Witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest- effects of emergency dispatch recognition.

BACKGROUND: Survival from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) depends on the sequence of interventions in "the chain of survival". If OHCA is recognized in the emergency medical communication centre (EMCC), the proper emergency medical service (EMS) should be dispatched and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instructions should be given to a bystander. The study aimed to examine the impact of OHCA recognition in the EMCC on survival rates and the main elements of the chain of survival. METHODS: Data from the Helsinki University Hospital's registry of OHCA patients between 1997 and 2013 were studied. Altogether, 2054 EMCC-handled and bystander-witnessed OHCA proven events of cardiac origin were analysed. RESULTS: In 80.5% of the victims, two EMS units were correctly dispatched and the OHCA was classified as recognized. Achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to hospital discharge were 49% and 23%, respectively, if cardiac arrest was recognized by the EMCC and 40% and 16% when it was not (P = 0.003 and 0.002). Dispatchers gave CPR instructions in 60% of the recognized OHCA cases. Bystander-performed CPR increased over time and was given in 58% of the recognized OHCAs and also in 17% of the unrecognized events. EMS delays were shorter if OHCA was recognized as opposed to unrecognized (8 min with an IQR 6.5-10 min vs. 9 min with an IQR 6.5-11 min; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of OHCA by the EMCC was significantly associated with an increased rate of bystander-performed CPR, reduced EMS response time, and increased OHCA patient ROSC and survival rates.

Assessment of plasma endostatin to predict acute kidney injury in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated whether plasma endostatin predicts acute kidney injury (AKI), need for renal replacement therapy (RRT), or death. METHODS: Prospective, observational, multicenter study from 1 September 2011 to 1 February 2012 with data from 17 intensive care units (ICUs) in Finland. RESULTS: A total of 1112 patients were analyzed. We measured plasma endostatin within 2 h of ICU admission. Early AKI (KDIGO stage within 12 h of ICU admission) was found in 20% of the cohort, and 18% developed late AKI (KDIGO criteria > 12 h from ICU admission). Median (IQR) admission endostatin was higher in the early AKI group, 29 (19.1, 41.9) ng/ml as compared to 22.4 (16.1, 30.1) ng/ml for the late AKI group, and 18 (14.0, 23.6) ng/ml for non-AKI patients (P < 0.001). Endostatin level increased with increasing KDIGO stage. Significantly higher endostatin levels were found in patients with sepsis as compared to those without. Predictive properties for AKI, RRT, and mortality were low with corresponding areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.62, 0.67, and 0.59. Sensitivity analyses among patients with chronic kidney disease or sepsis did not improve the predictive ability of endostatin. Adding endostatin to a clinical AKI prediction model (illness severity score, urine output, and age) insignificantly changed the AUC from 0.67 to 0.70 (P = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: Endostatin increases with AKI severity but has limited value as a predictor of AKI, RRT and 90-day mortality in patients admitted to ICU. Moreover, endostatin does not improve AKI risk prediction when added to a clinical risk model.

Association of automated data collection and data completeness with outcomes of intensive care. A new customised model for outcome prediction.

BACKGROUND: The Finnish Intensive Care Consortium coordinates a national intensive care benchmarking programme. Clinical information systems (CISs) that collect data automatically are widely used. The aim of this study was to explore whether the severity of illness-adjusted hospital mortality of Finnish intensive care unit (ICU) patients has changed in recent years and whether the changes reflect genuine improvements in the quality of care or are explained by changes in measuring severity of illness. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed data collected prospectively to the database of the Consortium. During the years 2001-2008, there were 116,065 admissions to the participating ICUs. We excluded readmissions, cardiac surgery patients, patients under 18 years of age and those discharged from an ICU to another hospital's ICU. The study population comprised 85,547 patients. The Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II) was used to measure severity of illness and to calculate standardised mortality ratios (SMRs, the number of observed deaths divided by the number of expected deaths). RESULTS: The overall hospital mortality rate was 18.4%. The SAPS II-based SMRs were 0.74 in 2001-2004 and 0.64 in 2005-2008. The severity of illness-adjusted odds of death were 24% lower in 2005-2008 than in 2001-2004. One fifth of this computational difference could be explained by differences in data completeness and the automation of data collection with a CIS. CONCLUSION: The use of a CIS and improving data completeness do decrease severity-adjusted mortality rates. However, this explains only one fifth of the improvement in measured outcomes of intensive care in Finland.

