Researchers analyzed ECG data from 298 patients with cardiac arrest to predict treatment outcomes. The study found a connection between heart rate and QRS duration before the patient's pulse returns, allowing for more tailored treatments.
The May issue of the CHEST journal features cutting-edge research on pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. The journal also highlights awareness for cystic fibrosis, a once-fatal childhood condition now affecting adults.
A study supported by the National Institutes of Health found that younger women are nearly twice as likely to be rehospitalized after a heart attack as men. The disparity is largely due to higher rates of risk factors such as obesity and depression among women, which contribute to more adverse outcomes.
A new study published in PNAS reports surge of gamma activation in dying brains of humans and animals post-cardiac arrest, hinting at conscious-like activity.
A new study finds that clear and accurate information about the cause of death, provided in multiple formats, can influence family members' decisions to seek follow-up screening for inherited heart conditions. The study suggests that communication from death investigators and health care professionals is crucial in addressing families'...
Researchers at TUM have developed a method to create mini-hearts in Petri dishes using stem cells. The resulting organoids mimic the earliest stages of human heart development and can be used to investigate congenital heart defects, potentially leading to new treatment methods.
A randomized clinical trial found that a video-based decision support tool increased patient knowledge, but not assent, to ICD implantation among Black patients. The study also highlighted the complexity of aversion to cardiac procedures in Black communities, emphasizing the need for further research on social determinants of health.
A study by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found a 38% increase in sudden cardiac arrest among all Ventura County residents and a 77% increase among Hispanic residents during the first two years of the pandemic. Overall survival from sudden cardiac arrest declined from 15.3% to 10%.
Research at ESC Acute CardioVascular Care 2023 found that over 40% of women report anxiety four months after a cardiac arrest, compared to 23% of men. Women experienced higher levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, emphasizing the need for long-term mental health support.
Researchers have discovered a new strategy for treating arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy by restoring the trafficking protein GJA1-20k, which enables healthy connections between heart cells. This finding may also be applicable to treating dangerous arrhythmias associated with other conditions.
A University of Ottawa study found that almost two-thirds of Canadians with stroke experience disturbed sleep, and those affected are up to 7 times more likely to report multiple sleep problems. The study highlights the need for better awareness and guidance on managing sleep disorders in stroke patients.
A systematic review of 33 randomized controlled trials found that yoga improved gait speed and lower extremity strength in inactive older people. However, it did not offer a benefit for frailty markers compared to exercise or tai chi.
A recent study led by Murdoch Children's Research Institute has revealed a new pathway for how genetic mutations impact heart muscle function. The research identifies the gene ALPK3 as a key player in cardiomyopathy, a group of diseases affecting the heart's ability to pump blood, and provides hope for new targeted therapies.
A recent study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that combining cocaine with ethanol increases the risk of cardiac arrest, higher lactate concentrations, and lower occurrence of myocardial injury. The study suggests that cocaethylene, a metabolite of cocaine and ethanol, is more toxic than either substance alone.
A new study by the Cleveland Clinic found that high levels of erythritol, a popular artificial sweetener, are associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Researchers studied over 4,000 people and found those with higher blood erythritol levels were at elevated risk of experiencing a major adverse cardiac event.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed three AI-based decision support systems for cardiac arrest care, which can help doctors identify key factors affecting patient outcomes. The tools are based on large datasets and provide accuracy rates of up to 95% in predicting patient survival or death.
A study of 4,078 cases found that sports-related cardiac arrests in people 65 and older are rare, occurring in only 1.9% of cases. Those who experienced exercise-related cardiac arrests tended to have fewer cardiovascular risk factors and better health outcomes.
Researchers identified a panel of novel blood biomarkers associated with sudden cardiac arrest, which have the potential to enhance clinical prediction. Additionally, an AI-powered ultrasound technology can accurately identify coronary artery calcium buildup, potentially replacing CT scans as a diagnostic tool.
Researchers at USC developed a 'heart attack on a chip' device to study heart attacks and test new personalized medicines. The device replicates the effects of an oxygen gradient on cardiac tissue function, shedding light on the mysteries of heart cell communication and change after a heart attack.
A case of a 14-year-old girl who had a cardiac arrest at an overnight camp emphasizes the need for preparation and training for rare but often fatal events. The survival of the patient is attributed to the quick response of emergency medical services and bystander CPR.
