Ventricular Fibrillation-Induced Cardiac Arrest Results in Regional Cardiac Injury Preferentially in Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Territory in Piglet Model.

Objective. Decreased cardiac function after resuscitation from cardiac arrest (CA) results from global ischemia of the myocardium. In the evolution of postarrest myocardial dysfunction, preferential involvement of any coronary arterial territory is not known. We hypothesized that there is no preferential involvement of any coronary artery during electrical induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) in piglet model. Design. Prospective, randomized controlled study. Methods. 12 piglets were randomized to baseline and electrical induced VF. After 5 min, the animals were resuscitated according to AHA PALS guidelines. After return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), animals were observed for an additional 4 hours prior to cardiac MRI. Data (mean ± SD) was analyzed using unpaired t-test; p value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Segmental wall motion (mm; baseline versus postarrest group) in segment 7 (left anterior descending (LAD)) was 4.68 ± 0.54 versus 3.31 ± 0.64, p = 0.0026. In segment 13, it was 3.82 ± 0.96 versus 2.58 ± 0.82, p = 0.02. In segment 14, it was 2.42 ± 0.44 versus 1.29 ± 0.99, p = 0.028. Conclusion. Postarrest myocardial dysfunction resulted in segmental wall motion defects in the LAD territory. There were no perfusion defects in the involved segments.

Use of impedance threshold device in conjunction with our novel adhesive glove device for ACD-CPR does not result in additional chest decompression.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hemodynamic effects of using an adhesive glove device (AGD) to perform active compression-decompression CPR (AGD-CPR) in conjunction with an impedance threshold device (ITD) in a pediatric cardiac arrest model. DESIGN: Controlled, randomized animal study. METHODS: In this study, 18 piglets were anesthetized, ventilated, and continuously monitored. After 3min of untreated ventricular fibrillation, animals were randomized (6/group) to receive either standard CPR (S-CPR), active compression-decompression CPR via adhesive glove device (AGD-CPR) or AGD-CPR along with an ITD (AGD-CPR+ITD) for 2min at 100-120compressions/min. AGD is delivered using a fingerless leather glove with a Velcro patch on the palmer aspect and the counter Velcro patch adhered to the pig's chest. Data (mean±SD) were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with pair wise multiple comparisons to assess differences between groups. p-Value≤0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Both AGD-CPR and AGD-CPR+ITD groups produced lower intrathoracic pressure (IttP, mmHg) during decompression phase (-13.4±6.7, p=0.01 and -11.9±6.5, p=0.01, respectively) in comparison to S-CPR (-0.3±4.2). Carotid blood flow (CBF, % of baseline mL/min) was higher in AGD-CPR and AGD-CPR+ITD (respectively 64.3±47.3%, p=0.03 and 67.5±33.1%, p=0.04) as compared with S-CPR (29.1±12.5%). Coronary perfusion pressure (CPP, mmHg) was higher in AGD-CPR and AGD-CPR+ITD (respectively 19.7±4.6, p=0.04 and 25.6±12.1, p=0.02) when compared to S-CPR (9.6±9.1). There was no statistically significant difference between AGD-CPR and AGD-CPR+ITD groups with reference to intra-thoracic pressure, carotid blood flow and coronary perfusion pressure. CONCLUSION: Active compression decompression delivered by this simple and inexpensive adhesive glove device resulted in improved cerebral blood flow and coronary perfusion pressure. There was no statistically significant added effect of ITD use along with AGD-CPR on the decompression of the chest.

Macrophage activation syndrome, an important differential diagnosis for septic shock.

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a rare and life threatening complication of rheumatic diseases. It is seen most frequently in association with systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis and less commonly in other rheumatic diseases of childhood including systemic lupus erythematosus. Recognition of MAS in patients with rheumatic diseases is often challenging as it may mimic the clinical features of the underlying disease. Sometimes MAS can be the mode of initial presentation adding to the diagnostic complexity. We describe two cases of MAS in association with systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis who presented with a clinical picture suggestive of septic shock. The Internal Review Board at Shands Children's Hospital and the University of Florida waived the need for approval for these case reports.

Projectile embolization to the left femoral artery with stroke following gunshot wound to the chest.

Missile embolization is a rare phenomenon with most cases reported in the literature as a consequence of direct or indirect vascular trauma. Despite their characterization as toys, traumatic injuries from pellet guns are associated with significant rates of morbidity related to their vascular and neurological complications. We present a 9-year-old boy who was shot in the chest with a pellet gun and suffered a femoral arterial occlusion and a delayed stroke in the middle cerebral arterial distribution.