Resuscitation
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The optimum duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) prior to first rescue shock is unknown. Clinical trials have used 90 and 180 s. Neither of these durations may be optimal. We sought to determine the optimum duration of CPR prior to first defibrillation attempt and whether this varied depending on the duration of ventricular fibrillation (VF). In this porcine model of basic life support, our outcomes were rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival, and coronary perfusion pressure (CPP). ⋯ ROSC and survival were equivalent regardless of VF duration and CPR duration. When CPR begins late, CPPs are low, stressing the importance of early CPR. We do not recommend 300 s of CPR unless a defibrillator is unavailable.
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We tested the hypothesis that the frequency of shock success differs between initial and recurrent episodes of ventricular fibrillation (VF). ⋯ We observed no significant difference in the frequency of shock success between initial and recurrent episodes of VF using this AED with a 150 J fixed-energy protocol. VF recurrence is common and does not adversely affect shock success, ROSC or survival.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of two intraosseous infusion systems for adult emergency medical use.
The current guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) stipulate that an intraosseous access should be placed if establishing a peripheral venous access for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) would involve delays. The aim of this study was therefore to compare a manual intraosseous infusion technique (MAN-IO) and a semi-automatic intraosseous infusion system (EZ-IO) using adult human cadavers as a model. ⋯ In an adult human cadaver model, the semi-automatic system was proven to be more effective. The EZ-IO gave more successful results, was associated with fewer technical complications, and is user friendlier.