Observation of the effect of hypothermia therapy combined with optimized nursing on brain protection after cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A retrospective case-control study.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of optimized emergency nursing in conjunction with mild hypothermia nursing on neurological prognosis, hemodynamics, and complications in patients with cardiac arrest. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 124 patients who received successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at Fujian Provincial Hospital South Branch. The patients were divided into control and observation groups, each consisting of 62 cases. The brain function of both groups was assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Additionally, serum neuron-specific enolase level was measured in both groups. The vital signs and hemodynamics of both groups were analyzed, and the complications and satisfaction experienced by the 2 groups were compared. The experimental group exhibited significantly improved neurological function than the control group (P < .05). Furthermore, the heart rate in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (P < .05). However, no significant differences were observed in blood oxygen saturation, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, and systolic blood pressure between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Moreover, the implementation of optimized nursing practices significantly reduced complications and improved the quality of life and satisfaction of post-CPR patients (P < .05). The integration of optimized emergency nursing practices in conjunction with CPR improves neurological outcomes in patients with cardiac arrest.

Surviving cardiac arrest after carbon monoxide poisoning treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Carbon monoxide (CO) and cyanide poisoning are frequent causes of morbidity and mortality in cases of house and industrial fires. The 14th edition of guidelines from the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society does not recommend hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) treatment in those patients who have suffered a cardiac arrest and had to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In this paper, we describe the case of a 31-year-old patient who received HBO2 treatment in the setting of cardiac arrest and survived.

Cardiac Arrest in Special Populations.

Best practices in cardiac arrest depend on continuous high-quality chest compressions, appropriate ventilatory management, early defibrillation of shockable rhythms, and identification and treatment of reversible causes. Although most patients can be treated according to highly vetted treatment guidelines, some special situations in cardiac arrest arise where additional skills and preparation can improve outcomes. Situations covered in this section involve cardiac arrest in context of electrical injuries, asthma, allergic reactions, pregnancy, trauma, electrolyte imbalances, toxic exposures, hypothermia, drowning, pulmonary embolism, and left ventricular assist devices.

The physiology of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation - A comprehensive clinical perspective.

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) has become a standard of care for severe cardiogenic shock, refractory cardiac arrest and related impending multiorgan failure. The widespread clinical use of this complex temporary circulatory support modality is still contrasted by a lack of formal scientific evidence in the current literature. This might at least in part be attributable to VA ECMO related complications, which may significantly impact on clinical outcome. In order to limit adverse effects of VA ECMO as much as possible an indepth understanding of the complex physiology during extracorporeally supported cardiogenic shock states is critically important. This review covers all relevant physiological aspects of VA ECMO interacting with the human body in detail. This, to provide a solid basis for health care professionals involved in the daily management of patients supported with VA ECMO and suffering from cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest and impending multiorgan failure for the best possible care.

Manejo de la vía aérea ante un caso de paro respiratorio en un escenario clínico simulado. Experiencia en una residencia de pediatría / Airway management during a respiratory arrest in a clinical simulation scenario. Experience at a pediatric residency program

Introducción. La insuficiencia respiratoria es la causa más común de paro cardíaco en pediatría; su reconocimiento y el manejo adecuado son cruciales. La simulación se utiliza para mejorar las habilidades médicas. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar la proporción de residentes de pediatría que reconocieron un paro respiratorio (PR) pediátrico en un centro de simulación. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio observacional con 77 médicos residentes. Se utilizó un caso simulado de un paciente con dificultad respiratoria que progresa a PR. Resultados. De los 77 participantes, 48 reconocieron el paro respiratorio (62,3 %). El tiempo medio para reconocer el PR fue de 34,43 segundos. Conclusión. El 62,3 % de los participantes logró reconocer el paro respiratorio. Entre aquellos que lo identificaron, el tiempo promedio fue de 34,43 segundos. Se observaron graves deficiencias en algunas de las intervenciones esperadas.

