The Jena Method: Perfusionist Independent, Standby Wet-Primed Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Circuit for Immediate Catheterization Laboratory and/or Hybrid Operating Room Deployment.

Background: The timely initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is crucial for providing life support. However, delays can occur when perfusionists are not readily available. The Jena Method aims to address this issue by offering a wet-primed ECMO system that can be rapidly established without the perfusionist's presence. Methods: The goal was to ensure prompt ECMO initiation while maintaining patient safety. The method focuses on meeting hygienic standards, safe primed storage of the circuit, staff training, and providing clear step-by-step instructions for the ECMO unit. Results: Since implementing the Jena Method in 2015, 306 patients received VA-ECMO treatment. Bacterial tests confirmed the sterility of the primed ECMO circuits during a 14-day period. The functionality of all the components of the primed ECMO circuit after 14 days, especially the pump and oxygenator, were thoroughly checked and no malfunction was found to this day. To train staff for independent ECMO initiation, a step-by-step system involves safely bringing the ECMO unit to the intervention site and establishing all connections. This includes powering up, managing recirculation, de-airing the system, and preparing it for cannula connection. A self-developed picture-based guide assists in this process. New staff members learn from colleagues and receive quarterly training sessions by perfusionists. After ECMO deployment, the perfusionist provides a new primed system for a potential next patient. Conclusions: Establishing a permanently wet-primed on-demand extracorporeal life support circuit without direct perfusionist support is feasible and safe. The Jena Method enables rapid ECMO deployment and has the potential to be adopted in emergency departments as well.

Outcomes with intracoronary vs. intravenous epinephrine in cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) guidelines recommend intravenous (IV) and intraosseous (IO) epinephrine as a basic cornerstone in the resuscitation process. Data about the efficacy and safety of intracoronary (IC) epinephrine during cardiac arrest in the catheterization laboratory are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy and safety of IC vs. IV epinephrine for resuscitation during cardiac arrest in the catheterization laboratory. METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a prospective observational study that included all patients who experienced cardiac arrest in the cath lab at two tertiary centres in Egypt from January 2015 to July 2022. Patients were divided into two groups according to the route of epinephrine given; IC vs. IV. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included rate of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), time-to-ROSC, and favourable neurological outcome at discharge defined as modified Rankin Scale (MRS) <3. A total of 162 patients met our inclusion criteria, mean age (60.69 ± 9.61), 34.6% women. Of them, 52 patients received IC epinephrine, and 110 patients received IV epinephrine as part of the resuscitation. Survival to hospital discharge was significantly higher in the IC epinephrine group (84.62% vs. 53.64%, P < 0.001) compared with the IV epinephrine group. The rate of ROSC was higher in the IC epinephrine group (94.23% vs. 70%, P < 0.001) and achieved in a shorter time (2.6 ± 1.97 min vs. 6.8 ± 2.11 min, P < 0.0001) compared with the IV group. Similarly, favourable neurological outcomes were more common in the IC epinephrine group (76.92% vs. 47.27%, P < 0.001) compared with the IV epinephrine group. CONCLUSION: In this observational study, IC epinephrine during cardiac arrest in the cath lab appeared to be safe and may be associated with improved outcomes compared with the IV route. Larger randomized studies are encouraged to confirm these results.

Acute cardiac tamponade during atrial flutter ablation: improved hemodynamics after positive pressure ventilation: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Acute cardiac tamponade is a rare event during any type of interventional or surgical procedure. It can occur during electrophysiology procedures due to radiofrequency ablation, lead or catheter manipulation, transseptal puncture, laser lead extractions, or left atrial appendage occlusion device positioning. Cardiac tamponade is difficult to study in a prospective manner, and case reports and case series are important contributions to understanding the best options for patient care. An 87-year-old Caucasian male patient breathing spontaneously developed acute tamponade during an atrial flutter ablation. Pericardial drain insertion was difficult, and hypotension failed to respond to epinephrine boluses. The patient became hypoxemic and hypercarbic, requiring intubation. Unexpectedly, the blood pressure markedly increased postintubation and remained in a normal range until the pericardium was drained. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous ventilation is considered important to maintain venous return to the right heart during cardiac tamponade. However, spontaneous ventilation reduces venous return to the left heart and worsens the paradoxical pulse in tamponade. Intravenous vasopressors are thought to be ineffective during cardiac tamponade. Our patient maintained pulmonary blood flow as indicated by end-tidal carbon dioxide measurements but had no measurable systemic blood pressure during spontaneous ventilation. Our case demonstrates that tracheal intubation and positive pressure ventilation can transiently improve left heart venous return, systemic perfusion, and drug delivery to the systemic circulation.

