Articles tagged with Cardiac Arrest
Experts say pre-participation screening should be abandoned due to the lack of evidence confirming it saves lives. The harms of overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and false positives far outweigh any potential benefits in preventing sudden cardiac arrest among young athletes.
Two studies published in The BMJ question the effectiveness of delaying second heart shocks in hospital patients with cardiac arrest. Deferred second defibrillation attempts were not associated with improved survival rates.
Administering resuscitation drugs through an IV line can significantly improve survival rates for patients experiencing witnessed cardiac arrests. The study found that these drugs are only effective when given directly into a vein, rather than the commonly used intraosseous method.
The study found that amiodarone and lidocaine significantly improved survival rates among patients whose cardiac arrest was witnessed by a bystander, with a 5% greater chance of survival compared to placebo. However, the drugs showed no significant benefit for patients whose arrest was not witnessed.
A statewide program in North Carolina improved survival rates for cardiac arrests by increasing bystander CPR and AED use, both at home and in public places. The study found significant increases in patient survival and reduced brain injury over a five-year period.
A randomized clinical trial found that treatment with inhaled xenon gas combined with hypothermia resulted in less white matter damage compared to hypothermia alone. The study suggests potential benefits for comatose survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, but further evaluation is needed.
A study published in JAMA found that treatment with inhaled xenon gas combined with hypothermia resulted in less white matter damage among comatose survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, there was no significant difference in neurological outcomes or death at 6 months.
Adherence to guideline-recommended care following in-hospital cardiac arrests (IHCA) varies significantly among US hospitals, affecting patient survival. Top-performing hospitals have higher survival rates due to timely and high-quality care.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found significant variations in US hospital cardiac arrest care quality. Hospitals with better adherence to recommended guidelines have higher survival rates for patients treated for in-hospital cardiac arrest. The researchers estimate that an additional 22,990 to 24,200 lives could be saved annuall...
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that residents of high-rise buildings living on lower floors had better survival rates from cardiac arrests. Notably, survival was negligible for people living above the 16th floor. The researchers suggest several solutions to improve time to patient contact and increa...
A study found that people living in high-rise buildings have lower survival rates from cardiac arrest, attributed to delayed emergency response times. The researchers recommend improving accessibility of automated external defibrillators and streamlining building access for paramedics.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai are working on a new risk assessment tool to identify patients susceptible to sudden cardiac arrest. The goal is to predict those at risk for the fatal heart rhythm malfunction, which claims 350,000 lives annually in the US.
Emergency physicians propose three interventions to improve cardiac arrest survival rates: developing a national OHCA registry, encouraging bystander CPR, and fostering high-performance CPR. The authors argue that inadequate research funding is a significant problem, hindering efforts to reduce mortality rates.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that patients with sudden cardiac arrest who received medical attention shortly after exhibiting warning signs had a significantly higher chance of survival compared to those who ignored their symptoms. Researchers collected data from survivors, family members, and medical r...
A new study by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that more than half of patients who experience sudden cardiac arrest ignore key symptoms prior to the event. These symptoms often include chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations, occurring up to a month before the fatal heart rhythm malfunction.
Researchers found that therapeutic hypothermia significantly reduces damage to the brain after cardiac arrest, with patients who received treatment experiencing better neurological outcomes and higher survival rates. The therapy has been shown effective on both shockable and non-shockable heart rhythms.
Children with neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy are three times more likely to experience cardiac arrest during spine surgeries. The study found that the absolute risk of cardiac arrest is minuscule, but knowing who's at highest risk can improve preparedness and response time.
Researchers found that therapeutic hypothermia increased survival rates by 2.8 times and neurologic recovery by 3.5 times in comatose cardiac arrest patients. Therapeutic hypothermia may benefit comatose cardiac arrest patients with non-shockable heart rhythms, increasing their chances of survival and better brain function.
Researchers analyzed 2,176 children with cardiac arrest and found that just under half received bystander CPR, associated with an 11% likelihood of neurologically favorable survival. The majority of cardiac arrests occurred at home, but infants did not benefit from bystander CPR.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that continuous chest compressions during out-of-hospital CPR did not provide better outcomes for patients with cardiac arrest. In contrast, interrupting manual chest pumping to perform rescue breathing appeared to improve survival rates among those who received this approach.
