Biomedical subjects

Johan Herlitz

Publications and source records attributed to Johan Herlitz.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

[Therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest--a new link in the chain can save life].

Sudden, unexpected cardiac arrest is a common cause of death. Among patients who are successfully resuscitated, a majority dies without regaining consciousness. Therapeutic hypothermia has recently been shown to improve neurological outcome in two randomized studies and to improve survival in one of them. Based on the two studies, international evidence-based recommendations have been proposed and published (ILCOR). In this review we discuss the theoretical background of hypothermic neuroprotection and therapeutic implications. We propose that victims of cardiac arrest with return of spontaneous circulation and persistent unconsciousness are considered for hypothermia treatment and that data from treated patients are collected in a common website database (see: www.scctg.org) to allow further evaluation of the use of ICU resources, efficacy of hypothermia treatment and potential risks.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Spectrum of acute coronary syndromes: history and clinical presentation in relation to sex and age.

OBJECTIVES: To study sex-based differences in the clinical presentation in relation to age and type of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients under 80 years of age. METHODS: The study includes 1,744 consecutive patients with the full spectrum of ACS (ST elevation myocardial infarction (MI), non-ST elevation MI, and unstable angina of high- and low-risk types) admitted to the coronary care unit in a university hospital. RESULTS: The women were older than the men and were as likely to present with ST elevation MI. They had lower rates of prior MI and prior coronary artery bypass surgery than men but similar rates of percutaneous coronary interventions. Further, women were less likely to have a short delay before admission to hospital and they were attended to less rapidly in the emergency department. The prevalence of risk factors, prior cardiovascular disease and ongoing treatment with cardiovascular drugs were strongly associated with less severe type of ACS with no significant sex interaction. Presentation with non-ST elevation MI was significantly associated with older age while the opposite was true for unstable low-risk angina. ECG signs of acute ischemia were not associated with age. Significant interactions between age and sex were observed for the prevalence of treatment with diuretics as well as hypotension at presentation, both more prevalent among women than men below 65 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: Women are struck by ACS at a higher age than men, are less likely to present early for hospital care, and at younger age women are more likely to present with hypotension. There is a striking difference in risk factors and previous history depending on type of ACS in both sexes.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2004

Timing of regional left ventricular lengthening by pulsed tissue Doppler.

Pulsed tissue Doppler can measure myocardial velocities with high temporal resolution. Our aim was to determine the onset timing of the regional left ventricular longitudinal early lengthening (e) in relation to the mitral inflow (E) in acute coronary syndromes. We applied pulsed tissue Doppler to the septal, lateral, inferior, and anterior left ventricular basal walls of 160 patients with acute coronary syndromes and 60 control subjects. Maximum systolic and early diastolic velocities were lower for patient than for control walls (6.1 +/- 1.7 vs 7.9 +/- 1.4 cm/s, P <.0001, and 6.9 +/- 2.3 vs 10.0 +/- 2.3 cm/s, P <.0001, respectively) and e started later than E (12 +/- 30 vs 2 +/- 19 milliseconds later, P <.0001). All 3 variables related to the degree of visual left ventricular wall pathology. The intraindividual time range for all 4 e starts was wider for patients (43 +/- 27 vs 30 +/- 18 milliseconds, P <.0001). Our results show that pulsed tissue Doppler can identify a delayed and asynchronous initial wall lengthening in acute coronary syndromes.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2004

Effect of fixed low-dose warfarin added to aspirin in the long term after acute myocardial infarction; the LoWASA Study.

AIM: To evaluate whether long-term treatment with a fixed low dose of warfarin in combination with aspirin improves the prognosis compared with aspirin treatment alone after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Patients who were hospitalized for AMI were randomized to either 1.25mg of warfarin plus 75mg of aspirin (n=1659) daily or 75mg of aspirin alone (n=1641). The study was performed according to the PROBE (Prospective Open Treatment and Blinded End Point Evaluation) design and was conducted at 31 hospitals in Sweden. The median follow-up time was 5.0 years. In the aspirin+warfarin group, 30.2% were permanently withdrawn as opposed to 14.0% in the aspirin group (P<0.0001). Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: The combination of cardiovascular death, reinfarction or stroke was registered in 28.1% in the aspirin+warfarin group versus 28.8% in the aspirin group (NS). Cardiovascular deaths occurred in 14.2% in the aspirin+warfarin group vs 15.7% in the aspirin group (NS). Whereas no difference was found with regard to total mortality or reinfarction, those randomized to aspirin+warfarin had a reduced occurrence of stroke (4.7% vs 7.1%; P=0.004). The percentage of patients who suffered a serious bleed was 1.0% in the aspirin group vs 2.2% in the combination group (P=0.0006). CONCLUSION: A fixed low dose of warfarin added to aspirin in the long term after AMI did not reduce the combined risk of cardiovascular death, reinfarction or stroke. The results did, however, indicate that a fixed low dose of warfarin added to aspirin reduced the risk of stroke, but this was a secondary end point. The combination of aspirin and warfarin was associated with an increased risk of bleeding.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Is female sex associated with increased survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest?

