Articles tagged with Cardiac Arrest
Two clinical trials launched by NIH aim to improve survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. The trials compare different CPR approaches and treatments with medications, such as amiodarone or lidocaine, to determine which are most effective.
Most cardiac events during races are attributed to underlying heart disease; bystander-initiated CPR significantly improves survival rates. The study found that the risk of cardiac arrest for marathon and half-marathon runners is comparable to other athletes, providing reassurance about the activity's safety.
A study of over 26,000 patients found that therapeutic hypothermia was used in only 0.35% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases in the US. Despite its proven benefits in reducing mortality and improving neurologic outcomes after a heart attack, hypothermic therapy is not being widely adopted in clinical practice.
A new study reveals that only 30% of US state police agencies have automated external defibrillators in their vehicles, despite the lifesaving devices being available for nearly $1,000 each. Training for officers in AED use is common, but equipment availability remains a significant issue.
Research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that 57% of cardiac arrest patients' treatment with hypothermia involved documentation of poor prognosis, with 25% of patients having their care withdrawn within 72 hours after arrest. Despite this, over 20% of patients survived to discharge with good neurological ou...
A new study found that therapeutic hypothermia confers similar neurologic and survival benefits in cardiac arrest patients with preexisting cardiomyopathy as those without the condition. However, cardiogenic shock was more prevalent in patients with cardiomyopathy, leading to lower survival rates with favorable neurologic outcomes.
A study published at the American Heart Association scientific sessions found that delays in therapeutic hypothermia and return of spontaneous circulation significantly worsen neurologic outcomes. Caregivers with a thorough understanding of post-cardiac arrest neurologic states can better manage patients at discharge.
A wearable defibrillator can prevent sudden death in people with dangerous heart arrhythmias, saving up to 91.6% of those experiencing ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia. The device delivers an electric shock if needed and alerts bystanders for help.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that even trained individuals lack confidence in performing CPR due to inadequate hands-on practice time. Introducing 'hands-only' CPR techniques improved confidence among subjects.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reveals that discussions about cardiac arrest on Twitter can provide valuable opportunities for public health education. The researchers found that users frequently share information about CPR and AEDs, as well as discuss resuscitation topics in the news.
A Mayo Clinic study provides guidance for treating sudden cardiac arrest patients with therapeutic cooling, which slows metabolism and preserves cell health. The study found that both patient groups awoke within three days, supporting the use of hypothermia when indicated.
A new study found that 38% of patients with chronic conditions changed their preferences for CPR and mechanical ventilation over a year. Patients' decisions are influenced by factors such as health status, mobility, anxiety, and depression, highlighting the need for regular re-evaluation of advance care planning.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that people living in poorer neighborhoods are at a higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest. The disparity was particularly pronounced among individuals under 65 years old, with those in lower socioeconomic groups experiencing rates two- to fourfold higher than those in h...
A large study involving over 9,000 cardiac arrest patients found that longer initial CPR has no survival benefit. Bystander CPR may improve outcomes in patients who receive it.
A study published in CMAJ found that type of cardiac arrest and underlying medical condition predict long-term survival rate. Patients with pulseless electrical activity or asystolic arrest, longer resuscitation duration, and advanced age are at high risk of death.
A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial found that adrenaline increased the likelihood of restoring circulation following cardiac arrest, but no difference was seen in survival to hospital discharge. The study provides the best evidence to date supporting the use of adrenaline in treating cardiac arrest.
A regional system for cooling cardiac arrest patients improved survival rates and neurological scores, according to a US-based study. The protocol, which was implemented across a network of hospitals and EMS departments, showed comparable outcomes between patients transferred within the network and those not.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine developed a new method for scoring illness severity in post-cardiac arrest patients, showing improved survival rates and neurologic outcomes. The study found that objective data available to clinicians during initial evaluation can better predict patient outcomes.
A genome-wide association study has identified a novel genetic variation in the BAZ2B gene linked to an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest. This variation may predispose individuals to double their risk of having a sudden cardiac arrest, a disorder that is fatal in about 95% of cases.
A University of Pennsylvania study reports that over 200,000 people are treated for cardiac arrest in US hospitals each year. The high rate underscores the need to identify preventable causes and implement effective resuscitation care strategies.