Incidence and predictors of hemodynamic compromise due to high-grade AV block after TAVI.

Background: High-grade AV block (HAVB) is the most frequent adverse event after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In rare cases, HAVB is associated with hemodynamic compromise (HC) followed by syncope or application of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but data on this severe complication are scarce. The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence and predictors of HC due to HAVB in patients undergoing TAVI. Methods: In this retrospective analysis of 4,602 TAVI cases between 2010 and 2022, 466 developed HAVB. Baseline characteristics and procedural and postprocedural findings were compared for patients with HC versus those without. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were used to investigate independent predictors of HC. Results: Forty-nine of 466 patients (10.5%) had HC due to HAVB after TAVI. Patients with HC had a longer hospital stay [10 (8-13) vs. 13 (9-18) days; p < 0.001], more frequent peripheral artery disease (PAD) (28.6% vs. 15.1%; p = 0.016), and lower hemoglobin levels [11.8 (±) vs. 12.5 (±) g/dl; p = 0.006]. In the HC group, HAVB onset post-TAVI was delayed compared with the non-HC group [2 (1-4) vs. 1 (0-3) days; p < 0.001]. Before HAVB onset, patients in the HC group more frequently developed post-TAVI delirium [18 (4.6%) vs. 11 (25.0%); p < 0.001]. In univariate regression analysis, PAD, hemoglobin, procedural time, contrast agent volume, and post-TAVI delirium were significant predictors of HC. After adjustment, only post-TAVI delirium and contrast agent volume remained independent predictors [OR 3.22 (95% CI: 1.05-9.89); p = 0.042 and OR: 1.01 (95% CI: 1.0-1.01); p = 0.04, respectively]. Conclusion: HC due to HAVB after TAVI occurred in over 10% of cases. Development of post-TAVI delirium and contrast agent volume are independent predictors of this severe complication.

Purtscher's Retinopathy After Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Literature Review.

Purtscher's retinopathy is a rare angiopathy reported in patients with a history of severe trauma and other systemic diseases. The diagnosis is made on clinical grounds, and the severity varies. A 41-year-old gentleman with underlying poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia was referred to the ophthalmology department for diabetic retinopathy screening. He denied visual complaints. Ocular examination revealed a negative relative afferent pupillary defect with a visual acuity of 6/6 bilaterally. The anterior segment examination was unremarkable. Both eye (oculus uterque, OU) fundus revealed a pink disc with a cup-to-disc ratio of 0.4 and peripapillary flame-shaped hemorrhages. Right eye (oculus dexter, OD) also showed multiple cotton wool spots along the superotemporal arcade involving zones 1 and 2 of the retina, while left eye (oculus sinister, OS) showed a single cotton wool spot along the superotemporal arcade at zone 1 of the retina. Otherwise, there were no visible retinal emboli, dot hemorrhages, or hard exudates, and the macula was normal. The retinal features were not characteristic of diabetic retinopathy. It mimicked hypertensive retinopathy, but the patient was normotensive. The absence of inner retinal thickening and hyperreflectivity on optical coherence tomography of the macula ruled out retinal vein occlusion. This prompted us to elicit further history, and the patient disclosed a recent admission for myocardial infarction in which he received cardiopulmonary resuscitation with chest compressions for seven minutes. Hence, the diagnosis of OU Purtscher's retinopathy was made, and the patient was monitored closely in the clinic. Purtscher's retinopathy remains a diagnostic dilemma and should not be neglected in complex clinical contexts.

Cardiac Resuscitation Procedures in US Nursing Facilities: Time to Reevaluate the Standard of Care?

Although the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) response has become the standard of care in many community settings over the past 20+ years, the adoption of AEDs in US nursing facilities is variable and the current number of facilities with AEDs is unknown. Recent research into the use of AEDs as part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedures for nursing facility residents with sudden cardiac arrest demonstrates improved outcomes in the limited cohort with witnessed arrests, early bystander CPR, and an initial amenable rhythm, shocked with an AED before the arrival of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. This article reviews data about outcomes of CPR in older adults and nursing facility settings and proposes that standard procedures for CPR attempts in US nursing facilities should be reevaluated and continue to evolve, commensurate with the evidence and community standards.