AIM: To evaluate survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in relation to sex. METHODS: All patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest included in the Swedish Cardiac Arrest Registry between 1990 and 2000 in whom cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was attempted and who did not have a crew witnessed arrest were included. The registry covers 85% of the inhabitants of Sweden (approximately 8 million inhabitants). P-values were adjusted to differences in age. Survival was defined as patients being hospitalised alive and being alive one month after cardiac arrest. In all, 23,797 patients participated in the survey of which 27.9% were women. RESULTS: Among women 16.4% were hospitalised alive versus 13.2% among men ( P<0.001). After one month 3.0% among women were alive versus 3.4% among men (NS). In a multivariate analysis considering differences in age and various factors at resuscitation female sex was an independent predictor for patients being hospitalised alive (odds ratio 1.66; 95% confidence limits 1.49-1.84) and for being alive after one month (odds ratio 1.27; 95% confidence limits 1.03-1.56). Women differed from men as they were older ( P<0.001 ), had a lower prevalence of witnessed cardiac arrest ( P=0.01), a lower occurrence of bystander CPR (P<0.001), a lower occurrence of ventricular fibrillation as initial arrhythmia (P<0.001) and a lower occurrence of cardiac disease judged to be the cause of cardiac arrest ( P<0.0001 ). On the other hand they had a cardiac arrest at home more frequently ( P<0.001 ). CONCLUSION: Among patients suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Sweden which was not crew witnessed and in whom resuscitation efforts were attempted, female sex was associated with an increased survival.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Decrease in the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation as the initially observed arrhythmia after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest during 11 years in Sweden.

AIM: To describe the change in the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation as initially observed arrhythmia among patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Sweden. PATIENTS: All patients included in the Swedish cardiac arrest registry between 1991 until 2001. The registry covers 85% of the population in Sweden. METHODS: All patients with bystander witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest included in the Swedish Cardiac Arrest Registry between 1991 and 2001 from the same ambulance organisation each year were included in the survey. RESULTS: Over 11 years, among patients in Sweden with a bystander witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in whom cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was attempted (n = 9666), the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation as the initially obseved arrhythmia decreased from 45% in 1991 to 28% in 2001 (P < 0.0001) if the arrest occurred at home, and from 57% to 41% if the arrest occurred outside home (P < 0.0001). This was found despite the fact that the proportion who received bystander CPR increased from 29% in 1991 to 39% in 2001 if the arrest occurred at home (P < 0.0001) and from 54% to 60% if the arrest occurred outside home (NS). There was a significant increase in age among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest at home, no change in the estimated interval between collapse and call but an increase in the interval between call and arrival of the ambulance among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outside home. CONCLUSION: During 11 years in Sweden, there was a marked decrease in the proportion of patients found in ventricular fibrillation among patients with a bystander witnessed cardiac arrest regardless whether the arrest occurred at home or outside home. A modest increase in age and interval between call for, and arrival of, the ambulance was associated with these findings.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2004

The attitude of cardiac care patients towards CPR and CPR education.

