Comparative performance assessment of commercially available automatic external defibrillators: A simulation and real-life measurement study of hands-off time.

PURPOSE: Early and good quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) improve cardiac arrest patients' survival. However, AED peri- and post-shock/analysis pauses may reduce CPR effectiveness. METHODS: The time performance of 12 different commercially available AEDs was tested in a manikin based scenario; then the AEDs recordings from the same tested models following the clinical use both in Pavia and Ticino were analyzed to evaluate the post-shock and post-analysis time. RESULTS: None of the AEDs was able to complete the analysis and to charge the capacitors in less than 10s and the mean post-shock pause was 6.7±2.4s. For non-shockable rhythms, the mean analysis time was 10.3±2s and the mean post-analysis time was 6.2±2.2s. We analyzed 154 AED records [104 by Emergency Medical Service (EMS) rescuers; 50 by lay rescuers]. EMS rescuers were faster in resuming CPR than lay rescuers [5.3s (95%CI 5-5.7) vs 8.6s (95%CI 7.3-10). CONCLUSIONS: AEDs showed different performances that may reduce CPR quality mostly for those rescuers following AED instructions. Both technological improvements and better lay rescuers training might be needed.

Positive trend in survival to hospital discharge after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a quantitative review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Seven editions of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency cardiovascular care guidelines have been published with many changes, in particular, about CPR. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to evaluate the temporal trend of survival to hospital discharge after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) as a possible effect of guidelines changes. METHODS: We searched PubMed for observational studies on 'survival to hospital discharge after OHCA'. Survival to discharge was the primary outcome; prehospital return of spontaneous circulation and survival to hospital admission were our secondary endpoints. All data were analyzed according to the year of inclusion: group 1 before 2000; group 2 between 2000 and 2005; and group 3 after 2005. Mortality rates were compared between groups by means of a group frequency-weighted log-linear model. RESULTS: We considered 38 of 201 studies for a total of 156 301 patients. Survival to hospital discharge rate was 5.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.9-5.2) in group 1; 6.1% (95% CI 5.9-6.4) in group 2; and 9.1% (95% CI 8.9-9.4) in group 3 (P < 0.001). A statistically significant decrease in risk of mortality in group 2 vs. group 1 (risk ratio 0.988, 95% CI 0. 985-0.0.992, P < 0.001) and in group 3 vs. group 2 (risk ratio 0.967, 95% CI 0.964-0.971, P < 0.001) was observed. Similar trends were observed for return of spontaneous circulation and survival to hospital admission. CONCLUSION: Survival to hospital discharge after OHCA has significantly improved. Many aspects may influence survival, but surely, the reduction of time and an early and good quality CPR have positively influenced the outcome.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in real life: the most frequent fears of lay rescuers.

INTRODUCTION: Surviving cardiac arrest depends on early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Only one third of cardiac arrest victims receive prompt CPR in spite of well-attended Basic Life Support (BLS) courses. Our study aimed to investigate that how many lay rescuers, capable of performing CPR, would do so, and to analyse their impeding fears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After each BLS course for lay rescuers (American Heart Association (AHA) CPR for family and friends), an anonymous questionnaire was distributed asking participants whether they would perform CPR on an adult or on a child in a real case of cardiac arrest. In the case of a negative response, we questioned them why. RESULTS: A total of 1000 questionnaires were analysed. The sample group was predominantly made up of males (77.7%), Italians (82.2%), individuals aged between 26 and 35 years (41.2%) and individuals possessing a high-school diploma (61.8%). The percentages that would perform CPR on an unknown adult or child were different (86.2% vs. 73.9% p = 0.005). The prevalent fears were regarding infection, being incapable, legal implications and causing damage and fear in general. The first three differ significantly in adult and paediatric cases. Subdividing the population according to sex, age and education did not demonstrate significant differences regarding willingness to perform adult or paediatric CPR. CONCLUSIONS: This descriptive study demonstrates that the percentage that would really perform CPR is too low, particularly in the case of a child. Part of the course should be dedicated to discussing these arguments to ensure that all those capable of performing good CPR would immediately do so.