Prognostic impact of the conversion to a shockable rhythm from a non-shockable rhythm for patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Objective: For patients suffering from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), having an initial shockable rhythm is a marker of good prognosis. It has been suggested as one of the main prognosticating factors for the selection of patients for extracorporeal resuscitation (E-CPR). However, the prognostic implication of converting from a non-shockable to a shockable rhythm, as compared to having an initial shockable rhythm, remains uncertain, especially among patients that can otherwise be considered eligible for E-CPR.

Association Between the Quantity of Subcutaneous Fat and the Inter-Device Agreement of 2 Tissue Oximeters.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between the quantity of subcutaneous fat (assessed by skinfold thickness) and the inter-device agreement of 2 tissue oximeters.

Design: This is a prospective cohort study.

Setting: This study was conducted in a tertiary care academic urban hospital.

The prognostic significance of repeated prehospital shocks for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival.

Objectives: Patients suffering from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) associated with an initial shockable rhythm have a better prognosis than their counterparts. The implications of recurrent or refractory malignant arrhythmia in such context remain unclear. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between the number of prehospital shocks delivered and survival to hospital discharge among patients in OHCA.

Impact of the direct transfer to percutaneous coronary intervention-capable hospitals on survival to hospital discharge for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Aims: Patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) are frequently transported to the closest hospital. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is often indicated following OHCA. This study's primary objective was to determine the association between being transported to a PCI-capable hospital and survival to discharge for patients with OHCA.

Potential impact of a prehospital redirection system for refractory cardiac arrest.

Aim: A change in prehospital redirection practice could potentially increase the proportion of E-CPR eligible patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) transported to extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) capable centers. The objective of this study was to quantify this potential increase of E-CPR candidates transported to E-CPR capable centers.

Methods: Adults with non-traumatic OHCA refractory to 15min of resuscitation were selected from a registry of adult OHCA collected between 2010 and 2015 in Montreal, Canada.

Prehospital Advanced Cardiac Life Support for Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Cohort Study.

Objectives: Out-of-hospital advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) has not consistently shown a positive impact on survival. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) could render prolonged on-site resuscitation (ACLS or basic cardiac life support [BCLS]) undesirable in selected cases. The objectives of this study were to evaluate, in patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and in a subgroup of potential E-CPR candidates, the association between the addition of prehospital ACLS to BCLS and survival to hospital discharge, prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and delay from call to hospital arrival.

Reproducibility, interchangeability of measures, time to measure stabilization, and reference values of two tissue oximeters in healthy volunteers.

This study aimed to compare two tissue oximeters, the INVOS 5100c and the Equanox 7600, in terms of their reproducibility and the interchangeability of their measures. In a randomized order, three measurements were taken at six different sites on both sides of the body in 53 healthy volunteers. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and within-subject standard deviation (Sw) were calculated for each device.

Near-infrared Spectroscopy Monitoring During Cardiac Arrest: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Tissue oximetry using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive monitor of cerebral oxygenation. This new technology has been used during cardiac arrest (CA) because of its ability to give measures in low-blood-flow situations. The aim of this study was to assess the evidence regarding the association between the types of NIRS measurements (mean, initial, and highest values) and resuscitation outcomes (return of spontaneous circulation [ROSC], survival to discharge, and good neurologic outcome) in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Lipid emulsions in the treatment of acute poisoning: a systematic review of human and animal studies.

Objective: To assess the evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of intravenous fat emulsion (IFE) in the management of poisoned patients.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature with no time or language restriction. The electronic databases were searched from their inception until June 1, 2009 (Medline, EMBASE, ISI web of science, Biological abstract, LILACS, ChemIndex, Toxnet, and Proquest).

Short-term benefits and risks of intravenous iron: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Intravenous (IV) iron may correct anemia more efficiently than oral iron, but it has been associated with allergic and hemodynamic reactions, and it may increase the risks of infectious complications. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to clarify these controversial issues.

Study Design And Methods: Studies evaluating the use of IV iron compared to enteral or no iron with outcomes within 2 months of treatment initiation were identified.

Erythropoietic response to two epoetin alfa regimens in critically ill patients: a pilot study.

Study Objective: To compare the erythropoietic responses and tolerability of two recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) regimens.

Design: Prospective, open-label, multicenter study.

Setting: Three multidisciplinary intensive care units in Québec, Canada.

Bench-to-bedside review: iron metabolism in critically ill patients.

Critically ill patients frequently develop anemia due to several factors. Iron-withholding mechanisms caused by inflammation contribute to this anemia. The iron metabolism imbalances described or reported in all intensive care studies are similar to the values observed in anemia of inflammation.

Recombinant human erythropoietin use in intensive care.

Objective: To review the literature concerning the role of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in reducing the need for transfusion in critically ill patients.

Data Sources: Articles were obtained through searches of the MEDLINE database (from 1990 to June 2001) using the key words erythropoietin, epoetin alfa, anemia, reticulocytes, hemoglobin, critical care, intensive care, critical illness, and blood transfusion. Additional references were found in the bibliographies of the articles cited.