The recommended targeting of the elderly, those with heart conditions and their family members for CPR education remains unaccomplished. Little is known about cardiac patients' knowledge of and attitude towards CPR and CPR education. This study aimed to investigate cardiac care patients' attitude towards CPR and interest in CPR education. An interview, based on a questionnaire, was conducted with 401 consecutive patients admitted to a coronary care unit. Most participants had heard about the concept of CPR and 64% were aware of its content. In the event of an emergency, 96% were willing to undergo CPR. Age, previous myocardial infarction and heart failure were significantly associated with the willingness or lack of willingness to undergo CPR. Forty percent of the participants had attended one or more courses but only a few within the last two years. The major reasons for not being educated in CPR were a lack of awareness of the availability of CPR training for the public, lack of interest or lack of enterprise. Among those not educated in CPR, 46% would like to attend a course. A hospital was the preferred location for the course, often due to the perceived higher competence of the instructors, but sometimes, because it offered a safe environment. The primary health care centre was preferred because of its location near the participants' homes. In order to increase the proportion of people trained in CPR in target groups such as cardiac care patients and their family members, healthcare professionals should provide patients with information and opportunities to attend locally situated, professionally led courses.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2004

Cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcome reports: update and simplification of the Utstein templates for resuscitation registries. A statement for healthcare professionals from a task force of the international liaison committee on resuscitation (American Heart Association, European Resuscitation Council, Australian Resuscitation Council, New Zealand Resuscitation Council, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, InterAmerican Heart Foundation, Resuscitation Council of Southern Africa).

Outcome following cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation is dependent on critical interventions, particularly early defibrillation, effective chest compressions, and advanced life support. Utstein-style definitions and reporting templates have been used extensively in published studies of cardiac arrest, which has led to greater understanding of the elements of resuscitation practice and progress toward international consensus on science and resuscitation guidelines. Despite the development of Utstein templates to standardize research reports of cardiac arrest, international registries have yet to be developed. In April 2002 a task force of ILCOR met in Melbourne, Australia, to review worldwide experience with the Utstein definitions and reporting templates. The task force revised the core reporting template and definitions by consensus. Care was taken to build on previous definitions, changing data elements and operational definitions only on the basis of published data and experience derived from those registries that have used Utstein-style reporting. Attention was focused on decreasing the complexity of the existing templates and addressing logistical difficulties in collecting specific core and supplementary (i.e., essential and desirable) data elements recommended by previous Utstein consensus conference. Inconsistencies in terminology between in-hospital and out-of-hospital Utstein templates were also addressed. The task force produced a reporting tool for essential data that can be used for both quality improvement (registries) and research reports and that should be applicable to both adults and children. The revised and simplified template includes practical and succinct operational definitions. It is anticipated that the revised template will enable better and more accurate completion of all reports of cardiac arrest and resuscitation attempts. Problems with data definition, collection, linkage, confidentiality, management, and registry implementation are acknowledged and potential solutions offered. Uniform collection and tracking of registry data should enable better continuous quality improvement within every hospital, EMS system, and community.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Cause of death during 13 years after coronary artery bypass grafting with emphasis on cardiac death.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the cause of death in the long term after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with particular emphasis on cardiac death. PATIENTS AND SETTING: All the patients in western Sweden without simultaneous valve surgery and without previous CABG who underwent CABG in 1988-1991 in Göteborg, Sweden. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study for 10.6-13.6 years (i.e. until the end of 2001). Various factors contributing to death were described, with the emphasis on cardiac death. RESULTS: In all, 2000 patients were included in the survey. The all-cause mortality rate was 39%. Fifty-eight per cent of all deaths were judged as cardiac deaths. The most frequent cause of death was heart failure (65% among patients who died within 30 days after CABG and 36% among those who died >30 days after CABG). The second most common cause of death was myocardial infarction (56 and 29%, respectively), followed by cancer (0 and 24%, respectively), stroke (21 and 18%, respectively) and infection (8 and 11%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The factors most commonly contributing to death in the long term after CABG were, in order of frequency, heart failure, myocardial infarction, cancer, stroke and infection.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Secondary prevention after coronary artery bypass grafting--what do we know?

There is insufficient knowledge about secondary prevention after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Most of it is gathered from patients suffering from myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, only a minority of whom have undergone CABG. Whereas it seems clear that these patients should give up smoking and reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, there is uncertainty about the optimal antiplatelet regimen and antithrombotic treatment. There are some data indicating the benefit of behaviour modification. There is room for improvement and more knowledge when it comes to secondary prevention after CABG.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

PubMed2004

Predictors of death during 10 years after coronary artery bypass grafting with particular emphasis on age.

