Effect of replacing ambulance physicians with paramedics on outcome of resuscitation for prehospital cardiac arrest.

Introduction: Limited evidence suggests that the presence of a prehospital physician improves survival from cardiac arrest. A retrospective study is undertaken to examine this question. In Reykjavik, Iceland, prehospital physicians on ambulances were replaced by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in 2007.

[Acute coronary syndromes in Landspítali 2003-2012].

Background: Marked changes in the epidemiology of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) have been observed over the last few decades in the Western Hemisphere. Incidence rates of ACS in Iceland 2003-2012 are presented.

Methods: All patients with unstable angina (UA), non ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and ST-elevation myocardial infarc-tion (STEMI) admitted to Landspitali were included in the study.

[Transport and treatment of patients with STEMI in rural Iceland--Only a few patients receive PPCI within 120 minutes].

Introduction: ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is a life-threatening disease and good outcome depends on early restoration of coronary blood flow. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the treatment of choice if performed within 120 minutes of first medical contact (FMC) but in case of anticipated long transport or delays, pre-hospital fibrinolysis is indicated. The aim was to study transport times and adherence to clinical guidelines in patients with STEMI transported from outside of the Reykjavik area to Landspitali University Hospital in Iceland.

[Results of pre-hospital cardiac resuscitation in the Reykjavik area 2004-2007].

Introduction: In the Reykjavik area, a physician staffed ambulance -responded to cardiac arrests from 1982-2007. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of attempted pre-hospital cardiac resuscitations in the period from 2004-2007 and compare to previous studies.

Material And Methods: All cases of attempted prehospital resuscitations in cardiac arrests of presumed cardiac etiology.

Physician experience in addition to ACLS training does not significantly affect the outcome of prehospital cardiac arrest.

Background: Little data exists on whether the physicians' skills in responding to cardiac arrest are fully developed after the advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) course, or if there is a significant improvement in their performance after an initial learning curve.

Objective: To estimate the effect of physician experience on the results of prehospital cardiac arrests.

Materials And Methods: Prospective data were collected on all prehospital resuscitative attempts in the area by ACLS-trained ambulance physicians.

[Management of patients with STEMI transported with air-ambulance to Landspitali University Hospital in Reykjavík].

Introduction: A good outcome of patients presenting with STEMI (ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction) depends on early restoration of coronary blood flow. Pre-hospital fibrinolysis is recommended if primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) cannot be performed within 90 minutes of first medical contact (FMC). The purpose of this study was to study transport times for patients with STEMI who were transported with air-ambulance from the northern rural areas of Iceland to Landspitali University Hospital in Reykjavík, and to assess if the medical management was in accordance with clinical guidelines.

Effects of a 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein inhibitor on biomarkers associated with risk of myocardial infarction: a randomized trial.

Context: Myocardial infarction (MI) is the leading cause of death in the world. Variants in the 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP) gene are associated with risk of MI.

Objective: To determine the effect of an inhibitor of FLAP on levels of biomarkers associated with MI risk.

Risk factors for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: the Reykjavik Study.

Aims: To examine risk factors for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the Reykjavik Study, a long-term, prospective, population-based cohort study that started in 1967.

Methods And Results: From 1987 to 1996, 137 men and 44 women out of the 8006 men and 9435 women in the study sustained out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to cardiac causes. Determinants included coronary artery disease (CAD), its classical risk factors, and age, body mass index (BMI), heart rate, cardiomegaly, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Endocarditis caused by Lactococcus cremoris.

We describe a case of subacute endocarditis due to Lactococcus cremoris associated with consumption of unpasteurized milk. Treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and subsequently penicillin resulted in prompt sterilization of this patient's bloodstream and full recovery.