A study found that CPR mannikins depicted in public social media accounts are predominantly white, lean men, lacking representation of diverse groups. The lack of diversity in these models may influence disparities in training and care for patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Researchers propose that delayed recoveries in COVID-19 patients may be due to a protective response from their brains, similar to those seen in animals exposed to extreme conditions. This theory could lead to new approaches for ICU sedation and recovery from disorders of consciousness.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute suggest that Covid-19 patients in comas may enter a protective hibernation state to shield cells from oxygen scarcity. This hypothesis is supported by observations of cardiac arrest patients treated with hypothermia and the painted turtle, which also enters a similar state during prolonged anoxia.
Patients who survived cardiac arrest and received CPR reported lucid experiences of death, including separation from the body and meaningful evaluation of life. Researchers discovered rhythmic brain waves suggestive of near-death experiences, providing evidence for a unique human experience on the brink of death.
A study published in The Lancet Public Health found a clear association between tiny air pollution particles and sudden cardiac arrests in Singapore. Researchers identified a short-term effect, with reduced risk of cardiac arrests after exposure to lower PM2.5 concentrations.
A new study suggests that CPR education programs tailored to public housing communities can significantly improve cardiac arrest survival rates. The research found that more than half of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Vienna and Copenhagen occurred in these communities, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to train ...
Survival rates for in-hospital pediatric cardiac arrest events have increased significantly between 2000 and 2021. Children with a history of cardiovascular disease showed slower improvement in survival rates compared to those without a history of CVD.
A recent study presented at the American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium 2022 found that ICU evaluations prior to cardiac arrest improved survival rates by 15% among Black adults. This study analyzed data from over 28,000 adults who experienced cardiac arrest between 2000 and 2021.
Research found a hospital code response team arrives at least one minute quicker and leads to better patient outcomes with smartphone emergency code notification systems. The study used a secure texting system that connected with electronic medical records, reducing conventional methods' average delay of 78 seconds.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that sedating patients after cardiac arrest can improve their chances of survival and regaining normal brain function. The study, conducted in mice, showed that sedatives like propofol and dexmedetomidine improved survival rates compared to those who received no sedation.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have identified a new mechanism in ARVC that could lead to a potential treatment strategy. They found that activating sirtuin-3 can slow down disease progression, and honokiol, a natural product extracted from the tulip tree, has been shown to work similarly.
Researchers found that nearly nine in ten cases of sudden cardiac death due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are preceded by symptoms, ECG abnormalities, or a positive family history. Expanded screening programs could aid in the prevention of SCD in young individuals with HCM.
The study found that the probability of surviving cardiac arrest outside hospital has more than doubled in 30 years, from approximately 5% to 11%. The improvement is attributed to increased CPR training and better healthcare resources. However, ambulance delays and an increase in difficult-to-treat cases are hindering further progress.
The new guidance provides a comprehensive approach to preventing unrecognised oesophageal intubation, addressing both technical and human factors. It recommends standardising carbon dioxide monitoring and pulse oximetry, using videolaryngoscopes for correct placement, and addressing stress-related management of crises.
A study from the University of Warwick found that 69.3% of OHCA's in the West Midlands occurred within 500 meters of a school, equivalent to a five-minute walk. The research suggests that increasing accessibility and availability of defibrillators could lead to improved survival rates.
A team of researchers, backed by a £30m grant from the British Heart Foundation, aims to develop the first cures for inherited heart muscle diseases using ultra-precise gene therapy technologies. They plan to deploy CRISPR technology to correct or silence faulty genes, potentially delivering an injectable cure within years.
A new analysis from the Family Heart Foundation shows that only 31.3% of individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in its database had been diagnosed as of June 2020. This represents a significant increase since 2016, but highlights the ongoing challenge of diagnosing and managing the condition.
A survey of UK doctors found that the pandemic has led to an increase in willingness to forgo life-saving treatments for very sick patients, while views on euthanasia and assisted dying have remained unchanged. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed end-of-life care, prompting a reevaluation of clinicians' decision-making processes.
Researchers have created a new electrical test to screen hundreds of gene mutations, pinpointing harmful mutations that cause inherited heart disorders and sudden death. The breakthrough can identify genetic variants associated with neurological conditions, muscle and kidney diseases.
A study found that states with laws requiring CPR/AED training in high school had higher rates of bystander CPR after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest compared to those without such mandates. The study suggests that this intervention can help reduce health disparities, particularly among low-income and minority communities.
