Head injuries related to bicycle collisions and helmet use - an observational study.

OBJECTIVES: In Denmark, the use of bicycles is widespread, and head injuries are often seen in cyclists involved in collisions. Despite the well-known effects of using a helmet to reduce head injuries, using helmets is not mandatory in Denmark. The primary objective of this study was to provide data regarding injury outcomes and helmet usage. METHODS: Participants were bicyclists who sustained head injuries in bicycle collisions and were assessed by the Copenhagen Emergency Medical Services between 1 January 2016; and 15 June 2019. Patients with suspected head injury were identified in an electronic prehospital patient record. Data were linked to the Danish National Patient Registry to retrieve the diagnosis and were categorized into head injury or no head injury based on the diagnosis. Adjusted logistic regression analyses were reported with odds ratios and corresponding confidence intervals to assess the risk of head injury while adjusting for risk factors like age, sex, alcohol consumption, occurrence during weekends and traumatic brain injury. RESULTS: A total of 407 patients were included in this study. Within this entity, 247 (61%) had sustained a head injury. The use of a helmet was reported in one-third of the included patients. Among the head-injured patients, 13% sustained moderate to severe head injuries. Patients with suspected alcohol involvement were significantly less likely to report the use of a helmet. Helmet use reduced the risk of head injury with an odds ratio of 0.52, (95% CI 0.31 - 0.86). In high-energy trauma, the use of a helmet showed a significant reduction in the risk of sustaining a head injury with an odds ratio of 0.28, (95% CI 0.12 - 0.80). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, using a helmet was associated with a significantly decreased risk of head injury; this association was even more significant in high-energy trauma.

Treat and release: an observational study of non-conveyed high-acuity dispatches in a Danish emergency medical system.

Non-conveyance refers to the practice of treating a patient on-site without transporting them to a medical facility. It may decrease unnecessary hospital transfers and improve patient satisfaction. Nonetheless, ensuring patient safety remains paramount. The objective of the study was to assess admission to hospital and mortality in non-conveyed patients. This population-based cohort study included all high-acuity dispatches in Region Zealand, Denmark between 2019 and 2022. The primary outcome was admission within 48 h, and the secondary outcome was 30-day mortality. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted, and logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. A non-conveyance rate of 14% was identified in 95,238 transports. Admission within 48 h was seen in 22% of non-conveyed patients vs. 95% in conveyed patients, p < 0.001. The adjusted analysis showed a decreased likelihood of admission within 48 h within non-conveyed patients, with an aOR of 0.01 95% CI (0.01-0.01). Non-conveyed patients had a crude 30-day mortality rate of 2 vs. 6% among conveyed patients, p < 0.001. The adjusted analysis showed an increased likelihood of 30-day mortality in non-conveyed patients with an odds ratio of 1.21, 95% CI (1.05-1.40). Non-conveyed patients constitute a substantial proportion of patients assessed by ambulances following high-acuity dispatch. Less than one in four non-conveyed patients were admitted within 48 h. Despite the low crude mortality in this study, an increased likelihood of mortality was found within the non-conveyed population. However, additional investigation is warranted in future research.

Foreign body airway obstruction resulting in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Denmark - Incidence, survival and interventions.

BACKGROUND: Foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO) stands as an important contributor to accidental fatalities, yet prompt bystander interventions have been shown to improve survival. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, interventions, and survival outcomes of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) related to FBAO in comparison to patients with non-FBAO OHCA. METHODS: In this population-based cohort study, we included all OHCAs in Denmark from 2016 to 2022. Cases related to FBAO were identified and linked to the patient register. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were performed to evaluate prognostic factors potentially influencing survival. RESULTS: A total of 30,926 OHCA patients were included. The incidence rate of FBAO-related OHCA was 0.78 per 100,000 person-years. Among FBAO cases, 24% presented with return of spontaneous circulation upon arrival of the emergency medical services. The 30-day survival rate was higher in FBAO patients (30%) compared to non-FBAO patients (14%). Bystander interventions were recorded in 26% of FBAO cases. However, no statistically significant association between bystander interventions or EMS personnels' use of Magill forceps and survival was shown, aOR 1.47 (95 % CI 0.6-3.6) and aOR 0.88 (95% CI 0.3-2.1). CONCLUSION: FBAO-related OHCA was rare but has a higher initial survival rate than non-FBAO related OHCA, with a considerable proportion of patients achieving return of spontaneous circulation upon arrival of the emergency medical service personnel. No definitive associations were established between survival and specific interventions performed by bystanders or EMS personnel. These findings highlight the need for further research in this area.

