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Training in advanced trauma life support.

The lack of a standardized method for the initial assessment of the trauma patient's condition and the skills to perform emergency lifesaving surgical techniques in rural Nebraska has led to the development of an Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course. There has been a direct correlation between the presentation of the course in several rural areas of Nebraska and the improved quality of trauma care apparent when the patients arrive at a definitive care hospital. The national development of a standardized ATLS course will improve the survival of trauma patients as has been experienced with the Advanced Cardiac Life Support course and cardiac patients.

Education, Medical, Continuing↗

Drowning issues in resuscitation.

Submersion injury is so often lethal because it inflicts severe hypoxia. To prevent hypoxic end-organ damage to the heart and brain, the goals of resuscitation are immediate ventilation and oxygenation. Issue 1: Should submersion victims receive the Heimlich maneuver? The pathophysiologic assumptions for this intervention are that water in the airway is obstructive, thus precluding ventilation, and that aspiration of water is the major injury. Anecdotal case reports describe improved ventilation of some victims who failed prior ventilatory efforts. However, animal and human studies support that aspirated water is rapidly absorbed, does not preclude ventilation and intubation, and is best treated rapidly with positive pressure ventilation. With inadequate data to support benefit from the Heimlich maneuver and concern that the Heimlich maneuver would delay initiation of ventilation, basic life support procedures are recommended in managing the airway of the submersion victim. Issue 2: What is the role of prehospital care? Outcomes of submersion victims treated with rapid, aggressive prehospital care show that the window for medical intervention for the submersion victim is in the prehospital setting, not in the emergency department or intensive care unit. The submersion victim should be provided advanced cardiac life support, including intubation as needed, as soon as possible.

Animals↗

Training of medical students in resuscitation at the University of Ljubljana.

The Faculty of Medicine in Ljubljana has been offering formal training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to its students since 1988. The CPR courses are taught mostly by anaesthesiologists. To determine whether our training programme provides the students with adequate skills and knowledge in CPR we analyzed the results of the examinations, tests, questionnaires and interviews of all students who had received CPR training at our Faculty of Medicine in 1994. We found that all the 1st year students passed the skill test immediately after the basic life support (BLS) course and that the majority of these students showed good knowledge in the written exam at the end of the year. These students were generally satisfied with the first-aid lecture course and BLS course. The 4th year lecture courses, however, were less effective because only a few of the students were present at each lecture. The 6th year students ended the advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) courses and practice in the operating theatre with both satisfactory basic theoretical knowledge and also practical skills in CPR. Thus in the oral examination at the end of the 6th year the success rate at first attempt was high, and the interviews with these students showed that they had been given the opportunities to practice airway management, breathing support and venous cannulation. These findings suggest that the education programme provides our students with both a sound basic knowledge and adequate practical skills in CPR for postgraduate training in emergency medicine.

Adult↗

Ethical issues in adult resuscitation.

The ethics panel of the American Heart Association recommended that ethical values, including patient autonomy and provider advocacy, should guide the provision of advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and emergency cardiac care (ECC). The panel developed guidelines regarding the institution and withdrawal of basic life support, ACLS, and the criteria for the determination of death. A discussion of futility, No-CPR orders, living wills, advance directives, and their impact on ECC is included.

Adult↗

Improving advance directives for healthy older people.

The quality and quantity of advance directives for healthy older people need to increase. Quality will improve with literal interpretations of do-not-resuscitate orders and more comprehensive directives. Changing the term "DNR" to "No ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)" should discourage health-care providers from subsuming other limitations under the directive to withhold resuscitation. Other aggressive medical and surgical interventions should be prospectively considered in addition to resuscitation. The quantity of advance directives will increase when physicians feel motivated to devote time and expertise to thorough discussions of advance directives. Although education and legislation will motivate physicians to some extent, their roles are limited. Fair reimbursement for this primary-care service is the most effective motive. The initial investment by Medicare may save large sums in the long run by reducing expensive, undesired care for older people.