Influence of chest compression rate guidance on the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed on manikins.

AIMS: The adequate chest compression rate during CPR is associated with improved haemodynamics and primary survival. To explore whether the use of a metronome would affect also chest compression depth beside the rate, we evaluated CPR quality using a metronome in a simulated CPR scenario. METHODS: Forty-four experienced intensive care unit nurses participated in two-rescuer basic life support given to manikins in 10min scenarios. The target chest compression to ventilation ratio was 30:2 performed with bag and mask ventilation. The rescuer performing the compressions was changed every 2min. CPR was performed first without and then with a metronome that beeped 100 times per minute. The quality of CPR was analysed with manikin software. The effect of rescuer fatigue on CPR quality was analysed separately. RESULTS: The mean compression rate between ventilation pauses was 137+/-18compressions per minute (cpm) without and 98+/-2cpm with metronome guidance (p<0.001). The mean number of chest compressions actually performed was 104+/-12cpm without and 79+/-3cpm with the metronome (p<0.001). The mean compression depth during the scenario was 46.9+/-7.7mm without and 43.2+/-6.3mm with metronome guidance (p=0.09). The total number of chest compressions performed was 1022 without metronome guidance, 42% at the correct depth; and 780 with metronome guidance, 61% at the correct depth (p=0.09 for difference for percentage of compression with correct depth). CONCLUSIONS: Metronome guidance corrected chest compression rates for each compression cycle to within guideline recommendations, but did not affect chest compression quality or rescuer fatigue.

Quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation on manikins: on the floor and in the bed.

BACKGROUND: In general, in-hospital resuscitation is performed in a bed and out-of-hospital resuscitation on the floor. The surface under the patient may affect the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality; therefore, we evaluated CPR quality (the percentage of chest compressions of correct depth) and rescuer's fatigue (the mean compression depth minute by minute) when CPR is performed on a manikin on the floor or in the bed. METHODS: Forty-four simulated cardiac arrest scenarios of 10 min were treated by intensive care unit (ICU) nurses in pairs using a 30 : 2 chest compression-to-ventilation ratio. The rescuer who performed the compressions was changed every 2 min. CPR was randomly performed either on the floor or in the bed without a backboard; in both settings, participants kneeled beside the manikin. RESULTS: A total number of 1060 chest compressions, 44% with correct depth, were performed on the floor; 1068 chest compressions were performed in the bed, and 58% of these were the correct depth. These differences were not significant between groups. The mean compression depth during the scenario was 44.9+/-6.2 mm (mean+/-SD) on the floor and 43.0+/-5.9 mm in the bed (P=0.3). The mean chest compression depth decreased over time on both surfaces (P<0.001), indicating rescuer fatigue, but this change was not different between the groups (P=0.305). CONCLUSIONS: ICU nurses perform chest compression as effectively on the floor as in the bed. The mean chest compression depth decreases over time, but the surface had no significant effect.

