Resuscitation
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The availability of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR), for use in refractory out-of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), is increasing. In parallel, some countries have developed uncontrolled donation after circulatory determination of death (uDCDD) programs using ECMO to preserve organs for transplantation purposes. ⋯ In order to avoid the fatal error of letting a saveable patient die, safeguards are necessary. We recommend: (1) the development of internationally accepted termination of resuscitation guidelines that would have to be satisfied prior to inclusion of patients in any uDCDD protocol, (2) the choice regarding modalities of ongoing resuscitation during transfer should be focused on the primary priority of attempting to save the life of patients, (3) only centers of excellence in life-saving resuscitation should initiate or maintain uDCDD programs, (4) E-CPR should be clinically considered first before the initiation of any uDCDD protocol, and (5) there should be no discrimination in the availability of access to E-CPR.
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Review Meta Analysis
Patients without ST elevation after return of spontaneous circulation may benefit from emergent percutaneous intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The American Heart Association recommends that post-arrest patients with evidence of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) on electrocardiogram (ECG) be emergently taken to the catheterization lab for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, recommendations regarding the utility of emergent PCI for patients without ST elevation are less specific. This review examined the literature on the utility of PCI in post-arrest patients without ST elevation compared to patients with STEMI. ⋯ The results of this systematic review demonstrate that nearly one third of patients who have been successfully resuscitated from cardiopulmonary arrest without ST elevation on ECG have an acute lesion that would benefit from emergent percutaneous coronary intervention.
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Review Comparative Study
Comparing the Effect of Self-instruction with That of Traditional Instruction in Basic Life Support Courses- A Systematic Review.
The efficacy of learning basic life support (BLS) through self-instruction is not clearly understood. The aim of our review was to compare the effect of self-instruction with that of traditional instruction on learners taking BLS courses. ⋯ Although it remains inconclusive about which is superior between the two methods, considering the potential to train many more rescuers and to reduce resource utilization, well-designed self-instruction with hands-on practice may be an alternative to traditional BLS courses.
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We aimed to determine the benefit of an expanded use of TH. We also described the impact of a targeted temperature management on outcomes at discharge. ⋯ The use of TH after OHCA is associated with a survival and neuroprotective benefit, even when including patients with non-shockable rhythms, more lenient downtimes, unwitnessed arrest and/or persistent shock. We found no evidence to support one specific temperature over another during hypothermia.
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To identify reports of patients who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) prior to solid organ donation and compare recipient and organ function outcomes to those that did not undergo CPR. Donation after restoration of circulation then progressing to death and those donating with on-going CPR who would have otherwise have termination of efforts were both included. ⋯ CPR does not appear to adversely affect graft function. Patients who have restored circulation after resuscitation and subsequently progress to death should be evaluated for organ donation. Those with on-going CPR should be considered for hepatic and renal transplantation but there may be worse initial graft function.