Pediatric intraoperative cardiopulmonary arrests: A survey to evaluate if Medical Emergency Teams are utilized in pediatric operating rooms.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that standardized code teams may improve outcomes following cardiac arrests. Pediatric intra-operative cardiac arrests are rare events and are associated with a mortality rate of 18%. There is limited data available regarding use Medical Emergency Team (MET) response to pediatric intra-operative cardiac arrest. The purpose of this study was to identify the use of MET in response to pediatric intraoperative cardiac arrest as an exploratory step in establishing evidence-based standardized practice across the hospital for training and management of this rare event. METHODS: An anonymous electronic survey was created and sent to two populations: The Pediatric Anesthesia Leadership Council, a section of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia, and the Pediatric Resuscitation Quality Collaborative, a multinational collaborative group, which works to improve resuscitation care in children. Standard summary and descriptive statistics were used for survey responses. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 41%. The majority of respondents worked in a university affiliated, free-standing children's hospital. Ninety-five percent of respondents had a dedicated pediatric MET at their hospital. In 60% of responses from Pediatric Resuscitation Quality Collaborative and 18% of Pediatric Anesthesia Leadership Council hospitals, the MET responds to pediatric intra-operative cardiac arrest; however, the majority of times MET involvement is requested rather than automatic. The MET was found to be activated intraoperatively for situations other than cardiac arrest such as, massive transfusion events, need for extra staff, and for specialty expertise. In 65% of institutions, simulation-based training for cardiac arrest is supported but lacking pediatric intra-operative focus. CONCLUSIONS: This survey revealed heterogeneity in the composition and response of the medical response teams responding to pediatric intra-operative cardiac arrests. Improved collaboration and cross training among MET, anesthesia, and operating room nursing may improve outcomes of pediatric intra-operative code events.

The Effect of Resuscitation Residents on the Duration of Pre-induction of Targeted Temperature Management in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Background The Resuscitation Rotation is a novel second-year emergency medicine rotation focusing on the highest acuity patients, including out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The resuscitation resident (RR) functions as an extra physician during resuscitation and post return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The objective of this study is to examine if the presence of a RR decreases the pre-induction interval of targeted temperature management (TTM) for patients following OHCA. Methods A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care level 1 trauma center with an annual ED census of 127,323 visits in 2019. We retrospectively reviewed consecutive OHCA patients from September 1, 2014, to July 20, 2020, who underwent TTM. Patients were identified as cases with or without a RR. Clinical characteristics were summarized by the status of RR involvement and compared by using t-test and χ2 test for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. All tests with p < 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Results Our study population identified 198 adult OHCA patients that underwent TTM from 2014-2020. There were exclusions for missing TTM start time and for missing patient characteristics leaving 176 for final analysis, of which 55 (33.3%) had RR involvement. The mean time (hours) to TTM initiation (ie, the pre-induction phase) for patients involving the RR versus those without was not statistically significant (3.11 vs 3.34, p=0.39). Linear regression analysis indicates that the adjusted effect of RR involvement was not associated with the mean hours of pre-induction (p=0.47). Conclusion There is no statistically significant association of a RR on the duration of the pre-induction phase. Limitations include that both arms had prolonged pre-induction phases. This may represent a non-optimized TTM protocol. Future work will aim to use the RR to improve our pre-induction phase.

Prone Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Protocol: A Single-Center Experience at Implementation and Review of Literature.

The prone position is a crucial position used in the operating rooms and the intensive care units, with its importance highly recognized during the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a cardinal procedure that is indicated and performed on any eligible patient who has cardiopulmonary arrest and resultant lack of perfusion and oxygenation. When a patient has a cardiopulmonary arrest in the prone position, the options include rotating the patient supine before starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or beginning CPR while prone. Prone CPR has not had a widely accepted use so far. In this article, we narrate the process of protocol development and staff education at our hospital for the initiation of prone CPR and review the literature related to it. Prone CPR is an effective technique with good outcomes and involves a learning curve. Appropriate training needs to be done before implementing the protocol, and adequate quality control measures need to be set to ensure that the skill set is maintained.

