Cardiac Arrest and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Outcome Reports: 2024 Update of the Utstein Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Registry Template.

The Utstein Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation Registry Template, introduced in 1991 and updated in 2004 and 2015, standardizes data collection to enable research, evaluation, and comparisons of systems of care. The impetus for the current update stemmed from significant advances in the field and insights from registry development and regional comparisons. This 2024 update involved representatives of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation and used a modified Delphi process. Every 2015 Utstein data element was reviewed for relevance, priority (core or supplemental), and improvement. New variables were proposed and refined. All changes were voted on for inclusion. The 2015 domains-system, dispatch, patient, process, and outcomes-were retained. Further clarity is provided for the definitions of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest attended resuscitation and attempted resuscitation. Changes reflect advancements in dispatch, early response systems, and resuscitation care, as well as the importance of prehospital outcomes. Time intervals such as emergency medical service response time now emphasize precise reporting of the times used. New flowcharts aid the reporting of system effectiveness for patients with an attempted resuscitation and system efficacy for the Utstein comparator group. Recognizing the varying capacities of emergency systems globally, the writing group provided a minimal dataset for settings with developing emergency medical systems. Supplementary variables are considered useful for research purposes. These revisions aim to elevate data collection and reporting transparency by registries and researchers and to advance international comparisons and collaborations. The overarching objective remains the improvement of outcomes for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

KIDS SAVE LIVES: Basic Life Support Education for Schoolchildren: A Narrative Review and Scientific Statement From the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: Basic life support education for schoolchildren has become a key initiative to increase bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation rates. Our objective was to review the existing literature on teaching schoolchildren basic life support to identify the best practices to provide basic life support training in schoolchildren. METHODS: After topics and subgroups were defined, a comprehensive literature search was conducted. Systematic reviews and controlled and uncontrolled prospective and retrospective studies containing data on students <20 years of age were included. RESULTS: Schoolchildren are highly motivated to learn basic life support. The CHECK-CALL-COMPRESS algorithm is recommended for all schoolchildren. Regular training in basic life support regardless of age consolidates long-term skills. Young children from 4 years of age are able to assess the first links in the chain of survival. By 10 to 12 years of age, effective chest compression depths and ventilation volumes can be achieved on training manikins. A combination of theoretical and practical training is recommended. Schoolteachers serve as effective basic life support instructors. Schoolchildren also serve as multipliers by passing on basic life support skills to others. The use of age-appropriate social media tools for teaching is a promising approach for schoolchildren of all ages. CONCLUSIONS: Schoolchildren basic life support training has the potential to educate whole generations to respond to cardiac arrest and to increase survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Comprehensive legislation, curricula, and scientific assessment are crucial to further develop the education of schoolchildren in basic life support.

2023 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations: Summary From the Basic Life Support; Advanced Life Support; Pediatric Life Support; Neonatal Life Support; Education, Implementation, and Teams; and First Aid Task Forces.

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation engages in a continuous review of new, peer-reviewed, published cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid science. Draft Consensus on Science With Treatment Recommendations are posted online throughout the year, and this annual summary provides more concise versions of the final Consensus on Science With Treatment Recommendations from all task forces for the year. Topics addressed by systematic reviews this year include resuscitation of cardiac arrest from drowning, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for adults and children, calcium during cardiac arrest, double sequential defibrillation, neuroprognostication after cardiac arrest for adults and children, maintaining normal temperature after preterm birth, heart rate monitoring methods for diagnostics in neonates, detection of exhaled carbon dioxide in neonates, family presence during resuscitation of adults, and a stepwise approach to resuscitation skills training. Members from 6 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation task forces have assessed, discussed, and debated the quality of the evidence, using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria, and their statements include consensus treatment recommendations. Insights into the deliberations of the task forces are provided in the Justification and Evidence-to-Decision Framework Highlights sections. In addition, the task forces list priority knowledge gaps for further research. Additional topics are addressed with scoping reviews and evidence updates.

Knowledge of Acute Coronary Syndrome Symptoms and the Intention to Call Emergency Medical Services in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Australians.

