Association of non-shockable initial rhythm and psychotropic medication in sudden cardiac arrest.

Background: Asystole (ASY) and pulseless electrical activity (PEA) have a poor outcome during sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Psychotropic medication has been associated with a risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD). Our aim was to study the association of psychotropic medication with ASY/PEA during SCA.

Prehospital and hospital delays for stroke patients treated with thrombolysis: A retrospective study from mixed rural-urban area in Northern Finland.

Background: Thrombolysis improves stroke outcome, but efficacy of the treatment is limited by time. Therefore, recognition of stroke symptoms by dispatch centres and by emergency medical services (EMS) is crucial, as is minimization of pre-hospital delays. We investigated the pre-hospital delays in patients with stroke treated with thrombolysis and compared the delays between rural and urban patients.

Characteristics and Prognosis of Exercise-Related Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

The previous studies about exercise-related sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) have mainly focused on sports activity, but information related to SCA in other forms of physical exercise is lacking. Our aim was to identify characteristics and prognosis of SCA victims in the general population who suffered SCA during physical activity. We collected retrospectively all cases of attempted resuscitation in Oulu University Hospital Area between 2007 and 2012.

Drip-and-ship stroke thrombolysis in the emergency department of a healthcare center - a possibility for those fallen ill in rural settings.

Thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator is the mainstay in the treatment of acute stroke. Reducing the delay of thrombolysis treatment improves patient prognosis and reduces the incidence of complications. Variable telestroke regimens have improved the availability of stroke thrombolysis, especially in rural settings, where neurologists are not readily available.

Association of initial recorded rhythm and underlying cardiac disease in sudden cardiac arrest.

Background: Asystole (ASY) and pulseless electrical activity (PEA) are increasing and ventricular fibrillation (VF) or ventricular tachycardia (VT) declining as presenting rhythms of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Since there is limited information on possible differences in the etiology of underlying structural heart disease, we analyzed the clinical and/or autopsy findings of victims with ASY, PEA or VT/VF.

Methods: All SCA cases with recorded ASY, PEA or VT/VF occurring after onset of witnessed collapse were analyzed by the emergency personnel between the years 2007-2012 within the Oulu University Hospital area.

Modern emergency care is aimed at a safe and quick discharge of the patient.

In Finland, there has been a need to develop emergency care in the past years because of the government's statutes and the need to meet the international standards. Emergency medicine as a newcomer specialty has encouraged the process. Emergency physicians are expected to take more responsibility of patient flow and treatment in the emergency departments (ED).

Short-term outcome and differences between rural and urban trauma patients treated by mobile intensive care units in Northern Finland: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Emergency medical services are an important part of trauma care, but data comparing urban and rural areas is needed. We compared 30-day mortality and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay for trauma patients injured in rural and urban municipalities and collected basic data on trauma care in Northern Finland.

Methods: We examined data from all trauma patients treated by the Finnish Helicopter Emergency Medical Services in 2012 and 2013.

Adherence to resuscitation guidelines during prehospital care of cardiac arrest patients.

Objective: The impact of prehospital care after the return of spontaneous circulation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients is not known. This study describes adherence to the resuscitation guidelines, factors associated with poor adherence and possible impact of prehospital postresuscitation care on the outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-seven Finnish out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients hospitalized during 1 year, were analyzed retrospectively.

Time matters; what is the time in your defibrillator? An observational study in 30 emergency medical service systems.

Background: Measuring different intervals during cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a key element of resuscitation performance. For accurate time measurements, the internal clocks of automated external defibrillator (AEDs) need to be synchronized with the dispatch centre time.

Aim: To determine the present practice of using and synchronizing the AED clocks in five regions in Finland.

Aspiration pneumonia following severe self-poisoning.

Purpose: To investigate the risk factors of aspiration pneumonia following severe self-poisoning.

Materials And Methods: Patients treated due to severe self-poisoning in the ICU of Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland during 1.11.