The effects of changes to the ERC resuscitation guidelines on no flow time and cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality: a randomised controlled study on manikins.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines changed in 2005. We investigated the impact of these changes on no flow time and on the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Simulated cardiac arrest (CA) scenarios were managed randomly in manikins using ERC 2000 or 2005 guidelines. Pairs of paramedics/paramedic students treated 34 scenarios with 10min of continuous ventricular fibrillation. The rhythm was analysed and defibrillation shocks were delivered with a semi-automatic defibrillator, and breathing was assisted with a bag-valve-mask; no intravenous medication was given. Time factors related to human intervention and time factors related to device, rhythm analysis, charging and defibrillation were analysed for their contribution to no flow time (time without chest compression). Chest compression quality was also analysed. RESULTS: No flow time (mean+/-S.D.) was 66+/-3% of CA time with ERC 2000 and 32+/-4% with ERC 2005 guidelines (P<0.001). Human factor interventions occupied 114+/-4s (ERC 2000) versus 107+/-4s (ERC 2005) during 600-s scenarios (P=0.237). Device factor interventions took longer using ERC 2000 guidelines: 290+/-19s versus 92+/-15s (P<0.001). The total number of chest compressions was higher with ERC 2005 guidelines (808+/-92s versus 458+/-90s, P<0.001), but the quality of CPR did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a single shock sequence with guidelines 2005 has decreased the no flow time during CPR when compared with guidelines 2000 with multiple shocks.

Microdialysis for detection of dynamic changes in tissue histamine levels in experimental thermal injury.

Histamine is an important mediator contributing to oedema formation after thermal injury. Tissue histamine concentrations have been previously determined by analyzing tissue biopsies. The microdialysis method enables continuous collection of samples from the extracellular tissue fluid. In this experimental burn study on pigs samples from the extracellular fluid for histamine analysis were collected from superficial, partial thickness and full thickness burn sites during a 24-h period. There was a burn depth-related increase in histamine concentrations during the first 2 h post injury. Deep burns induced a more profound initial increase in tissue histamine concentration than the partial thickness and superficial burns. Histamine concentrations at all burn sites declined until 12 h post injury. There was a second rise in tissue histamine concentrations between 12 and 24 h post injury without a rise in plasma histamine concentrations. Histamine concentrations at all burn sites were higher than at the non-burned control sites. The microdialysis technique is an easily applicable method of collecting on-line samples from burned tissue. This method provides a useful tool in investigating the effects of different treatment modalities on the secretion of substances into interstitial fluid within burned tissue.

Red blood cell and tissue water content in experimental thermal injury.

UNLABELLED: Oedema formation and changes in local blood flow are known phenomena in burns. The relationship between these two is not clearly described. The aim of this study was firstly to examine both the contents of red blood cells and tissue water in skin and subcutaneous fat after experimental burns of different depths in pigs, and secondly, to confirm our recent findings of the increased dielectric constant of skin and subcutaneous fat reflecting considerable oedema formation, especially in fat after thermal injury. METHODS: Superficial, partial and full thickness contact burns were created to pigs and followed for 24h. Radioactive Cr-51 labelling of red cells was used to estimate the number of red cells in tissue, and the absolute amount of water was determined by lyophilization. RESULTS: A decreased number of labelled red cells in skin and an increase in tissue water in subcutaneous fat were found regardless of burn depth. The highest water amount in fat was found in the partial thickness burns. CONCLUSION: All burn depths resulted in a diminished number of labelled red blood cells in skin and a significant increase in the absolute water amount in subcutaneous fat at 24h post injury. The findings in fat support our recent findings of highly elevated dielectric constants measured by the new in vivo method of dielectric measurements.

Estimation of splanchnic blood flow by the Fick principle in man and problems in the use of indocyanine green.