BACKGROUND: Prompt recognition of symptoms and response to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are crucial for reducing pre-hospital delay. This study compares culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and non-CALD Australian populations in terms of their (i) ACS symptom knowledge and (ii) intention to call emergency medical services (EMS) for ACS. METHOD: This cross-sectional study used data from HeartWatch, an online survey collected by the National Heart Foundation of Australia between 2018 and 2020 for Australian adults aged ≥18 years. CALD respondents were defined as non-Indigenous individuals who reported speaking a language other than English at home. Characteristics associated with ACS symptom knowledge and EMS calling intentions were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 31,919 respondents, 16.3% were from CALD backgrounds (n=5,212). Compared with non-CALD, CALD respondents were less likely to name any ACS symptom (63.0% vs 76.0%; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61-0.70) and were less likely to state that they would call an ambulance for ACS (50.2% vs 72.1%; AOR 0.53; 95% CI 0.50-0.57). Almost one-quarter (23.0%) of CALD respondents reported not knowing what they would do. In both groups, males, individuals aged ≤60 years, and those with diabetes were less likely to name an ACS symptom and had lower intention to call an ambulance. Those unable to list a single ACS symptom also had a lower intention to call an ambulance. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of ACS symptoms and intention to call an ambulance were lower among CALD respondents. The demographics of those with low ACS symptom knowledge and EMS calling intention were similar in the two groups. Future education efforts in Australia should focus on promoting ACS symptom knowledge and EMS use and should target these groups.

A Call to Action to Improve Cardiac Arrest Outcomes: A Report From the National Summit for Cardiac Arrest.

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) represents a major cause of premature mortality globally, with enormous impact and financial cost to victims, families, and communities. SCA prevention should be considered a health priority in Australia. National Cardiac Arrest Summits were held in June 2022 and March 2023, with inclusion from multi-faceted endeavours related to SCA prevention. It was agreed to establish a multidisciplinary Australian Sudden Cardiac Arrest Alliance (AuSCAA) working group charged with developing a national unified strategy, with clear and measurable quality indicators and standardised outcome measures, to amplify the goal of SCA prevention throughout Australia. A multi-faceted prevention strategy will include i) endeavours to progress community awareness, ii) improved fundamental mechanistic understanding, iii) implementation of best-practice resuscitation strategies for all demographics and locations, iv) secondary risk assessment directed to family members, and v) development of (near) real-time registry of cardiac arrest cases to inform areas of need and effectiveness of interventions. Together, we can and should reduce the impact of SCA in Australia.

Optimizing Outcomes After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest With Innovative Approaches to Public-Access Defibrillation: A Scientific Statement From the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a global public health issue experienced by ≈3.8 million people annually. Only 8% to 12% survive to hospital discharge. Early defibrillation of shockable rhythms is associated with improved survival, but ensuring timely access to defibrillators has been a significant challenge. To date, the development of public-access defibrillation programs, involving the deployment of automated external defibrillators into the public space, has been the main strategy to address this challenge. Public-access defibrillator programs have been associated with improved outcomes for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; however, the devices are used in <3% of episodes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This scientific statement was commissioned by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation with 3 objectives: (1) identify known barriers to public-access defibrillator use and early defibrillation, (2) discuss established and novel strategies to address those barriers, and (3) identify high-priority knowledge gaps for future research to address. The writing group undertook systematic searches of the literature to inform this statement. Innovative strategies were identified that relate to enhanced public outreach, behavior change approaches, optimization of static public-access defibrillator deployment and housing, evolved automated external defibrillator technology and functionality, improved integration of public-access defibrillation with existing emergency dispatch protocols, and exploration of novel automated external defibrillator delivery vectors. We provide evidence- and consensus-based policy suggestions to enhance public-access defibrillation and guidance for future research in this area.

2022 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations: Summary From the Basic Life Support; Advanced Life Support; Pediatric Life Support; Neonatal Life Support; Education, Implementation, and Teams; and First Aid Task Forces.

