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Avalanche victims: When can rewarming lead to survival?

An international study by Eurac Research has established benchmarks for assessing avalanche victim survival using core temperature and serum potassium levels. The study found that rewarming only results in survival in a small proportion of cases, but provides doctors with reliable indicators to make informed treatment decisions.

SourceEurac Research·JournalResuscitation·DateMay 28, 2019

BU's service-learning initiative to teach hands-only CPR to high school students is successful

The PumpStart program demonstrates effectiveness in teaching high school students life-saving skills and providing medical students with public health education opportunities. High school students showed significant improvements in CPR technique and confidence, while medical students gained higher confidence levels in teaching and ment...

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Education·DateJan 4, 2019

Common heart condition linked to sudden death

Researchers found a link between mitral valve prolapse and sudden cardiac death, with 14 cases per 1000 per year associated with the condition. The study identified features such as scarring of the heart muscle and heavy mitral valve leakage that put patients at high risk for serious cardiac arrhythmias.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalHeart·DateSep 25, 2018

The giant wave that marks the beginning of the end -- the neurobiology of dying

In humans, a massive wave of electrochemical energy release in the brain occurs after oxygen deprivation, known as 'spreading depolarization', which can trigger pathophysiological cascades. Researchers have found that this event is similar to animal studies and that it remains reversible if circulation is restored before nerve cells die.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateFeb 26, 2018

Lifesaving microbubbles

Researchers developed stable, self-disrupting microbubbles to carry oxygen in the blood, reducing the risk of embolism. The microbubbles were shown to increase survival rates in rodents with cardiac arrest, providing a potential lifesaving treatment.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 23, 2018

Overall in-hospital cardiac arrest survival improves, lower survival on nights, weekends

Survival rates for in-hospital cardiac arrests have improved over the past 15 years, with a significant increase in both on-hours and off-hours groups. However, patients who experience cardiac arrest during nights or weekends continue to face lower survival rates compared to those who arrest during daytime hours.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJan 22, 2018

Prehospital supraglottic airway is associated with good neurologic outcome in cardiac arrest victims

A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that prehospital use of supraglottic airways is linked to better neurological outcomes in cardiac arrest patients who receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The study suggests that SGA may improve oxygenation, supporting its continued use in emergency medical services.

SourceSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateNov 28, 2017