Prehospital interventions and outcomes in traumatic cardiac arrest: a population-based cohort study using the Danish Helicopter Emergency Medical Services data.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Traumatic cardiac arrest is associated with poor prognosis, and timely evidence-based treatment is paramount for increasing survival rates. Physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service use in major trauma has demonstrated improved outcomes. However, the sparsity of data highlights the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology of traumatic cardiac arrest. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate survival and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and to investigate the characteristics of patients with traumatic cardiac arrest assessed by the Danish HEMS. DESIGN: This was a population-based cohort study based on data from the Danish helicopter emergency medical service database. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: The study included all patients assessed by the Danish helicopter emergency medical services between 2016 and 2021. OUTCOME MEASURES AND ANALYSIS: Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, non-parametric testing and logistic regression analyses. Descriptive analysis of prehospital interventions included cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation, airway management, administration of blood products, and thoracic decompression. The primary outcome was 30-day survival, and the key secondary outcome was prehospital ROSC. MAIN RESULTS: A total of 223 patients with TCA were included. The median age was 54 years (IQR 34-68), and the majority were males. Overall, 23% of patients achieved prehospital ROSC, and the 30-day survival rate was 4%. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of ROSC were an initial shockable cardiac rhythm, odds ratio (OR) of 3.78 (95% CI 1.33-11.00) and endotracheal intubation, OR 7.10 (95% CI 2.55-22.85). CONCLUSION: This study highlights the low survival rates observed among patients with traumatic cardiac arrest assessed by helicopter emergency medical services. The findings support the positive impact of an initial shockable cardiac rhythm and endotracheal intubation in improving the likelihood of ROSC. The study contributes to the limited literature on traumatic cardiac arrests assessed by physician-staffed helicopter emergency services. Finally, the findings emphasise the need for further research to understand and improve outcomes in this subgroup of cardiac arrest.

Association between using a prehospital assessment unit and hospital admission and mortality: a matched cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare hospital admission and 30-day mortality between patients assessed by the prehospital assessment unit (PAU) and patients not assessed by the PAU. DESIGN: This was a matched cohort study. SETTING: This study was conducted between November 2021 and October 2022 in Region Zealand, Denmark. PARTICIPANTS: 989 patients aged >18, assessed by the PAU, were identified, and 9860 patients not assessed by the PAU were selected from the emergency calls using exposure density sampling. EXPOSURE: Patients assessed by the PAU. The PAU is operated by paramedics with access to point-of-care test facilities. The PAU is an alternative response vehicle without the capability of transporting patients. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was hospital admission within 48 hours after the initial call. The key secondary outcomes were admission within 7 days, 30-day mortality and admission within 6 hours. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted, and logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted OR (aOR) and 95% CI. RESULTS: Among the PAU assessed, 44.1% were admitted within 48 hours, compared with 72.9% of the non-PAU assessed, p<0.001. The multivariable analysis showed a lower risk of admission within 48 hours and 7 days among the PAU patients, aOR 0.31 (95% CI 0.26 to 0.38) and aOR 0.50 (95% CI 0.38 to 0.64), respectively. The 30-day mortality rate was 3.8% in the PAU-assessed patients vs 5.5% in the non-PAU-assessed patients, p=0.03. In the multivariable analysis, no significant difference was found in mortality aOR 0.99 (95% CI 0.71 to 1.42). No deaths were observed in PAU-assessed patients without subsequent follow-up. CONCLUSION: The recently introduced PAU aims for patient-centred emergency care. The PAU-assessed patients had reduced admissions within 48 hours and 7 days after the initial call. Study findings indicate that the PAU is safe since we identified no significant differences in 30-day mortality. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05654909.

