Resuscitation
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To systematically review the literature on advanced airway management during adult cardiac arrest in order to inform the International Liaison Committee of Resuscitation (ILCOR) consensus on science and treatment recommendations. ⋯ We identified a large number of studies related to advanced airway management in adult cardiac arrest. Three recently published, large randomized trials in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest will help to inform future guidelines. Trials of advanced airway management during in-hospital cardiac arrest are lacking.
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Review Meta Analysis
Is point-of-care ultrasound a reliable predictor of outcome during atraumatic, non-shockable cardiac arrest? A systematic review and meta-analysis from the SHoC Investigators.
To evaluate the accuracy of PoCUS in predicting return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival to hospital admission (SHA), and survival to hospital discharge (SHD) in adult non-traumatic, non-shockable out-of-hospital or emergency department cardiac arrest. ⋯ Cardiac activity on PoCUS was associated with improved odds for ROSC, SHA, and SHD in non-traumatic, non-shockable cardiac arrest. We report a lower sensitivity and higher negative likelihood ratio, but greater heterogeneity compared to previous systematic reviews. PoCUS may provide valuable information in the management of non-traumatic PEA or asystole, but should not be viewed as the sole predictor in determining outcomes.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of initial airway strategy on time to epinephrine administration in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Epinephrine and advanced airway management are commonly used during treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Recent studies suggest that early but not late administration of epinephrine is associated with improved survival. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of initial airway strategy on timing to the first epinephrine dose in OHCA. ⋯ There was no significant association between airway strategy and time to initial epinephrine administration. Earlier administration of epinephrine (< 10 min from EMS arrival) was associated with improved survival.
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Evidence of existing guidelines for the on-site triage of avalanche victims is limited and adherence suboptimal. This study attempted to find reliable cut-off values for the identification of hypothermic avalanche victims with reversible out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) at hospital admission. This may enable hospitals to allocate extracorporeal life support (ECLS) resources more appropriately while increasing the proportion of survivors among rewarmed victims. ⋯ For in-hospital triage of avalanche victims admitted with OHCA, serum potassium accurately predicts survival. The combination of the cut-offs 7 mmol/L for serum potassium and 30 °C for core temperature achieved the lowest overtriage rate (47%) and the highest positive predictive value (19%), with a sensitivity of 100% for survivors. The presence of vital signs at extrication is strongly associated with survival. For further optimisation of in-hospital triage, larger datasets are needed to include additional parameters.