This is the sixth annual summary of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. This summary addresses the most recently published resuscitation evidence reviewed by International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Task Force science experts. Topics covered by systematic reviews include cardiopulmonary resuscitation during transport; approach to resuscitation after drowning; passive ventilation; minimizing pauses during cardiopulmonary resuscitation; temperature management after cardiac arrest; use of diagnostic point-of-care ultrasound during cardiac arrest; use of vasopressin and corticosteroids during cardiac arrest; coronary angiography after cardiac arrest; public-access defibrillation devices for children; pediatric early warning systems; maintaining normal temperature immediately after birth; suctioning of amniotic fluid at birth; tactile stimulation for resuscitation immediately after birth; use of continuous positive airway pressure for respiratory distress at term birth; respiratory and heart rate monitoring in the delivery room; supraglottic airway use in neonates; prearrest prediction of in-hospital cardiac arrest mortality; basic life support training for likely rescuers of high-risk populations; effect of resuscitation team training; blended learning for life support training; training and recertification for resuscitation instructors; and recovery position for maintenance of breathing and prevention of cardiac arrest. Members from 6 task forces have assessed, discussed, and debated the quality of the evidence using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria and generated consensus treatment recommendations. Insights into the deliberations of the task forces are provided in the Justification and Evidence-to-Decision Framework Highlights sections, and priority knowledge gaps for future research are listed.

2021 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations: Summary From the Basic Life Support; Advanced Life Support; Neonatal Life Support; Education, Implementation, and Teams; First Aid Task Forces; and the COVID-19 Working Group.

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation initiated a continuous review of new, peer-reviewed published cardiopulmonary resuscitation science. This is the fifth annual summary of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations; a more comprehensive review was done in 2020. This latest summary addresses the most recently published resuscitation evidence reviewed by International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation task force science experts. Topics covered by systematic reviews in this summary include resuscitation topics of video-based dispatch systems; head-up cardiopulmonary resuscitation; early coronary angiography after return of spontaneous circulation; cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the prone patient; cord management at birth for preterm and term infants; devices for administering positive-pressure ventilation at birth; family presence during neonatal resuscitation; self-directed, digitally based basic life support education and training in adults and children; coronavirus disease 2019 infection risk to rescuers from patients in cardiac arrest; and first aid topics, including cooling with water for thermal burns, oral rehydration for exertional dehydration, pediatric tourniquet use, and methods of tick removal. Members from 6 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation task forces have assessed, discussed, and debated the quality of the evidence, according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria, and their statements include consensus treatment recommendations or good practice statements. Insights into the deliberations of the task forces are provided in Justification and Evidence-to-Decision Framework Highlights sections. In addition, the task forces listed priority knowledge gaps for further research.

Can a Targeted Social Media Campaign Increase Reach of, and Engagement With, Heart Failure Self-Management Resources in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities in Victoria, Australia? An Evaluation Including Cost.

AIM: This study investigates whether a targeted social media campaign increases reach and engagement of heart failure self-management educational resources among culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Victoria, Australia. METHODS: A targeted six-week Facebook social media campaign (from 3 October 2022 to 13 November 2022) was performed using the Precision Public Health Framework. Animated heart failure educational videos were developed, translated, and publicised among Mandarin-, Vietnamese- and English-speaking communities in Victoria, Australia. Data from Facebook, Google Analytics and social marketing costs were analysed. An independent, two sample t-test was applied to investigate differences in the performance (views and cost-per-click) of the English and translated Mandarin and Vietnamese social media campaigns. Webpage views (of the promoted heart failure webpage) during the campaign were compared to the same period 12 months prior. RESULTS: A total of 664,434 English and 182,294 translated Vietnamese and Mandarin video advertisements were placed and seen in individuals' social media feeds (impressions) over the six weeks. Per capita reach was proportionally higher for Vietnamese and Mandarin video advertisements (54% versus 15%). The percentage of those who watched the educational video in the social media posts, for at least 15 seconds (a 'ThruPlay'), was significantly higher in Mandarin and Vietnamese-speaking communities (75% versus 40% among the English-speaking community p<0.0001). However, those viewing in English had significantly longer engagement and watched at least half of the video (2.5% versus Vietnamese and Mandarin viewers (0.31%), p<0.0001). The click-through rate and cost-per-click were significantly higher for the translated social media posts compared with the English (0.77% vs 0.62%, p=0.0185 and AUD$4.48 vs AUD$3.22, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: A targeted six-week Facebook social media campaign using translated video animations in Vietnamese and Mandarin had significantly higher reach, initial views (first 15 seconds) and higher click-through rates, but fewer views of at least half of the video, compared with the Facebook English videos. Higher costs-per-click were associated with the translated campaign. Further research is needed to understand the extent that social media translated campaigns can influence health behaviour.

