Moderate brain hypothermia started before resuscitation improves survival and neurobehavioral outcomes after CA/CPR in mice

Aim of the studyNo definitive experimental or clinical evidence exists whether brain hypothermia before, rather than during or after, resuscitation can reduce hypoxic-ischemic brain injury following cardiac arrest/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA/CPR) and improve outcomes. We examined the effects of moderate brain hypothermia before resuscitation on survival and histopathological and neurobehavioral outcomes in a mouse model.MethodsAdult C57BL/6 male mice (age: 8–12 weeks) were subjected to 8-min CA followed by CPR. The animals were randomly divided into sham, normothermia (NT; brain temperature 37.5 °C), and extracranial hypothermia (HT; brain temperature 28–32 °C) groups. The hippocampal CA1 was assessed 7 day after resuscitation by histochemical staining. Neurobehavioral outcomes were evaluated by the Barnes maze (BMT), openfield (OFT), rotarod, and light/dark (LDT) tests. Cleaved caspase-3 and heat shock protein 60 (HSP70) levels were investigated by western blotting.ResultsThe HT group exhibited higher survival and lower CA1 neuronal injury than did the NT group. HT mice showed improved spatial memory in the BMT compared with NT mice. NT mice travelled a shorter distance in the OFT and tended to spend more time in the light compartment in the LDT than did sham and HT mice. The levels of cleaved caspase-3 and HSP70 were non-significantly higher in the NT than in the sham and HT groups.ConclusionsModerate brain hypothermia before resuscitation improved survival and reduced histological neuronal injury, spatial memory impairment, and anxiety-like behaviours after CA/CPR in mice.     

Rapid Sequence Intubation and Rapid Sequence Airway: An Airway911 Guide, 2nd Edition

Abstract

Background. Cardiac arrest as a consequence of deep accidental hypothermia is associated with high mortality. Standardized prehospital management as well as rewarming with extracorporeal circulation (ECC) are important factors to improve survival. The objective of this case report is to illustrate the importance of effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and ECC in a cardiac arrest following deep accidental hypothermia. Case report. A 42-year-old man was found unresponsive to external stimuli and pulseless at an outdoor temperature of 1°C. CPR was started at the scene by laypersons, and the emergency medical services (EMS) arrived 5 minutes after the emergency call. Resuscitation according to International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) guidelines was initiated by EMS. The first recorded rhythm was ventricular fibrillation (VF), which persisted, despite repeated defibrillation. The patient showed signs of severe hypothermia and, during ongoing CPR, was transported to hospital where on arrival the patient's rectal temperature was measured at 22°C. Resuscitation measures were continued and warming was started at the emergency room. Due to persistent VF and deep hypothermia, the patient was transferred to a cardiothoracic surgical unit for rewarming with ECC. At commencement of ECC, CPR had been going for approximately 130 minutes and a total of 38 defibrillations had been made. During this time interval the patients was pulseless. At a core temperature of 30°C, one defibrillation restored sinus rhythm and subsequently stable circulation was achieved. The patient received a further 24 hours of hypothermia treatment at 32–34°C. He was discharged to rehabilitation facilities after 3 weeks of hospital care. Three months after the cardiac arrest the patient was fully recovered, was back to work, and had resumed normal activities. Conclusions. We demonstrate a case of cardiac arrest due to deep accidental hypothermia that stresses the importance of effective CPR and early-stage consideration of the use of ECC for safe and effective rewarming.     

