Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Women suffering sudden cardiac arrest have lower prevalence of structural heart disease than men

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.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 16, 2009

Cardiac arrest resuscitation: Passive oxygen flow better than assisted ventilation

A new study from Arizona suggests passive oxygen flow is more effective than assisted ventilation in treating patients experiencing cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting. The modified protocol, called Cardiocerebral Resuscitation, resulted in higher survival rates compared to conventional bag-valve-mask ventilation.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateAug 11, 2009

Coronary angiography may improve outcomes for cardiac arrest patients

A study published in Journal of Intensive Care Medicine found that patients who received coronary angiography after cardiac arrest were twice as likely to survive without significant brain damage. Coronary angiography, an imaging procedure that shows blood flow through the heart, was independently associated with good neurologic outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Intensive Care Medicine·DateMar 31, 2009

Heart attack not a death sentence

A study published in Critical Care journal found that patients who survive cardiac arrest without severe neurological disabilities can expect fair long-term survival and good quality of life. The allocation of resources to treat heart attack patients is equally justified as other intensive care patient groups, according to the research.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCritical Care·DateJul 17, 2008

In-home AEDs don't improve sudden cardiac arrest survival

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) placed in homes do not significantly improve survival odds for patients who experience cardiac arrests outside of hospitals. Instead, education and modification of risk factors are key to primary prevention of heart disease.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 1, 2008

Study: Chest compressions without mouth-to-mouth better for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

A study published in The Lancet found that chest-compression-only resuscitation boosts survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The study analyzed 4,068 cases of witnessed collapse and found a 19.4% favorable neurological survival rate when bystanders administered chest compressions without mouth-to-mouth ventilations.