[Lay-rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)--controversies in emergency medicine: lay-rescuer CPR with or without mouth-to-mouth ventilation].

An analysis of literature results reveals differences concerning the need for rescue breathing in lay-rescuer cardiopulmonary-resuscitation (CPR). Observational studies on large registries have shown improved survival rates with standard CPR (chest compressions and rescue breathing) compared to continuous chest compressions (CCC). This applies especially for cardiac arrests of non-cardiac origin or prolonged EMS-arrival times.

[Workflow management in the operating room. Analysis of potentials for optimizing efficiency at a university hospital].

Background: The introduction of the diagnosis-related groups reimbursement system has increased cost pressures. Due to the interaction of many different professional groups, analysis and optimization of internal coordination and scheduling in the operating room (OR) is mandatory. The aim of this study was to analyze the processes at a university hospital in order to optimize strategies by identifying potential weak points.

[The new 2005 resuscitation guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council: comments and supplements].

The new CPR guidelines are based on a scientific consensus which was reached by 281 international experts. Chest compressions (100/min, 4-5 cm deep) should be performed in a ratio of 30:2 with ventilation (tidal volume 500 ml, Ti 1 s, FIO2 if possible 1.0).

Two-rescuer CPR results in hyperventilation in the ventilating rescuer.

The "Guidelines 2000 for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care--International Consensus on Science" recommend a tidal ventilation volume of 10 ml/kg body-weight without the use of supplemental oxygen during two-rescuer adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This relates to a ventilation volume of about 6.4 l/min.

[Hypoglycemia despite hyperglycemia. Is a cerebral glucose deficiency possible even with raised blood sugar levels?].

Hypoglycemia represents the most frequent endocrinologic emergency situation in prehospital patient care. As the patients are usually unconscious on arrival of emergency medical personnel, often the only way to establish a diagnosis is by determination of the blood glucose concentration. However, even normoglycemic or hyperglycemic levels cannot definitively exclude the diagnosis of a previous hypoglycemia as the cause of the acute cerebral deficiency.