Impact of connecting methods of continuous renal replacement therapy device on patients underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A retrospectively observational study

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to compare the safety and efficiency of different extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) connection methods.BackgroundThe number of patients receiving ECMO is increasing, and the fields of application are getting wider. However, patients receiving ECMO are prone to acute kidney injury and fluid overload requiring CRRT. There are few comparative studies of two different systems of connecting CRRT device and ECMO from safety and efficacy perspective.MethodsThis retrospective observational study included patients receiving ECMO in the extracorporeal life support centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June, 2015, to December, 2020. Patients were divided into the parallel system group and integrated system group according to the connecting method between ECMO circuit and CRRT line. The outcomes were discharge survival rate, CRRT therapeutic dose completion rate, CRRT catheterisation time, CRRT initiating time, local bleeding at the CRRT catheter site, mean filter life, ECMO circuit thrombosis, ECMO air leakage, or blood leakage due to CRRT.ResultsThirty patients in the parallel system group and 70 patients in the integrated system group were finally included. The discharge survival rate and CRRT therapeutic dose completion rate were not significantly different between the two groups. The parallel system group had significant longer CRRT initiating time (49.0 ± 12.1 min vs. 14.6 ± 2.1 min, P < 0.001) and shorter filter life (11.5 ± 3.2 h vs. 47.3 ± 14.0 h, P < 0.001) than the integrated system group. The occurrence rate of local bleeding was 93.3% in the parallel system group, and there is no bleeding case in the integrated system group. There was no case of ECMO circuit thrombosis from CRRT as well as ECMO air or blood leakage caused by CRRT in either group. ECMO therapy can be adapted by adjusting the position of the CRRT outlet in the integrated system.ConclusionsConnecting CRRT and ECMO as an integrated system might accelerate CRRT initiation, avoid local bleeding, and prolong filter life compared to the parallel system. The chance of developing CRRT-related ECMO circuit leak and thrombosis is manageable.     

Intra-arrest hypothermia: Both cold liquid ventilation with perfluorocarbons and cold intravenous saline rapidly achieve hypothermia,but only cold liquid ventilation improves resumption of spontaneous circulation

BackgroundRapid intra-arrest induction of hypothermia using total liquid ventilation (TLV) with cold perfluorocarbons improves resuscitation outcome from ventricular fibrillation (VF). Cold saline intravenous infusion during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a simpler method of inducing hypothermia. We compared these 2 methods of rapid hypothermia induction for cardiac resuscitation.MethodsThree groups of swine were studied: cold preoxygenated TLV (TLV, n = 8), cold intravenous saline infusion (S, n = 8), and control (C, n = 8). VF was electrically induced. Beginning at 8 min of VF, TLV and S animals received 3 min of cold TLV or rapid cold saline infusion. After 11 min of VF, all groups received standard air ventilation and closed chest massage. Defibrillation was attempted after 3 min of CPR (14 min of VF). The end point was resumption of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).ResultsPulmonary arterial (PA) temperature decreased after 1 min of CPR from 37.2 °C to 32.2 °C in S and from 37.1 °C to 34.8 °C in TLV (S or TLV vs. C p < 0.0001). Coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) was higher in TLV than S animals during the initial 3 min of CPR. Arterial pO₂ was higher in the preoxygenated TLV animals. ROSC was achieved in 7 of 8 TLV, 2 of 8 S, and 1 of 8 C (TLV vs. C, p = 0.03).ConclusionsModerate hypothermia was achieved rapidly during VF and CPR using both cold saline infusion and cold TLV, but ROSC was higher than control only in cold TLV animals, probably due to better CPP and pO₂. The method by which hypothermia is achieved influences ROSC.     

Effects of therapeutic hypothermia on coagulopathy and microcirculation after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in rabbits

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) on coagulopathy and cerebral microcirculation disorder after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in rabbits.

Methods

Cardiac ventricular fibrillation was induced by alternating current in 24 New Zealand rabbits, and hypothermia was induced by surface cooling or normothermia (NT) was maintained for 12 hours after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Several physiologic indexes were measured before CPR and at 4, 8, and 12 hours after ROSC. The microcirculation flow in the cerebral cortex was measured with a PERIMED Multichannel Laser Doppler system (Perimid, Sweden), and glomerular fibrin deposition was determined by microscopy.