Advance Directives↗

Oxygen therapy, continuous positive airway pressure, or noninvasive bilevel positive pressure ventilation in the treatment of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of 3 types of noninvasive respiratory support systems in the treatment of acute pulmonary edema: oxygen therapy (O2), continuous positive airway pressure, and bilevel positive pressure ventilation. METHODS: We studied prospectively 26 patients with acute pulmonary edema, who were randomized into 1 of 3 types of respiratory support groups. Age was 69+/-7 years. Ten patients were treated with oxygen, 9 with continuous positive airway pressure, and 7 with noninvasive bilevel positive pressure ventilation. All patients received medicamentous therapy according to the Advanced Cardiac Life Support protocol. Our primary aim was to assess the need for orotracheal intubation. We also assessed the following: heart and respiration rates, blood pressure, PaO2, PaCO2, and pH at beginning, and at 10 and 60 minutes after starting the protocol. RESULTS: At 10 minutes, the patients in the bilevel positive pressure ventilation group had the highest PaO2 and the lowest respiration rates; the patients in the O2 group had the highest PaCO2 and the lowest pH (p<0.05). Four patients in the O2 group, 3 patients in the continuous positive pressure group, and none in the bilevel positive pressure ventilation group were intubated (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Noninvasive bilevel positive pressure ventilation was effective in the treatment of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema, accelerated the recovery of vital signs and blood gas data, and avoided intubation.

Acute Disease↗

Management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Failure of basic emergency medical technician services.

Survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest treated by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) with basic life support was studied in four communities with a combined population of 380,000. During a two-year period, 18 (6%) of 321 patients with cardiac arrest were resuscitated and ultimately discharged from the hospital. This figure is compared with 55 (22%) of 253 discharged in adjacent suburban communities with paramedic services. The evident factor accounting for the difference in survival rates was the time from collapse to receiving definitive care (advanced cardiac life support)--26 minutes in the EMT area compared to 7.8 minutes in the paramedic area.

Aged↗

Endotracheal drug administration during out-of-hospital resuscitation: where are the survivors?

BACKGROUND: Drugs administered endotracheally are effectively absorbed during normal spontaneous cardiac activity. However, animal cardiac arrest studies and limited clinical investigations do not support either the use of endotracheal (ET) drugs in doses currently recommended for adults or the method of direct endotracheal instillation. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of intravenous (IV) and ET drug therapy on outcome from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest secondary to all cardiac arrest rhythms. DESIGN: Five and one-half year retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Municipal, university affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients >18 years of age in nontraumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest who received advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) medications by only the ET or IV route were included. INTERVENTIONS: None. RESULTS: Five hundred and ninety-six patients met inclusion criteria (IV drugs=495, ET drugs=101). There was no difference between groups in the rate of witnessed arrest and the frequency of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In the ET drug group, a significantly greater number of patients had an initial documented arrest rhythm of asystole compared to the IV drug group (56 vs 37%, P=0.01). The rate of return of spontaneous circulation (27 vs 15%, P=0.01) and survival to hospital admission rate (20 vs 9%, P=0.01) were significantly greater in the IV drug group. No patient who received ET drugs survived to hospital discharge compared to 5% of those receiving IV drugs (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: For our out-of-hospital advanced rescuer system, ET drugs at recommended doses (twice the IV dose) injected into an ET tube during cardiac arrest and CPR were of no benefit.

Adrenergic Agonists↗

[Treatment strategies in mechanical and electrical cardiovascular failure].

Guidelines in cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] improve survival of patients in cardiac arrest. Programs with both Basic Life Support [BLS], promptly initiated, and early defibrillation must be designed to motivate persons trained in prehospital CPR. The most frequent lethal rhythm in cardiac arrest is ventricular fibrillation [VF], affecting over 75% of patients. Early defibrillation must have the highest priority as the only method for termination of VF and being the major determinant for survival. Administration of 1.0 mg epinephrine iv as the drug of choice, followed by defibrillation [360 J] in patients with recurrent/persistent VF remains gold standard in Advanced Cardiac Life Support [ACLS]; epinephrine administered in the same, or higher, dosage can be repeated every 3-5 minutes followed by defibrillation within 30-60 seconds. Management of asystole and pulseless electrical activity is discussed, including the necessity to search for treatable causes as one major action, in addition to performing ACLS and administering epinephrine.