Introduction. Respiratory failure is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in pediatrics. Recognizing and managing it adequately is critical. Simulation is used to improve medical skills. The objective of this study was to establish the proportion of pediatric residents who recognized a respiratory arrest in a child at a simulation center. Methods. This was an observational study in 77 residents. A simulation of a patient with respiratory distress that progressed to respiratory arrest was used. Results. Among the 77 participants, 48 recognized respiratory arrest (62.3%). The mean time to recognize respiratory arrest was 34.43 seconds. Conclusion. Respiratory arrest was recognized by 62.3% of participants. Among those who did so, the average time was 34.43 seconds. Severe failures were noted in some of the expected interventions.

Mechanical Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Devices: Evidence Synthesis with an Umbrella Review.

AIM: Sudden cardiac arrest is a significant cause of death worldwide. Good quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation increases patients' survival. Manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation is often ineffective as rescuers may experience physical and mental fatigue. Mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation devices are designed to address this issue, providing an automated approach for high-quality resuscitation. In the present comprehensive umbrella review we summarize current evidence on mechanical devices. METHODS: We searched systematic reviews on mechanical devices in MEDLINE/PubMed. Effect estimates were obtained from original reports, including 95% confidence intervals and p values, when applicable and available, focusing on return of spontaneous circulation, survival to discharge or 30 days, survival with good neurological outcome, and resuscitation-related injuries. RESULTS: From 21 potentially pertinent publications, we shortlisted 10 reviews, each including between 5 and 22 studies. AutoPulse, LUCAS, and LUCAS-2 were among the investigated devices. Most reviews concluded toward mechanical devices being similar or better than manual resuscitation for return of spontaneous circulation and 30-days survival. Regarding survival with good neurological function, some reviews lacked data, while the remaining ones reported similar results or worse outcomes in patients undergoing mechanical resuscitation. Focusing on resuscitation-related injuries, data were limited or conflicting with one review reporting higher rates of injuries with mechanical devices, and two others suggesting similar outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Manual and mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation appear to be similar in terms of return of spontaneous circulation and short-term survival. Mechanical devices appear to be associated with higher resuscitation-related injuries, while there are conflicting data in terms of survival with good neurological outcomes. A comprehensive and large dedicated randomized trial is urgently needed.