A new Penn study finds that video-based CPR training can be just as effective as traditional hands-on training in teaching the basics of CPR. The study involved over 1,600 family members who received either video-only or VSI with manikin training and found that both groups performed similarly in a six-month retention test.
A new Penn study shows that mechanical CPR can be an effective alternative to manual CPR for treating cardiac arrest patients. After analyzing over 10,000 cases, researchers found that patients who received mechanical CPR were eight percent more likely to regain a pulse than those who received manual CPR.
A new smartphone application called AED-SOS helps connect rescuers with lifesaving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest outside hospitals. Researchers found that the app can shorten the time from recognizing out-of-hospital cardiac arrests to delivering AEDs by an average of 69 seconds.
The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology have updated recommendations for athletes with diagnosed heart disease. New research shows that the risk of sudden cardiac arrest is lower than previously thought for some athletes with irregular heartbeat disorders treated by implanted medical devices. However, patients...
The 2015 European Resuscitation Council guidelines provide detailed advice on treating cardiac arrest and continue treatment after the heart is restarted. The guidelines emphasize the importance of bystander CPR and recommend specific chest compression rates.
A new article in the New England Journal of Medicine offers life-saving guidance on handling mid-air medical emergencies. Healthcare providers are urged to plan ahead, using good judgment to protect themselves and others.
A study of nearly 26,000 patients found that DNR orders were not aligned with their predicted neurological survival rates, particularly for those with the worst prognosis. Patients without DNR orders had a significantly higher rate of favorable neurological survival.
A study in nearly 800,000 patients found a positive association between carbonated beverage consumption and out-of-hospital cardiac arrests of cardiac origin. Limiting carbonated drink consumption may help reduce the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease.
Research by Dr. Kristian Kragholm found that bystander CPR was associated with a 30% lower risk of nursing home admission and brain damage in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The study included 2,387 adult survivors who did not have pre-existing conditions or live in a nursing home before the cardiac arrest.
A study of over 17,000 patients found that nearly all survivors were achieved within 35 minutes of CPR, with longer resuscitation efforts offering little benefit. The researchers recommend continuing CPR for at least 35 minutes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases to achieve maximum survival and favorable neurological outcomes.
A study of over 25,000 cardiac arrest patients found that increased AED usage and accompanying initiatives led to higher bystander defibrillation rates in public locations. However, a significant increase was not observed in residential areas, where most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur.
Researchers found that nearly 60 out of 100 000 people suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital each year and only one in ten survive. In a large study, patients with refractory cardiac arrest who were brought to the hospital with ongoing CPR had a higher survival rate compared to those resuscitated before arrival. The study's findin...
A study found that delayed administration of epinephrine was associated with a decreased chance of 24-hour survival and survival to hospital discharge among children with cardiac arrest. The researchers analyzed data from the Get With the Guidelines-Resuscitation registry and included U.S. pediatric patients who received at least one d...
A Johns Hopkins-led study of 1,200 people with implanted defibrillators shows that within a few years, one-quarter experienced substantial improvements in heart function, reducing the risk of arrhythmia and device shocks. Improved heart function was primarily attributed to concurrent use of heart failure medications and pacemakers.
Two studies found increased use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, automated external defibrillators, and improved survival rates among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Neurologically intact survival increased significantly with bystander defibrillation and chest compressions.
A new study led by Duke Medicine shows that bystander-initiated CPR substantially increased survival from cardiac arrest. The early application of CPR was associated with improved patient survival compared to situations where patients waited for EMS-initiated CPR and defibrillation.
A new study published in Circulation reveals African-Americans experience sudden cardiac arrest at a higher rate than Caucasians, with significant differences in age, diabetes prevalence, and hypertension rates. The study suggests that prevention strategies may need to be tailored to different racial and ethnic groups.
Research published in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation found that blacks are more likely to experience sudden cardiac arrest, particularly at younger ages. The study also identified a higher prevalence of non-coronary heart problems among black patients, including congestive heart failure and left ventricular hypert...
Researchers found a strong association between exposure to tiny particulate pollutants from wildfire smoke and the risk of heart-related incidents, including cardiac arrests, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. The study suggests that fine particulate matter may act as a trigger factor for acute cardiovascular events.
