Resuscitation
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Consensus on Science and Treatment recommendations aim to balance the benefits of early resuscitation with the potential for harm to care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chest compressions and cardiopulmonary resuscitation have the potential to generate aerosols. ⋯ Lay rescuers who are willing, trained and able to do so, should consider providing rescue breaths to infants and children in addition to chest compressions. Healthcare professionals should use personal protective equipment for aerosol generating procedures during resuscitation and may consider defibrillation before donning personal protective equipment for aerosol generating procedures.
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The role of the right ventricle (RV) in pulseless electrical activity (PEA) is poorly defined outside of pulmonary embolism. We aimed to (1) describe the continuous electrocardiographic (ECG) manifestations of RV strain (RVS) preceding PEA/Asystole in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA), and (2) determine the prevalence and clinical causes of RVS in PEA/Asystole IHCA. ⋯ RVS continuous ECG pattern preceded 47% of PEA/Asystole IHCA and is predictive of a respiratory cause of cardiac arrest, not just pulmonary embolism. These suggest that rapid elevations in pulmonary pressures and resultant RV failure may cause PEA in respiratory failure.
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Ventricular fibrillation (VF) waveform analyses are considered a reliable proxy for OHCA characteristics in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), but patient characteristics such as cardiovascular medication use might also be associated with changes in VF waveform measures. ⋯ It is unlikely that there is a strong and clinically relevant independent pharmacologic effect of cardiovascular medication use on AMSA. In OHCA, AMSA might be used as patient management tool without considering cardiovascular medication use.
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Neurological status following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is commonly assessed using measures such as the Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) at hospital discharge. However, it remains unclear if these measures accurately reflect long-term neurological status after discharge. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the association between post-arrest neurological outcome scores at hospital discharge and long-term (>6 months) neurological outcome scores. ⋯ Long-term neurological outcome scores following OHCA were consistent with short-term outcome at hospital discharge or 30 days post-arrest. All included studies measured neurological outcome using CPC, further studies are needed using other standards to better elucidate patient-centered long-term neurological outcome.
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Observational Study
In-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes among patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in Wuhan, China.
To describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients with severe COVID-19 and in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in Wuhan, China. ⋯ Survival of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia who had an in-hospital cardiac arrest was poor in Wuhan.