Declining Public Awareness of Heart Attack Warning Symptoms in the Years Following an Australian Public Awareness Campaign: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The National Heart Foundation of Australia's (NHFA) Warning Signs campaign ran between 2010 and 2013. This study examines trends in Australian adults' ability to name heart attack symptoms during the campaign and in the years following. METHODS: Using the NHFA's HeartWatch data (quarterly online surveys) for adults aged 30-59 years, we conducted an adjusted piecewise regression analysis comparing trends in the ability to name symptoms during the campaign period plus one year lag (2010-2014) to the post-campaign period (2015-2020) RESULTS: Over the study period, there were 101,936 Australian adults surveyed. Symptom awareness was high or increased during the campaign period. However, there was a significant downward trend in each year following the campaign period for most symptoms (e.g., chest pain: adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =0.91, 95%CI: 0.56-0.80; arm pain: AOR=0.92, 95%CI: 0.90-0.94). Conversely, the inability to name any heart attack symptom increased in each year following the campaign (3.7% in 2010 to 19.9% in 2020; AOR=1.13, 95%CI: 1.10-1.15); these respondents were more likely to be younger, male, have less than 12 years of education, identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples, speak a language other than English at home and have no cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSION: Awareness of heart attack symptoms has decreased in the years since the Warning Signs campaign in Australia, with 1 in 5 adults currently unable to name a single heart attack symptom. New approaches are needed to promote and sustain this knowledge, and to ensure people act appropriately and promptly if symptoms occur.

The future of resuscitation education.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to provide an update for critical care clinicians and providers on the recent developments in patient and healthcare professional (HCP) resuscitation education. RECENT FINDINGS: The family members of patients at high-risk of cardiac arrest need to be provided with access to basic life support (BLS) training. Many low-cost methods are now available to provide BLS training beyond attending a traditional BLS instructor-led cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) class. Hybrid-blended learning formats provide new opportunities to receive individualized CPR-training in a flexible and convenient format. HCPs' participation in accredited advanced life support courses improves patient outcomes. Monitoring HCPs exposure to resuscitation and supplementing with frequent simulation is recommended. Training should include human factors and nontechnical skills. Volunteering for first responder programs when off-duty provides a great opportunity for HCP's to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival and increase exposure to resuscitation. SUMMARY: Frequent resuscitation education and training is critical to improving cardiac arrest patient outcomes. Recent evidence shows the effectiveness of technological developments to improve access to training and outcomes.

Effect of Lower vs Higher Oxygen Saturation Targets on Survival to Hospital Discharge Among Patients Resuscitated After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: The EXACT Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The administration of a high fraction of oxygen following return of spontaneous circulation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest may increase reperfusion brain injury. Objective: To determine whether targeting a lower oxygen saturation in the early phase of postresuscitation care for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest improves survival at hospital discharge. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial included unconscious adults with return of spontaneous circulation and a peripheral oxygen saturation (Spo2) of at least 95% while receiving 100% oxygen. The trial was conducted in 2 emergency medical services and 15 hospitals in Victoria and South Australia, Australia, between December 11, 2017, and August 11, 2020, with data collection from ambulance and hospital medical records (final follow-up date, August 25, 2021). The trial enrolled 428 of a planned 1416 patients. Interventions: Patients were randomized by paramedics to receive oxygen titration to achieve an oxygen saturation of either 90% to 94% (intervention; n = 216) or 98% to 100% (standard care; n = 212) until arrival in the intensive care unit. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. There were 9 secondary outcomes collected, including hypoxic episodes (Spo2 <90%) and prespecified serious adverse events, which included hypoxia with rearrest. Results: The trial was stopped early due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 428 patients who were randomized, 425 were included in the primary analysis (median age, 65.5 years; 100 [23.5%] women) and all completed the trial. Overall, 82 of 214 patients (38.3%) in the intervention group survived to hospital discharge compared with 101 of 211 (47.9%) in the standard care group (difference, -9.6% [95% CI, -18.9% to -0.2%]; unadjusted odds ratio, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.46-1.00]; P = .05). Of the 9 prespecified secondary outcomes collected during hospital stay, 8 showed no significant difference. A hypoxic episode prior to intensive care was observed in 31.3% (n = 67) of participants in the intervention group and 16.1% (n = 34) in the standard care group (difference, 15.2% [95% CI, 7.2%-23.1%]; OR, 2.37 [95% CI, 1.49-3.79]; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients achieving return of spontaneous circulation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, targeting an oxygen saturation of 90% to 94%, compared with 98% to 100%, until admission to the intensive care unit did not significantly improve survival to hospital discharge. Although the trial is limited by early termination due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the findings do not support use of an oxygen saturation target of 90% to 94% in the out-of-hospital setting after resuscitation from cardiac arrest. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03138005.