The American Red Cross supports increased public education and training opportunities for bystander CPR and defibrillation to reduce barriers. The report calls for national accreditation standards, a national registry, and enhanced EMS capabilities to improve cardiac arrest survival rates.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed before ambulance arrival increases survival rate by over two-fold. A new SMS Lifesavers system has also caused a 30% increase in CPR, highlighting the effectiveness of mobile technology in emergency response.
Research shows that public access defibrillation on people suffering cardiac arrest is associated with a large increase in chances of survival. However, despite the great potential, publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are not being used enough.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that cooling children after cardiac arrest does not provide any significant survival-with-quality-of-life benefits. The study, which included nearly 300 participants, compared two groups: one cooled to a lower body temperature and the other maintained normal temperat...
A Danish study found that more than 75% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors returned to work, with a significant increase in return-to-work rates among those who received bystander CPR. The study also revealed that survivors spent an average of three years back at work and earned the same salary after arrest.
A large-scale study showed that emergency body cooling does not improve survival rates or reduce brain injury in infants and children with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Therapeutic hypothermia, however, has been shown to be effective for adults and newborns after cardiac arrest.
A large-scale study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that therapeutic hypothermia did not improve neurological outcomes in pediatric cardiac arrest patients. The study compared two treatment groups: therapeutic hypothermia and active normothermia therapy.
A major international study from Lund University found that half of cardiac arrest patients experience cognitive problems like memory and attention issues. The researchers believe that these issues can be attributed to common risk factors among heart disease patients, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
A study of 647,457 patients on chronic dialysis found that genetically related family members have a 70% increased risk of cardiac arrest compared to unrelated patients. This increased risk is attributed to inherited genetic factors, which may contribute to the high mortality rate among dialysis patients.
A new study published in Circulation found that middle-aged athletes are at low risk of having a sudden cardiac arrest while playing sports, with a survival rate of 23% compared to 13%. The study also shows that men are seven times more likely than women to have a sports-related sudden cardiac arrest.
A clinical trial found that targeted temperature management at 33°C or 36°C did not significantly impact cognitive function and quality of life in patients with cardiac arrest. However, many patients reported impairment despite similar scores on outcome scales.
A new laboratory study by the University of Michigan Medical School reveals that near-death brain activity can destabilize heart function and accelerate cardiac demise. The study suggests that blocking brain-heart connections during cardiac arrest may improve survival chances for patients.
Research found that sports-associated cases of sudden cardiac arrest were more likely to be witnessed and involved CPR, with a higher rate of survival. The study suggests targeted education can maximize safety and acceptance of sports activity in middle-aged individuals.
A study published in The BMJ found that children who drowned and suffered cardiac arrest with hypothermia have poor outcomes if resuscitation continues for more than 30 minutes. Most children (89%) died, while only 11% survived with severe neurological damage.
Research by UT Southwestern Medical Center Emergency Medicine physicians found that deeper chest compressions result in decreased survival due to collateral damage, while faster compression rates are crucial for survival. The ideal compression rate is between 100-120 beats per minute.
Researchers identify how calcium regulates heart muscle and motors interact with each other, potentially leading to new tools for treating sudden cardiac arrest. This breakthrough discovery provides insight into the genetic condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that cardiologists' absence at national meetings did not negatively impact patient outcomes. High-risk patients with heart failure or cardiac arrest experienced lower 30-day mortality when admitted during meeting dates.
A study found that fear of police, language barriers, and lack of knowledge about cardiac arrest symptoms hinder Latinos from seeking emergency medical help. The participants also expressed strong reticence about performing CPR due to cultural fears and misconceptions.
Physician-researcher Sumeet Chugh receives $2.36 million grant to develop prevention strategies for sudden cardiac arrest. The study focuses on patients aged 35-59 years old and aims to identify risk factors, including sex hormones and genetics.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that administering epinephrine to patients in cardiac arrest may increase the likelihood of death or brain damage. The research analyzed hospital records for over 1,500 patients and showed that those who received higher doses of epinephrine had a worse outcome.
A new study by Harvard researchers found that advanced life support ambulances, which use sophisticated gear and staffed with highly trained paramedics, do not save lives but rather increase the risk of death compared to basic life support ambulances. BLS patients were nearly 50% more likely to survive than ALS patients at 90 days.