OBJECTIVES: To describe predictors of death during 10 years of follow-up after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); to evaluate whether age interacts with the influence of various predictors on outcome; and to compare the mortality during 10 years after CABG with the mortality in an age- and sex-matched control population. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Scandinavian Heart Centre in Göteborg, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: All patients from western Sweden who underwent CABG between 1 June 1988 and 1 June 1991 without simultaneous valve surgery and with no previous CABG. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: All-cause mortality during 10 years but more than 30 days after CABG. RESULTS: In all, 2000 patients participated in the survey. The following factors appeared as independent predictors of death: preoperative factors-age, history of congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, history of intermittent claudication, current smoking, degree of left ventricular impairment, valvular disease and duration of angina pectoris; peroperative factors-ventilator time and neurological complications; postoperative factors-arrhythmia, requirement of digitalis and requirement of antidiabetics. There was an interaction between age and history of cerebrovascular disease with a stronger impact on outcome in younger patients. The late (>30 days after CABG) 10-year mortality in the study cohort was 29.6% compared with 25.9% in the control population (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Among patients who underwent CABG, 13 independent predictors for mortality were found, mainly among preoperative factors but also among peroperative factors, postoperative complications and medication requirement after CABG.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Smoking habits and predictors of continued smoking in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Most patients with acute coronary syndrome quit smoking when hospitalized, although several have been found to relapse and resume smoking within 3 months. AIM: This paper reports a study to identify factors that can predict who will resume smoking after hospitalization for an acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: Patients (n = 1320) below the age of 75 years, admitted to a Swedish university hospital coronary care unit with acute coronary syndromes, between September 1995 and September 1999, were consecutively included. Data were collected from hospital medical records and included information on previous clinical history, former illnesses and smoking. During their hospitalization, an experienced nurse interviewed the patients by using a structured questionnaire to obtain additional information. Patients were followed up 3 months after the discharge. Those who continued to smoke (non-quitters) were compared with those who had stopped (quitters) with regard to age, sex, medical history, clinical course, and intention to quit. To identify factors independently related to continued smoking, a logistical regression in a formal forward stepwise mode was used. RESULTS: Of the patients admitted, 33% were current smokers. Three months after discharge, 51% of these patients were still smoking. There were no significant differences in age, gender or marital status between non-quitters and quitters. In a multivariate analysis, independent predictors of continued smoking were: non-participation in the heart rehabilitation programme (P = 0.0008); use of sedatives/antidepressants at time of admission (P = 0.001); history of cerebral vascular disease (P = 0.002), history of previous cardiac event (P = 0.01); history of smoking-related pulmonary disease (P = 0.03) and cigarette consumption at index (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking patients who do not participate in a heart rehabilitation programme may need extra help with smoking cessation. The findings may provide means of identifying patients in need of special intervention.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Characteristics and outcome of patients with ST-elevation infarction in relation to whether they received thrombolysis or underwent acute coronary angiography: are we selecting the right patients for coronary angiography?

BACKGROUND: During the last decade, there has been an on-going debate with regard to whether percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or thrombolysis should be preferred in patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Some studies clearly advocate PCI, while others do not. HYPOTHESIS: The study aimed to describe the characteristics and to evaluate outcome of patients with suspected ST-elevation or left bundle-branch block infarction in relation to whether they received thrombolysis or had an acute coronary angiography aiming at angioplasty. METHODS: The study included all patients admitted to Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Göteborg, Sweden, with suspected acute myocardial infarction who, during 1995-1999, had ST-elevation or left bundle-branch block on admission electrocardiogram (ECG) requiring either thrombolysis or acute coronary angiography. A retrospective evaluation with a follow-up of 1 year after the intervention was made. RESULTS: In all, 413 patients had thrombolytic treatment and 400 had acute coronary angiography. The patients who received thrombolysis were older (mean age 70.3 vs. 64.1 years). Mortality during 1 year of follow-up was 20.9% in the thrombolysis group and 16.6% in the angiography group (p = 0.12). Among patients in whom acute coronary angiography was performed, only 85% underwent acute percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There was a mortality of 12.1 vs. 41.7% among those who did not undergo acute PCI. Development of reinfarction, stroke, and requirement of rehospitalization was similar regardless of type of initial intervention. The thrombolysis group more frequently required new coronary angiography (36.9 vs. 20.6%; p<0.0001) and new PCI (17.8 vs. 11.9%; p = 0.01). Despite this, after 1 year symptoms of angina pectoris were observed in 27% of patients in the thrombolysis group and in only 14% of those in the angiography group (p = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: In a Swedish university hospital with a high volume of coronary angioplasty procedures, we found no significant difference in mortality between patients who had thrombolysis and those who underwent acute coronary angiography. However, requirement of revascularization and symptoms of angina pectoris 1 year later was considerably less frequent in those who had undergone acute coronary angiography. However, distribution of baseline characteristics was skewed and efforts should be focused on the selection of patients for the different reperfusion strategies.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Time trends in long-term mortality after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, 1980 to 1998, and predictors for death.