Sodium bicarbonate administration during in-hospital pediatric cardiac arrest: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Current American Heart Association Pediatric Life Support (PLS) guidelines do not recommend the routine use of sodium bicarbonate (SB) during cardiac arrest in pediatric patients. However, SB administration during pediatric resuscitation is still common in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of SB on mortality and neurological outcomes in pediatric patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to January 2021. We included studies of pediatric patients that had two treatment arms (treated with SB or not treated with SB) during in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE system. RESULTS: We included 7 observational studies with a total of 4877 pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest patients. Meta-analysis showed that SB administration during pediatric cardiac resuscitation was associated with a significantly decreased rate of survival to hospital discharge (odds ratio [OR], 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25-0.63, p value = 0.0003). There were insufficient studies for 24-h survival and neurologic outcomes analysis. The subgroup analysis showed a significantly decreased rate of survival to hospital discharge in both the "before 2010" subgroup (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.30-0.73; p value = 0.006) and the "after 2010" subgroup (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.25-0.87; p value = 0.02). The certainty of evidence ranged from very low to low. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis of non-randomized studies supported current PLS guideline that routine administration of SB is not recommended in pediatric cardiac arrest except in special resuscitation situations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The protocol was registered with PROSPERO on 8 August 2020 (registration number: CRD42020197837).

Cardiac arrest in adult intensive care units in the Medellin metropolitan area, Colombia: observational study / Paro cardiaco en las unidades de cuidado intensivo de adultos del área metropolitana de Medellín, Colombia. Estudio observacional

Abstract Introduction: In-hospital cardiac arrest (CA) is a rare but life-threatening event. However, the epidemiology of this event in intensive care units (ICU) is not clear. Objective: To determine the clinical characteristics of CA in adult patients hospitalized in several ICU of the Metropolitan Area of the Aburrá Valley, Colombia, over a period of 1 year. Methods: Observational study for a limited period of 1 year for adult patients with CA in the ICU of the hospitals of the Metropolitan Area of the Aburrá Valley, Colombia: San Vicente Foundation University Hospital, IPS University, and Manuel Uribe Ángel Hospital. Results: Of 3710 eligible patients who were treated in 91 beds, 646 CA events occurred during this period, of which 151 were candidates for resuscitation maneuvers. The overall incidence of CA in the ICU was 17.1%, without differences between the 3 hospitals included and the incidence of resuscitable CA was 39.9 cases per 1000 admissions to the ICU. The most common CA rhythm was asystole 54.3% and the overall survival at hospital discharge was 3.3%. Conclusion: In the analyzed ICU, CA was an infrequent event, but it presents a high mortality at discharge from the ICU and hospital. However, the few patients who survive have a good neurological prognosis.

Resumen Introducción: El paro cardiaco intrahospitalario es un evento poco frecuente, pero potencialmente mortal. No obstante, no es clara su epidemiología en las unidades de cuidado intensivos. Objetivo: Determinar las características clínicas del paro cardiorrespiratorio en pacientes adultos hospitalizados en varias unidades de cuidado intensivo (UCI) del Área Metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá, Colombia, en un período de 12 meses. Métodos: Estudio observacional por período limitado a un año para pacientes adultos con paro cardiorrespiratorio en las UCI de los hospitales del Área Metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá, Colombia: Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundación, IPS Universitaria, y Hospital Manuel Uribe Ángel. Resultados: De 3710 pacientes elegibles que fueron atendidos en 91 camas se presentaron en este período 646 eventos de paro cardiorrespiratorio, de los cuales 151 fueron candidatos a man iobras de reanimación. La incidencia global de paro en UCI fue de 17,1% (IC 95%: 15,9%-18,3%), sin diferencias entre los tres hospitales incluidos y una incidencia de paro cardiorrespiratorio susceptible de recibir reanimación cardiopulmonar de 39,9 casos por cada 1000 admisiones a la UCI. El ritmo de paro más común fue la asistolia (54,3%) y la sobrevida global al alta hospitalaria fue de 3,3%. Conclusión: El paro cardiorrespiratorio no fue un evento frecuente en las UCI analizadas, pero presenta una alta mortalidad al alta de UCI y hospitalaria. Sin embargo, los pocos pacientes que logran sobrevivir tienen buen pronóstico neurológico.