Researchers found a composite index, Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS), to be a better predictor of cardiac arrest than individual vital signs. The study suggests that MEWS, which includes variables with poor predictive power, is still more accurate than single vital signs in identifying patients at risk of cardiac arrest.
A large registry study found pneumonia patients are at risk for sudden cardiac arrest outside of ICU, with few warning signs. The study suggests improving risk assessment and interventions to address this issue.
A 54-year-old man collapsed and was without a pulse for 96 minutes, but made a complete recovery thanks to continuous CPR, defibrillator shocks, and capnography. The case suggests further study of advanced life support techniques is warranted.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that black cardiac arrest victims are less likely to survive when treated in hospitals with a high proportion of black patients. The study analyzed Medicare records and found that only 31% of black patients treated in such hospitals survived, compared to 46% in pr...
A new journal, Therapeutic Hypothermia and Temperature Management, explores the use of therapeutic hypothermia to improve survival rates after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The therapy has been shown to reduce brain injury risk in approximately 400,000 people who suffer from cardiac arrest annually.
A Tel Aviv University study found that EKG screenings for young athletes do not prevent sudden death syndrome, contradicting mandatory screening laws. The study suggests that the screenings are costly and have limited effectiveness, with over 30,000 athletes needing to be screened to save one life.
A study found that young adult patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy survived cardiac arrest after receiving therapeutic hypothermia. The treatment was successful despite marked left ventricular wall thickness and other risk factors.
A new free iPhone app, iResus, has been shown to improve doctors' performance in simulated medical emergencies. The study found that doctors who used the app scored significantly higher than those who relied on memory alone.
A study found an association between occasional physical activity and a short-term increased risk of heart attack and sudden cardiac death. The absolute risk was small, but those with high levels of regular physical activity were less susceptible to the triggering effect of episodic physical activity.
A study by the American Heart Association found that brief video training significantly improves hands-only CPR performance, with over 90% of trained participants attempting CPR in an emergency. The training also showed improved compression rates and depths compared to untrained individuals.
Mayo Clinic researchers confirmed that patients who receive therapeutic hypothermia after resuscitation from cardiac arrest have favorable chances of surviving the event. High NSE levels in the blood were shown to predict poor outcomes in non-hypothermia cases, but elevated levels also occurred in some patients who recovered well.
A comprehensive NIH study found that cardiac arrests in public settings had a higher percentage of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, the types of abnormal heart rhythms treatable by electric shock. More than one-third of public cardiac arrests treated with an AED survived, compared to 12 percent at home.
A new CPR technique has been shown to increase long-term survival after cardiac arrest, with a 53% improvement in survival rates compared to standard CPR. The active compression-decompression cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) method provides nearly three times more blood flow to the heart and brain.
A study published in JAMA found that using automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in hospital settings does not improve survival rates for patients experiencing cardiac arrest. The analysis, which included over 11,700 hospitalized patients, showed a 15% lower rate of survival among those who received AED treatment.
A University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine study reveals that chest compression rates are lower and pauses longer during nighttime in-hospital cardiac arrests compared to daytime efforts. This disparity may be attributed to factors such as fatigue, lower staffing levels, and lack of supervision from supervising physicians.
A study suggests that patients who received therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest took longer to wake up and showed improved brain activity compared to those who did not receive the treatment. The results challenge current guidelines for withdrawing care from comatose patients.
Researchers found that cardiac arrest patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia may experience substantial neurological awakening, which can start as early as day three but becomes apparent at day seven. This challenges the current paradigm of withdrawing care based on a 72-hour neurological exam.
A large-scale multicenter study is evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic hypothermia in extending survival and reducing brain injury in infants and children after cardiac arrest. The treatment has shown promise in adult cardiac arrest patients and newborns, but its use in pediatric cases is still untested.
The NHLBI has launched a six-year, $21 million study to investigate the effectiveness of body cooling treatment in infants and children who have had cardiac arrest. The Therapeutic Hypothermia after Pediatric Cardiac Arrest (THAPCA) trials aim to reduce brain injury and improve survival rates.
A study published in The Lancet found that dispatcher-assisted CPR producing chest compression only results in improved survival rates compared to standard CPR. Continuous uninterrupted chest compressions are vital for successful CPR, and avoiding mouth-to-mouth ventilation increases the probability of a successful outcome.