BACKGROUND: We studied time trends in long-term survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) for patient characteristics and described predictors for death after discharge. Because long-term prognosis among patients with coronary heart disease has improved in the last decades, we hypothesized that the prognosis after OHCA would improve with time. METHODS: We analyzed data that were prospectively collected from all patients discharged from the hospital after OHCA in the community of Göteborg, Sweden, from 1980 to 1998 and divided the data into 2 time periods, 1980 to 1991 and 1991 to1998, with an equal number of patients. RESULTS: A total of 430 patients were included in the survey. Age, sex proportions, cardiovascular comorbidity, resuscitation factors, and inhospital complications did not change with time. A diagnosis of a precipitating myocardial infarction was more common during period 1 (66% vs 54%). The prescription of aspirin (22% vs 52%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (7% vs 29%), anticoagulants (13% vs 27%), and lipid-lowering agents (0% vs 6%) at discharge increased during period 2. Long-term survival did not improve with time; the 5-year mortality rates were 53% in period 1 and 52% in period 2. Independent predictors of an increased risk of death included age (risk ratio [RR] 1.06, 95% CI 1.05-1.08), history of myocardial infarction (RR 2.02, 95% CI 1.51-2.72), history of smoking (RR 1.77, 95% CI 1.29-2.44), and worse cerebral performance at discharge (RR 1.71, 95% CI 1.44-2.02). The prescription of beta-blockers at discharge was independently predictive of decreased risk of death (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.46-0.85). CONCLUSION: The long-term survival rate after OHCA did not change. Baseline characteristics remained generally unchanged, but the drugs prescribed at discharge changed in several aspects. Age, a history of myocardial infarction, a history of smoking, cerebral performance category at discharge, and the prescription of beta-blockers were independent predictors of outcome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Metoprolol CR/XL in postmyocardial infarction patients with chronic heart failure: experiences from MERIT-HF.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of beta-blockers post-myocardial infarction (MI) was established in the late 1970s. Major advances in the treatment of MI have since occurred. However, patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) were excluded from those trials. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of beta-blockers in post-MI patients with CHF receiving contemporary management. METHODS: This was a prespecified subgroup analysis of a double-blind, randomized trial: the Metoprolol CR/XL Randomized Intervention Trial in Heart Failure (MERIT-HF). Patients with CHF in New York Heart Association class II to IV with an ejection fraction (EF) < or =0.40 and a history of being hospitalized for an acute MI (n = 1926) were randomized to metoprolol succinate controlled release/extended release (CR/XL) versus placebo. Mean EF was 0.28, and the mean follow-up was 1 year. RESULTS: Metoprolol CR/XL reduced total mortality by 40% (95% CI 0.20-0.55, P =.0004), and sudden death by 50% (95% CI 0.26-0.66, P =.0004). The combined end point of all-cause mortality/hospitalization for worsening CHF was reduced by 31% (95% CI 0.16-0.44, P <.0001), and cardiac death/nonfatal acute MI by 45% (95% CI 0.26-0.58, P <.0001). A post-hoc analysis showed that the outcome in patients with earlier revascularization (44%) and outcome in those with more severe CHF (20%) was similar to the entire post-MI population. CONCLUSIONS: In post-MI patients with symptomatic CHF, beta-blockade continues to exert a profound reduction in mortality and morbidity in the presence of contemporary management that includes early and late revascularization, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, aspirin, and statins.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed2003