Efficacy and safety of corticosteroid therapy in patients with cardiac arrest: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

PURPOSES: The role of corticosteroid therapy in patients with cardiac arrest (CA) is uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of corticosteroid therapy in CA patients. METHODS: Randomised controlled trials were identified using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes were positive neurological status and probability of sustained restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Complications were infection and bleeding. Given the significant heterogeneity across previous studies, combining the data using meta-analysis was deemed not appropriate. RESULTS: Five studies (551 patients) met the criteria. Two studies of co-intervention therapy (corticosteroid, vasopressin and epinephrine protocol) found that this approach could benefit in-hospital CA patient survival rates at hospital discharge, improve neurological function at hospital discharge and yield sustained ROSC rate. However, further two studies failed to demonstrate that corticosteroid therapy alone could improve survival and neurological outcomes among CA patients. Additionally, corticosteroid therapy did not increase the risk of infection and bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the inherent limitations of the studies in this review, we have not been able to reach definitive conclusions. Larger-scale and better-designed studies are therefore recommended, to further evaluate the potential and rational use of corticosteroid therapy in CA patients.

What is New in Pharmacologic Therapy for Cardiac Resuscitation?

Antiarrhythmic therapy can be a critical component of cardiac resuscitation. Therapies in this area have seen little advance in the last decade. Bretylium, a very old drug, has been reintroduced for ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) therapy. There are still important questions to be addressed with bretylium: when to administer (first- or second-line) and at which dose. These questions and the development of newer agents will be areas of future research.

The Effect of Mock Code Blue Simulations and Dedicated Advanced Cardiac Life Support Didactics on Resident Perceived Competency.

In-hospital cardiac or pulmonary arrest is associated with high mortality. In the USA, approximately 200,000 of these events occur and are associated with overall survival rates of 18%-20%. Despite advances in resuscitative methods, the probability of intact survival also remains unfavorable. Though many factors play a role, we believe a large portion of a patient's survival is dependent on the competency of the leader of the code blue or resuscitative team's efforts. Newly minted physicians who enter medical training in their respective residencies are equipped with a wide range of clinical competency in regards to hands-on experience and aptitude with handling code blue scenarios. Through the use of mock code blue simulations along with dedicated didactics over a seven-month time span, we were able to demonstrate success in improving clinical competency and patient survival outcomes.

Paro cardíaco extrahospitalario. Presentación y supervivencia al ingreso hospitalario en algunos centros urbanos y suburbanos del departamento de Maldonado, Uruguay. Análisis de 12 años / Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Presentation and survival at hospital admission in some urban and suburban centers of the department of Maldonado, Uruguay. 12 year analysis

Resumen: Introducción: no se dispone de un registro de muerte súbita en Uruguay. Extrapolando datos de otros países se estima que fallecen súbitamente entre 2.000 y 3.000 personas cada año, entre cinco y seis veces más que en los accidentes de tránsito. Objetivo: describir la presentación y la supervivencia al ingreso hospitalario (SIH) de los pacientes asistidos por una emergencia médica móvil (EMM) por paro cardíaco extrahospitalario no traumático (PCEH) en algunos centros urbanos y suburbanos del departamento de Maldonado; analizar variables que se asocian a mayor SIH. Material y método: estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo-analítico, de todos los PCEH en pacientes mayores de 14 años asistidos en el período comprendido entre enero de 2005 y agosto de 2017 en el departamento de Maldonado por una EMM. Para el análisis de asociación de variables se realizó test de chi cuadrado para las variables categóricas y test de t para las variables continuas. Resultados: se asistieron 347 pacientes; 242 hombres (69,7%), edad media 66 años (DE±12,5 años) y 105 mujeres (30,3%), edad media 71,6 años (DE±13,5 años), p=0,002. La mediana del tiempo recepción del llamado-arribo fue de 7 minutos. El PCEH se presentó en 82,4% en el hogar. Diez pacientes fueron asistidos con desfibrilador externo automático (DEA). Los ritmos al arribo fueron: asistolia 56,2%, fibrilación ventricular (FV) 29,4%, actividad eléctrica sin pulso (AESP) 13,5% y taquicardia ventricular sin pulso (TVSP) 0,9%. El 44,6% recibió desfibrilación con un promedio de 3,5 descargas por paciente. La SIH fue 21,9%. En el análisis univariado las variables que se asociaron a mayor SIH fueron: vía pública (VP) como lugar del evento (p<0,001), ritmo desfibrilable al arribo (p<0,001) y las edades menores (p<0,001). Conclusiones: el ritmo más frecuente al arribo del equipo de salud fue la asistolia seguido de la FV. La menor edad, la VP como lugar del evento y la presencia de ritmos desfibrilables al arribo de la EMM se asociaron a mayor SIH.

