Project description:We aimed to investigate the impact of mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation devices over manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation on outcomes from inhospital cardiac arrests. Design:Restrospective review. Setting:Single academic medical center. Participants:Data were collected on all patients who suffered cardiac arrest from December 2015 to November 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures:Primary end point was return of spontaneous circulation. Secondary end points included survival to discharge and survival to discharge with favorable neurologic outcomes. Results:About 104 patients were included in the study: 59 patients received mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation and 45 patients received manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation during the enrollment period. Return of spontaneous circulation rate was 83% in the mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation group versus 48.8% in the manual group (p = 0.009). Survival-to-discharge rate was 32.2% in the mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation group versus 11.1% in those who received manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (p = 0.02). Of the patients who survived to discharge and received mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 100% (n = 19) had a favorable neurologic outcome versus 40% (two out of five) of patients who survived and received manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (p = 0.005). Conclusions:Our findings demonstrate a significant association of improved outcomes with mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation over manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation during inhospital cardiac arrests. Mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation may improve rates of return of spontaneous circulation, survival to discharge, and favorable neurologic outcomes.
Project description:ObjectiveVentricular unloading is associated with myocardial recovery. We sought to evaluate the association of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) on myocardial function after cardiac arrest. We conducted a retrospective exploratory analysis, comparing ejection fraction (EF) after adult cardiac arrest, between ECPR and conventional CPR.ResultsAmong 1119 cases of cardiac arrest, 116 had an echocardiogram post-return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and were included. Thirty-eight patients had ≥ 2 echocardiograms. ECPR patients had differences in age, hypertension and chronic heart failure. ECPR patients had a lower EF post-ROSC (24% vs 45%; p < 0.01) and were more likely to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (25% vs 3%; p < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, only ECPR use (β-coeff: 10.4 [95% CI 3.68-17.13]; p < 0.01) independently predicted improved myocardial function. In this exploratory study, EF after cardiac arrest may be more likely to improve among ECPR patients than CCPR patients. Our methodology should be replicated to confirm or refute the validity of our findings.
Project description:Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is a salvage procedure in which extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is initiated emergently on patients who have had cardiac arrest (CA) and on whom the conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CCPR) has failed. Awareness and usage of ECPR are increasing all over the world. Significant advancements have taken place in the ECPR initiation techniques, in its device and in its post-procedure care. ECPR is a team work requiring multidisciplinary experts, highly skilled health care workers and adequate infrastructure with appropriate devices. Perfect coordination and communication among team members play a vital role in the outcome of the ECPR patients. Ethical, legal and financial issues need to be considered before initiation of ECPR and while withdrawing the support when the ECPR is futile. Numerous studies about ECPR are being published more frequently in the last few years. Hence, keeping updated about the ECPR is very important for proper selection of cases and its management. This article reviews various aspects of ECPR and relevant literature to date.
Project description:Bystander cardiopulmonary dresuscitation (CPR) improves the survival and neurological outcomes of sudden cardiac arrest patients. The rate of bystander CPR is increasing; however, its performance quality has not been evaluated in detail. In this study, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in the field evaluated bystander CPR quality, and we aimed to investigate the association between bystander information and CPR quality. This retrospective cohort study was based on data included in the Smart Advanced Life Support (SALS) registry between January 2016 and December 2017. We included patients older than 18 years who experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) due to medical causes. Bystander CPR quality was judged to be "high" when the hand positions were appropriate and when compression rates of at least 100/min and compression depths of at least 5?cm were achieved. Among 6,769 eligible patients, 3,799 (58.7%) received bystander CPR, and 6% of bystanders performed high-quality CPR. After adjustment, the occurrence of cardiac arrest at home (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 95% confidence interval (CI); 0.42, 0.27-0.64), witnessed cardiac arrest (1.45, 1.03-2.06), and younger bystander age all showed associations with one another. High-quality CPR led to a 4.29-fold increase in the chance of neurological recovery. In particular, high-quality CPR in patients aged 60 years showed a significant association compared with other age groups (7.61, 1.41-41.04). The main factor affecting CPR quality in this study was the age of the bystander, and older bystanders found it more difficult to maintain CPR quality. To improve the quality of bystander CPR, training among older bystanders should be the focus.
Project description:IntroductionEarly defibrillation is an important factor of survival in cardiac arrest. However, novice resuscitators often struggle with cardiac arrest patients. We investigated factors leading to delayed defibrillation performed by final-year medical students within a simulated bystander cardiac arrest situation.MethodsFinal-year medical students received a refresher lecture and basic life support training before being confronted with a simulated cardiac arrest situation in a simulation ambulance. The scenario was analyzed for factors leading to delayed defibrillation. We compared the time intervals the participants needed for various measures with a benchmark set by experienced resuscitators. After training, the participants were interviewed regarding challenges and thoughts during the scenario.ResultsThe median time needed for defibrillation was 158 s (n = 49, interquartile range: 107-270 s), more than six-fold of the benchmark time. The major part of total defibrillation time (49%; median, n = 49) was between onset of ventricular fibrillation and beginning to prepare the defibrillator, more specifically the time between end of preparation of the defibrillator and actual delivery of the shock, with a mean proportion of 26% (n = 49, SD = 17%) of the overall time needed for defibrillation (maximum 67%). Self-reported reasons for this delay included uncertainty about the next step to take, as reported by 73% of the participants. A total of 35% were unsure about which algorithm to follow. Diagnosing the patient was subjectively difficult for 35% of the participants. Overall, 53% of the participants felt generally confused.ConclusionsOur study shows that novice resuscitators rarely achieve guideline-recommended defibrillation times. The most relative delays were observed when participants had to choose what to do next or which algorithm to follow, and thus i.e. performed extensive airway management before a life-saving defibrillation. Our data provides a first insight in the process of defibrillation delay and can be used to generate new hypotheses on how to provide a timely defibrillation.
