Articles: cardiac-arrest.
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In Japan, about 60,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests of cardiac etiology occur annually. Early initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation with public access automated external defibrillators (AEDs) by bystanders is the key to increasing survival after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Japanese data shows that nationwide dissemination of public access AEDs actually increases the rate of survival with a good neurological outcome after OHCA. ⋯ In addition, educational activities and practical programs should be introduced in the community setting. Recently, many reports, including by the Utstein Osaka Project, have showed that chest compression-only CPR is as effective as conventional CPR with rescue breathing. To save more lives, we should encourage the widespread practice of CPR by widely diffusing AEDs and simplified chest compression-only CPR training.
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World J Crit Care Med · Feb 2012
Post-cardiac arrest syndrome: Mechanisms and evaluation of adrenal insufficiency.
Cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death and represents maximal stress in humans. After restoration of spontaneous circulation, post-cardiac arrest syndrome is the predominant disorder in survivors. ⋯ We performed a comprehensive search of three medical databases in order to describe the major pathophysiological disturbances which are responsible for the occurrence of the disorder. Based on the available evidence, this article will help physicians to better evaluate and understand the hidden yet deadly post-cardiac arrest adrenal insufficiency.
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Induction of hypothermia (a 4 °C decrease from baseline) improves outcomes in adult cardiac arrest and neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and may benefit other conditions as well. Methods used to implement or prevent hypothermia typically require skin contact with blankets or pads or intravascular access with catheter devices. The study was to evaluate the potential to induce mild therapeutic hypothermia via an esophageal route in a porcine model. ⋯ A prototype of an esophageal cooling device induced hypothermia effectively in a large single-swine model.
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Indian J Crit Care Med · Jan 2012
Asystole during pulmonary artery catheter insertion under general anesthesia.
In spite of ongoing debate for the past 40 years, pulmonary artery catheters remain in use for invasive hemodynamic monitoring and management of critically ill patients. We describe a case of a sudden onset of asystolic cardiac arrest during the placement of a pulmonary artery catheter, while under general anesthesia. A brief review of the literature highlighting arrhythmic complications associated with pulmonary artery catheterization is also presented.