Dispatcher assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation implementation in Kuwait: A before and after study examining the impact on outcomes of out of hospital cardiac arrest victims.

Dispatcher assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DACPR) by Emergency medical services has been shown to improve rates of early out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) recognition and early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for OHCA. This study measures the impact of introducing DACPR on OHCA recognition, CPR rates and on patient outcomes in a pilot region in Kuwait.EMS treated OHCA data over 10 months period (February 21-December 31, 2017) before and after the intervention was prospectively collected and analyzed.Comprehensive DACPR in the form of: a standardized dispatch protocol, 1-day training package and quality assurance and improvement measures were applied to Kuwait EMS central Dispatch unit only for pilot region. Primary outcomes: OHCA recognition rate, CPR instruction rate, and Bystander CPR rate. Secondary outcome: survival to hospital discharge.A total of 332 OHCA cases from the EMS archived data were extracted and after exclusion 176 total OHCA cases remain. After DACPR implementation OHCA recognition rate increased from 2% to 12.9% (P = .037), CPR instruction rate increased from 0% to 10.4% (P = .022); however, no significant change was noted for bystander CPR rates or prehospital return of spontaneous circulation. Also, survival to hospital discharge rate did not change significantly (0% before, and 0.8% after, P = .53)In summary, DACPR implementation had positive impacts on Kuwait EMS system operational outcomes; early OHCA recognition and CPR instruction rates in a pilot region of Kuwait. Expanding this initiative to other regions in Kuwait and coupling it with other OHCA system of care interventions are needed to improve OHCA survival rates.

Association between Depression and Factors Affecting Career Choice among Jordanian Nursing Students.

BACKGROUND: Although stress reaction is high among nursing staff and nursing students in the Middle East and its effect on life is known, there are scant studies reporting on these clinical and social features. In addition, there are no studies reporting on factors that influence career choice among this group. AIM: This study aimed to investigate factors that influence career choice among nursing students and their possible association with depressive symptoms. METHOD: Participants were 150 (84.7% response rate) nursing students randomly selected from each academic year at the Nursing College/Jordan University of Science and Technology. Participants consented and completed the socio-demographic data collection sheet. The Arabic version of the Beck Depression Inventory-II Scale was used to assess participants with respect to depressive symptoms. A modified list of factors influencing career choice and a Likert scale to assess the level of sadness and the degree of religiosity were used as well. RESULTS: Students ranked the most important three factors influencing their career selection as family decision, religious factors, and the desire to care for others. The prevalence of depression among the sample was 26%. Students who had a desire to care for others were less likely to suffer from depression and those who chose nursing as their career due to religious factors were significantly less depressed than those who did not. Meanwhile, students who chose nursing under family pressure or because of a lack of alternative opportunities were more depressed. The odds ratio for depressive symptoms was 0.24 when students chose nursing because of religious factors, whereas it was 4.92 when the family strongly influenced the student's career decision and 3.61 when a nursing career was the only perceived opportunity available. CONCLUSION: The main factors associated with depression among this sample of nursing students were pressure from their family to choose a nursing career and having no other career or employment opportunities. Religiosity was negatively associated with depression and may act as a protective factor; however, future studies using longitudinal designs will need to confirm this hypothesis.

Application of active layering and coating techniques in the development of a multiparticulate, controlled release dosage form of a high-dose, highly soluble drug.

CONTEXT: The success of the development of controlled release, multilayered, multiparticulate dosage form of a high-dose, highly-soluble drug is dependent upon proper material and processing choices. OBJECTIVE: To develop a controlled release dosage form of diltiazem hydrochloride using active layering and coating. METHODS: Active layering was achieved by spraying a drug solution onto sugar cores using polyvinyl alcohol - polyethylene glycol as a binder. Layered pellets with highest loading and lowest binder content were coated using aqueous dispersions of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc). The effects of the plasticizer and curing on drug release were evaluated. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The binder level had no effect on the process efficiency. Drug release from PVAc-coated pellets was slowed by increasing PVAc level. Plasticization slowed drug release in comparison to nonplasticized formulations. Curing affected drug release of nonplasticized formulations only. Protection against humidity was essential in stabilizing drug release under stability study conditions. CONCLUSION: Materials and process used were suitable to face the challenge posed by the high dose of the water-soluble drug on the success of the formulation. The effects of the plasticizer, curing and ability of packaging to protect against elevated humidity on the performance of the studied system should be considered in development.

