Resuscitation
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Review Meta Analysis
Advanced life support versus basic life support in the pre-hospital setting: a meta-analysis.
The scientific evidence of a beneficial effect of ALS in pre-hospital treatment in trauma patients or patients with any acute illness is scarce. The objective of this systematic review of controlled studies was to examine whether ALS, as opposed to BLS, increases patient survival in pre-hospital treatment and if so, to identify the patient groups that gain benefit. ⋯ Implementation of ALS care to non-traumatic cardiac arrest patients can increase survival and further research is unlikely to change our confidence in the estimate of the effect. On the contrary, in trauma patients our meta-analysis revealed that ALS care is not associated with increased survival. However, only few controlled studies of sufficient quality and strength examining survival with pre-hospital ALS treatment exist.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Effect of adrenaline on survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
There is little evidence from clinical trials that the use of adrenaline (epinephrine) in treating cardiac arrest improves survival, despite adrenaline being considered standard of care for many decades. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of adrenaline on patient survival to hospital discharge in out of hospital cardiac arrest. ⋯ Patients receiving adrenaline during cardiac arrest had no statistically significant improvement in the primary outcome of survival to hospital discharge although there was a significantly improved likelihood of achieving ROSC.
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Comparative Study
Strong and weak aspects of an established post-resuscitation treatment protocol-A five-year observational study.
Favourable hospital survival increased from 26% to 56% in the implementation phase of a new standard operating procedure (SOP) for treatment after out-of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in 2003. We now evaluate protocol adherence and survival rates after five years with this established SOP. ⋯ The previously reported doubling in survival rate remained throughout a five-year study period. Establishing reliable indication for emergency coronary angiography and interventions and validating prognostication rules in the hypothermia era are important challenges for future studies.
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Multicenter Study
Systolic blood pressure below 110 mm Hg is associated with increased mortality in blunt major trauma patients: multicentre cohort study.
Non-invasive systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurement is often used in triaging trauma patients. Traditionally, SBP< 90 mm Hg has represented the threshold for hypotension, but recent studies have suggested redefining hypotension as SBP < 110 mm Hg. This study aims to examine the association of SBP with mortality in blunt trauma patients. ⋯ We recommend triaging adult blunt trauma patients with a SBP< 110 mm Hg to resuscitation areas within dedicated trauma units for close monitoring and appropriate management.