Effectiveness of combinations of active compression-decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation, impedance threshold devices and head-up cardiopulmonary resuscitation in adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A systematic review.

Objective: This review summarises the current evidence base for combinations of neuroprotective CPR adjuncts (active compression-decompression chest compressions, impedance threshold devices, and head-up positioning) during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Methods: A systematic search (PROSPERO registration CRD42023432302) was performed in English on MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library in August 2023, and repeated in February 2024. All randomised and observational studies (not abstracts) reporting on any combination of the aforementioned CPR adjuncts were included.

Antithrombotic drugs for cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with lower limb peripheral arterial disease: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Introduction: The optimal antithrombotic regimen to reduce the risk of vascular events in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is contentious. This systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) aims to define the relative efficacy and risks of previously investigated antithrombotic medication regimens in preventing major cardiovascular events, vascular limb events and mortality in patients with PAD.

Methods And Analysis: A peer-reviewed, systematic search will be executed in English on Medline, Embase, Cochrane (CENTRAL), Web of Science and Google Scholar databases in late 2022.

Saving lives with public access defibrillation: A deadly game of hide and seek.

Background: Early defibrillation is a critical link in the chain of survival. Public access defibrillation (PAD) programmes utilising automated external defibrillators (AEDs) aim to decrease the time-to-first-shock, and improve survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Effective use of PADs requires rapid location of the device, facilitated by adequate signage.

Can rescuers accurately deliver subtle changes to chest compression depth if recommended by future guidelines?

Background: A recent study reported that a compression depth of 4.56 cm optimised survival following cardiac arrest, which is at variance with the current guidelines of 5.0-6.