Resuscitation
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This study aimed at evaluating (I) the impact of different intra-arrest hypothermia levels on the expression of selected cytokines and (II) their prognostic value for 9-day survival. ⋯ The systemic inflammatory response syndrome after cardiac arrest was reflected by a remarkable increase of plasma IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels. Intra-arrest hypothermia levels did not influence the expression of selected cytokines. As prognostic marker for survival IL-10 was identified with decreasing mRNA levels during cardiac arrest in survivors.
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Comparative Study
Evaluation of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program's recommended chest compression depth using computerized tomography imaging.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) guidelines recommend chest compression depths of 1/3 the anterior-posterior (AP) chest depth. Appropriateness of this recommendation has not been rigorously assessed. ⋯ Mathematical modeling based upon neonatal chest CT scan dimensions suggests that current NRP chest compression recommendations of 1/3 AP chest depth should be more effective than 1/4 compression depth, and safer than 1/2 AP compression depth.
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National leaders have suggested that patients with an out of hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) may benefit from transport to specialized hospitals. We sought to assess the survival of OOHCA patients by transport distance and hospital proximity. ⋯ Survival to discharge was higher in OOHCA patients taken to hospitals located further than the closest hospital while transport distance was not associated with survival. This suggests that longer transport distance/time might not adversely affect outcome. Further studies are needed to inform policy decisions regarding best destination post-cardiac arrest.