Resuscitation
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Successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest depends on provision of adequate blood flow to vital organs generated by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Measurement of end-tidal expiratory pressure of carbon dioxide (ETCO2) using capnography provides a noninvasive estimate of cardiac output and organ perfusion during cardiac arrest and can therefore be used to monitor the quality of CPR and predict return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). In clinical observational studies, mean ETCO2 levels in patients with ROSC are higher than those in patients with no ROSC. ⋯ Finally, detection of CO2 in exhaled air following intubation is the most specific criterion for confirming endotracheal tube placement during CPR. The aetiology of cardiac arrest, variations in ventilation patterns during CPR, and the effects of drugs such as adrenaline or sodium bicarbonate administered as a bolus may significantly affect ETCO2 levels and its clinical significance. While identifying ETCO2 as a useful monitoring tool during resuscitation, current guidelines for advanced life support recommend against using ETCO2 values in isolation for decision making in cardiac arrestmanagement.
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Resuscitation on in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) is estimated to occur in 200,000 hospitalised patients annually in the US. The duration of the resuscitation attempt, measured as minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and its impact on survival remains unknown. ⋯ Resuscitation attempts on IHCA are often short and duration of CPR is associated with 30-day survival among those with ROSC. Still, the 30-day survival is high enough to question the use of CPR duration as a prognostic marker in post-resuscitation care, and ideal duration of resuscitation should remain a bedside decision taking into consideration the whole clinical picture.
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Resuscitation of refractory out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT) cardiac arrest using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) establishes a complex patient population. We aimed to describe the critical care strategies and outcomes in this population. ⋯ Multi-system organ failure is ubiquitous but treatable with adequate hemodynamic support. Neurologic recovery was prolonged requiring delayed prognostication. Immediate 24/7 availability of surgical and medical specialty expertise was required to achieve 48% functionally intact survival.
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Review Meta Analysis
Gray matter to white matter ratio for predicting neurological outcomes in patients treated with target temperature management after cardiac arrest: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic accuracy of the gray matter to white matter ratio (GWR) in predicting neurological outcomes in post-cardiac arrest patients treated with target temperature management. ⋯ GWR in the early cranial computed tomography scan had high prognostic value in predicting poor neurological outcomes in post-cardiac arrest patients. The BG GWR had the highest prognostic accuracy when compared to other locations of the brain.
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Review Meta Analysis
One-year survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
In-hospital cardiac arrest is a major adverse event with an incidence of 1-6/1000 admissions. It has been poorly researched and data on survival is limited. The outcome of interest in IHCA research is predominantly survival to discharge, however recent guidelines warrant for more long-term outcomes. In this systematic review we sought to quantitatively summarize one-year survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest. ⋯ One-year survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest is poor. Survival is higher in patients admitted to cardiac wards. The time trend between 1985-2018 has shown a modest improvement in one-year survival rates. Research into IHCA population characteristics might elicit the issue of heterogeneity and stagnated survival over the past decades.