Adrenergic Agonists↗

The need for ventilatory support during bystander CPR.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare CPR with chest compressions plus ventilatory support (CC+V) and chest compressions alone (CC). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: Research laboratory. INTERVENTIONS: After 2 minutes of ventricular fibrillation, 18 domestic swine (20 to 35 kg) were treated first with CC or CC+V for 10 minutes, then with standard advanced cardiac life support. RESULTS: Hemodynamics, survival, and neurologic outcome were determined. All 8 swine subjected to CC+V and all 10 subjected to CC showed return of spontaneous circulation. One animal in each group died within 1 hour. Seven of 8 animals in the CC+V group survived for 24 and 48 hours, compared with 9 of 10 CC animals at 24 hours and 8 of 10 at 48 hours. All 48-hour survivors were neurologically normal. CONCLUSION: In this experimental model of bystander CPR, we could not detect a difference in hemodynamics, 48-hour survival, or neurologic outcome when CPR was applied with and without ventilatory support.

Animals↗

2005 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency cardiovascular care (ECC) of pediatric and neonatal patients: pediatric basic life support.

This publication presents the 2005 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency cardiovascular care (ECC) of the pediatric patient and the 2005 American Academy of Pediatrics/AHA guidelines for CPR and ECC of the neonate. The guidelines are based on the evidence evaluation from the 2005 International Consensus Conference on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations, hosted by the American Heart Association in Dallas, Texas, January 23-30, 2005. The "2005 AHA Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care" contain recommendations designed to improve survival from sudden cardiac arrest and acute life-threatening cardiopulmonary problems. The evidence evaluation process that was the basis for these guidelines was accomplished in collaboration with the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). The ILCOR process is described in more detail in the "International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations." The recommendations in the "2005 AHA Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care" confirm the safety and effectiveness of many approaches, acknowledge that other approaches may not be optimal, and recommend new treatments that have undergone evidence evaluation. These new recommendations do not imply that care involving the use of earlier guidelines is unsafe. In addition, it is important to note that these guidelines will not apply to all rescuers and all victims in all situations. The leader of a resuscitation attempt may need to adapt application of the guidelines to unique circumstances. The following are the major pediatric advanced life support changes in the 2005 guidelines: There is further caution about the use of endotracheal tubes. Laryngeal mask airways are acceptable when used by experienced providers. Cuffed endotracheal tubes may be used in infants (except newborns) and children in in-hospital settings provided that cuff inflation pressure is kept <20 cm H2O. Confirmation of tube placement requires clinical assessment and assessment of exhaled carbon dioxide (CO2); esophageal detector devices may be considered for use in children weighing >20 kg who have a perfusing rhythm. Correct placement must be verified when the tube is inserted, during transport, and whenever the patient is moved. During CPR with an advanced airway in place, rescuers will no longer perform "cycles" of CPR. Instead, the rescuer performing chest compressions will perform them continuously at a rate of 100/minute without pauses for ventilation. The rescuer providing ventilation will deliver 8 to 10 breaths per minute (1 breath approximately every 6-8 seconds). Timing of 1 shock, CPR, and drug administration during pulseless arrest has changed and now is identical to that for advanced cardiac life support. Routine use of high-dose epinephrine is not recommended. Lidocaine is de-emphasized, but it can be used for treatment of ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia if amiodarone is not available. Induced hypothermia (32-34 degrees C for 12-24 hours) may be considered if the child remains comatose after resuscitation. Indications for the use of inodilators are mentioned in the postresuscitation section. Termination of resuscitative efforts is discussed. It is noted that intact survival has been reported following prolonged resuscitation and absence of spontaneous circulation despite 2 doses of epinephrine. The following are the major neonatal resuscitation changes in the 2005 guidelines: Supplementary oxygen is recommended whenever positive-pressure ventilation is indicated for resuscitation; free-flow oxygen should be administered to infants who are breathing but have central cyanosis. Although the standard approach to resuscitation is to use 100% oxygen, it is reasonable to begin resuscitation with an oxygen concentration of less than 100% or to start with no supplementary oxygen (ie, start with room air). If the clinician begins resuscitation with room air, it is recommended that supplementary oxygen be available to use if there is no appreciable improvement within 90 seconds after birth. In situations where supplementary oxygen is not readily available, positive-pressure ventilation should be administered with room air. Current recommendations no longer advise routine intrapartum oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal suctioning for infants born to mothers with meconium staining of amniotic fluid. Endotracheal suctioning for infants who are not vigorous should be performed immediately after birth. A self-inflating bag, a flow-inflating bag, or a T-piece (a valved mechanical device designed to regulate pressure and limit flow) can be used to ventilate a newborn. An increase in heart rate is the primary sign of improved ventilation during resuscitation. Exhaled CO2 detection is the recommended primary technique to confirm correct endotracheal tube placement when a prompt increase in heart rate does not occur after intubation. The recommended intravenous (IV) epinephrine dose is 0.01 to 0.03 mg/kg per dose. Higher IV doses are not recommended, and IV administration is the preferred route. Although access is being obtained, administration of a higher dose (up to 0.1 mg/kg) through the endotracheal tube may be considered. It is possible to identify conditions associated with high mortality and poor outcome in which withholding resuscitative efforts may be considered reasonable, particularly when there has been the opportunity for parental agreement. The following guidelines must be interpreted according to current regional outcomes: When gestation, birth weight, or congenital anomalies are associated with almost certain early death and when unacceptably high morbidity is likely among the rare survivors, resuscitation is not indicated. Examples are provided in the guidelines. In conditions associated with a high rate of survival and acceptable morbidity, resuscitation is nearly always indicated. In conditions associated with uncertain prognosis in which survival is borderline, the morbidity rate is relatively high, and the anticipated burden to the child is high, parental desires concerning initiation of resuscitation should be supported. Infants without signs of life (no heartbeat and no respiratory effort) after 10 minutes of resuscitation show either a high mortality rate or severe neurodevelopmental disability. After 10 minutes of continuous and adequate resuscitative efforts, discontinuation of resuscitation may be justified if there are no signs of life.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation↗

