Resuscitation
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Case Reports
When an AED meets an ICD... Automated external defibrillator. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
The chances of prehospital care providers being confronted with a patient with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) are increasing and so care providers must receive proper training. Based on observations made during the resuscitation of a patient with an ICD using an automated external defibrillator (AED) some technical features and possible interactions of ICDs and AEDs are highlighted. Furthermore, we discuss the key points of basic knowledge, safety, and treatment protocols for cardiac arrest and other situations required for practical training in the ICD for prehospital care providers.
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This prospective study assesses the role of the hospital cardiac arrest team. We have determined who is responsible for return of spontaneous circulation in those patients who survive to discharge. A total of 83 adult patients were analysed over a 5 month period. ⋯ Two patients had circulation restored in the emergency department by the arrest team and none survived to discharge. All the survivors to hospital discharge had first responder return of spontaneous circulation. We suggest a revised role for the cardiac arrest team.
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The purpose of this study was to describe the life of survivors after successful resuscitation and to see if there was an association with the type of emergency cardiac care. The 'Utstein-style' data of patients surviving non-traumatic cardiac arrest 24 (14-32) months were prospectively collected. The everyday activities and psychological concerns of patients with a cerebral performance category (CPC) of 1 and 2 using a questionnaire were analyzed. ⋯ The majority of cardiac arrest survivors have a satisfactory life. No significant correlation between the type of emergency cardiac care and post cardiac arrest life was found. The fact that there was no association with the type of emergency cardiac care may be due to the narrow selection of patients (CPC 1 and 2), the small number of patients or factors contributing to post cardiac arrest life other than emergency treatment.
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This study sought to determine the influence of resuscitative procedures, such as chest compressions and external defibrillation, on the release of creatine kinase (CK)-MB and cardiac troponin T (cTnT). ⋯ The release of CK-MB appears to be influenced by the duration of resuscitation and the presence of cardiogenic shock. This has to be considered when interpreting serum CK-MB concentrations after CPR. The release of cTnT seems to be only associated with acute myocardial infarction, but not with the duration of chest compressions, or with the number of defibrillations administered.