Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) Survey in Lombardy: data analysis through prospective short time period assessment.

Background And Aim Of The Work: The results of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) are usually reported through data collected collected via "ad hoc"  registries, but in large populations, samples of short time periods can be used to apply the results to the entire population. We would like to describe the situation of Lombardy to provide evidence on successful procedures, which may be carried out in a larger context.

Methods: Observational, prospective, analytical, single cohort study in Lombardy population.

Out-of-Hospital Perimortem Cesarean Section as Resuscitative Hysterotomy in Maternal Posttraumatic Cardiac Arrest.

The optimal treatment of a severe hemodynamic instability from shock to cardiac arrest in late term pregnant women is subject to ongoing studies. However, there is an increasing evidence that early "separation" between the mother and the foetus may increase the restoration of the hemodynamic status and, in the cardiac arrest setting, it may raise the likelihood of a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in the mother. This treatment, called Perimortem Cesarean Section (PMCS), is now termed as Resuscitative Hysterotomy (RH) to better address the issue of an early Cesarean section (C-section).

Electrical features of eighteen automated external defibrillators: a systematic evaluation.

Aim: Assessment and comparison of the electrical parameters (energy, current, first and second phase waveform duration) among eighteen AEDs.

Method: Engineering bench tests for a descriptive systematic evaluation in commercially available AEDs. AEDs were tested through an ECG simulator, an impedance simulator, an oscilloscope and a measuring device detecting energy delivered, peak and average current, and duration of first and second phase of the biphasic waveforms.

Calcium administration during cardiac arrest: a systematic review.

This topic highlights the results of the literature review on calcium therapy during cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation according to the Patient/population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome structure. Eligible studies were assigned to one of the five levels of evidence. Their quality was rated as either good, fair, or poor and then classified as supportive, neutral, or opposing according to the outcome benefits.

Utility of pre-cordial thump for treatment of out of hospital cardiac arrest: a prospective study.

Background: Prospective data on pre-cordial thump (PT), one of the fastest possible resuscitative manoeuvres, are scant, particularly in out-of-hospital (OOH) cardiac arrest (CA).

Methods: In this study, conducted in the Pordenone-province (north-east Italy), suspected OOH-CA victims were connected to a cardiac monitor and, upon confirmation of CA, subjected to a swift PT before any other resuscitatory intervention, without notable delay in other procedures. Investigation targets were: (i) effects on heart rhythm, (ii) return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), (iii) hospital discharge, (iv) presence of adverse effects.

Increased survival despite a reduction in out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation in north-east Italy.

Background: We have reported the epidemiology and survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOH-CA) in a north-east region of Italy previously, the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia Arrest Cooperative Study (FACS). We present the results of a second observational, prospective, multicentre study on OOH-CA victims in a local area in the same geographical Italian region.

Methods And Results: The area investigated, Pordenone province, is representative of the entire region studied in 1994.

The use of laryngeal tube by nurses in out-of-hospital emergencies: preliminary experience.

In out-of-hospital emergencies, including cardiac arrest, securing the airway and providing adequate lung ventilation are of paramount importance. Tracheal intubation is perceived as the gold standard technique and it is recommended by International Guidelines, but non skilled personnel often find the procedure difficult to achieve. Supraglottic devices are a good alternative in these situations, because they are superior to a bag-valve-mask for lung ventilation and offer better protection from aspiration.

Isolated myocardial contusion in blunt chest trauma.

The objective of this case report was to document a rare case of isolated myocardial contusion in the setting of blunt thoracic trauma. Although demonstrated by electrocardiogram and myocardium-specific enzymes, the trauma had no clinical relevance and the patient was discharged uneventfully from the intensive care unit. The clinical significance of blunt myocardial contusion is then discussed.