Analysis of initial rhythm, witnessed status and delay to treatment among survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Sweden.

Background: The characteristics of patients who survive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) are incompletely known. The characteristics of survivors of OHCA during a period of 16 years in Sweden are described.

Methods: All the patients included in the Swedish Cardiac Arrest Registry between 1992 and 2007 in whom cardiopulmonary resuscitation was attempted and who were alive after 1 month were included in the survey.

Survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest before and after use of advanced postresuscitation care: a survey focusing on incidence, patient characteristics, survival, and estimated cerebral function after postresuscitation care.

Background: Knowledge of the epidemiology of postresuscitation care is insufficient. We describe the epidemiology of postresuscitation care in a community from a 26-year perspective, focusing on incidence, patient characteristics, survival, and estimated cerebral function in relation to intensified postresuscitation care and initial arrhythmia.

Methods: The study included patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) who were brought alive to a hospital ward in Göteborg, Sweden, between 1980 and 2006.

A long-term, prospective, randomized study comparing biodegradable and metal interference screws in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery: radiographic results and clinical outcome.

Background: During the past decade, the use of biodegradable implants in anterior cruciate ligament surgery has increased.

Hypothesis: Poly-L-lactide acid (PLLA) interference screws would render the same clinical results but greater tunnel enlargement than metal screws 8 years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using hamstring tendon (semitendinosus/gracilis) autografts.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.