slightly higher targeted temperature (≈ 36 °C).
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Review
Effects of PaCO2 derangements on clinical outcomes after cerebral injury: A systematic review.
Partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) is a major regulator of cerebral blood flow (CBF). Derangements in PaCO2 have been thought to worsen clinical outcomes after many forms of cerebral injury by altering CBF. Our aim was to systematically analyze the biomedical literature to determine the effects of PaCO2 derangements on clinical outcomes after cerebral injury. ⋯ The majority of studies in this report found exposure to hypocapnia and hypercapnia after cerebral injury to be associated with poor clinical outcome. However, the optimal PaCO2 range associated with good clinical outcome remains unclear.
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Emergency research is necessary to prevent exposure of patients to unvalidated clinical practice (nonmaleficence), and to improve the dismal prognosis of disorders requiring emergent treatment such as cardiac arrest (beneficence). Regulations that govern clinical research should conform to bioethical principles of respect for nonmaleficence, beneficence, autonomy, and justice. Our objectives are to review the evolution of European Union (EU) legislation on emergency research, and to identify potentially remaining problems. ⋯ Legislation related to emergency research in Europe has evolved to increase concordance with bioethical principles so as to increase evidence-based improvements in emergency care.
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The LUCAS 2 device stores technical data that documents the chest compression process. We analyzed chest wall dimensions and mechanics stored during chest compressions on humans using data gathered with the LUCAS 2 device. ⋯ There was a large variation of the required force to achieve a compression depth of 53 mm. No correlation was seen between chest height and maximum force required to compress the chest 53 mm.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Mortality and neurological outcome in the elderly after target temperature management for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
To assess older age as a prognostic factor in patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital-cardiac arrest (OHCA) and the interaction between age and level of target temperature management. ⋯ Increasing age is associated with significantly increased mortality after OHCA, but mortality rate is not influenced by level of target temperature. Risk of poor neurological outcome also increases with age, but is not modified by level of target temperature.