Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Feb 2024
Observational StudySurvival for Nonshockable Cardiac Arrests Treated With Noninvasive Circulatory Adjuncts and Head/Thorax Elevation.
Cardiac arrests remain a leading cause of death worldwide. Most patients have nonshockable electrocardiographic presentations (asystole/pulseless electrical activity). Despite well-performed basic and advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) interventions, patients with these presentations have always faced unlikely chances of survival. The primary objective was to determine if, in addition to conventional CPR (C-CPR), expeditious application of noninvasive circulation-enhancing adjuncts, and then gradual elevation of head and thorax, would be associated with higher likelihoods of survival following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with nonshockable presentations. ⋯ These findings indicate that, compared with C-CPR, there are strong associations between rapid AHUP-CPR treatment and greater likelihood of patient survival, as well as survival with good neurological function, in cases of nonshockable OHCA.
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Critical care medicine · Feb 2024
Editorial CommentPrediction of Post-ICU Impairments-Is It Possible?
Mr Thompson is a 58-year-old male, admitted to the intensive care unit with severe community acquired pneumonia following an overseas holiday. He has acute respiratory failure, requiring mechanical ventilation and haemodynamic supports. Prior to his ICU admission he worked in a corporate job, lived with his wife, was otherwise fit and healthy, and enjoyed cycling 10km to and from work. ⋯ He is tearful, anxious, and depressed about his health state. His wife is finding it difficult to help him. They are unsure of where to get support in the community, whether he will be able to return to work, and what to expect for his recovery.