Resuscitation
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Use of smart devices to provide real-time cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) feedback in the context of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has considerable potential for improving survival. However, the findings of previous studies evaluating the effectiveness of these devices have been conflicting. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of the literature to assess the utility of smart devices for improving the quality of CPR during CPR training. ⋯ This review does not find durable evidence for usefulness of smart devices in CPR training. However, the smartwatches may improve the accuracy of chest compression depth. Future studies with larger sample sizes might be necessary before reaching a firm conclusion.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Basic life support training using shared mental models improves team performance of first responders on normal wards: a randomised controlled simulation trial.
Survival of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) depends on fast and effective action of the first responding team. Not only technical skills, but professional teamwork is required. Observational studies and theoretical models suggest that shared mental models of members improve teamwork. This study investigated if a training on shared mental models, improves team performance in simulated in-hospital cardiac arrest. ⋯ BLS training for clinical staff which creates shared mental models reduces hands-off time in a simulated cardiac arrest scenario. Training methods establishing shared mental models of team members can be considered for effective team trainings without adding additional training time.
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Patients presenting with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) and cardiac arrest before surgery are considered to have very poor prognosis, but limited data is available. We used a large database to evaluate the outcome of ATAAD patients with a cardiac arrest before surgery. ⋯ Early mortality and complications after ATAAD surgery in patients with a preoperative cardiac arrest are high, but mid-term outcome after surviving the initial period is acceptable. Preoperative cardiac arrest should not be considered an absolute contraindication for a surgical ATAAD repair.
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Little is known about the long-term trends in the incidence and outcomes of drug overdose out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA). ⋯ Although the incidence of drug overdose OHCA remained unchanged between 2000 and 2017, the rates of survival have significantly improved.
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Comparative Study
A Local Neighborhood Volunteer Network Improves Response Times for Simulated Cardiac Arrest.
Each minute is crucial in the treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (CA). Immediate chest compressions and early defibrillation are keys to good outcomes. We hypothesized that a coordinated effort of alerting trained local neighborhood volunteers (vols) simultaneously with 911 activation of professional EMS providers would result in substantial decreases in call-to-arrival times, leading to earlier CPR and defibrillation. ⋯ Local neighborhood volunteers were geographically closer and arrived significantly sooner at the mock CA scene than did the EMS service. The approximate time savings from call to arrival with the volunteers was 4-6 min.