Project description:ObjectivesA recently published simulation study suggested that women are inferior leaders of cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts. The aim of this study was to compare female and male code leaders in regard to cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcomes in a real-world clinical setting.DesignRetrospective cohort review.SettingTwo academic, urban hospitals in San Diego, California.SubjectsOne-thousand eighty-two adult inpatients who suffered cardiac arrest and underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation.InterventionsNone.Measurements and main resultsWe analyzed whether physician code leader gender was independently associated with sustained return of spontaneous circulation and survival to discharge and with markers of quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Of all arrests, 327 (30.1%) were run by female physician code leaders with 251 (76.8%) obtaining return of spontaneous circulation, and 122 (37.3%) surviving to discharge. Male physicians ran 757 codes obtaining return of spontaneous circulation in 543 (71.7%) with 226 (29.9%) surviving to discharge. When adjusting for variables, female physician code leader gender was independently associated with a higher likelihood of return of spontaneous circulation (odds ratio, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.01-1.85; p = 0.049) and survival to discharge (odds ratio, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.15-2.02; p < 0.01). Additionally, the odds ratio for survival to discharge was 1.62 (95% CI, 1.13-2.34; p < 0.01) for female physicians with a female code nurse when compared with male physician code leaders paired with a female code nurse. Gender of code leader was not associated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality.ConclusionsIn contrast to data derived from a simulated setting with medical students, real life female physician leadership of cardiopulmonary resuscitation is not associated with inferior outcomes. Appropriately, trained physicians can lead high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation irrespective of gender.
Project description:Survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has remained low despite advances in resuscitation science. Hospital-based extra-corporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is a novel use of an established technology that provides greater blood flow and oxygen delivery during cardiac arrest than closed chest compressions. Hospital-based ECPR is currently offered to selected OHCA patients in specialized centres. The interval between collapse and restoration of circulation is inversely associated with good clinical outcomes after ECPR. Pre-hospital delivery of ECPR concurrent with conventional resuscitation is one approach to shortening this interval and improving outcomes after OHCA. This article examines the background and rationale for pre-hospital ECPR; summarises the findings of a literature search for published evidence; and considers candidate selection, logistics, and complications for this complex intervention.
Project description:Approximately, 10-20% of newborns require breathing assistance at birth, which remains the cornerstone of neonatal resuscitation. Fortunately, the need for chest compression (CC) or medications in the delivery room (DR) is rare. About 0.1% of term infants and up to 15% of preterm infants receive these interventions, this will result in approximately one million newborn deaths annually worldwide. In addition, CC or medications (epinephrine) are more frequent in the preterm population (~15%) due to birth asphyxia. A recent study reported that only 6 per 10,000 infants received epinephrine in the DR. Further, the study reported that infants receiving epinephrine during resuscitation had a high incidence of mortality (41%) and short-term neurologic morbidity (57% hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and seizures). A recent review of newborns who received prolonged CC and epinephrine but had no signs of life at 10 min following birth noted 83% mortality, with 93% of survivors suffering moderate-to-severe disability. The poor prognosis associated with receiving CC alone or with medications in the DR raises questions as to whether improved cardiopulmonary resuscitation methods specifically tailored to the newborn could improve outcomes.
Project description:After cardiac arrest a combination of basic and advanced airway and ventilation techniques are used during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and after a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The optimal combination of airway techniques, oxygenation and ventilation is uncertain. Current guidelines are based predominantly on evidence from observational studies and expert consensus; recent and ongoing randomised controlled trials should provide further information. This narrative review describes the current evidence, including the relative roles of basic and advanced (supraglottic airways and tracheal intubation) airways, oxygenation and ventilation targets during CPR and after ROSC in adults. Current evidence supports a stepwise approach to airway management based on patient factors, rescuer skills and the stage of resuscitation. During CPR, rescuers should provide the maximum feasible inspired oxygen and use waveform capnography once an advanced airway is in place. After ROSC, rescuers should titrate inspired oxygen and ventilation to achieve normal oxygen and carbon dioxide targets.
Project description:This study seeks to identify factors that are associated with decisions of prehospital physicians to start (continue, if ongoing) or withhold (terminate, if ongoing) CPR in patients with OHCA. We conducted a retrospective study using anonymised data from a prehospital physician response system. Data on patients attended for cardiac arrest between January 1st, 2010 and December 31st, 2018 except babies at birth were included. Logistic regression analysis with start of CPR by physicians as the dependent variable and possible associated factors as independent variables adjusted for anonymised physician identifiers was conducted. 1525 patient data sets were analysed. Obvious signs of death were present in 278 cases; in the remaining 1247, resuscitation was attempted in 920 (74%) and were withheld in 327 (26%). Factors significantly associated with higher likelihood of CPR by physicians (OR 95% CI) were resuscitation efforts by EMS before physician arrival (60.45, 19.89-184.29), first monitored heart rhythm (3.07, 1.21-7.79 for PEA; 29.25, 1.93-442. 51 for VF / pVT compared to asystole); advanced patient age (modelled using cubic splines), physician response time (0.92, 0.87-0.97 per minute) and malignancy (0.22, 0.05-0.92) were significantly associated with lower odds of CPR. We thus conclude that prehospital physicians make decisions to start or withhold resuscitation routinely and base those mostly on situational information and immediately available patient information known to impact outcomes.