A Study on Attitudes Toward and Knowledge of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Korean High School Students

PURPOSE: The instruction of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to students has been advocated in many countries. To formulate an effective policy for high school students in Korea, data on attitudes toward CPR and the levels of knowledge in this technique for this population are needed. METHODS: A thirty-question questionnaire was given to Korean high school juniors to assess their attitudes toward and knowledge level of CPR. Two hundred seventy one of 341 students (79.5%) responded to the questionnaire and their male to female ratio was 1:2.2. RESULTS: Most students (n=262, 96.7%) had heard of CPR, mainly through television (n=193, 71.2%) or a school activity (160, 59.0%). Only 50(18.5%) and 15(5.5%) students responded that they would be willing to provide CPR to a "family or friend" and "stranger", respectively. One hundred twunty four students (45.8%) had received some form of education on CPR, but only 10(3.7%) had received an advanced education (although most were willing to be educated further on CPR). The most common reason for not receiving CPR training was a lack of knowledge for training resources (n=79, 53.7%). Only 88(32.4%) students understood the purpose of an automated external defibrillator. Although half of the students (147, 54.2%) correctly chose the location for CPR chest compression, only 19.2% and 16.6% correctly responded to questions on the appropriate compression speed and depth, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although students receive some exposure on the importance of CPR, their willingness to perform CPR and their knowledge level of AEDs and CPR is not adequate. A systemic approach for educating and training students in CPR is needed.

Effects of Venlafaxine ER on Blood Pressure during the Acute Treatment of Major Depressive Patients / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: Venlafaxine is an antidepressant with a dual action of blocking reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine at therapeutic dose like some tricyclic antidepressants. However it may share the relative safety of SSRIs in overdosage and cardiotoxicity. One common concern for 1st line use of venlafaxine is the risk of hypertension. There have been some controversies about this adverse effect. In present study, we evaluate the effects of venlafaxine on blood pressure in therapeutic dose in acute treatment of major depressive patients. METHODS: The sample consisted of 65 major depressive patients who taken venlafaxine and 65 patients taken paroxetine, respectively. Blood pressure and other variables were evaluated in these subjects at baseline, 1 week, and 4 week of acute phase therapy, and mean blood pressure was compared each other by analysis of covariates. The incidence of sustained elevation of blood pressure during the study period was evaluated and stratified by age, sex, past history of hypertension, obesity, and dose of medication. These data were compared in two groups by chi square test and Fisher's Exact Test. RESULTS: At 1 week point, there were no significant differences between the two groups in mean blood pressure and other variables when controlling the baseline data. But at 4 week point, there was significant difference in mean diastolic pressure change between the two groups (venlafaxine group, -0.20+/- 6.98 mmHg;paroxetine group, 0.82+/-6.75 mmHg, p=0.020). When stratified by obesity (BMI>25), there was also significant difference in mean systolic and diastolic pressure change between the two groups at 4 week point (p=0.002;p=0.026). When comparing the incidence rate of sustained elevation of blood pressure during the study periods, only in venlafaxine group, three subjects developed elevation of blood pressure. When stratified the venlafaxine group with various factors, the incidence rate in the subjects who used high dose of venlafaxine (225 mg/day) was significantly different with those who used lower dose (below 225 mg/day). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the use of venlafaxine can be associated with sustained elevation of blood pressure though used in therapeutic dose, but it can be detected with close monitoring and managed by reducing dose or hold the drug. In the future, to find out the risk factor of sustained elevation of blood pressure associated with venlafaxine use, large scaled and well controlled trials are needed.