Resuscitation
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Advanced Cardiac Life Support Courses: live actors do not improve training results compared with conventional manikins.
To determine whether using live actors to increase the reality of the scenario improves knowledge retention in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Courses. MAIN SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of age, time since graduation from nursing or medicine, sex, medical specialty, and workplace in knowledge retention. ⋯ The use of live actors did not affect knowledge retention in this group. Older age and a longer period since graduation were associated with the worst scores and the lowest levels of knowledge retention.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Role of dominant versus non-dominant hand position during uninterrupted chest compression CPR by novice rescuers: a randomized double-blind crossover study.
Previous research has suggested improved quality of chest compressions when the dominant hand was in contact with the sternum. However, the study was in health care professionals and during conventional chest compression-ventilation CPR. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis, in null form, that the quality of external chest compressions (ECC) in novice rescuers during 5min of uninterrupted chest compression CPR (UCC-CPR) is independent of the hand in contact with the sternum. Confirmation of the hypothesis would allow the use of either hand by the novice rescuers during UCC-CPR. ⋯ Although there is a trend to increased incidence of correct chest compressions with positioning the dominant hand in contact with the sternum, it does not reach statistical significance during UCC-CPR by the novice rescuers for 5 min.
-
Comparative Study
Miniaturized mechanical chest compressor: a new option for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
After cardiac arrest, uninterrupted chest compressions with restoration of myocardial blood flow facilitates restoration of spontaneous circulation. We recognized that this may best be accomplished with a mechanical device and especially so during transport. We therefore sought to develop a lightweight, portable chest compressor which may be carried on the belt or attached to the oxygen tank typically carried on the back of the first response rescuer. A miniaturized pneumatic chest compressor (MCC) weighing less than 2 kg was developed and compared with a currently marketed "Michigan Thumper", which weighed 19 kg. We hypothesized that the 2 kg, low profile, portable device will be as effective as the standard pneumatic Thumper for restoring circulation during CPR. ⋯ The low profile, 2 kg miniaturized chest compressor is as effective as the conventional Thumper in an experimental model of CPR.
-
To evaluate quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed during transport after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. ⋯ The fraction of time without chest compressions increased during transport of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. Every effort should therefore be made to stabilise patients on-scene before transport to hospital, but all transport with ongoing CPR is not futile.
-
To study factors associated with short-term and long-term survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest presenting with pulseless electrical activity (PEA). ⋯ The use of adrenaline during resuscitation was the only significant factor which was found to decrease the long-term survival. Among admitted patients, short delay to ROSC was the only factor associated with increased survival. Bystander-CPR and delays to the arrival of the FRU or to the initiation of ALS were not associated with survival. Therefore, it seems difficult to increase survival rates of PEA by improving the chain of survival. More effort should be put to education of the public to call for an ambulance before the cardiac arrest occurs.