A meta-analysis published in The Lancet found that chest compression-only CPR improved survival rates by 22% compared to standard CPR. The study analyzed data from over 3,700 cardiac arrest patients and found the benefit occurred only when 911 dispatchers coached bystanders to use chest compression-only CPR.
A study found that patients who received compression-only CPR had a higher survival rate compared to those receiving conventional CPR or no CPR. The use of COCPR increased significantly over time, resulting in improved odds of survival.
A new study by Long Island Jewish Medical Center and The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research found that fine particles of pollution can increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. For every 10ug/m3 rise in small particle air pollution, there was a four-to-ten percent increase in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
Researchers found that chest compressions first approach may be better in cases of long waits for EMS, with higher one-year survival rates and benefits for cardiac arrests with prolonged response times. The study suggests an emphasis should be placed on high-quality chest compressions.
A new study in mice shows that social support can minimize physical damages to the brain caused by a heart attack. Socially isolated mice suffered more cell death, depressive symptoms, and inflammation than those living with a partner.
The Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute has received a $1.66 million grant to develop a measurement system predicting patient vulnerability to sudden cardiac arrest. The study aims to identify patients at high risk of sudden cardiac arrest by analyzing electrocardiogram data.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that traditional neurological exams are inadequate for predicting survival in cardiac arrest patients. Despite poor motor examination scores, 20% of patients survived and showed good outcomes.
A study found that patients with excessive oxygen levels in arterial blood following cardiac arrest have a higher rate of death in the hospital. Hyperoxia was associated with significantly higher in-hospital mortality compared to normoxia.
A new study found that certain neighborhoods in Fulton County, Ga. have higher incidence of cardiac arrest and lower bystander CPR rates, with the potential to save an additional 15 lives per year. Targeted CPR training could be a key strategy to reverse stagnant survival rates.
A new disorder linked to heart problems has been discovered, characterized by an inability to form initial sugar molecules, leading to energy crisis and cardiac arrest. The study reveals that muscle cells can adjust and find alternative ways to source energy, but a cure is not yet available.
A recent study by Zalika Klemenc-Ketis and colleagues suggests that raised carbon dioxide levels in the blood may contribute to near-death experiences. The research found a significant association between high CO2 levels and NDEs, with 11 of 52 cardiac arrest patients reporting the phenomenon.
A genetic variation at the GPC5 gene has been linked to a reduced risk of sudden cardiac arrest. The study found that individuals with this variation have a 15% lower likelihood of experiencing the heart disorder, which claims over 250,000 American lives each year.
A nationwide cohort study found that cardiopulmonary resuscitation by bystanders significantly improves survival outcomes for children with cardiac arrests. The study suggests a double CPR training strategy to increase bystander participation.
A study found that dispatcher-assisted bystander CPR improves survival rates and poses only a minimal risk of injury. The research suggests that assertive dispatch programs can increase the proportion of victims receiving early CPR, but future studies should aim to improve individual community's dispatcher-assisted CPR programs.
A recent study by Michigan Medicine found that only 7.6% of cardiac arrest victims survive, with factors such as restored pulse and bystander CPR significantly improving survival rates. Experts emphasize the need for increased awareness and use of devices to shock the heart to change these dismal survival rates.
Researchers found that 80% of rats survived cardiac arrest with chest compressions alone, but none survived without oxygen. Oxygen levels were essential for the animals to return to normal brain function at 72 hours.
Patients who received IV drug administration during cardiopulmonary resuscitation had higher short-term survival rates, but no significant improvement in long-term survival compared to those without IV drug administration. CPR quality was similar between the two groups.
The study found that real-time audio-feedback during EMS prehospital care improved clinical outcomes by better aligning CPR with AHA guidelines. However, it did not significantly impact survival to discharge or return of spontaneous circulation rates.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that women are less likely to exhibit signs of structural heart disease, which is a precursor to fatal cardiac arrest. This means that fewer women may be eligible for current treatments that can prevent sudden cardiac arrest.
The VCU Medical Center and Richmond Ambulance Authority partnership has improved resuscitation and survival rates for cardiac arrest patients by training paramedics to lower body temperature in the field and using high-tech strategies. The strategy resulted in a two-fold improvement in return of spontaneous circulation and an increase ...