OBJECTIVES: Measurement of splanchnic blood flow is necessary to evaluate the effect of therapeutic interventions on splanchnic tissue perfusion. Systemic indocyanine green (ICG) clearance has been used to estimate splanchnic blood flow, but the results may be compromised by altered hepatic dye extraction. We evaluated the applicability of simultaneous estimation of splanchnic and femoral blood flow by dye dilution and regional blood sampling in intensive care patients. METHODS: 240 simultaneous determinations of regional blood flow were conducted in different patient groups (cardiac surgery, ARDS, pancreatitis, septic shock, preoperative controls). The measurement protocol consists of catheterizations of hepatic vein, femoral artery and vein and primed constant infusion of two different ICG preparations. RESULTS: The method was used successfully in a wide variety of patients. Steady-state dye concentration and sufficient dye extraction was achieved in each group of patients. The coefficient of variation of splanchnic blood flow estimation was 7 +/- 1% and of femoral blood flow estimation 6 +/- 0%. There was a great intra- and interindividual variation of ICG extraction. Use of dobutamine modified the extraction in most patients but did not lessen the performance of the method. ICG extraction was markedly lower and the coefficient of variation of both femoral and splanchnic blood flow markedly higher with propylene glycol-dissolved ICG preparation as compared with the freeze-dried. CONCLUSIONS: The prerequisites for the method of primed, constant infusion of indocyanine green with hepatic vein catheterization are achieved in intensive care patients. The results of splanchnic blood flow estimations based on techniques with peripheral blood sampling should be interpreted with caution, and the use of ICG clearance as a flow-related indicator without the measurement of ICG extraction cannot be justified because of the great variability of dye extraction. Certain indocyanine green preparations may greatly modify the results of the regional blood flow determinations.

High-dose thiopental in the treatment of refractory status epilepticus in intensive care unit.

The authors studied prospectively the effects of thiopental anesthesia on seizure control, hemodynamics, and the course of intensive care in 10 patients with refractory status epilepticus. Clinical and electrophysiological seizures were terminated in every patient. Hemodynamically, thiopental was well tolerated, but slow recovery from anesthesia prolonged the need for intensive care.

Gastric-arterial PCO2 gradient does not reflect systemic and splanchnic hemodynamics or oxygen transport after cardiac surgery.

Gastric mucosal-arterial PCO2 gradient (P(g-a)CO2) is used to assess splanchnic perfusion and oxygenation. We evaluated whether P(g-a)CO2 reflects whole body (Q) and splanchnic (Qsp) blood flow, oxygen delivery (DO2) and consumption (VO2) after coronary artery by pass graft (CABG) operation. Thirty patients received dobutamine or dopexamine to increase cardiac index, 15 patients enalapril or sodium nitroprusside to lower blood pressure, and 30 patients were controls. We measured Q, Qsp (hepatic vein catheter and indocyanine green), and gastric mucosal PCO2 (nasogastric tonometer) before and after interventions. Multiple linear regression model showed that none of the changes in Q, Qsp, and splanchnic or systemic DO2 and VO2 significantly explained changes in P(g-a)CO2 (deltaP(g-a)CO2). All independent variables together explained only 7% of deltaP(g-a)CO2. Increased splanchnic blood flow (0.65 +/- .19 vs. 0.94 +/- .31 L/min/m2, P < 0.001) and increased splanchnic DO2 (101 +/- 28 vs. 143 +/- 42 mL/min/m2, P < 0.001) during catecholamine infusions were associated with increased P(g-a)CO2 (8 +/- 8 vs. 11 +/- 7 mmHg, P = 0.003). P(g-a)CO2 does not reflect whole body or splanchnic blood flow, DO2 or VO2 after CABG operations. The physiology of P(g-a)CO2 is complex and therefore it is difficult for clinicians to interpret changes in gastric mucosal-arterial PCO2 gradient in individual patients after cardiac surgery.

Could anti-inflammatory actions of catecholamines explain the possible beneficial effects of supranormal oxygen delivery in critically ill surgical patients?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the literature regarding antiinflammatory actions of cytokines, evaluate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of supranormal oxygen delivery, and suggest alternative mechanism(s) for possible beneficial effects of supranormal oxygen delivery in critically ill surgical patients. DESIGN: Literature review using Medline and review of selected illustrative studies. MAIN RESULTS: Catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, isoproterenol, and dopamine) in general inhibit tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) production and may enhance interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 production. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors also inhibit TNF and may enhance IL-10. All studies used models (cell, animal, or humans infused with endotoxin) of sepsis. RCTs of supranormal oxygen delivery show decreased mortality in high-risk surgical patients; however, prevention or reversal of tissue hypoxia may not be the mechanism of benefit. Antiinflammatory effects of catecholamines are a potential and, to date, unexplored mechanism of the benefit of supranormal oxygen delivery in critically ill surgical patients. CONCLUSIONS: Catecholamines may modulate cytokine response beneficially and could be a mechanism of decreased morbidity and mortality of supranormal oxygen delivery in high-risk surgical patients.