Characterizing the impact of thermoregulation in patients after cardiac arrest: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Core body temperature has been extensively investigated as a thereuptic target in care after cardiac arrest. Nevertheless, the integrity of thermoregulation in patients after cardiac arrest has not been well studied. We sought to evaluate whether low spontaneous body temperature after cardiac arrest is associated with increased death and a worse neurologic outcome, and whether patients with low spontaneous body temperature exhibit features suggestive of impaired thermoregulation. METHODS: We conducted a single-centre retrospective cohort study. We included all adult patients who underwent temperature control with hypothermia after cardiac arrest between 1 January 2014 and 30 June 2020. The primary exposure was low spontaneous core body temperature (< 35 °C) at initiation of hypothermia therapy. The primary outcome was in-hospital death and the secondary outcome was poor neurologic outcomes at discharge. RESULTS: Five hundred and ninety-seven adult patients, comprising both in- and out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, were included. Patients with low spontaneous body temperature also had slightly lower average temperature, and more frequent transient but controlled breakthrough fever episodes in the first 24 hr. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, low spontaneous body temperature was associated with higher odds of in-hospital death (odds ratio, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 4.2; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this single-centre retrospective cohort study, low spontaneous core body temperature was associated with poor outcomes in patients after cardiac arrest. Patients with low spontaneous body temperature also exhibited features suggestive of impaired thermoregulation. Further research is needed to determine whether body temperature upon presentation reflects the robustness of the patient's underlying physiology and severity of brain insult after a cardiac arrest.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: La température corporelle centrale a fait l'objet d'études approfondies en tant que cible thérapeutique dans les soins après un arrêt cardiaque. Néanmoins, l'intégrité de la thermorégulation après un arrêt cardiaque n'a pas été bien étudiée. Nous avons cherché à évaluer si une température corporelle spontanément basse après un arrêt cardiaque était associée à une augmentation de la mortalité et à une issue neurologique plus grave, et si les individus ayant une température corporelle spontanément basse présentaient des caractéristiques suggérant une altération de la thermorégulation. MéTHODE: Nous avons mené une étude de cohorte rétrospective monocentrique. Nous avons inclus tou·tes les patient·es adultes ayant bénéficié d'un contrôle de température lors d'une hypothermie après un arrêt cardiaque entre le 1er janvier 2014 et le 30 juin 2020. L'exposition principale était une température corporelle centrale spontanément basse (< 35 °C) au début du traitement de l'hypothermie. Le critère d'évaluation principal était le décès à l'hôpital, et le critère d'évaluation secondaire était de mauvaises issues neurologiques à la sortie de l'hôpital. RéSULTATS: Cinq cent quatre-vingt-dix-sept patient·es adultes, ayant subi des arrêts cardiaques à l'hôpital ou hors de l'hôpital, ont été inclus·es. Les patient·es ayant une température corporelle spontanément basse avaient également une température moyenne légèrement plus basse et des épisodes de fièvre paroxystique transitoires mais contrôlés plus fréquents au cours des premières 24 heures. Dans l'analyse de régression logistique multivariée, une température corporelle spontanément basse était associée à une probabilité plus élevée de décès à l'hôpital (rapport de cotes, 2,9; intervalle de confiance à 95 %, 1,9 à 4,2; P < 0,001). CONCLUSION: Dans cette étude de cohorte rétrospective monocentrique, une température corporelle centrale spontanément basse a été associée à de mauvais devenirs après un arrêt cardiaque. Les patient·es présentant une température corporelle spontanément basse présentaient également des caractéristiques suggérant une altération de la thermorégulation. D'autres recherches sont nécessaires pour déterminer si la température corporelle lors de la présentation reflète la robustesse de la physiologie sous-jacente des patient·es et la gravité de la lésion cérébrale après un arrêt cardiaque.

Hypothermic Cardiac Arrest: A Case Report of an Unexpected Survivor Using Air Medical Transportation in Nepal.

This is a case of a 34-year-old man surviving hypothermic cardiac arrest with excellent neurologic recovery in Nepal. After 3 days without communication at an altitude of approximately 6,000 m, the patient was located in a crevasse and retrieved by a helicopter-supported search and rescue team. At first contact, he was reported to be breathing and shivering with appropriate pupillary response. The patient was then flown to a local teaching hospital where he was assessed on arrival and found to be in cardiac arrest with absence of spontaneous breathing and a central pulse and bilaterally fixed and dilated pupils. An electrocardiogram demonstrated asystole, and his core temperature was unrecordably low on the available device. After resuscitation and return of spontaneous circulation, the patient received a secondary helicopter transfer to a major hospital in the capital, Kathmandu, where his recovery continued. The report discusses the physiological basis of the relatively favorable outcomes observed in hypothermic cardiac arrest and highlights the operations and capability of helicopter emergency medical services in a country on the United Nations list of least developed nations.

Epidemiology and outcomes of pediatric cardiac arrest in a cardiovascular unit at a public hospital in Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Children with congenital heart disease present a higher frequency of cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA) than the general pediatric population. The epidemiology of CRA is not exactly known in our setting, nor are the mortality risk or the neurological evolution factors. OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology and outcomes associated with pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a cardiovascular recovery unit. The primary endpoint was the survival to discharge and the secondary endpoints were the return to spontaneous circulation, the survival at 24 hours and the remote neurological condition. METHODS: Descriptive, prospective, longitudinal cohort study in children under 18 years of age who required cardiopulmonary resuscitation between 2016 and 2019. Demographic variables, characteristics of cardiopulmonary arrest, resuscitation and outcome were analyzed. An uni- and multivariate analysis was performed comparing survivors and deceased. RESULTS: Out of 1,842 hospitalized patients, 4.1% presented CRA. Fifty patients with complete records were analyzed. Seventy-eight percent (39) returned to spontaneous circulation with a high survival rate of 46%. Resuscitation > 6 min and the use of vasoactive drugs were predictors of mortality; 16/23 patients were followed up, 10 of them with normal development for age at 6 months, six had pervasive developmental disorder. CONCLUSIONS: 4.1% of patients presented CRA, with a rate of 3.4 CRA per 1,000 patient-days. Survival at hospital discharge (n = 50) was 46%. Resuscitation > 6 min and the use of vasoactive drugs were independent predictors of mortality. At six months, 63% had normal neurological development for age.

