A randomized controlled trial comparing traditional training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to self-directed CPR learning in first year medical students: The two-person CPR study

Study Aim

The primary purpose of this study was to compare two, shorter, self-directed methods of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education for healthcare professionals (HCP) to traditional training with a focus on the trainee's ability to perform two-person CPR.

Methods

First-year medical students with either no prior CPR for HCP experience or prior training greater than 5 years were randomized to complete one of three courses: 1) HeartCode BLS System, 2) BLS Anytime, or 3) Traditional training. Only data from the adult CPR skills testing station was reviewed via video recording by certified CPR instructors and the Laerdal PC Skill Reporter software program (Laerdal Medical, Stavanger, Norway).

Results

There were 180 first-year medical students who met inclusion criteria: 68 were HeartCode BLS System, 53 BLS Anytime group, and 59 traditional group Regarding two-person CPR, 57 (84%) of Heartcode BLS students and 43 (81%) of BLS Anytime students were able to initiate the switch compared to 39 (66%) of traditional course students (p = 0.04). There were no significant differences in the quality of chest compressions or ventilations between the three groups. There was a trend for a much higher CPR skills testing pass rate for the traditional course students. However, failure to “clear to analyze or shock” while using the AED was the most common reason for failure in all groups.

Conclusion

The self-directed learning groups not only had a high level of success in initiating the “switch” to two-person CPR, but were not significantly different from students who completed traditional training.     

In patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, does the provision of dispatch cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructions as opposed to no instructions improve outcome: a systematic review of the literature

Context

Early bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) provides an essential bridge to successful defibrillation from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and there is a need to increase the prevalence and quality of bystander CPR. Emergency medical dispatchers can give CPR instructions to a bystander calling for an ambulance enabling even an inexperienced bystander to start CPR. The impact of these instructions has not been evaluated.

Objectives

To determine if, in adult and pediatric patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, the provision of dispatch CPR instructions as opposed to no instructions improves outcome.

Methods

Two independent reviewers used standardized forms and procedures to review papers published between January, 1985 and December, 2009. Findings were peer-reviewed by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation.

Data synthesis

We identified 665 citations; five met the inclusion criteria. One retrospective cohort study reported improved survival with dispatch CPR instructions than without it. Three studies, two observational and one with retrospective controls showed trends toward increased survival after dispatcher-assisted CPR was implemented and one showed trend toward decreased survival. There were no randomised studies addressing the topic. No studies addressing dispatch CPR instructions in the pediatric population were found.

Conclusion

There is limited evidence supporting the survival benefit of dispatch-assisted CPR instructions. All studies comparing survival outcomes when CPR is provided with or without the assistance of dispatch-assisted CPR instructions lack the statistical power to draw significant conclusions. Since it has been demonstrated that such instructions can improve bystander CPR rates, it is reasonable to recommend they should be provided to all callers reporting a victim in cardiac arrest.     

Potential Impact of a Targeted Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Program for Older Adults on Survival from Private-residence Cardiac Arrest

OBJECTIVE: Traditional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training programs do not target older adults who are most likely to witness private-residence cardiac arrests and do not reliably result in a bystander who is likely to perform CPR in the event of an arrest. This study was performed to compare targeted CPR training programs for older adults (older than 50 years) that 1) increase numbers of CPR-trained bystanders of private-residence cardiac arrest or 2) increase the percentage of trained bystanders of private-residence cardiac arrest who perform CPR. A simultaneous outcome was to estimate the minimal significant survival benefit associated with each of the training programs. METHODS: A probabilistic simulation model was developed in Fortran95 that incorporated key out-of-hospital cardiac arrest elements, including witnessed arrests, CPR-trained witness, CPR provision, and impact of CPR on ventricular fibrillation. Input data were derived from published or publicly available data, including a large prospective cohort study of outcomes in Oakland County, MI. Monte Carlo simulation (n = 10,000) and sensitivity analyses (n = 40) were used to assess median and the empiric 95% confidence intervals [CIs] for incremental survival with either intervention. RESULTS: The baseline model, calibrated to the characteristics of the input-data community, established that, for private-residence cardiac arrests, 40.8% of cardiac arrest bystanders were trained in CPR; however, only 25.7% performed CPR. This yielded 4.81% survival (95% CI = 4.72 to 4.89). Modeling the impact on the baseline training level with increased CPR performance among trainees indicated that 75% of private-residence trained bystanders would need to perform CPR in order to reach a minimally significant improvement in survival (5.02%; 95% CI = 4.94 to 5.15). Similarly, targeted CPR training that would result in a significant survival benefit (to 5.01%; 95% CI = 4.93 to 5.09) would require that 70.8% of bystanders be trained. CONCLUSIONS: CPR training programs that focus on yielding 75% of trainees who perform CPR in the event of witnessing an arrest would have equivalent results to mass CPR training programs that result in 70% of bystanders being trained in CPR. However, the minimal survival benefit associated with these programs (around 0.2%) may prove either method costly with minimal effect.     