Splanchnic oxygen transport after cardiac surgery: evidence for inadequate tissue perfusion after stabilization of hemodynamics.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the adequacy of visceral oxygen transport and gastric pHi after open heart surgery in patients with stable hemodynamics. DESIGN: Nonrandomized control trial. SETTING: A general intensive care unit in a tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Sixteen postoperative cardiac surgery patients were studied after stabilization of systemic hemodynamics. INTERVENTIONS: The effect of dobutamine infusion (6 mu g kg-1 min-1) on systemic and regional oxygen transport was studied in ten patients, with six patients serving as controls. Systemic oxygen consumption was measured by indirect calorimetry and splanchnic and femoral blood flow, by continuous infusion of indocyanine green using regional catheters and gastric mucosal pHi by gastric tonometer. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Gastric mucosal acidosis was observed in half of the patients. Dobutamine increased cardiac output (3.2 +/- 0.6 vs 4.4 +/- 0.7 l x min-1 x min-2; P <0.05), splanchnic blood flow (0.68 +/- 0.28 vs 0.91 +/- 0.28 l x min-1 x m-2; p <0.05) and femoral blood flow (0.25 +/- 0.08 vs 0.32 +/- 0.11 l x min-1 x m-2; p <0.05). Changes in splanchnic oxygen delivery and consumption were parallel in the two study groups. In response to dobutamine, gastric pHi did not change (7.30 +/- 0.08 vs 7.31 +/- 0.06; NS), while in the control group, gastric pHi tended to decrease (7.32 +/- 0.04 vs 7.28 +/- 0.06; NS). Systemic oxygen consumption increased in response to dobutamine (141 +/- 11 vs 149 +/- 11 ml x min-1 x m-2; P <0.05) but did not change in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a mismatch between splanchnic oxygen delivery and demand may be present despite stabilization of systemic hemodynamics after cardiac surgery. This is suggested by the parallel changes in splanchnic oxygen delivery and consumption. Dobutamine is likely to improve splanchnic tissue perfusion at this phase.

Gastric mucosal systemic partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO(2)) gradient in experimental endotoxin shock in swine--comparison of two methods.

OBJECTIVES: Clinically applicable methods for continuous monitoring of visceral perfusion/metabolism do not exist. Gastric mucosal end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO(2)) gradient has been used, but it has limitations, especially in patients with lung injury and increased dead space ventilation. We studied the agreement between gastric mucosal end-tidal (DPCO(2gas)) and gastric mucosal arterial PCO(2) (D((t-a))PCO(2)) gradients, and especially the effect of dead space ventilation (V(d)/V(t) ratio) on the agreement. We hypothesized that DPCO(2gas) can be used as a semi-continuous indicator of mucosal arterial PCO(2) gradient in sepsis. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled animal experiment. SETTING: National laboratory animal center. INTERVENTIONS: Twelvehour infusion of endotoxin in landrace pigs. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: We measured end-tidal PCO(2) continuously, gastric mucosal PCO(2) every 10 min (gas tonometry) and arterial PCO(2) every 120 min. Carbon dioxide production and the V(d)/V(t) ratio were determined by indirect calorimetry. In the endotoxin group ( n=7) cardiac index increased and systemic vascular resistance decreased. Endotoxemia increased dead space ventilation by 27% ( p=0.001). Both DPCO(2gas) and D((t-a))PCO(2)increased significantly in the endotoxin group ( p<0.0001 and p=0.049, respectively). Control animals remained stable throughout the experiment. When we compared DPCO(2gas) and D((t-a))PCO(2)(Bland-Altman analysis), the bias and precision were 0.9 and 0.9 kPa in the control group and 2.0 and 2.2 kPa in the endotoxin group, respectively. The disagreement between DPCO(2gas) and D((t-a))PCO(2) increased as the V(d)/V(t) ratio increased. CONCLUSIONS: DPCO(2gas) is a clinically applicable method for continuous monitoring of visceral perfusion/metabolism. Septic lung injury and increased dead space ventilation decrease the accuracy of the method, but this may not be clinically important.