[Initial defibrillation by emergency physicians or by first aid assistants? A prospective, comparative multicenter study in outpatients with ventricular fibrillation].

In a controlled prospective randomized study, defibrillation by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) was compared with the current standard of care in Germany (basic life support by EMTs and defibrillation by emergency physicians only) in order to answer the following questions: 1. Does EMT defibrillation improve the survival rate and long-term prognosis of patients in ventricular fibrillation as compared to the current German standards in resuscitation (basic life support by EMTs and defibrillation by emergency physicians)? 2. Are the prerequisites for the use of semiautomatic defibrillators fulfilled in the emergency medical systems (EMS) of the participating centers? METHODS. The study phase includes randomization of 121 adult patients with witnessed cardiac arrest and ventricular fibrillation (VF) as first ECG rhythm. Prior to the onset of the study, all EMTs of the participating EMS systems were retrained in basic life support (BLS) measures. In each center, randomly assessed EMT-Ds (EMTs trained in Defibrillation) were trained to use semiautomatic defibrillators. With the help of one-line tape recording, the time intervals during resuscitation and treatment steps were evaluated. Successfully resuscitated patients were followed up with the help of the Glasgow Coma Scale and the Pittsburgh Cerebral and Overall Performance Categories. RESULTS. From 1 February 1991 until 28 June 1992, 159 patients with VF were randomized. In 121 cases, collapse was witnessed. 25% (14/57) of the patients receiving defibrillation by EMT-Ds (study group = S) were discharged from the hospital alive. In the control group, 52 patients were defibrillated by emergency physicians, following BLS by EMTs [control group 1 = C1; discharged: 29% (15/52)]. Fifty patients received BLS and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) by the emergency physicians crews [control group 2 = C2; discharged: 18% (9/20)]. In the study group, the median time interval from collapse of the patient until initiation of BLS measures was 7.7 min, 7 min in C1 and 8 min in C2. ACLS measures were initiated significantly earlier (P < 0.05) in the control groups, as compared to the study group [S: 13 min, C1: 11 min; C2: 10.3 min]. Sixty-seven percent (30/45) of the study patients and 46% (36/76) of the control patients were defibrillated within 12 min. Study patients were defibrillated earlier (P < 0.05) (S: 9.9 min; C1: 12.2 min; C2: 12.75 min); return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was achieved earlier (P < 0.05) in the study group [S: 14 min; C1: 19 min; C2: 18.2 min] and the number of patients in the study group requiring no epinephrine during resuscitation was higher (P < 0.01) than in the control groups [S: 35.3% (12/34); C1: 10% (4/40); C2: 10.5% (4/38)]. Furthermore, the total amount of epinephrine [mean (+/- standard error)] administered in the study group [S: 2.35 (+/- 0.49) mg; C1: 6.71 (+/- 0.98) mg; C2: 7.71 (+/- 1.31) mg] was significantly lower (P < 0.05). No significant differences in neurological long-term prognosis were found for the groups investigated. CONCLUSION. Neither the initial survival rate the number of patients discharged alive, nor the neurological long-term prognosis was significantly different for any of the groups investigated. Because of apparent differences in indirect prognostic parameters (time interval until ROSC, number of patients requiring no epinephrine) and because of the fact that the time interval to the first defibrillation was reduced by EMT defibrillation, EMT-Ds may perform defibrillation if: (a) they reach the patient before the emergency physician and (b) if they are trained intensively and supervised continuously. In order to increase the efficiency of defibrillation by EMT-Ds, far-reaching changes in our EMS are mandatory: (a) a reduction in the time interval from collapse until initiation of BCLS measures by intensifying layperson CPR training; (b) an increase in the number of emergency units equipped with semiautomatic defibril