Results

Compared with the NT group, the prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and international normalized ratio in the TH group were increased; there were no differences in anti-thrombin-III, protein C, and d-dimer indexes. The microcirculation flow in the cerebral cortex before CPR and after ROSC at 4, 8, and 12 hours was 401.60 ± 11.76, 258.86 ± 34.58, 317.59 ± 23.36, and 371.98 ± 5.79 mL/min, respectively, in the NT group, and 398.18 ± 12.91, 336.19 ± 19.27, 347.76 ± 13.80, and 383.78 ± 3.29 mL/min, respectively, in the TH group. There were apparent disparities at each checkpoint after ROSC in these 2 groups (4 hours: P = .001; 8 hours: P = .011; 12 hours: P = .009). The Pearson correlation test showed that the microcirculation flow in the cerebral cortex was positively correlated with activated partial thromboplastin time after ROSC (4 hours: r = 0.503, P = .033; 8 hours: r = 0.565, P = .035; 12 hours: r = 0.774, P = .009), but not with other coagulation parameters.

Conclusions

Therapeutic hypothermia might cause coagulant dysfunction but concomitantly improves the microcirculation flow in the cerebral cortex, which might be an effect of TH that results in cerebral protection.     

Managing cardiac arrest with refractory ventricular fibrillation in the emergency department: Conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation versus extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation

AimRefractory ventricular fibrillation, resistant to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), is a life threatening rhythm encountered in the emergency department. Although previous reports suggest the use of extracorporeal CPR can improve the clinical outcomes in patients with prolonged cardiac arrest, the effectiveness of this novel strategy for refractory ventricular fibrillation is not known. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with refractory ventricular fibrillation managed with conventional CPR or extracorporeal CPR in our institution.MethodThis is a retrospective chart review study from an emergency department in a tertiary referral medical center. We identified 209 patients presenting with cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation between September 2011 and September 2013. Of these, 60 patients were enrolled with ventricular fibrillation refractory to resuscitation for more than 10 min. The clinical outcome of patients with ventricular fibrillation received either conventional CPR, including defibrillation, chest compression, and resuscitative medication (C-CPR, n = 40) or CPR plus extracorporeal CPR (E-CPR, n = 20) were compared.ResultsThe overall survival rate was 35%, and 18.3% of patients were discharged with good neurological function. The mean duration of CPR was longer in the E-CPR group than in the C-CPR group (69.90 ± 49.6 min vs 34.3 ± 17.7 min, p = 0.0001). Patients receiving E-CPR had significantly higher rates of sustained return of spontaneous circulation (95.0% vs 47.5%, p = 0.0009), and good neurological function at discharge (40.0% vs 7.5%, p = 0.0067). The survival rate in the E-CPR group was higher (50% vs 27.5%, p = 0.1512) at discharge and (50% vs 20%, p = 0. 0998) at 1 year after discharge.ConclusionsThe management of refractory ventricular fibrillation in the emergency department remains challenging, as evidenced by an overall survival rate of 35% in this study. Patients with refractory ventricular fibrillation receiving E-CPR had a trend toward higher survival rates and significantly improved neurological outcomes than those receiving C-CPR.     

Crystalloid vs. hypertonic crystalloid–colloid solutions for induction of mild therapeutic hypothermia after experimental cardiac arrest

Purpose

To compare cerebral and hemodynamic consequences of different volumes of cold acetated Ringer's solution or cold hypertonic saline dextran administered in order to achieve mild hypothermia after cardiac arrest (CA) in a pig model of experimental cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Methods

Using an experimental pig model of 12 min CA (followed by 8 min CPR or no resuscitation) we compared four groups of piglets: a control group, a normothermic group and two groups with different solutions administered for induction of hypothermia. The control group of 5 piglets underwent 12 min CA without subsequent CPR, after which the brain of the animals was removed immediately. After restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) the resuscitated piglets were randomized into a normothermic group (NT group = 10), and two hypothermic groups that received cold infusions of either 30 mL/kg acetated Ringer's solution (Much fluid group, M, n = 10) or 3 mL/kg hypertonic saline dextran solution (Less fluid group, L, n = 10), respectively, administered during 30 min. Additional external cooling with ice packs was used in hypothermic groups. Sixty or 180 min after ROSC the experiment was terminated. Immediately after arrest the brain was removed for histological analyses.

