Assessment of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Quality among Healthcare Providers: A Randomized Experimental Study of the Italian Resuscitation Council.

The quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is pivotal in improving the outcome of cardiac arrest. Nevertheless, there is evidence that even professional rescuers may deliver ineffective chest compressions (CCs). We sought to evaluate the impact of a CPR feedback device on the quality of CC performed by a supposedly highly trained and skilled population of attendees to the national annual congress of the Italian Resuscitation Council.

Acute Lung Injury after Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Narrative Review.

Although cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) includes lifesaving maneuvers, it might be associated with a wide spectrum of iatrogenic injuries. Among these, acute lung injury (ALI) is frequent and yields significant challenges to post-cardiac arrest recovery. Understanding the relationship between CPR and ALI is determinant for refining resuscitation techniques and improving patient outcomes.

Incidence, characteristics, and outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Italy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Data on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is limited in Italy, and there has never been a comprehensive systematic appraisal of the available evidence. Therefore, this review aims to explore the incidence, characteristics, and outcome of OHCA in Italy.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and conference proceedings up to September 23, 2022.

Central venous pressure swing outperforms diaphragm ultrasound as a measure of inspiratory effort during pressure support ventilation in COVID-19 patients.

Purpose: The COVID-19-related shortage of ICU beds magnified the need of tools to properly titrate the ventilator assistance. We investigated whether bedside-available indices such as the ultrasonographic changes in diaphragm thickening ratio (TR) and the tidal swing in central venous pressure (ΔCVP) are reliable estimates of inspiratory effort, assessed as the tidal swing in esophageal pressure (ΔPes).

Methods: Prospective, observational clinical investigation in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care Hospital.

Ventilation With Argon Improves Survival With Good Neurological Recovery After Prolonged Untreated Cardiac Arrest in Pigs.

Background Ventilation with the noble gas argon (Ar) has shown neuroprotective and cardioprotective properties in different in vitro and in vivo models. Hence, the neuroprotective effects of Ar were investigated in a severe, preclinically relevant porcine model of cardiac arrest. Methods and Results Cardiac arrest was ischemically induced in 36 pigs and left untreated for 12 minutes before starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Antithrombin Supplementation During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Objectives: Supplementation of antithrombin might decrease the amount of heparin needed to achieve a given anticoagulation target during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. However, exogenous antithrombin itself may increase the risk of bleeding. We conceived a study to evaluate the effect of antithrombin supplementation in adult patients requiring venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for respiratory failure on heparin dose, adequacy of anticoagulation, and safety.

Antithrombin supplementation during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: study protocol for a pilot randomized clinical trial.

Background: Normal levels of plasma antithrombin (AT) activity might decrease heparin requirements to achieve an adequate level of anticoagulation during treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Acquired AT deficiency during ECMO is common, but formal recommendations on target, timing, and rate of AT supplementation are lacking. Thus, we conceived a pilot trial to evaluate the feasibility and safety of prolonged AT supplementation in patients requiring veno-venous ECMO for respiratory failure.

LUCAS Versus Manual Chest Compression During Ambulance Transport: A Hemodynamic Study in a Porcine Model of Cardiac Arrest.

Background Mechanical chest compression (CC) is currently suggested to deliver sustained high-quality CC in a moving ambulance. This study compared the hemodynamic support provided by a mechanical piston device or manual CC during ambulance transport in a porcine model of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Methods and Results In a simulated urban ambulance transport, 16 pigs in cardiac arrest were randomized to 18 minutes of mechanical CC with the LUCAS (n=8) or manual CC (n=8).

Heterogeneity of large cell carcinoma of the lung: an immunophenotypic and miRNA-based analysis.

Large cell carcinomas (LCCs) of the lung are heterogeneous and may be of different cell lineages. We analyzed 56 surgically resected lung tumors classified as LCC on the basis of pure morphologic grounds, using a panel of immunophenotypic markers (adenocarcinoma [ADC]-specific, thyroid transcription factor-1, cytokeratin 7, and napsin A; squamous cell carcinoma [SQCC]-specific, p63, cytokeratin 5, desmocollin 3, and Δnp63) and the quantitative analysis of microRNA-205 (microRNA sample score [mRSS]). Based on immunoprofiles 19 (34%) of the cases were reclassified as ADC and 14 (25%) as SQCC; 23 (41%) of the cases were unclassifiable.

miR-205 Expression levels in nonsmall cell lung cancer do not always distinguish adenocarcinomas from squamous cell carcinomas.

Accurate classification of nonsmall cell lung cancers is of paramount clinical relevance, as novel chemotherapeutic agents show different efficacy in adenocarcinomas (ADCs) compared with squamous cell carcinomas (SQCCs). Cyto and histomorphology may sometimes be insufficient for this distinction and immunohistochemistry may improve diagnostic accuracy. The measurement of miR-205 may be another tool for the distinction between ADC and SQCC.

Growth factor production after polytetrafluoroethylene and vein arterial grafting: an experimental study.

Purpose: Occlusion caused by myointimal hyperplasia appears to be the main reason of late failure of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) arterial bypass grafts. Evidence exists that growth factors are involved in the genesis of myointimal hyperplasia. The aim of this study was to assess the release of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) by PTFE arterial grafts.