Post-intensive care syndrome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients: A prospective observational cohort study.

Introduction: Intensive care unit patients are at risk for post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), which includes psychological, physical and/or cognitive sequelae after their hospital stay. Our aim was to investigate PICS in adult patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Methods: In this prospective observational cohort study, we assessed risks for PICS at 3 and 12-month follow-up within the following domains: a) physical impairment (EuroQol [EQ-5D-3L]), b) cognitive functioning (Cerebral Performance Category [CPC] score >1, modified Rankin Scale [mRS] >2) and c) psychological burden (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS], Impact of Event Scale-Revised [IES-R]).

Effect of Bedside Compared With Outside the Room Patient Case Presentation on Patients' Knowledge About Their Medical Care : A Randomized, Controlled, Multicenter Trial.

Background: Although bedside case presentation contributes to patient-centered care through active patient participation in medical discussions, the complexity of medical information and jargon-induced confusion may cause misunderstandings and patient discomfort.

Objective: To compare bedside versus outside the room patient case presentation regarding patients' knowledge about their medical care.

Design: Randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial.

Association of Taurine with In-Hospital Mortality in Patients after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Results from the Prospective, Observational COMMUNICATE Study.

Background: Studies have suggested that taurine may have neuro- and cardio-protective functions, but there is little research looking at taurine levels in patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Our aim was to evaluate the association of taurine with mortality and neurological deficits in a well-defined cohort of OHCA patients.

Methods: We prospectively measured serum taurine concentration in OHCA patients upon admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the University Hospital Basel (Switzerland).

Association of acyl carnitines and mortality in out-of-hospital-cardiac-arrest patients: Results of a prospective observational study.

Purpose: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of mortality, yet the prediction of its outcome remains challenging. Serum Acyl Carnitines (ACs), a biomarker of beta-oxidation, have been associated with cardiovascular events. We evaluated the association of different AC species with mortality and neurological outcome in a cohort of OHCA patients.

Code status discussions in medical inpatients: results of a survey of patients and physicians.

Introduction: Code status discussions are useful for understanding patients’ preferences in the case of a cardiac/pulmonary arrest. These discussions can also provide patients with a basis for informed decision-making regarding life-sustaining treatment. We conducted a survey to understand current practices and perceptions of code status discussions in a tertiary-care Swiss hospital.

Low Plasma Sphingomyelin Levels Show a Weak Association with Poor Neurological Outcome in Cardiac Arrest Patients: Results from the Prospective, Observational COMMUNICATE Trial.

There is interest in novel blood markers to improve risk stratification in patients presenting with cardiac arrest. We assessed associations of different plasma sphingomyelin concentrations and neurological outcome in patients with cardiac arrest. In this prospective observational study, adult patients with cardiac arrest were included upon admission to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Association of Communication Interventions to Discuss Code Status With Patient Decisions for Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: Whether specific communication interventions to discuss code status alter patient decisions regarding do-not-resuscitate code status and knowledge about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) remains unclear.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis regarding the association of communication interventions with patient decisions and knowledge about CPR.

Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were systematically searched from the inception of each database to November 19, 2018.