The effect of dobutamine infusion on splanchnic blood flow and oxygen transport in patients with acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the blood flow distribution and oxygen transport in pancreatitis and to evaluate the regional effects of increased systemic blood flow. DESIGN: Nonrandomized controlled trial. SETTING: A general intensive care unit in a tertiary care center. PATIENTS: 10 patients with pancreatitis requiring mechanical ventilation were studied after fluid resuscitation, and for the response to dobutamine, the patients served as their own controls. For the baseline, 11 patients scheduled for elective abdominal surgery served as a control group. INTERVENTIONS: Systemic and regional hemodynamics were measured after fluid resuscitation to predefined hemodynamic endpoints. In patients with pancreatitis, the measurement was repeated after cardiac output had been increased by at least 25% by dobutamine. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Hepatosplanchnic blood flow was estimated using regional catheterization and the dye dilution method. In patients with pancreatitis, the cardiac index did not differ from that of the control group (3.9 +/- 0.8 vs 4.1 +/- 0.71.min-1.m-2;NS). Accordingly, there was no difference in the splanchnic blood flow (1.1 +/- 0.4 vs 1.2 +/- 0.51.min-1.m-2;NS). Systemic and splanchnic oxygen consumption was increased in patients with pancreatitis (179 +/- 25 vs 147 +/- 27 ml.min-1.m-2, p < 0.05 and 68 +/- 15 vs 49 +/- 19 ml.min-1.m-2, p < 0.05), and systemic and splanchnic oxygen extraction was higher (0.34 +/- 0.08 vs 23 +/- 0.05, p < 0.01 and 0.46 +/- 0.18 vs 0.28 +/- 0.08, p < 0.05, respectively). Dobutamine had inconsistent effects on splanchnic blood flow: in individual patients, splanchnic blood flow even decreased substantially. CONCLUSIONS: In severe pancreatitis, oxygen consumption is increased in the splanchnic region; increased splanchnic oxygen demand is not always met by adequately increased blood flow. Increasing the systemic blood flow with dobutamine does not improve perfusion in the splanchnic bed.

The progression of burn depth in experimental burns: a histological and methodological study.

UNLABELLED: This study was designed to create a reproducible model for experimental burn wound research in pigs. Previously, the thicker paraspinal skin has been used. We used the more human-like ventral skin to create burns of different depths. Contact burns were created to 11 pigs using a brass plate heated to 100 degrees C in boiling water. Different contact times were used to create burns of different depths. In pigs 1-6, the follow-up time was 72 h and in pigs 7-11 24 h. Burn depth was determined by histology. Histologically, samples were classified into five anatomical layers: epidermis, upper one-third of the dermis, middle third of the dermis, deepest third of the dermis and subcutaneous fat. The location of both thromboses and burn marks were evaluated, respectively. The 1 s contact time lead to a superficial thermal injury, 3 s to a partial thickness and 9 s to a full thickness injury. A progression of burn depth was found until 48 h post-injury. The intra-observer correlation after repeated histological analyses of burn depths by the same histopathologist and the repeatability of burn depth creation yielded kappa coefficients 0.83 and 0.92, respectively. CONCLUSION: a reproducible burn model for further research purposes was obtained.

Nationwide survey of resuscitation education in Finland.