Electric Countershock↗

Optimizing resuscitation outcomes with pharmacologic therapy.

Pharmacologic therapy plays a key role in the emergency resuscitation of patients with cardiac arrest. The Advanced Cardiac Life Support guidelines sanctioned by the American Heart Association provide flexible treatment protocols (algorithms) that serve as a valuable tool for clinicians. Vasoactive (vasopressive) therapy with epinephrine is of primary importance in all patients with nonperfusing rhythms (for example, ventricular fibrillation [VF], pulseless ventricular tachycardia [VT], electromechanical dissociation [EMD], and asystole) because it raises myocardial and cerebral perfusion pressures, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful resuscitation. Antiarrhythmic drugs play a secondary role to electrocardioversion in the treatment of VF and pulseless VT. Despite continued investigation and recent advances in our understanding of the role of drugs and other therapeutic interventions, the short-term and long-term prognoses of patients with cardiac arrest, especially out-of-hospital arrest, remain dismal. Clearly, much study into the prevention and treatment of sudden cardiac death is desperately needed.

Adult↗

Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Is ventilation necessary?

BACKGROUND: Prompt initiation of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves survival. Basic life support with mouth-to-mouth ventilation and chest compressions is intimidating, difficult to remember, and difficult to perform. Chest compressions alone can be easily taught, easily remembered, easily performed, adequately taught by dispatcher-delivered telephone instruction, and more readily accepted by the public. The principal objective of this study was to evaluate the need for ventilation during CPR in a clinically relevant swine model of prehospital witnessed cardiac arrest. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty seconds after ventricular fibrillation, swine were randomly assigned to 12 minutes of chest compressions plus mechanical ventilation (group A), chest compressions only (group B), or no CPR (group C). Standard advanced cardiac life support was then provided. Animals successfully resuscitated were supported for 2 hours in an intensive care setting, and then observed for 24 hours. All 16 swine in groups A and B were successfully resuscitated and neurologically normal at 24 hours, whereas only 2 of 8 group C animals survived for 24 hours (P < .001, Fisher's exact test). One of the 2 group C survivors was comatose and unresponsive. CONCLUSIONS: In this swine model of witnessed prehospital cardiac arrest, the survival and neurological outcome data establish that prompt initiation of chest compressions alone appears to be as effective as chest compressions plus ventilation and that both techniques of bystander CPR markedly improve outcome compared with no bystander CPR.

Animals↗

Haemodynamic effects of mental stress during cardiac arrest simulation testing on advanced life support courses.

UNLABELLED: We investigated the haemodynamic response to the mental stress induced by being evaluated as a team leader in simulated advanced life support (ALS) scenarios. METHODS: Healthcare providers participating as candidates to ALS courses were monitored while acting as team leaders in a cardiac arrest testing scenario (CASTest). Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured before, during and after the CASTest. The correlation between the haemodynamic responses and sex, age, body mass index (BMI) and marks on course multiple choice questions (MCQs) were studied using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Eighty-eight subjects (46 women, 42 men, mean age 34.9+/-6.8 years) were enrolled. Mean HR, SBP and DBP increased significantly during the CASTest and reached a peak after a phase of the scenario which included an unsuccessful defibrillation. Ten minutes after the CASTest, HR, SBP and DBP were still significantly higher than their respective baseline values. A significant positive correlation was found between the DBP and SBP response during the scenario and the BMI, and between the DBP response and the candidates' age. The haemodynamic stress response was neither correlated with the candidates' marks in the course MCQ nor with their instructor potential (IP). CONCLUSION: During the testing scenario the ALS candidates showed a significant haemodynamic response to mental stress, which depended mainly on their age and BMI rather than on their knowledge and skills.

