The importance of the longest R-R interval on 24-hour electrocardiography for mortality prediction in patients with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Heart rate control in atrial fibrillation (AF) is typically assessed by 24­hour electrocardiography (ECG). There are scarce data on the use of 24­hour ECG parameters to predict mortality in patients with AF. AIMS: We aimed to identify 24­hour ECG parameters that predict mortality in patients with AF. METHODS: We enrolled 280 ambulatory patients (mean [SD] age, 72 [8.7] years; 57.9% men) with permanent or persistent AF. Data on mortality and pacemaker or defibrillator implantation during follow­up were collected. Predictors of mortality were assessed using the Cox proportional hazards model and C statistic. RESULTS: Compared with survivors, 78 patients (28%) who died were older, more often had comorbidities, left bundle branch block (LBBB), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, lower maximum heart rate, higher number of ventricular extrasystoles, and the longest R­R interval below 2 seconds. Univariate analysis showed higher mortality in patients with the longest R­R intervals below 2 seconds compared with those with R­R intervals of 2 seconds or longer (P <0.001). Independent mortality predictors in the regression model included older age, renal failure, history of coronary intervention, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, LBBB, and a high number (≥770) or absence of R­R intervals of at least 2 seconds. The area under the curve for mortality prediction increased after including ECG parameters (0.748; 95% CI, 0.686-0.81; vs 0.688; 95% CI, 0.618-0.758; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: A high number of R­R intervals longer than 2 seconds or their absence on 24­hour ECG may predict mortality in patients with AF.

Predictors of mortality in emergency department patients with chest pain without cardiovascular emergencies.

BACKGROUND: Chest pain is one of the most frequent symptoms in patients seeking treatment at emergency departments (ED). These patients differ according to the cause of their reported symptoms and resultant mortality. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the influence of hospitalization and biochemical parameters on mortality rates in patients admitted to the ED with chest pain, in whom no cardiovascular emergencies were established. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 243 patients with chest pain admitted to the ED in the Wroclaw Medical University Clinical Hospital, Poland, between January 1 and March 31, 2015, in whom no specific diagnosis was made at discharge. A retrospective analysis was carried out based on medical documentation, and 60-day and 1-year survival was assessed. RESULTS: In the study group, the 60-day mortality rate was 0.8% (2 persons) while the 1-year mortality rate was 6.6% (16 persons). The stepwise multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that 1-year mortality was related to increased level of D-dimer (odds ratio (OR) = 8.5, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 21.9-37.5, p < 0.005), age (OR (per year) = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.03-1.18, p < 0.03) and lower than 12 g/dL hemoglobin concentration (OR = 18.5, 95% CI = 4.2-80.4, p < 0.001). Troponin I (TNI) levels and hospitalization were not related independently to mortality when other clinical factors were considered. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalization of patients with chest pain who were not diagnosed with cardiac emergencies is not related with better survival than of those discharged home from the ED. The 60-day mortality is very low and occurs in older patients with numerous comorbidities. In multivariate analysis, survival of the 1-year period depends on the patient's age, hemoglobin levels and D-dimer levels. Risk of death in patients admitted to the ED due to chest pain in whom the cause of the chest pain was not due to cardiovascular emergencies depends on the presence of old age and comorbidities.

Medical emergencies in dental hygienists' practice.

Dental hygienists in Poland work in various settings, including public health care institutions, private dental practices, dental clinics, kindergartens, and schools. They can often face medical emergencies, whose rate is increasing owing to comorbidities and aging of dental patients' populations. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of medical emergencies in dental hygienists' practice in Poland and the hygienists' preparedness and attitudes toward emergencies.A 10-question authors' own questionnaire was filled in by 613 dental hygienist. It referred to their cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, availability of emergency medical equipment in the workplace, the prevalence of medical emergencies including the need for an emergency medical service (EMS) call, and the management of cardiac arrest.Overall, 613 dental hygienists working in Poland participated in the study; 38.99% had taken part in basic life support (BLS) training within the previous 12 months and 35.89% within 2 to 5 years; 15.17% had experienced at least 1 emergency situation requiring an EMS call within the previous 12 months. Vasovagal syncope was the most common medical emergency (15.97%), followed by moderate anaphylactic reaction (13.87%), seizures (8.81%), hyperventilation crisis (7.50%), and hypoglycemia (7.34%).The most common medical emergency in dental hygienists' practice in Poland is syncope followed by mild anaphylactic reaction. Most of the dental hygienist had participated in a BLS course within the previous 5 years; however, 20% of them have never participated since graduation. Dental hygienists should participate in BLS courses every 2 years to keep the cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills and stay up-to-date with current guidelines. An important part of the study participants declare the lack of availability in their workplaces of life-saving equipment, including self-expanding bag resuscitator, oropharyngeal, and supraglottic airway device and oxygen source. Medical emergency equipment as recommended in the international guidelines should be available in every practice.

Does the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation feedback devices improve the quality of chest compressions performed by doctors? A prospective, randomized, cross-over simulation study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to compare the quality of chest compressions (CCs) carried out with and without the use of the TrueCPR device during simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitations conducted by trainee doctors. METHODS: The study was a prospective, randomized, cross-over simulation study. The study involved 65 trainee doctors who were tasked with performing a 2-min cycle of uninterrupted CCs under conditions of a simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation of adults. CC were carried out in two scenarios: with and without TrueCPR chest compression support. Participants did not have experience in the use of CCs prior to this study. RESULTS: The depth of compressions in regard to CC techniques were varied by 45 mm (IQR 43-48) for manual CC and 53 mm (IQR 51-55) for the TrueCPR device (p < 0.001). The incidence of CCs with and without TrueCPR was: 112 (IQR 103-113) vs. 129 (IQR 122-135) compressions (p = 0.002). The degree of complete chest relaxation with the TrueCPR device was 95% (IQR 76-99) and without the device, 33% (IQR 29-38) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the simulation study performed, the use of the TrueCPR device resulted in a significant improvement in the quality of CCs in relation to frequency and depth of CCs and correctness of chest relaxation.