AIMS: Good-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is highlighted in the International Resuscitation Guidelines, but clinically the quality of CPR is often poor. Education of CPR has a major role in the primary skills imparted to students. Different methods can be used to teach CPR quality. We evaluated the current status of their usage in Finland institutes teaching students of emergency medicine at different levels. METHODS: The following institutes were included in an anonymous survey: medical schools (teaching future physicians), universities of applied sciences (paramedics), colleges (emergency medical technicians) and emergency services college (fire-fighters). Hours of teaching theory lessons of CPR and hours of small group training were evaluated. In particular, we focussed on the teaching methods for adequate chest compression rate and depth. RESULTS: Twenty-one of 30 institutes responded to the questionnaire. The median for hours of theory lessons of CPR was 8h (range: 2-28 h). The median for hours of small group training was 10 (range: 3-40 h). The methods of teaching adequate chest compression rate were instructors' visual estimation in 28.5% of the institutions, watch in 33.3%, metronome in 9.5% and manikins' graphic in 28.5% of institutions. The methods of teaching adequate chest compression depth were instructors' visual estimation in 33.3%, in manikins light indicators in 23.8% and manikins' graphics in 52.3% of institutions. CONCLUSION: The hours of theoretic lessons and small group training vary widely among different institutes. In one-third of institutions, the instructor's visual estimation was a sole method used to teach adequate chest compression rate and depth. Different technical methods were surprisingly seldom used.

Intensive care of the elderly in Finland.

BACKGROUND: The ageing of the population will increase the demand for health care resources. The aim of this study was to determine how age affects resource consumption and outcome of intensive care in Finland. METHODS: Data on 79,361 admissions to 26 Finnish intensive care units (ICUs) during the years 1998-2004 were analysed. The severity of illness was measured using Simplified Acute Physiology II scores and the intensity of care using Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System scores. RESULTS: The median age was 62 years; 8.9% of patients were aged 80 years or over. The hospital mortality rate was 16.2% in the overall patient population, but 28.4% in patients aged 80 years or over. Old age was an independent risk factor for hospital mortality. The mean intensity of care was at its highest in the age groups 60-69, 70-74 and 75-79 years. It was notably lower for patients aged 80 years or over. If the need for intensive care remains unchanged in each age group, the change in the age distribution of the Finnish population will increase the demand for ICU beds by 19% by the year 2020 and by 25% by the year 2030. CONCLUSION: The hospital mortality rate increases with increasing age. The mean intensity of care is lower for the oldest patients than for patients aged less than 80 years. The ageing of the population will probably cause a remarkable increase in the need for intensive care in the near future.

Propofol causes more hypotension than etomidate in patients with severe aortic stenosis: a double-blind, randomized study comparing propofol and etomidate.

BACKGROUND: Vasodilatation and hypotension are thought to be harmful in patients with severe aortic stenosis. Etomidate is preferred to propofol for anaesthesia induction in haemodynamically unstable patients, but may disturb cortisol synthesis. We assessed the haemodynamic effects of etomidate vs. propofol as anaesthesia induction agents, and the effects of these drugs on cortisol concentrations, in patients with severe aortic stenosis. The main end-point of the study was the incidence of hypotension. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with severe aortic stenosis scheduled for elective aortic valve replacement were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomized to receive either propofol or etomidate for induction of anaesthesia. Haemodynamic parameters, i.e. mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and cardiac index (CI), were measured. If MAP decreased below 70 mmHg for more than 30 s, phenylephedrine was administered. Serum cortisol concentrations were also measured. RESULTS: MAP decreased in all patients (P < 0.001). MAP decreased to a greater extent in patients receiving propofol than in those receiving etomidate (P = 0.006). Patients receiving propofol needed phenylephedrine more often than those receiving etomidate (20/30 vs. 8/30, P = 0.002). CI and PCWP decreased in both groups (P < 0.001), with no difference between the groups. Patients receiving etomidate had a lower serum cortisol concentration immediately after the operation than those receiving propofol (P < 0.001), but no differences between the groups were observed on the first post-operative morning. CONCLUSION: Propofol is twice as likely as etomidate to evoke hypotension in anaesthesia induction of patients with severe aortic stenosis; however, etomidate transiently decreases post-operative serum cortisol concentrations.