Traumatic cardiac arrest - a nationwide Danish study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrest following trauma is a leading cause of death, mandating urgent treatment. This study aimed to investigate and compare the incidence, prognostic factors, and survival between patients suffering from traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) and non-traumatic cardiac arrest (non-TCA). METHODS: This cohort study included all patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Denmark between 2016 and 2021. TCAs were identified in the prehospital medical record and linked to the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest registry. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were performed with 30-day survival as the primary outcome. RESULTS: A total of 30,215 patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrests were included. Among those, 984 (3.3%) were TCA. TCA patients were younger and predominantly male (77.5% vs 63.6%, p = < 0.01) compared to non-TCA patients. Return of spontaneous circulation occurred in 27.3% of cases vs 32.3% in non-TCA patients, p < 0.01, and 30-day survival was 7.3% vs 14.2%, p < 0.01. An initial shockable rhythm was associated with increased survival (aOR = 11.45, 95% CI [6.24 - 21.24] in TCA patients. When comparing TCA with non-TCA other trauma and penetrating trauma were associated with lower survival (aOR: 0.2, 95% CI [0.02-0.54] and aOR: 0.1, 95% CI [0.03 - 0.31], respectively. Non-TCA was associated with an aOR: 3.47, 95% CI [2.53 - 4,91]. CONCLUSION: Survival from TCA is lower than in non-TCA. TCA has different predictors of outcome compared to non-TCA, illustrating the differences regarding the aetiologies of cardiac arrest. Presenting with an initial shockable cardiac rhythm might be associated with a favourable outcome in TCA.

Training in Basic Life Support and Bystander-Performed Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Survival in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests in Denmark, 2005 to 2019.

Importance: Strategies to improve survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) include mass education of laypersons with no official duty to respond to OHCA. In Denmark, basic life support (BLS) course attendance has been mandated by law in October 2006 for obtaining a driver's license for all vehicles and in vocational education programs. Objectives: To examine the association between yearly BLS course participation rate and bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and 30-day survival from OHCA and to examine if bystander CPR rate acted as a mediator on the association between mass education of laypersons in BLS and survival from OHCA. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study included outcomes for all OHCA incidents from the Danish Cardiac Arrest Register between 2005 and 2019. Data concerning BLS course participation were supplied by the major Danish BLS course providers. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome was 30-day survival of patients who experienced OHCA. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between BLS training rate, bystander CPR rate, and survival, and a bayesian mediation analysis was conducted to examine mediation. Results: A total of 51 057 OHCA incidents and 2 717 933 course certificates were included. The study showed that the annual 30-day survival from OHCA increased by 14% (odds ratio [OR], 1.14; 95% CI, 1.10-1.18; P < .001) when BLS course participation rate increased by 5% in analysis adjusted for initial rhythm, automatic external defibrillator use, and mean age. An average mediated proportion of 0.39 (95% QBCI, 0.049-0.818; P = .01). In other words, the last result indicated that 39% of the association between mass educating laypersons in BLS and survival was mediated through an increased bystander CPR rate. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of Danish BLS course participation and survival, a positive association was found between annual rate of mass education in BLS and 30-day survival from OHCA. The association of BLS course participation rate on 30-day survival was mediated by the bystander CPR rate; approximately 60% of the association of BLS course participation rate on 30-day survival was based on factors other than increased CPR rates.

AED applied, not recommending defibrillation - A validation study of the new variable AED in the Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry.

AIM: This study aimed to design and implement a new variable, the automated external defibrillator (AED) variable, within the Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry. The introduction of the new variable aims to investigate and solve the challenges of reporting out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. METHODS: This validation study examined all patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest from 2016 to 2019. Their medical records were reviewed to establish a variable for AED. All patients with an AED applied were included, and comparative analyses were carried out. The primary outcome was 30-day survival, and the secondary outcome was the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) at any time. RESULTS: A total of 1576 cases were included; of those, 747 cases had an AED applied and received a shock, and in 829 cases, an AED was applied without delivering a shock. Most defibrillated patients were witnessed by bystanders n = 541, (72%). They presented a higher number of ROSC (57%) and higher 30-day survival, (35,2%) compared to patients who were not defibrillated. Of this group, only 47% patients were witnessed; 18% survived more than 30 days, p < 0.001. When comparing AED present with no AED present, the AED group were significantly more likely to be witnessed by bystanders and to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation by bystanders. No significant differences were found regarding the initial rhythm between the two groups. 30-day survival rate was 20% in the AED group compared to 14% in the non-AED group, yielding an OR of 1.14 (95% CI 1.20-1.66). CONCLUSION: This study highlights the differences between OHCA patients receiving defibrillation and those not receiving defibrillation after AED placement. These differences emphasise the need for uniform reporting of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This study showed improvement in the completeness of the registration of OHCA by implementing the AED variable. However, a future effort to improve registration completeness is needed.

Pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Denmark.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (POHCA) has received limited attention. All causes of POHCA and outcomes were examined during a 4-year period in a Danish nationwide register and prehospital medical records. The aim was to describe the incidence, reversible causes, and survival rates for POHCA in Denmark. METHODS: This is a registry-based follow-up cohort study. All POHCA for a 4-year period (2016-2019) in Denmark were included. All prehospital medical records for the included subjects were reviewed manually by five independent raters establishing whether a presumed reversible cause could be assigned. RESULTS: We identified 173 cases within the study period. The median incidence of POHCA in the population below 17 years of age was 4.2 per 100,000 persons at risk. We found a presumed reversible cause in 48.6% of cases, with hypoxia being the predominant cause of POHCA (42.2%). The thirty-day survival was 40%. Variations were seen across age groups, with the lowest survival rate in cases below 1 year of age. Defibrillators were used more frequently among survivors, with 16% of survivors defibrillated bystanders as opposed to 1.9% in non-survivors and 24% by EMS personnel as opposed to 7.8% in non-survivors. The differences in initial rhythm being shockable was 34% for survivors and 16% for non-survivors. CONCLUSION: We found pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrests was a rare event, with higher incidence and mortality in infants compared to other age groups of children. Use of defibrillators was disproportionally higher among survivors. Hypoxia was the most common presumed cause among all age groups.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest related to exercise in the general population: Incidence, survival and bystander response.

BACKGROUND: Regular exercise is known to prevent cardiovascular disorders, but it may also trigger acute cardiac events. This study examined the incidence, prognosis, and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) related to exercise in the general population of Denmark. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study examined all the OHCAs in the Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry from 2016 to 2019. OHCA related to exercise was identified in a nationwide electronic database and coupled to the patient register. Descriptive statistics were used in combination with a multivariate logistic regression model to assess predefined factors. RESULTS: A total of 20,470 OHCAs were identified, of which 459 (2.2%) were related to exercise. Most were male (75.3%), with a median age of 61 years. Further, 95% of exercise-related OHCA received bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, compared to 77.4% in non-exercise-related OHCA (p < 0.001), and 38.3% received defibrillation by bystanders versus 7.5% in the non-exercise group (p < 0.001). Exercise-related OHCAs had a 30-day survival rate of 57.7% compared to 12.6% in the non-exercise group, yielding an adjusted odds ratio of 5.56. The 30-day survival rate of exercise-related subjects aged 15-35 years was 80.0%, compared to 25.0% in the non-exercise group. When comparing sports categories, team sports were associated with the greatest chance of survival (odds ratio of 18.5 versus a non-exercise odds ratio of 0.09). CONCLUSION: Exercise-related OHCA has a low incidence and is related to a significantly better prognosis when compared to non-exercise OHCA. Furthermore, many patients experiencing exercise-related OHCA received defibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation by bystanders. These findings could help plan and execute campaigns and education.

Position-Related Postoperative Peripheral Neuropathy After Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery: A Comparative Single-Center Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery requires perioperative positioning in the dorsal lithotomy position and intermittent Trendelenburg position. This position is associated with postoperative peripheral neuropathy (PPN), which is a substantial cause of anesthesia-related claims. The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of PPN of patients positioned in lithotomy position with shoulder braces, and second to compare this group with patients positioned on the foam mattress Pink Pad®. Materials and Methods: This consecutive single-center prospective cohort study of 155 patients undergoing colorectal surgery was performed between November 2014 and June 2015. After initial results the implementation of the Pink Pad took place and a total of 52 patients were included between May 2016 and February 2017 to compare the two groups. Results: Positioning with the shoulder brace regimen during laparoscopic colorectal surgery was related to the development of PPN in 33% of cases, as opposed to 15% with Pink Pad. Positioning with shoulder braces increased the risk of PPN with an odds ratio of 3.14 (95% confidence interval: 1.10-8.992) when compared with positioning on Pink Pad. Conclusion: Position-related PPN is an important complication after laparoscopic colorectal surgery. This study concludes that careful attention should be paid to positioning and favors Pink Pad over positioning with shoulder braces. Prolonged time in anesthesia is a predictor of PPN. Clinical Trial Number: H-2-2014-FSP75.

[Intracerebral haemorrhage twelve days after vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19].

The COVID-19-pandemic has had a huge impact on health and economics all over the world resulting in widespread vaccine development. Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytropenia has been described, suggesting a link between the two adeno-vector vaccines ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Vaxzevria from AstraZeneca) and Ad26.COV2-S (Janssen from Johnson and Johnson). This rare clinical condition should be suspected in patients with headache, abdominal pain, suspected thrombosis or hemorrhage and thrombocytopenia within 3-30-day post vaccine. In this case report a previously healthy man had thrombocytopenia with fatal intracerebral haemorrhage which was suspected to be related to vaccine.