Results

The median time to reach the target core temperature of 34 °C after ROSC was 51.5 ± 7.8 min in L group and 48.8 ± 8.6 min in M group. Less cerebral tissue content of water (p < 0.001), sodium (p < 0.0001), potassium (p < 0.0001) and less central venous pressure (CVP) at 5 and 15 min after ROSC were demonstrated in L group. Increased brain damage was demonstrated over time in NT group (p < 0.001). Less neurologic damage and BBB disruptions (albumin leakage) was observed at 180 min in M group in comparison with both NT and L groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

No statistical differences were observed between the hypothermic groups in the time to achieve mild hypothermia. Although inclusion of cold hypertonic crystalloid–colloidal solutions in the early resuscitation after ROSC may be more effective than cold crystalloids in reducing brain edema, this study demonstrates that mild hypothermia induced with small volumes of cold hypertonic crystalloid–colloids is less as effective as crystalloid's induced hypothermia in mitigating brain injury after cardiac arrest.     

Effectiveness of simplified chest compression-only CPR training program with or without preparatory self-learning video: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of 1-h practical chest compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training with or without a preparatory self-learning video.MethodsParticipants were randomly assigned to either a control group or a video group who received a self-learning video before attending the 1-h chest compression-only CPR training program. The primary outcome measure was the total number of chest compressions during a 2-min test period.Results214 participants were enrolled, 183 of whom completed this study. In a simulation test just before practical training began, 88 (92.6%) of the video group attempted chest compressions, while only 58 (64.4%) of the control group (p < 0.001) did so. The total number of chest compressions was significantly greater in the video group than in the control group (100.5 ± 61.5 versus 74.4 ± 55.5, p = 0.012). The proportion of those who attempted to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) was significantly greater in the video group (74.7% versus 28.7%, p < 0.001). After the 1-h practical training, the number of total chest compressions markedly increased regardless of the type of CPR training program and inter-group differences had almost disappeared (161.0 ± 31.8 in the video group and 159.0 ± 35.7 in the control group, p = 0.628).Conclusions1-h chest compression-only CPR training makes it possible for the general public to perform satisfactory chest compressions. Although a self-learning video encouraged people to perform CPR, their performance levels were not sufficient, confirming that practical training as well is essential. (UMIN000001046).     

体外心肺复苏技术在成人心搏骤停抢救中的应用

目的 回顾性总结应用体外心肺复苏(E-CPR)技术救治成人心搏骤停患者的临床经验.方法 2005年7月至2009年7月,有11例心源性心搏骤停成人患者(男7例,女4例,年龄24～71岁)经常规心肺复苏(CPR)抢救10～15 min无法有效恢复自主循环,而采用E-CPR技术抢救.7例心脏手术后患者在CPR抢救同时自原胸骨切口先建立升主动脉-右心房常规体外循环辅助,再转为体外膜肺氧合(ECMO)辅助;4例患者在CPR抢救同时直接经股动、静脉置管建立ECMO辅助.结果 11例患者CPR时间30～90 min,平均(51±14)min,10例患者可恢复自主心律.11例患者ECMO辅助时间2～223 h,中位时间126 h.6例患者成功撤离ECMO辅助,但存活出院率为36.4%(4/11).2例患者在ECMO辅助的同时加用主动脉内球囊反搏术(IABP),1例存活.3例患者因合并肾功能衰竭而需血液滤过治疗.结论 E-CPR为抢救危重的心搏骤停患者提供了一个新的手段.如何有效评估和选择病例,及时开始救治以提高成功率,值得进一步研究.     