A recent cohort study found that previous cardiovascular conditions, including heart surgery and heart failure, were associated with increased COVID-19 severity in US pediatric patients. The study highlights the importance of pre-existing medical conditions in determining COVID-19 outcomes in children.
A new AI-based approach can predict cardiac arrest with significant accuracy, identifying patients at risk and predicting the likelihood of sudden cardiac death. The technology stands to transform clinical decision-making and increase survival rates from lethal arrhythmias.
Cedars-Sinai researchers created a clinical risk assessment algorithm that identifies patients at highest risk of treatable sudden cardiac arrest. The algorithm, based on 13 clinical, electrocardiogram, and echocardiographic variables, has the potential to enhance prevention and treatment options for this fatal condition.
A new study found that non-medical first responders, such as police and fire departments, are associated with higher cardiac arrest survival rates. They initiated CPR in 31.8% of incidents and AED use in 6.1% of cases, leading to significantly improved chances of survival and hospital discharge.
A nationwide study found that Black and Hispanic individuals are 41% less likely than white individuals to receive CPR when suffering cardiac arrest in public and 26% less likely at home. The disparity persists regardless of neighborhood income level, suggesting access to training may play a role.
Experts provide a concise review of the experience of lay people who have performed CPR, assessing their motivations and psychological impact. The statement suggests understanding these perspectives is critical to improve training, motivation, and experience of lay responders, potentially raising the rate of bystander CPR.
A new study by Weill Cornell Medicine and colleagues found that most COVID patients regain consciousness after removal of respiratory support, but may take weeks to recover. The study also showed that patients who experienced low blood oxygen levels during treatment took longer to recover consciousness.
Research by Imperial College London reveals that patients who experience both a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest are more likely to develop abnormal heart rhythms and die within three years. The study found that these patients were over twice as likely to have subsequent ventricular arrhythmia and 36% more likely to die.
A study of nearly 25,000 patients found that COVID-19 infection is associated with a lower rate of overall survival after an in-hospital cardiac arrest. Patients with COVID-19 had significantly lower survival rates compared to those without the infection.
A nationwide survey of COVID-19 guidance for emergency medical services (EMS) reveals that nearly half of states lack online access to protocols, leaving frontline workers vulnerable. The study highlights the need for standardized guidance and improved resource allocation to mitigate the impact of future pandemics.
A study of over 56,000 cases across nine Asian communities found that women were less likely than men to receive lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from a bystander in public locations. In contrast, when cardiac arrests occur at home or in private places, the chances of receiving layperson bystander CPR increased considerab...
An extensive study of over 400,000 individuals found no association between total alcohol consumption and ventricular arrhythmias, contradicting the traditional Holiday Heart Syndrome. Higher spirit intake was linked to an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias, but not SCDs.
A new study ranks live oaks and American sycamores as champions among 17 "super trees" that can mitigate air pollution and climate change in urban areas. The research provides a three-part framework for selecting suitable trees, identifying high-impact planting sites, and engaging with community leadership to make the project a reality.
A nationwide observational study published in Circulation found that lower levels of income and education are associated with reduced chances of survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The study analyzed data from 31,373 cases of OHCA between 2010 and 2017, showing a correlation that was observed in both men and women.
Researchers studied 129 cardiac arrest survivors and found that those practicing mindfulness had lower rates of psychological symptoms. Mindfulness appears to be a potential protective factor against psychological symptoms in cardiac arrest survivors.
More deprived areas of England are less likely to have publicly available defibrillators, according to new analysis. This disparity disproportionately affects communities at greatest risk of cardiac arrest, highlighting an unacceptable health inequality.
Researchers discovered a mechanism that could prove useful in treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a common and hard-to-treat condition. The new approach reduces exposure to increased cardiac stiffness, which is associated with lower-filling pressures inside the heart chambers.
A new study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia finds that bystander CPR using only chest compression has similar outcomes to not using CPR at all for infants experiencing cardiac arrest. In contrast, children who received CPR with rescue breathing had nearly 1.5 times better neurological outcomes.
The study found that immediate coronary angiography in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients without ST-segment elevation is not superior to a delayed/selective approach. The composite secondary endpoint of all-cause death or severe neurological deficit at 30 days occurred more frequently in the immediate angiography group.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet successfully deployed drones to deliver defibrillators to patients with suspected cardiac arrests, with the drones arriving on target ahead of ambulances in most cases. The pilot study showed a median response time benefit of 1 minute and 52 seconds, improving survival rates.