Clinical and metabolic results of fasting abbreviation with carbohydrates in coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Limited information is available about preoperative fasting abbreviation with administration of liquid enriched with carbohydrates (CHO) in cardiovascular surgeries. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate clinical variables, security of the method and effects on the metabolism of patients undergoing fasting abbreviation in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS: Forty patients undergoing CABG were randomized to receive 400 ml (6 hours before) and 200 ml (2 hours before) of maltodextrin at 12.5% (Group I, n=20) or just water (Group II, n=20) before anesthetic induction. Perioperative clinical variables were evaluated. Insulin resistance (IR) was evaluated by Homa-IR index and also by the need of exogenous insulin; pancreatic beta-cell excretory function by Homa-Beta index and glycemic control by tests of capillary glucose. RESULTS: Deaths, bronchoaspiration, mediastinitis, stroke and acute myocardial infarction did not occur. Atrial fibrillation occurred in two patients of each group and infectious complications did not differ among groups (P=0.611). Patients of Group I presented two days less of hospital stay (P=0.025) and one day less in the ICU (P<0.001). The length of time using dobutamine was shorter in Group I (P=0.034). Glycemic control in the first 6h after surgery was worse for Group II (P=0.012). IR was verified and did not differ among groups (P>0.05). A decline in the endogenous production of insulin was observed in both groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative fasting abbreviation with the administration of CHO in the CABG was safe. The glycemic control improved in the ICU; there was less time in the use of dobutamine and length of hospital and ICU stay was reduced. However, neither IR nor morbimortality during hospital phase were influenced.

Resultados clínicos e metabólicos da abreviação do jejum com carboidratos na revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio / Clinical and metabolic results of fasting abbreviation with carbohydrates in coronary artery bypass graft surgery

INTRODUÇÃO: Existe pouca informação sobre abreviação do jejum pré-operatório com oferta de líquidos ricos em carboidratos (CHO) nas operações cardiovasculares. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar variáveis clínicas, segurança do método e efeitos no metabolismo de pacientes submetidos à abreviação do jejum na cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (CRVM). MÉTODOS: Quarenta pacientes submetidos à CRVM foram randomizados para receberem 400 ml (6 horas antes) e 200 mL (2 horas antes) de maltodextrina a 12,5% (Grupo I, n=20) ou apenas água (Grupo II, n=20) antes da indução anestésica. Foram avaliadas diversas variáveis clínicas no perioperatório e também a resistência insulínica (RI) pelo índice de Homa-IR e pela necessidade de insulina exógena; além da função excretora da célula beta pancreática pelo Homa-Beta e controle glicêmico por exames de glicemia capilar. RESULTADOS: Não ocorreram óbitos, broncoaspiração, mediastinite, infarto agudo do miocárdio ou acidente vascular encefálico perioperatórios. Fibrilação atrial ocorreu em dois pacientes de cada grupo e complicações infecciosas não diferiram entre os grupos (P=0,611). Pacientes do Grupo I apresentaram dois dias a menos de internação hospitalar (P=0,025) e um dia a menos na UTI (P<0,001). O tempo de uso de dobutamina foi menor no Grupo I (P=0,034). Houve pior controle glicêmico nas primeiras 6 horas de pós-operatório no Grupo II (P=0,012). RI foi constatada e não diferiu entre os grupos (P>0,05). Declínio da produção endógena de insulina ocorreu em ambos os grupos (P<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Abreviação do jejum pré-operatório com oferta de CHO na CRVM foi segura, melhorou o controle glicêmico na UTI, diminuiu tempo de uso de dobutamina, e de internação hospitalar e na UTI. Contudo, não influenciou a RI e morbimortalidade de fase hospitalar.

INTRODUCTION: Limited information is available about preoperative fasting abbreviation with administration of liquid enriched with carbohydrates (CHO) in cardiovascular surgeries. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate clinical variables, security of the method and effects on the metabolism of patients undergoing fasting abbreviation in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS: Forty patients undergoing CABG were randomized to receive 400 ml (6 hours before) and 200 ml (2 hours before) of maltodextrin at 12.5% (Group I, n=20) or just water (Group II, n=20) before anesthetic induction. Perioperative clinical variables were evaluated. Insulin resistance (IR) was evaluated by Homa-IR index and also by the need of exogenous insulin; pancreatic beta-cell excretory function by Homa-Beta index and glycemic control by tests of capillary glucose. RESULTS: Deaths, bronchoaspiration, mediastinitis, stroke and acute myocardial infarction did not occur. Atrial fibrillation occurred in two patients of each group and infectious complications did not differ among groups (P=0.611). Patients of Group I presented two days less of hospital stay (P=0.025) and one day less in the ICU (P<0.001). The length of time using dobutamine was shorter in Group I (P=0.034). Glycemic control in the first 6h after surgery was worse for Group II (P=0.012). IR was verified and did not differ among groups (P>0.05). A decline in the endogenous production of insulin was observed in both groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative fasting abbreviation with the administration of CHO in the CABG was safe. The glycemic control improved in the ICU; there was less time in the use of dobutamine and length of hospital and ICU stay was reduced. However, neither IR nor morbimortality during hospital phase were influenced.

Pseudocardiomegalia por gordura epicárdica associada à Síndrome metabólica / Pseudocardiomegaly by epicardial adipose tissue associated with metabolic syndrome

Pseudocardiomegalia tem sido relatada nos casos de linfoma, timomas, efusões pericárdicas, pectus escavatum, timolipomas, hérnias viscerais e outras situações. O tecido adiposo epicárdico é, geralmente, medido na parede livre do ventrículo direito (VD). Descreve-se caso de pseudocardiomegalia ocasionada por gordura epicárdica de ventrículo esquerdo (VE), associada à síndrome metabólica.