Effects of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for Mozambican nursing students in a low-resource setting: An intervention study

BackgroundThere is an increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases in Africa. Nurses' ability to undertake cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can significantly impact the survival of patients who experience cardiac arrest.ObjectivesWe aimed to identify the effects of CPR training among Registered Nurse-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) students in Mozambique.DesignA one-group pretest–posttest repeated-measures quasi-experimental design.SettingAuditorium of a general hospital and 2 Anne manikins, but no automatic external defibrillator.ParticipantsThirty-two RN-BSN students.MethodsStudents' attitudes and self-efficacy on CPR were measured by self-reported questionnaires three times (before, immediately after, and 20 weeks post intervention). Data were analyzed by the paired t-test and repeated-measures analysis of variance.ResultsAttitude and self-efficacy scores of students on CPR significantly increased immediately after CPR training, but decreased 20 weeks after the intervention (p < .001). Sociodemographic characteristics did not significantly differ throughout the measurements of attitude or self-efficacy.ConclusionsCPR manikin training positively affected attitude and self-efficacy in CPR among RN-BSN nursing students immediately, but not at 20 weeks, after the training. There is a need for research to repeatedly quantify parameters in a controlled study at different intervals and develop an instructor-training course customized to Mozambique.     

CPR Induced Consciousness During Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Case Report on an Emerging Phenomenon

Background: High quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has produced a relatively new phenomenon of consciousness in patients with vital signs absent. Further research is necessary to produce a viable treatment strategy during and post resuscitation. Objective: To provide a case study done by paramedics in the field illustrating the need for sedation in a patient whose presentation was consistent with CPR induced consciousness. Resuscitative challenges are provided as well as potential future treatment options to minimize harm to both patients and prehospital providers. Case Report: A 52-year-old male presented as a witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). During CPR the patient began to exhibit signs of life including severe agitation and thrashing of his limbs while CPR was ongoing for ventricular fibrillation prior to defibrillation. Resuscitation became considerably more complicated due to the violent and counterintuitive motions done by the patient during their own resuscitation. Despite the atypical presentation of cardiac arrest the patient was successfully resuscitated employing high quality CPR, standard advanced life support (ALS) care as well as two double sequential external defibrillation shocks. The patient underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for a 100% occlusion of his left anterior descending artery (LAD). The patient returned home 3 days later fully recovered with a Cerebral Performance Score of 1. Conclusion: CPR induced consciousness is emerging as a new phenomenon challenging providers of high quality CPR during cardiac arrest resuscitation. Our case report describes the manifestations of CPR induced consciousness as well as the resuscitative challenges which occur during resuscitation. Further research is required to determine the true frequency of this condition as well as treatment algorithms that would allow for appropriate and safe management for both the patient and EMS providers.     

短时程复合亚低温改善长时间室颤家猪复苏预后的研究

目的 比较短时程亚低温对长时间室颤家猪短期复苏预后的影响.方法 采取体质量34～ 36 kg左右健康雄性种猪14头,通过右心室致颤电极诱发室颤并维持11 min,之后采取人工胸外按压及球囊面罩通气,按压通气比为30:2,每2 min轮换操作者.复苏6 min后给予120 J双向波除颤,若未能获得自主循环恢复(return of spontaneous circulation,ROSC),继续给予心肺复苏及必要时电除颤.连续复苏12 min仍无ROSC认为复苏失败.对ROSC家猪,随机(随机数字法)分为常温组(normothermia group,NT)及复合降温组(combined hypothermia group,CH).CH组立即给予4℃生理盐水静脉输注并联合体表物理降温,在120 min内将核心体温降至32 ～ 34℃并维持2h后主动复温,2h将体温升至基础体温水平.记录两组家猪致颤前基础状态下血流动力学、血气及乳酸.记录ROSC后心输出量、心率、核心体温变化.每24h评估动物神经功能直至观察终点.组间比较采用Fisher检验或方差分析,以P＜0.05为差异有统计学意义.结果 两组动物基础状态下体质量、平均动脉压、心输出量、Ph、呼气末二氧化碳水平、血乳酸水平差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).在复苏过程中,两组动物在总复苏时间、首次除颤成功率、ROSC比例、首次除颤ROSC比例、总除颤次数及肾上腺素用量差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).存活时间上,CH组明显长于NT组[(96.00±0.00) h vs.(49.71 ±43.65)h,P=0.031],同时NT组96 h生存率亦高于NT组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).神经功能方面,CH组在复苏后96 h内各时间段均优于NT组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 即使2h短时程的亚低温,也可以明显改善11 min室颤家猪的短期复苏预后.     