Summary: Introduction: currently there is not a registry of sudden death in Uruguay. Extrapolating data from other countries it is estimated that between 2.000 and 3.000 people die suddenly every year, five or six times more than in traffic accidents. Objective: to describe the presentation of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) assisted by a Mobile Medical Emergency (MME) in some urban and suburban centers in Maldonado; and to analize variables associated with greater survival at hospital admission (SHA). Material and method: a retrospective, descriptive-analytical study of all OHCA in patients older than 14 years assisted in the period between January 2005 and August 2017, in Maldonado department, by a MME was performed. For analysis, the chi-square test was performed for the categorical variables and the t-test for the continuous variables. Results: 347 patients were recruited in the study period. 69,7% were men, with a mean age of 66 years old (SD±12,5 years) and 30,3% were women, mean age 71,6 years old (SD±13,5 years), p=0,002. The median time of call reception-arrival was 7 minutes. The OHCA presented in 82,4% of cases at home. Ten patients were assisted with automatic external defibrillator (AED). The rhythms at arrival were: asystole 56,2%, ventricular fibrillation 29,4%, pulseless electrical activity 13,5% and ventricular tachycardia without pulse 0,9%. 44,6% received defibrillation with an average of 3,5 discharges per patient. SHA was 21,9%. In the univariated analysis, the variables that were associated with higher SHA were: public settings as the site of the event (p <0,001), shockable rhythm at arrival (p <0,001), and younger age (p <0,001). Conclusions: the most frequent rhythm at the arrival of the health team was asystole followed by ventricular fibrillation. Younger age, public settings as the place of the event and the presence of shockable rhythms at the arrival of the MME, were associated with higher SHA.

A Randomised tRial of Expedited transfer to a cardiac arrest centre for non-ST elevation ventricular fibrillation out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: The ARREST pilot randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Wide variation exists in inter-hospital survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Regionalisation of care into cardiac arrest centres (CAC) may improve this. We report a pilot randomised trial of expedited transfer to a CAC following OHCA without ST-elevation. The objective was to assess the feasibility of performing a large-scale randomised controlled trial. METHODS: Adult witnessed ventricular fibrillation OHCA of presumed cardiac cause were randomised 1:1 to either: (1) treatment: comprising expedited transfer to a CAC for goal-directed therapy including access to immediate reperfusion, or (2) control: comprising current standard of care involving delivery to the geographically closest hospital. The feasibility of randomisation, protocol adherence and data collection of the primary (30-day all-cause mortality) and secondary (cerebral performance category (CPC)) and in-hospital major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) clinical outcome measures were assessed. RESULTS: Between November 2014 and April 2016, 118 cases were screened, of which 63 patients (53%) met eligibility criteria and 40 of the 63 patients (63%) were randomised. There were no protocol deviations in the treatment arm. Data collection of primary and secondary outcomes was achieved in 83%. There was no difference in baseline characteristics between the groups: 30-day mortality (Intervention 9/18, 50% vs. Control 6/15, 40%; P=0.73), CPC 1/2 (Intervention: 9/18, 50% vs. Control 7/14, 50%; P>0.99) or MACCE (Intervention: 9/18, 50% vs. Control 6/15, 40%; P=0.73). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a large-scale randomised controlled trial of expedited transfer to CAC following OHCA to address a remaining uncertainty in post-arrest care.