ANTECEDENTES: Los niños con cardiopatías congénitas experimentan paro cardiorrespiratorio (PCR) con mayor frecuencia que la población pediátrica general. Se desconoce la epidemiología exacta del PCR en nuestro medio, al igual que el riesgo de mortalidad y los factores que influyen en la evolución neurológica. OBJETIVO: Describir la epidemiología y los resultados asociados con la reanimación cardiopulmonar pediátrica en una unidad de recuperación cardiovascular. El criterio de valoración primario fue la supervivencia al momento del alta hospitalaria; los secundarios fueron el retorno de la circulación espontánea, la supervivencia a las 24 horas y la condición neurológica en el largo plazo. MÉTODO: Estudio de cohorte longitudinal, descriptivo, prospectivo, en menores de 18 años que requirieron reanimación cardiopulmonar entre 2016 y 2019. Se analizaron las variables demográficas y las características del paro cardiorrespiratorio y de la reanimación, así como su resultado. Se realizaron análisis de una y múltiples variables para comparar a los pacientes sobrevivientes con los fallecidos. RESULTADOS: De los 1,842 pacientes internados, el 4.1% experimentó PCR. Se analizaron 50 pacientes con expedientes completos. Se logró el retorno de la circulación espontánea en el 78% (39), con una supervivencia alta del 46%. La reanimación > 6 min y el uso de fármacos vasoactivos fueron factores predictivos de mortalidad; se realizó el seguimiento de 16/23 pacientes, 10 de ellos con desarrollo normal para la edad luego de seis meses, seis tenían trastorno generalizado del desarrollo. CONCLUSIONES: El 4.1% de los pacientes presentó un PCR, con una tasa de 3.4 PCR por 1,000 días-paciente. La supervivencia al egreso hospitalario (n = 50) fue del 46%. La reanimación > 6 min y la utilización de fármacos vasoactivos fueron factores predictivos independientes de mortalidad. Luego de seis meses, el 63% tenía desarrollo neurológico normal para la edad.

Therapeutic potential of mitochondrial transplantation in modulating immune responses post-cardiac arrest: a narrative review.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial transplantation (MTx) has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy, particularly effective in diseases characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction. This review synthesizes current knowledge on MTx, focusing on its role in modulating immune responses and explores its potential in treating post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS). METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive narrative review of animal and human studies that have investigated the effects of MTx in the context of immunomodulation. This included a review of the immune responses following critical condition such as ischemia reperfusion injury, the impact of MTx on these responses, and the therapeutic potential of MTx in various conditions. RESULTS: Recent studies indicate that MTx can modulate complex immune responses and reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury post-CA, suggesting MTx as a novel, potentially more effective approach. The review highlights the role of MTx in immune modulation, its potential synergistic effects with existing treatments such as therapeutic hypothermia, and the need for further research to optimize its application in PCAS. The safety and efficacy of autologous versus allogeneic MTx, particularly in the context of immune reactions, are critical areas for future investigation. CONCLUSION: MTx represents a promising frontier in the treatment of PCAS, offering a novel approach to modulate immune responses and restore cellular energetics. Future research should focus on long-term effects, combination therapies, and personalized medicine approaches to fully harness the potential of MTx in improving patient outcomes in PCAS.