Diagnosis of aortic dissection by transesophageal echocardiography during cardiopulmonary resuscitation

ObjectivesEarly identification of the causes of cardiac arrest is helpful in determining the resuscitation measures during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during CPR in diagnosing aortic dissection and the influence of aortic dissection on resuscitation outcome in adult patients with prolonged non-traumatic cardiac arrest.MethodsAdult patients aged >20 years with non-traumatic cardiac arrest who underwent prolonged CPR (>10 min) and TEE examination during CPR were enrolled. The enrolled patients were grouped according to the presence of aortic dissection on TEE: the aortic dissection (AD) group and the non-AD group. Variables related to cardiac arrest event, CPR, and resuscitation outcome were compared between the two groups.ResultsForty-five patients (median age, 71 years; 26 men) were enrolled. Ten (22.2%) and 35 (77.8%) patients were included in the AD and non-AD groups, respectively. No patients in the AD group survived. Aortic dissection on TEE was inversely related to the rate of return of spontaneous circulation on multivariate analysis (odds ratio, 0.019; 95% confidence interval, 0.001–0.750; p = .035).ConclusionTEE is a useful tool for diagnosing aortic dissection as a cause of cardiac arrest during CPR. Aortic dissection is associated with poor resuscitation outcomes.     

Sodium bicarbonate use during in-hospital pediatric pulseless cardiac arrest – A report from the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines®-Resuscitation

BackgroundDespite limited recommendations for using sodium bicarbonate (SB) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), we hypothesized that SB continues to be used frequently during pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) and that its use varies by hospital-specific, patient-specific, and event-specific characteristics.MethodsWe analyzed 3719 pediatric (<18 years) index pulseless CPR events from the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines-Resuscitation database from 1/2000 to 9/2010.ResultsSB was used in 2536 (68%) of 3719 CPR events. Incidence of SB use between 2000 and 2005 vs. 2006 and 2010 was 71.1% vs. 66.2% (P = 0.002). The primary outcome was survival to discharge. Secondary outcomes included 24-h survival and neurologic outcome. Multivariable logistic regression analyzed the association between SB use and outcomes. SB had increased use an ICU location, metabolic/electrolyte disturbance, prolonged CPR, pVT/VF, and concurrently with other pharmacologic interventions. Adjusting for confounding factors, SB use was associated with decreased 24-h survival (aOR 0.83, 95% CI: 0.69, 0.99) and decreased survival to discharge (aOR 0.80; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.97). Inclusion of metabolic/electrolyte abnormalities, hyperkalemia, and toxicologic abnormalities only (n = 674), SB use was not associated with worse outcomes or unfavorable neurologic outcome.ConclusionsSB is used frequently during pediatric pulseless IHCA, yet there is a significant trend toward less routine use over the last decade. Because SB is more likely to be used in an ICU, with prolonged CPR, and concurrently with other pharmacologic interventions; its use during CPR may be associated with poor prognosis due to an association with “last ditch” efforts of resuscitation rather than causation.     

Resuscitation on television: Realistic or ridiculous? A quantitative observational analysis of the portrayal of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in television medical drama

