Biomedical subjects

D L Dalbec

Publications and source records attributed to D L Dalbec.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

Bystander vs EMS first-responder CPR: initial rhythm and outcome in witnessed nonmonitored out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether outcome and first-monitored rhythm for patients who sustain a witnessed, nonmonitored, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are associated with on-scene CPR provider group. METHODS: A retrospective, cohort analysis was conducted in a suburban, heterogeneous EMS system. Patients studied were > or = 19 years of age, had had an arrest of presumed cardiac origin between July 1989 and January 1993, had gone into cardiac arrest prior to ALS arrival, and had received CPR on collapse. First-monitored rhythms and survival rates were compared for two patient groups who on collapse either: 1) had received CPR by nonprofessional bystanders (BCPR) or 2) had received CPR by on-scene EMS system first responders (FRCPR). RESULTS: Of 217 cardiac arrest victims, 153 (71%) had received BCPR and 64 (29%) had received FRCPR. The BCPR patients were slightly younger (62.4 vs 68.4 years, p = 0.01) and had slightly shorter ALS response intervals (6.4 vs 7.7 minutes, p = 0.02). There was no difference in BLS response time intervals or automatic external defibrillator (AED) use rates. The percentage of patients with a first-monitored rhythm of pulseless ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) and the percentage of patients grouped by CPR provider who survived to hospital admission or to hospital discharge were: [see text]

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Emergency thoracotomy.

Emergency thoracotomy is a valuable therapeutic modality for the moribund patient when trauma is the cause of the shock state. It is a procedure that requires an understanding of the technique and indications and should be instituted based on the indications listed above. There is probably no reason to do this procedure in the patient who is in extremis as a result of blunt trauma, because results have been universally dismal in these patients. In the patient with a rapidly expanding abdomen resulting from trauma and who is moribund, opening the chest and cross-clamping the aorta may be beneficial. Emergency thoracotomy does not take the place of volume replacement and definitive surgical care for the trauma patient.

Emergencies↗

PubMed1986

Thoracostomy.

Tube thoracostomy in the Emergency Department is an integral part of trauma and care and treatment of nontraumatic intrapleural collections. An understanding of pleuropulmonary anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology forms the basis for appropriate and safe application of this procedure. Rapid diagnosis and treatment of intrapleural collections in the trauma patient is essential when one considers the grave prognosis of untreated tension pneumothorax or massive hemothorax. Prior knowledge of possible procedural complications with particular attention to thoracostomy site, sterile technique, and careful blunt dissection makes chest tube placement straightforward and safe. Most post-procedural complications can be avoided through a thorough understanding of the collection system and careful monitoring of the patient.

Drainage↗