Resuscitation
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Survival and recovery after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) varies between hospitals, with better outcomes associated with high-volume and specialty care. We evaluated if there is a similar relationship with organ donation after OHCA. ⋯ High volume centers are more likely to refer and procure transplantable organs from patients with non-survivable OHCA.
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Analyses of data recorded by monitor-defibrillators that measure CPR depth with different methods show significant relationships between the process and outcome of CPR. Our objective was to evaluate whether chest compression depth was significantly associated with outcome based on accelerometer-recordings obtained with monitor-defibrillators from a single manufacturer, and to assess whether an accelerometer-based analysis corroborated evidence-based practice guidelines on performance of CPR. ⋯ This analysis of patients with OHCA demonstrated that increased chest compression depth measured by accelerometer is associated with better survival. It confirms that current evidence-based recommendations to compress within 50-60 mm are likely associated with greater survival than compressing to another depth.
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Cardiac arrest (CA) survival has diverse psychosocial outcomes for both survivors and their close family, with little known regarding long-term adjustment and recovery experiences. We explored the psychological adjustment and experiential perspectives of survivors and families in the second year after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). ⋯ Survivors and their family members describe complex recovery journeys characterised by a range of psychosocial adjustment challenges, which are not adequately captured by common psychological measures. Post-arrest care systems are perceived by survivors and their families as inadequate due to a lack of accurate information regarding post-arrest sequalae, limited follow-up and inconsistent access to allied health care.
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This study aimed to examine whether socioeconomic differences exist in long-term outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). ⋯ Patients of high socioeconomic status had higher probability of long-term survival and return to work, and lower risk of anoxic brain damage/nursing home admission after OHCA compared to patients of low socioeconomic status.
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To describe neurological and functional outcomes among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients who survived to hospital discharge; to determine the association between neurological outcome at hospital discharge and 12-month survival. ⋯ Whilst overall survival is low, most survivors of OHCA have a good neurological outcome at hospital discharge and are alive at 12-months.