IntroductionPatients’ preferences for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) relate to their perception about the likelihood of success of the procedure. There is evidence that the lay public largely base their perceptions about CPR on their experience of the portrayal of CPR in the media. The medical profession has generally been critical of the portrayal of CPR on medical drama programmes although there is no recent evidence to support such views.ObjectiveTo compare the patient characteristics, cause and success rates of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on medical television drama with published resuscitation statistics.DesignObservational study.Method88 episodes of television medical drama were reviewed (26 episodes of Casualty, Casualty, 25 episodes of Holby City, 23 episodes of Grey's Anatomy and 14 episodes of ER) screened between July 2008 and April 2009. The patient's age and sex, medical history, presumed cause of arrest, use of CPR and immediate and long term survival rate were recorded.Main outcome measuresImmediate survival and survival to discharge following CPR.ResultsThere were a total of 76 cardio-respiratory arrests and 70 resuscitation attempts in the episodes reviewed. The immediate success rate (46%) did not differ significantly from published real life figures (p = 0.48). The resuscitation process appeared to follow current guidelines. Survival (or not) to discharge was rarely shown. The average age of patients was 36 years and contrary to reality there was not an age related difference in likely success of CPR in patients less than 65 compared with those 65 and over (p = 0.72). The most common cause of cardiac arrest was trauma with only a minor proportion of arrests due to cardio-respiratory causes such as myocardial infarction.ConclusionsWhilst the immediate success rate of CPR in medical television drama does not significantly differ from reality the lack of depiction of poorer medium to long term outcomes may give a falsely high expectation to the lay public. Equally the lay public may perceive that the incidence and likely success of CPR is equal across all age groups.     

Can early initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy improve patient survival with septic acute kidney injury when enrolled in early goal-directed therapy?

PurposeThe purpose of our study was to investigate the timing of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) application, based on the interval between the start of early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) and CRRT initiation, to ascertain whether the timing was an independent predictor of mortality in patients with septic acute kidney injury (AKI).Materials and methodsAn observational retrospective cohort study was conducted of 60 patients (> 18 years old) who had been admitted to the emergency department and received resuscitation according to the standard EGDT algorithm for severe sepsis and septic shock, and who were treated with CRRT due to septic AKI, between June 2008 and February 2013 at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on the median interval between the start of EGDT and the commencement of CRRT. The main outcome was 28-day all-cause mortality, and a multivariate Cox analysis for mortality was used to evaluate the independent impact of the early CRRT treatment.ResultsThe mean patient age was 66.3 years, and 52 (86.7%) were male. The most common comorbid disease was diabetes mellitus (35.0%) followed by malignancy (26.7%). The median interval between the start of EGDT and commencement of CRRT was 26.4 hours. During the study period, 28-day mortality was 43.3% (26 of 60 patients). The 28-day all-cause mortality rate was significantly higher in the late CRRT group than in the early CRRT group (56.7 vs 30.0%, P= .037). Furthermore, the higher mortality risk in the late group remained significant even after adjusting for diabetes mellitus, liver failure, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores (hazard ratio, 2.461; 95% confidence interval, 1.044-5.800; P= .026).ConclusionEarly initiation of CRRT may be of benefit. Given the complex nature of this intervention and the ongoing controversy regarding early vs late initiation of therapy in acute and chronic situations, it is vital to develop accurate clinical trials to find definitive answers.     

Passive antipyretic therapy is not as effective as invasive hypothermia for maintaining normothermia after cardiac arrest

Aim of the studyTargeted temperature management is a class I indication in comatose patients after a cardiac arrest. While the literature has primarily focused on innovative methods to achieve target temperatures, pharmacologic therapy has received little attention. We sought to examine whether pharmacologic therapy using antipyretics is effective in maintaining normothermia in post cardiac arrest patients.Materials and methodsPatients ≥18 years who were resuscitated after an in-hospital or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and admitted at our institution from January 2012 to September 2015 were retrospectively included. Patients were divided into groups based on the method of temperature control that was utilized. The primary outcome was temperature control <38 °C during the first 48 h after the cardiac arrest.Results671 patients were identified in Group 1 (no hypothermia), 647 in Group 2 (antipyretics), 44 in Group 3 (invasive hypothermia), and 51 in Group 4 (invasive hypothermia and antipyretics). Mean patient age was 59 (SD ±15.7) years with 40.6% being female. Using Group 1 as the control arm, 57.7% of patients maintained target temperature with antipyretics alone (p < 0.001), compared to 69.3% in the control group and 82.1% in the combined hypothermia groups 3&4 (p = 0.01). Patients receiving both invasive hypothermia and antipyretics (Group 4), had the greatest mean temperature decrease of 5.2 °C.ConclusionsAmong patients undergoing targeted temperature management, relying solely on as needed use of antipyretics is not sufficient to maintain temperatures <38 °C. However, antipyretics could be used as an initial strategy if given regularly and/or in conjunction with more aggressive cooling techniques.     

