Publications by authors named "Ruchika Husa"

Background: Efforts to reduce preventable deaths in the in-hospital setting should target both cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) prevention and optimal resuscitation. This requires consideration of a broad range of clinical issues and processes. A comprehensive, integrated system of care (SOC) that links data collection with a modular education program to reduce preventable deaths has not been defined.

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Objectives: Therapeutic hypothermia improves survival in patients after cardiac arrest, yet the impact of body mass index (BMI) on survival is lesser known. We hypothesized that nonobese patients would have greater survival post-therapeutic hypothermia than obese patients.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 164 patients who underwent therapeutic hypothermia after resuscitation for cardiac arrest from January 2012 to September 2014.

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Background: In cases of in-hospital-witnessed ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT) arrest, it is unclear whether cardiopulmonary resuscitation prior to defibrillation attempt or expedited stacked defibrillation attempt is superior.

Methods: Retrospective, observational study of all admitted patients with continuous cardiac monitoring who suffered VF/VT arrest between July 2005 and June 2013. In the stacked shock period (2005-2008), institutional protocols advocated early defibrillation with administration of 3 stacked shocks with brief pauses between each single defibrillation attempt to confirm sustained VF/VT.

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Background: Traditional resuscitation training models are inadequate to achieving and maintaining resuscitation competency. This analysis evaluates the effectiveness of a novel, performance improvement-based inpatient resuscitation programme.

Methods: This was a prospective, before-and-after study conducted in an urban, university-affiliated hospital system.

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Background: In-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) accounts for substantial morbidity and mortality. Rapid response teams (RRTs) are designed to prevent non-intensive care unit (ICU) CPA through early detection and intervention. However, existing evidence has not consistently demonstrated a clear benefit.

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Background: Inadvertent hyperventilation is associated with poor outcomes from traumatic brain injury (TBI). Hypocapnic cerebral vasoconstriction is well described and causes an immediate and profound decrease in cerebral perfusion. The hemodynamic effects of positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) remain incompletely understood but may be equally important, particularly in the hypovolemic patient with TBI.

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Background: The rate and effect of coronary interventions and induced hypothermia after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) are unknown. We measured the association of early (≤24h after arrival) coronary angiography, reperfusion, and induced hypothermia with favorable outcome after OHCA.

Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of a multicenter clinical trial (NCT00394706) conducted between 2007 and 2009 in 10 North American regions.

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Background: Compression pauses may be particularly harmful following the electrical recovery but prior to the mechanical recovery from cardiopulmonary arrest.

Methods And Results: A convenience sample of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) were identified. Data were exported from defibrillators to define compression pauses, electrocardiogram rhythm, PetCO2, and the presence of palpable pulses.

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