Education, Implementation, and Teams: 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations.

For this 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations, the Education, Implementation, and Teams Task Force applied the population, intervention, comparator, outcome, study design, time frame format and performed 15 systematic reviews, applying the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation guidance. Furthermore, 4 scoping reviews and 7 evidence updates assessed any new evidence to determine if a change in any existing treatment recommendation was required. The topics covered included training for the treatment of opioid overdose; basic life support, including automated external defibrillator training; measuring implementation and performance in communities, and cardiac arrest centers; advanced life support training, including team and leadership training and rapid response teams; measuring cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance, feedback devices, and debriefing; and the use of social media to improve cardiopulmonary resuscitation application.

Characteristics of patients who had a stroke not initially identified during emergency prehospital assessment: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Around 25% of patients who had a stroke do not present with typical 'face, arm, speech' symptoms at onset, and are challenging for emergency medical services (EMS) to identify. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the characteristics of acute stroke presentations associated with inaccurate EMS identification (false negatives). METHOD: We performed a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PubMed from 1995 to August 2020 using key terms: stroke, EMS, paramedics, identification and assessment. Studies included: patients who had a stroke or patient records; ≥18 years; any stroke type; prehospital assessment undertaken by health professionals including paramedics or technicians; data reported on prehospital diagnostic accuracy and/or presenting symptoms. Data were extracted and study quality assessed by two researchers using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies V.2 tool. RESULTS: Of 845 studies initially identified, 21 observational studies met the inclusion criteria. Of the 6934 stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack patients included, there were 1774 (26%) false negative patients (range from 4 (2%) to 247 (52%)). Commonly documented symptoms in false negative cases were speech problems (n=107; 13%-28%), nausea/vomiting (n=94; 8%-38%), dizziness (n=86; 23%-27%), changes in mental status (n=51; 8%-25%) and visual disturbance/impairment (n=43; 13%-28%). CONCLUSION: Speech problems and posterior circulation symptoms were the most commonly documented symptoms among stroke presentations that were not correctly identified by EMS (false negatives). However, the addition of further symptoms to stroke screening tools requires valuation of subsequent sensitivity and specificity, training needs and possible overuse of high priority resources.

2019 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations: Summary From the Basic Life Support; Advanced Life Support; Pediatric Life Support; Neonatal Life Support; Education, Implementation, and Teams; and First Aid Task Forces.

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation has initiated a continuous review of new, peer-reviewed, published cardiopulmonary resuscitation science. This is the third annual summary of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. It addresses the most recent published resuscitation evidence reviewed by International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Task Force science experts. This summary addresses the role of cardiac arrest centers and dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the role of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in adults and children, vasopressors in adults, advanced airway interventions in adults and children, targeted temperature management in children after cardiac arrest, initial oxygen concentration during resuscitation of newborns, and interventions for presyncope by first aid providers. Members from 6 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation task forces have assessed, discussed, and debated the certainty of the evidence on the basis of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria, and their statements include consensus treatment recommendations. Insights into the deliberations of the task forces are provided in the Justification and Evidence to Decision Framework Highlights sections. The task forces also listed priority knowledge gaps for further research.

ILCOR Scientific Knowledge Gaps and Clinical Research Priorities for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care: A Consensus Statement.

Despite significant advances in the field of resuscitation science, important knowledge gaps persist. Current guidelines for resuscitation are based on the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation 2015 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations, which includes treatment recommendations supported by the available evidence. The writing group developed this consensus statement with the goal of focusing future research by addressing the knowledge gaps identified during and after the 2015 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation evidence evaluation process. Key publications since the 2015 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations are referenced, along with known ongoing clinical trials that are likely to affect future guidelines.

Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Analysis of Myocardial Scarring With Biomarker Release Following S-T Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is commonly assumed to represent myocardial fibrosis; however, comparative human histological data are limited, and there is no consensus on the most accurate method for LGE quantitation. We evaluated the relationship between CMR assessment of regional fibrosis and infarct size assessment using serial biomarkers after ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: Ninety-three patients treated for STEMI (59±10 years, 86% male) underwent CMR 6 months after infarction. Infarct size was quantified by CMR-LGE using manual and range of semi-automated thresholds (range: 2-10 standard deviations [SD]) above reference myocardium and the full width-half maximum (FWHM) technique, and compared with the rise in serum biomarkers. The agreement between CMR and biomarker in the identification of large infarcts based on peak troponin (TnI) levels was also analysed. RESULTS: Quantification methods had a strong influence on the infarct size assessment with CMR-LGE. Significant correlations were observed between LGE and biomarkers across all of the signal intensity thresholds. Whilst there was a wide variation with respect to the estimation of total LGE size (from 6.8±7.7 to 32.1±11.3 grams), the variation in the correlation with peak troponin level was much smaller (r-values ranging from 0.670 to 0.876). There was good agreement between CMR-LGE and biomarker assessment of infarct size; the best agreement between CMR-LGE and large infarction using a threshold of 8SD for peak TnI>50ng/mL (Cohen's kappa (κ)=0.722), and a threshold of 4SD for peak TnI >95ng/mL (κ=0.761). CONCLUSIONS: The correlation between CMR-LGE quantification of infarct size and biomarker release following STEMI at a range of semi-automated thresholds was consistently strong, with good agreement between measures across a range of thresholds.

Temporal Trends in Emergency Medical Services and General Practitioner Use for Acute Stroke After Australian Public Education Campaigns.

Background and Purpose- The Australian Stroke Foundation ran annual paid advertising between 2004 and 2014, using the FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) campaign from 2006 and adding the message to call emergency medical services in 2007. In this study, we examined temporal trends in emergency medical services use and referrals from general practitioners in the Australian state of Victoria to evaluate the impact of these campaigns. Methods- Using data from 33 public emergency departments, contributing to the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset, we examined trends in emergency department presentations for 118 000 adults with an emergency diagnosis of stroke or transient ischemic attack between 2003 and 2015. Annual trends were examined using logistic regression using a precampaign period (January 2003 to August 2004) as reference and adjusting for demographic variables. Results- Compared with the precampaign period, significant increases in emergency medical services use were seen annually between 2008 and 2015 (all P<0.001, eg, 2015; adjusted odds ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.10-1.23). In contrast, a decrease was seen in patients presenting via general practitioners across all campaign years (all P<0.001, eg, 2015; adjusted odds ratio, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.44-0.53). Conclusions- Since the Stroke Foundation campaigns began, a greater proportion of stroke and transient ischemic attack patients are presenting to hospital by emergency medical services and appear to be bypassing their general practitioners.

Impact of a public awareness campaign on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest incidence and mortality rates.

AIMS: Increased public awareness of the warning signs of a heart attack and the importance of early medical intervention may help to prevent premature deaths from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We sought to investigate the impact of the Heart Foundation's public awareness campaigns on the monthly incidence of, and deaths from, OHCA in Melbourne, Australia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between July 2005 and June 2015, we included registry data for 25 060 OHCA of presumed cardiac aetiology. Time series models with distributed lags were used to explore the effect of campaign activity on OHCA outcomes. A sensitivity analysis involving segmented regression of the pre-intervention, intervention, and post-intervention time segments was also performed. The mean monthly incidence of, and deaths from, OHCA was 207 and 189 events respectively. After adjustment for temporal trends, campaign activity was associated with a 6.0% [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.8-9.0%; P < 0.001] reduction in the monthly incidence of OHCA, or 11.7% (95% CI: 7.7-15.5%, P < 0.001) with the addition of residual effects in two additional lag months. Similarly, the rate of deaths from OHCA reduced by 6.4% (95% CI: 2.8-10.0%; P = 0.001) during months with campaign activity. Campaign activity had a greater effect in males and patients aged ≥65 years, and reduced the incidence of OHCA in unwitnessed and initial non-shockable arrests. In the segmented regression analysis, the intervention period was associated with a 15.2% (95% CI: 9.2-20.9%; P < 0.001) reduction in the mean monthly incidence and a 16.6% (95% CI: 9.9-22.7%; P < 0.001) reduction in deaths from OHCA. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive mass media campaign targeting the community's awareness of heart attack symptoms was associated with a substantial reduction in the incidence of OHCA and associated deaths.