Resuscitation
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Studies of outcome differences by sex in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have produced mixed results that may depend on age, a potential surrogate for menopausal status. ⋯ Women <55 years were more likely to survive than men <55 years following VF-OHCA. The biologic mechanism represented by VF waveform mediated some, though not all, of the outcome difference.
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A significant focus of post-resuscitation research over the last decade has included optimising oxygenation. This has primarily occurred due to an improved understanding of the possible harmful biological effects of high oxygenation, particularly the neurotoxicity of oxygen free radicals. Animal studies and some observational research in humans suggest harm with the occurrence of severe hyperoxaemia (PaO2 > 300 mmHg) in the post-resuscitation phase. ⋯ The EXACT RCT suggested that decreasing oxygen fraction post-resuscitation in the prehospital setting, with limited ability to titrate and measure oxygenation, is too soon. The BOX RCT, suggests delaying titration to a normal level in intensive care may be too late. While further RCTs are currently underway in ICU cohorts, titration of oxygen early after arrival at hospital should be considered.
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Review Meta Analysis
Blood pressure targets and management during post-cardiac arrest care.
Blood pressure is one modifiable physiological target in patients treated in the intensive care unit after cardiac arrest. Current Guidelines recommend targeting a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of higher than 65-70 mmHg using fluid resuscitation and the use of vasopressors. Management strategies will vary based in the setting, i.e. the pre-hospital compared to the in-hospital phase. ⋯ On the other hand, this analysis also suggests, that the likelihood of harm with a higher MAP target is also low. Noteworthy is that all studies to date have focused mainly on patients with a cardiac cause of the arrest with the majority of patients being resuscitated from a shockable initial rhythm. Future studies should aim to include also non-cardiac causes and aim to target a wider separation in MAP between groups.
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Multicenter Study
CPR Quality and Outcomes After Extracorporeal Life Support for Pediatric In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.
To determine outcomes in pediatric patients who had an in-hospital cardiac arrest and subsequently received extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). Our secondary objective was to identify cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) event characteristics and CPR quality metrics associated with survival after ECPR. ⋯ In this multicenter retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients who received ECPR for IHCA we found a high rate of survival to ICU discharge with good neurologic outcome.