Adult↗

Update on cardiac resuscitation for sudden death: International Guidelines 2000 on Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation developed over the past one half century largely from empiric science and consensus opinions and recommendations. Treatment algorithms and protocols were originally developed to summarize existing recommendations for systematic and regimented use by a heterogenous group of health care providers. Now, resuscitation science and health care teams are focusing on major issues and continuing questions as sudden death rates remain undaunted and the population at risk is rapidly increasing. For the first time, the international resuscitation community has developed an international consensus on Guidelines for Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care. More than 400 basic scientists, clinical trial investigators, and educators defined common priority and scientific areas during the Evidence Evaluation International Meeting in 1999. The science of resuscitation and emergency cardiac care was reviewed for evidence-based support in randomized clinical trials. In 2000, this review was used as a foundation to structure international guidelines. The participants from seven resuscitation councils and foundations realized that regional differences in systems may exist, but the underlying science should be the same. Presented in this article are some of the major issues and controversies discussed in adult advanced cardiac life support, primarily focusing on the major problem of prehospital adult cardiac arrest.

Cardiac Care Facilities↗

Effectiveness of a non-amalgamated ambulance service on out-of-hospital sudden cardiac death.

Many Canadian communities rely on non-amalgamated ambulance services to respond to out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest victims. These pre-hospital care systems lack a central coordinating and dispatching facility, a publicized, easily-accessible telephone number (911) and vehicles equipped with monitor-defibrillators, and are generally staffed by personnel trained only in basic cardiac life support. To receive definitive care, the victim of a cardiac arrest in these communities must be successfully transported to a hospital. In the study area, 114 victims of out-of-hospital sudden death were identified in a community served by a non-amalgamated ambulance service over a 12-month period for an annual incidence rate of 6.1/10,000. The mean age was 64 +/- 11.5 years with the majority (78%) of arrests occurring in the home. The collapse to CPR time was 10.2 +/- 6.7 minutes and the ambulance response time was 5.2 +/- 3.9 minutes. The estimated time from collapse to the victims receiving definitive care was 36.4 +/- 19.1 minutes. Overall, only 8 victims (8.8%) survived and were discharged from hospital. Based on the data presented, survival rate for cardiac arrest victims treated by a non-amalgamated ambulance system are inferior to those reported for pre-hospital care services capable of providing advanced cardiac life support at the scene. Whether all of the components of an established paramedic program are required to improve survival rates in individual communities remains undetermined.

Adult↗

Outcome from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest caused by nonventricular arrhythmias: contribution of successful resuscitation to overall survivorship supports the current practice of initiating out-of-hospital ACLS.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Studies indicate that ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) are no longer the most common rhythms initially documented in out-of-hospital sudden cardiac death. Although the outcome from asystole and rhythms designated as pulseless electrical activity (PEA) is reported as poor (approximately 1% survival), resuscitative efforts for these patients are still encouraged. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential contribution that this patient group makes to overall survivorship. METHODS: During this 2-year prospective study, all patients in cardiopulmonary arrest who were transported to the study institution after out-of-hospital Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) interventions were considered eligible for inclusion. Patients younger than 18 years of age and those in posttraumatic arrest were excluded. Age, sex, first-documented arrest rhythm, presence of a witness to the arrest, performance of bystander CPR, survival to hospital discharge, and functional status at discharge were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 197 patients met the inclusion criteria. The initial rhythm was VF/VT in 59 (30%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 24% to 37%) and asystole/PEA in 138 (70%; 95% CI, 64% to 76%). There was 1 hospital survivor in the VT/VF group; 9 patients (7%; 95% CI, 4% to 13%) in the asystole/PEA group survived to hospital discharge. Of the asystole/PEA survivors, 100% (95% CI, 66% to 100%) had a witnessed arrest and 56% (95% CI, 21% to 86%) received bystander CPR. Fifty-six percent (95% CI, 21% to 86%) of the asystole/PEA survivors were discharged at a functional level equivalent to that preceding arrest. CONCLUSION: In this study, patients in asystole/PEA comprised 90% of the survivors. The outcome for patients with asystole/PEA whose arrest was witnessed and who received bystander CPR may be greater than previously estimated and supports the current practice of initiating aggressive out-of-hospital ACLS in this patient group.

Adult↗