Comparison of treatment and outcomes for patients with acute myocardial infarction in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, and Göteborg, Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is changing, and differences in medical practice are observed within and between countries on the basis of local practice patterns and available technology. These differing approaches provide an opportunity to evaluate medical practice and outcomes at the population level. The primary aim of this study was to compare medical care in patients hospitalized with AMI in 2 large cities in Sweden and the United States. A secondary aim was to compare medical outcomes. METHODS: All resident patients (age range, 30-74 years) hospitalized with AMI in Göteborg, Sweden (1995-1996), and a representative population-based sample of all patients with AMI in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn (1995). RESULTS: Patients with AMI in Göteborg (GB) were older than patients in Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP), but fewer patients in GB had a prior history of cardiovascular disease. During the AMI admission, coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA), and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were performed twice as frequently in MSP than in GB. Echocardiogram and exercise testing were more frequently performed in GB. During hospitalization, beta-blockers were more frequently prescribed in GB, whereas calcium channel blockers, long- and short-acting nitrates, intravenous nitroglycerine, digitalis, aspirin, oral anticoagulants, heparin, and lidocaine were significantly more common in MSP. Thrombolysis, acute PTCA, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics were similar. Reinfarction was higher in men in GB (4% vs 1%, P <.009) and women in GB (3% vs 1%, P = not significant). On discharge, beta-blockers and diuretics were prescribed significantly more often in GB, whereas calcium channel blockers, nitrates, and digitalis were prescribed more often in MSP. Aspirin and ACE inhibitors had similar usage rates. Despite these diagnostic and treatment contrasts, there were no differences in mortality rate at 30 days or after 3 years of follow-up after risk-adjusting for patient baseline differences. CONCLUSION: Comparing patients hospitalized with AMI in MSP and GB, we found marked differences in medical care, with invasive strategies more likely to be used in MSP. This may be the result of historical practice patterns, the healthcare system, and healthcare financing differences. Despite these differences, short- or long-term mortality rates were identical.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Implementation of prehospital thrombolysis in Sweden: components of delay until delivery of treatment and examination of treatment feasibility.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of prehospital thrombolysis in Sweden in terms of safety and to examine the various components of the delay between onset of symptoms and start of treatment. SETTING: A total of 16 hospitals in Sweden in both urban and less populated areas and the associated ambulance organisations. DESIGN: Prospective evaluation of patients with an ST-elevation infarction treated with reteplase. An ECG was recorded and transmitted to hospital. The ambulances were staffed by a physician in 1% of cases, a nurse in 67% and a staff nurse in 32%. RESULTS: Of the 148 patients who received treatment prior to hospital admission, six (4%) had a cardiac arrest prior to hospital admission and two (1%) died prior to arrival at hospital. One patient was given treatment despite an exclusion criterion (previous stroke) and died on the 1st day in hospital due to a cerebral haemorrhage. The overall 30-day mortality was 7.1% and 1-year mortality 9.8%. Treatment was initiated within 2 h after the onset of symptoms in 53% of patients and within 1 h in 17% of patients. The median interval between the arrival of the ambulance and sending an ECG was 13 min and the median interval between sending an ECG and the start of thrombolysis was 18 min. The delay was similar regardless of ambulance staff. CONCLUSION: Implementation of prehospital thrombolysis on a national basis in Sweden appears to be safe. More than half the patients can be given treatment less than 2 h after the onset of symptoms. There is potential for reducing this time still further.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

A short delay from out of hospital cardiac arrest to call for ambulance increases survival.

AIM: To describe the relative impact on survival of the delay from estimated time of collapse to call for an ambulance among patients who suffer from a bystander witnessed out of hospital cardiac arrest of a cardiac aetiology. METHODS: A majority of all ambulance organizations in Sweden (covering 85% of Sweden inhabitants) participate in a National survey of out of hospital cardiac arrest. RESULTS: In all there were 9340 patients with a bystander witnessed cardiac arrest of a cardiac aetiology in whom cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was attempted participating in this survey. Survival at one month among patients with a delay between estimated time of collapse and call for ambulance of < or =4 min (median) was 6.9% versus 2.8% among patients with a median of >4 min (P<0.0001). When adjusting for age, sex, initial rhythm, estimated interval between collapse and start of CPR, place of arrest and the interval between call for ambulance and arrival of the rescue team, the odds ratio for survival was 0.70 (0.95% CI. 0.58-0.84) per unit increase of the natural logarithm of delay in minutes between collapse and call. CONCLUSION: Among patients with a bystander witnessed out of hospital cardiac arrest of a cardiac aetiology increased delay from estimated time of collapse to call for an ambulance decreased the chance of survival.

Age Distribution↗