Chest compression release velocity: Association with survival and favorable neurologic outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the association between chest compression release velocity (CCRV) and outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CPR quality was measured using a defibrillator with accelerometer-based technology (E Series, ZOLL Medical) during OHCA resuscitations by 2 EMS agencies in Arizona between 10/2008 and 06/2013. All non-EMS-witnessed adult (≥ 18 years) arrests of presumed cardiac etiology were included. The association between mean CCRV (assessed as an appropriate measure of central tendency) and both survival to hospital discharge and neurologic outcome (Cerebral Performance Category score = 1 or 2) was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression to control for known and potential confounders and multiple imputation to account for missing data. RESULTS: 981 OHCAs (median age 68 years, 65% male, 11% survival to discharge) were analyzed with 232 (24%) missing CPR quality data. All-rhythms survival varied significantly with CCRV [fast (≥ 400 mm/s) = 18/79 (23%); moderate (300-399.9 mm/s) = 50/416 (12%); slow (<300 mm/s) 17/255 (7%); p < 0.001], as did favorable neurologic outcome [fast = 14/79 (18%); moderate = 43/415 (10%); slow = 11/255 (4%); p < 0.001]. Fast CCRV was associated with increased survival compared to slow [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.17 (95% CI: 1.61, 10.82) and moderate CCRV [aOR 3.08 (1.39, 6.83)]. Fast CCRV was also associated with improved favorable neurologic outcome compared to slow [4.51 (1.57, 12.98)]. There was a 5.2% increase in the adjusted odds of survival for each 10mm/s increase in CCRV [aOR 1.052 (1.001, 1.105)]. CONCLUSION: CCRV was independently associated with improved survival and favorable neurologic outcome at hospital discharge after adult OHCA.

Rhythm analysis and charging during chest compressions reduces compression pause time.

PURPOSE: Prolonged chest compression interruptions immediately preceding and following a defibrillation shock reduce shock success and survival after cardiac arrest. We tested the hypothesis that compression pauses would be shorter using an AED equipped with a new Analysis during Compressions with Fast Reconfirmation (ADC-FR) technology, which features automated rhythm analysis and charging during compressions with brief reconfirmation analysis during compression pause, compared with standard AED mode. METHODS: BLS-certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs) worked in pairs and performed two trials of simulated cardiac resuscitation with a chest compression sensing X Series defibrillator (ZOLL Medical). Each pair was randomized to perform a trial of eight 2-min compression intervals (randomly assigned to receive four shockable and four non-shockable rhythms) with the defibrillator in standard AED mode and another trial in ADC-FR mode. Subjects were advised to follow defibrillator prompts, defibrillate if "shock advised," and switch compressors every two intervals. Compression quality data were reviewed using RescueNet Code Review (ZOLL Medical) and analyzed using paired t-tests. RESULTS: Thirty-two EMT-basic prehospital providers (59% male; median 25 years age [IQR 22-27]) participated in the study. End of interval compression interruptions were significantly reduced with ADC-FR vs. AED mode (p<0.001). For shockable rhythms, pre-shock pause was reduced significantly with ADC-FR compared with AED use (7.35±0.16s vs. 12.0±0.22s, p<0.001) whereas post-shock pause was similar (2.08±0.14s vs. 1.77±0.14s, p=0.1). CONCLUSION: Chest compression interruptions associated with rhythm analysis and charging are reduced with use of a novel defibrillator technology, ADC-FR, which features automated rhythm analysis and charging during compressions.

Does simulated training improve medical students’ knowledge on cardiac life support? A study comparing simulated versus traditional teaching at the International Medical University

Background: At the International Medical University (IMU), a half day cardiac life support teaching session was provided to fourth year medical students which included training on the use of the defibrillator machine, how to handle cardiac or respiratory arrest and drugs used for resuscitation. A new CLS (cardiac life support) training session was introduced and increased to a oneday course where students were given practical training first, which included 5 stations (airway equipment, mega codes, drugs for resuscitation, defibrillator use and cardiac rhythm identification) , MCQ (multiple choice questions) test and a mega code (practical)assessment. Objective: To evaluate the students’ knowledge on cardiac resuscitation after a change in the delivery of the cardiac life support training (CLS). Methodology: Group I, consisted of 82 students taught using the traditional teaching and Group II consisted of 77 students taught using hands on simulation. The students in both groups had an online manual to read prior to the session, were given an identical written exam six months after the CLS training. Group II, however, had an online pre-test. Results: There was a statistical difference in the final mean marks between the two groups with group II scoring higher (67.3) than group 1 (62.1). No significant marks difference was noted between male and female students for both the cohorts. Conclusion: There is a significant difference in medical students’ knowledge when cardiac life support is taught using simulation. IMU has adopted the new teaching method with simulated training for the cardiac life support courses with plans to implement higher fidelity and technology to the existing simulated teaching in other areas of medicine.