Resuscitation
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Multicenter Study
Development and validation of early prediction for neurological outcome at 90 days after return of spontaneous circulation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
To develop and validate a model for the early prediction of long-term neurological outcome in patients with non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). ⋯ The prediction tool containing detailed in-hospital information showed good performance for predicting neurological outcome at 90 days immediately after ROSC in patients with OHCA.
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Genetics of sudden cardiac deaths (SCD) remains frequently undetected. Genetic analysis is recommended in undefined selected cases in the 2021 ERC-guideline. The emergency medical service and physicians (EMS) may play a pivotal role for unraveling SCD by saving biomaterial for later molecular autopsy. Since for high-throughput DNA-sequencing (NGS) high quality genomic DNA is needed. We investigated in a prospective proof-of-concept study the role of the EMS for the identification of genetic forms of SCDs in the young. ⋯ The EMS contributes especially in fatal OHCA-cases to increase the yield of identified genetic conditions by collecting a blood sample on scene. Thus, the EMS can contribute significantly to primary and secondary prophylaxis in affected families.
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Multicenter Study
The effect of the localisation of an underlying ST-elevation myocardial infarction on the VF-waveform: A multi-centre cardiac arrest study.
In cardiac arrest, ventricular fibrillation (VF) waveform characteristics such as amplitude spectrum area (AMSA) are studied to identify an underlying myocardial infarction (MI). Observational studies report lower AMSA-values in patients with than without underlying MI. Moreover, experimental studies with 12-lead ECG-recordings show lowest VF-characteristics when the MI-localisation matches the ECG-recording direction. However, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA)-studies with defibrillator-derived VF-recordings are lacking. ⋯ This multi-centre VF-waveform OHCA-study showed significantly lower AMSA in case of underlying STEMI, with a more pronounced difference for inferior than for anterior STEMI. Confirmative studies on the impact of STEMI-localisation on the VF-waveform are warranted, and might contribute to earlier diagnosis of STEMI during VF.
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A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is recommended to diagnose a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In the early post-ROSC phase, the ECG can show signs of ischemia not necessarily of coronary origin and post-ROSC hypoperfusion could affect ECG reliability. We sought for an association between peripheral perfusion index (PI) values after ROSC and the percentage of false-positive ECG for STEMI. ⋯ The rate of false-positive ECG for STEMI after ROSC is related with low perfusion. Our results could help to identify the adequate candidates for an immediate ICA.
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Emergency research is challenging to do well as it involves time sensitive interventions in unstable patients. There is limited time to obtain informed consent from the patient or their legally authorized representative (LAR). Such research is permitted under exception from informed consent (EFIC) if specific criteria are met, including notification after enrollment. Some question whether the risks of EFIC outweighs its benefits. To date, there is limited empiric information about time to notification (TTN) and rates of withdrawal in such trials. ⋯ There is large variation in TTN in trials conducted under EFIC for emergency research. This may be due to several factors. It may or may not be modifiable. Overall rates of withdrawal are low, which suggests current practices related to EFIC are acceptable to those who have participated in emergency research.