Lazaroid U-83836E Improves Tolerance to Hemorrhagic Shock and Limb Ischemia and Reperfusion in Rats and Increases Cardiac Heat Shock Protein 72

Objectives: Aminosteroids of the lazaroid type protect organs from ischemia–reperfusion damage. The authors hypothesized that lazaroid U‐83836E may be beneficial in a shock model with hemorrhage combined with limb ischemia. Furthermore, the authors hypothesized that lazaroids induce expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) of the 72‐kDa family. Methods: Rats were divided into two groups (lazaroid and control groups, n= 8 each) and pretreated with the lazaroid U‐83836E (5 mg/kg) or with vehicle intraperitoneally at 12 and 24 hours before experiments. At the time of the experiment, rats were anesthetized, and the femoral artery of each rat was cannulated. After 20 minutes of stabilization, blood was shed from each rat to bring its mean arterial pressure to 24–28 mmHg for 2 hours. Bilateral tourniquets were tightened proximally on the rat thighs during those 2 hours and then released. Shed blood plus equal amounts of Ringer acetate then were infused to restore normal blood pressure, followed by a continuous infusion of Ringer acetate, the rate of which was regulated to maintain blood pressure, until 30 minutes after start of resuscitation. Fluid resuscitation was stopped, and rats were observed for another 3.5 hours. At the end of the observation period, the rats' hearts were collected for immunoblot analysis of HSP72. Additional hearts were collected from similarly pretreated rats not undergoing the episode of hemorrhagic shock and fluid resuscitation. Results: Pretreatment with U‐83836E improved mean arterial blood pressure after hemorrhagic shock and fluid resuscitation (p = 0.02), combined with improvements in acid–base balance (improved base excess and standard bicarbonate; p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). Western blot of cardiac protein extracts demonstrated that lazaroid pretreatment increased expression of HSP72. Conclusions: Pretreatment with the lazaroid U‐83836E improved outcome markers in this hemorrhagic shock model. The observed protection may be caused by increased expression of HSP72.     

A dose-response study of graded reoxygenation on the carotid haemodynamics, matrix metalloproteinase-2 activities and amino acid concentrations in the brain of asphyxiated newborn piglets

PURPOSE: It is controversial to choose an appropriate oxygen concentration to resuscitate asphyxiated newborns regarding the clinical and biochemical oxidative effects. We examined the vasomotor response to reoxygenation with graded reoxygenation and the effects on matrix metalloproteinases and amino acids of the immature brain. METHODS: Thirty-two piglets (1-3 days, 1.5-2.1 kg) were instrumented for continuous monitoring of left common carotid and pulmonary arterial flows (Transonic). Piglets were randomized to a sham-operated control group (without hypoxia/reoxygenation) or 2 h hypoxia induced by decreasing the inspired oxygen concentration to 10-15%, followed by reoxygenation with 21, 50 or 100% oxygen for 1 h and then 21% oxygen for 3 h (n=8 each). The brains were then flash frozen and analyzed for matrix metalloproteinases and amino acid levels by zymography and HPLC, respectively. RESULTS: After 2 h oxygen deprivation, the absolute carotid flow remained similar but accounted for 38% of cardiac output (increased from 17% at baseline, p=0.001). During early reoxygenation, the flow rose in the piglets resuscitated with air (p<0.05), but not in those with supplemental oxygen. Carotid vascular resistance correlated significantly with the arterial partial pressure of oxygen (r=0.7). There was an oxygen-dependent increase in global cerebral activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 with specific increases in the basal ganglia of all hypoxic-reoxygenated brains. There were no significant differences in glutamate and other amino acids in any brain regions. CONCLUSIONS: Although using high oxygen concentration to resuscitate asphyxiated newborn piglets increased carotid vascular resistance and cerebral matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity, there is no detrimental effect observed in this acute model of hypoxia-reoxygenation.     

