Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Ambulance risk

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.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateNov 24, 2014

Resuscitation science tip sheet

Research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014 found that implementing pre-arrival telephone CPR guidelines in Arizona increased bystander CPR rates by 41% and survival rates by 42%. The study also showed that women are more likely to survive sudden cardiac arrest compared to men.

Stop taking patients in cardiac arrest to hospital, says expert

A leading expert suggests that taking patients in cardiac arrest to hospital may be actively harmful and recommends empowering ambulance staff with skills to optimise CPR at the scene. This approach could save lives and reduce unnecessary transports, but experts acknowledge the complexity of applying guidelines in different regions.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateSep 23, 2014

Survival increases with clinical team debriefing after in-hospital cardiac arrest

A new study found that staff members who joined structured team debriefings after emergency care for children suffering in-hospital cardiac arrests improved their CPR performance. The study also showed substantial increases in patients surviving with favorable neurological outcomes, up to 50 percent among the intervention group.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalCritical Care Medicine·DateAug 4, 2014

Study questions hypothermia treatment for cardiac arrest

A recent study led by Lund University researchers has found that therapeutic hypothermia treatment for cardiac arrest is just as effective at a body temperature of 36°C as it is at 33°C, without the increased risk of side effects. This finding has important implications for patient rehabilitation and recovery after cardiac arrest.

SourceLund University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 18, 2013

Could deceased heart attack victims expand donor pool?

Researchers in the UK found that organs from selected DCD donors with pre-hospital cardiac arrest had no significant impact on graft or transplant recipient survival compared to other deceased donors. The study suggests using these organs could boost the donor pool without adverse outcomes for liver transplant recipients.

SourceWiley·JournalLiver Transplantation·DateNov 11, 2013

Future training in bystander CPR needs targeted approach in 'high-risk' neighborhoods

Researchers found that residents in high-income white and integrated neighborhoods were more likely to receive bystander CPR during out-of-hospital cardiac arrests compared to those in low-income black neighborhoods. The study suggests a targeted approach in these areas may be more efficient than nationwide CPR training programs.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 24, 2012

Penn and Cornell researchers spearhead the development of new guidelines for veterinary CPR

Penn and Cornell researchers have created evidence-based guidelines for veterinary CPR, aiming to standardize treatment of cardiac arrest in pets. The guidelines recommend 100-120 chest compressions per minute, intubated ventilation at a rate of 10 breaths per minute, and administration of vasopressors every 3 minutes.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care·DateJun 7, 2012