Resuscitation
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Early bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been associated with better patient outcomes in cardiac arrest. Despite this, not all cases of cardiac arrest receive bystander intervention. Reasons for this gap include disparities in provision of bystander CPR between race, gender and age groups. Concern of legal liability for responders has also been described. We propose that bystanders are more likely to face litigation for lack of intervention compared to providing bystander CPR due to the presence of 'Good Samaritan' statutes in all 50 states. This review of the legal literature seeks to quantify the number of cases brought against bystanders in the US over the past 30 years and explore the reasons behind them. ⋯ This study represents the largest single study of legal cases involving bystander CPR in the medical literature. The likelihood of litigation is significantly higher in cases with bystander CPR absent or delayed. The authors propose the inclusion of this data and reiteration of 'Good Samaritan' statutes in all 50 states during CPR training to reassure and encourage public response to cardiac arrests.
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Ventricular fibrillation (VF) waveform analyses are considered a reliable proxy for OHCA characteristics in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), but patient characteristics such as cardiovascular medication use might also be associated with changes in VF waveform measures. ⋯ It is unlikely that there is a strong and clinically relevant independent pharmacologic effect of cardiovascular medication use on AMSA. In OHCA, AMSA might be used as patient management tool without considering cardiovascular medication use.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in zone I versus zone III in a porcine model of non-traumatic cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A randomized study.
Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in zone I increases systemic blood pressure during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), while also obstructing the blood flow to distal organs. The aim of the study was to compare the effects on systemic blood pressure and visceral blood flow of REBOA-III (zone III, infrarenal) and REBOA-I (zone I, supraceliac) during non-traumatic cardiac arrest and CPR. ⋯ In experimental non-traumatic cardiac arrest and CPR, REBOA-I increased systemic blood pressures more than REBOA-III, and the potential enhancement of visceral organ blood flow by REBOA-III was short-lived.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The influence of prolonged temperature management on acute kidney injury after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A post-hoc analysis of the TTH48 trial.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common after cardiac arrest and targeted temperature management (TTM). The impact of different lengths of cooling on the development of AKI has not been well studied. In this study of patients included in a randomised controlled trial of TTM at 33 °C for 24 versus 48 h after cardiac arrest (TTH48 trial), we examined the influence of prolonged TTM on AKI and the incidence and factors associated with the development of AKI. We also examined the impact of AKI on survival. ⋯ We did not find any association between prolonged TTM at 33 °C and the risk of AKI during the first seven days in the ICU. AKI is prevalent after cardiac arrest and TTM and occurs in almost half of all ICU admitted patients and more commonly in the elderly, with an increasing BMI and longer arrest duration. AKI after cardiac arrest is an independent predictor of time to death.
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To explore the value of electroencephalogram (EEG) pattern in predicting awakening of comatose patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). ⋯ The slow wave pattern of EEG had a good predictive value for awakening in comatose patients after CPR, and the highest accuracy occurred within 8-14 days from coma.