液体复苏对感染性休克患者内稳态及APACHE Ⅱ评分的影响及其意义

目的观察液体复苏对感染性休克患者血气分析、酸碱平衡、电解质、急性生理和慢性健康状况评估Ⅱ（APACHEⅡ）评分的影响,进而分析它们与复苏液体总量的相关性,并探讨其临床意义。方法 24h达标（中心静脉压8～12mmHg、平均动脉血压≥65mmHg）复苏治疗21例符合本研究入选标准的感染性休克患者,前瞻性自身比较复苏治疗前及复苏治疗24h后血气分析、酸碱平衡、电解质及APACHEⅡ评分,直线回归分析电解质、酸碱、血气分析指标及APACHEⅡ评分与复苏液体总量的相关性。结果 21例感染性休克患者24h内复苏液体总量为（7775±1735）mL（5320～11028mL）,复苏达标时间为（18.09±4.57）h。复苏治疗24h后血Na＋（mmol/L）和Cl-（mmol/L）均较治疗前明显升高（Na＋：138.71±5.67比135.62±7.23,P=0.024;Cl-：109.10±4.90比101.67±8.59,P=0.000）;血pH值、红细胞比容（Hct,%）、阴离子隙（AG,mmol/L）、乳酸（mmol/L）及APACHEⅡ评分（分）均较治疗前明显下降（pH：7.31±0.05比7.37±0.06,P=0.000;Hct：28.48±2.56比32.76±9.19,P=0.049;AG：8.33±3.45比14.17±8.83,P=0.004;乳酸：1.66±0.89比2.96±1.23,P=0.001;APACHEⅡ评分：10.90±3.73比17.24±4.06,P=0.000）。血Cl-水平与复苏液体总量呈正相关（r=0.717,P〈0.01）、其余电解质、酸碱、血气分析指标及APACHEⅡ评分与复苏液体总量无相关性（P〉0.05）。结论感染性休克患者应制定适宜的液体复苏目标,并监测内环境的变化,尽可能控制晶体液输入量及不良内环境影响。复苏治疗减轻病情与输注液体总量无明显相关。     

Family member presence during resuscitation in the emergency department: An Australian perspective

Objective: The practice of family member presence during resuscitation in the ED has attracted widespread attention over the last few decades. Despite the recommendations of international organizations, clinical staff remain reluctant to engage in this practice in many EDs. This paper separates the evidence from opinion to determine the current state of knowledge about this practice. Methods: A search strategy was developed and used to locate research based publications, which were subsequently reviewed for the strength of evidence providing the basis for recommendations. Results: The literature was examined to reveal what patients and their family members want; the outcomes of family presence during resuscitation for patients and their family members; staff views and practices regarding family presence during resuscitation. Findings suggest that providing the opportunity to be with their critically ill family member is both important to and beneficial for families, however, disparity in staff views has been identified as a major obstacle to family presence during resuscitation. Examination of published guidelines and staff practices described in the literature revealed consistent elements. Conclusion: Although critics point to the lack of rigour in this body of literature, the current state of knowledge suggests merit in pursuing future research to examine and measure effects of family member presence during resuscitation on patients, family members and healthcare providers.     

ALPORT SYNDROME: RENAL TRANSPLANTATION AND DONOR SELECTION

A 39-year-old male suffered a myocardial infarction at work and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated immediately. After 15 cardioversions, ventricular fibrillation converted to sinus rhythm. Rhabdomyolysis with a 100-fold increase of serum creatine kinase level and myoglobinuria with acute renal failure ensued, requiring hemodialysis treatment. The patient died and autopsy revealed acute posterior myocardial infarction. Prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation involving repeated cardioversion may predispose to myoglobinuric renal failure.     

低压复苏治疗创伤失血性休克的系统评价

目的 系统评价低压复苏治疗创伤失血性休克的有效性.方法 计算机检索Pubmed、Embase和The Corchrane Library等数据库,纳入低压复苏治疗创伤失血性休克的随机对照试验或半随机对照试验,检索时间均为从建库至2015年8月.由2位研究者独立进行资料提取和质量评价,采用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析,计数资料使用相对危险度(risk ratio,RR)及其95％可信区间(confidence interval,CI)进行评估,并采用GRADE 3.6.1软件对证据质量进行分级.结果 纳入4项研究,Meta分析及GRADE评级结果显示:与常规复苏比较,低压复苏有较低的总病死率[RR =0.77,95％ CI:0.62～0.95,P=0.01;n=984,GRADE评级:中]及24 h病死率[RR=0.47,95％CI:0.24～0.91,P=0.03;n=281,GRADE评级:中];但总病死率的亚组分析结果显示:在钝挫伤或穿透伤亚组以及穿透伤亚组,两组差异无统计学意义.结论 低压复苏能够降低创伤失血性休克患者的总病死率及24h病死率,证据质量为中级.未来研究应该着力于低压复苏对于不同创伤类型患者的疗效进行进一步探索.