Estrogen administered after cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation ameliorates acute kidney injury in a sex- and age-specific manner

IntroductionThere is a sex difference in the risk of ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI), and estrogen mediates the protective effect of female sex. We previously demonstrated that preprocedural chronic restoration of physiologic estrogen to ovariectomized female mice ameliorated AKI after cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA/CPR). In the present study, we hypothesized that male mice and aged female mice would benefit from estrogen administration after CA/CPR. We tested the effect of estrogen in a clinically relevant manner by administrating it after CA/CPR.MethodsCA/CPR was performed in young (10–15 weeks), middle-aged (43–48 weeks), and aged (78–87 weeks) C57BL/6 male and female mice. Mice received intravenous 17β-estradiol or vehicle 15 min after resuscitation. Serum chemistries and unbiased stereological assessment of renal injury were completed 24 h after CA. Regional renal cortical blood flow was measured by a laser Doppler, and renal levels of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) were evaluated with immunoblotting.ResultsPost-arrest estrogen administration reduced injury in young males without significant changes in renal blood flow (percentage reduction compared with vehicle: serum urea nitrogen, 30 %; serum creatinine (sCr), 41 %; volume of necrotic tubules (VNT), 31 %; P < 0.05). In contrast, estrogen did not affect any outcomes in young females. In aged mice, estrogen significantly reduced sCr (80 %) and VNT (73 %) in males and VNT (51 %) in females. Serum estrogen levels in aged female mice after CA/CPR were the same as levels in male mice. With age, renal ERα was upregulated in females.ConclusionsEstrogen administration after resuscitation from CA ameliorates renal injury in young males and aged mice in both sexes. Because injury was small, young females were not affected. The protective effect of exogenous estrogen may be detectable with loss of endogenous estrogen in aged females and could be mediated by differences in renal ERs. Post-arrest estrogen administration is renoprotective in a sex- and age-dependent manner.     

Eleven years of experience with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for paediatric patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest

Purpose

The study aims to describe 11 years of experience with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for in-hospital paediatric cardiac arrest in a university affiliated tertiary care hospital.

Methods

Paediatric patients who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during active extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) at our centre from 1999 to 2009 were included in this retrospective study. The results from three different cohorts (1999–2001, 2002–2005 and 2006–2009) were compared. Survival rates and neurological outcomes were analysed. Favourable neurological outcome was defined as paediatric cerebral performance categories (PCPC) 1, 2 and 3.

Results

We identified 54 ECPR events. The survival rate to hospital discharge was 46% (25/54), and 21 (84%) of the survivors had favourable neurological outcomes.The duration of CPR was 39 ± 17 min in the survivors and 52 ± 45 min in the non-survivors (p = NS). The patients with pure cardiac causes of cardiac arrest had a survival rate similar to patients with non-cardiac causes (47% (18/38) vs. 44% (7/16), p = NS).The non-survivors had higher serum lactate levels prior to ECPR (13.4 ± 6.4 vs. 8.8 ± 5.1 mmol/L, p < 0.01) and more renal failure after ECPR (66% (19/29) vs. 20% (5/25), p < 0.01).The patients resuscitated between 2006 and 2009 had shorter durations of CPR (34 ± 13 vs. 78 ± 76 min, p = 0.032) and higher rates of survival (55% (16/29) vs. 0% (0/8), p = 0.017) than those resuscitated between 1999 and 2002.

Conclusions

In our single-centre experience with ECPR for paediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest, the duration of CPR has become shorter and outcomes have improved in recent years. Higher pre-ECPR lactate levels and the presence of post-ECPR renal failure were associated with increased mortality. The presence of non-cardiac causes of cardiac arrest did not preclude successful ECPR outcomes. The duration of CPR was not significantly associated with poor outcomes in this study.