from #AlexandrosSfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://tidsskriftet.no/
via IFTTT

Editorial Board

from #AlexandrosSfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fEpAYn
via IFTTT

Table of Contents

from #AlexandrosSfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fWv0AQ
via IFTTT

Chest compression fraction in ambulance while transporting patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest to the hospital in rural Taiwan

Introduction

Maintaining the standard two-handed chest compression is difficult in high-speed ambulances in rural areas.

Methods

A retrospective, video-based, observational study was conducted from June to September 2013 in Nantou, a rural county of central Taiwan, to evaluate the chest compression fraction in an ambulance carriage during the travel from the scene to the hospital. The chest compression fraction was calculated as the chest compression time period divided by the ambulance travelling time period; the one-handed and two-handed chest compression fractions were also calculated.

Results

During the 4-month study period, a total of 102 videos that were recorded in an ambulance carriage were reviewed, including 97 cases of manual chest compressions. When there was only one emergency medical technician (EMT) in the carriage, the combined chest compression fraction was 50.6±20.7%; when there were two EMTs, the fraction was 58.3±16.0% and the fraction was 58.3±21.0% in a three-EMT scenario (p=0.221). Moreover, in the carriage, EMTs usually performed one-handed chest compressions.

Conclusions

The chest compression fraction was low for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in a moving ambulance, irrespective of the number of providers. Reasons for this observation, as well as the effectiveness of the one-handed chest compression require further evaluation.

from #AlexandrosSfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fEvoB6
via IFTTT

Emergency procedures for patients with a continuous flow left ventricular assist device

The number of ventricular assist devices (VADs) being implanted for terminal heart failure is rising at an exponential rate. These implanted patients have a decreased mortality, but still have significant morbidities, as the prevalence of these patients increases in the community. When VAD patients are discharged to home, they will very likely require emergency medical services (EMSs) and emergency medical doctors (EDs) with their future care. The interface of these patients with the community would suggest an increasing prevalence of encounters requiring the need for acute medical care. This will place the initial responsibility of these patients in the hands of EMS first responders and emergency room providers. To date, there is very little literature published on out-of-hospital or ED care for VAD patients. Most EMS personnel and ED feel uncomfortable treating a patient with a VAD because they have not had sufficient exposure. The cardiovascular treatment of VAD patients in the field can pose different challenges typically encountered including difficulties measuring a pulse and sometimes undetectable BP. Despite these unique challenges, official guidelines or even standard operating procedures regarding the emergency treatment of VAD patients are still lacking. We present a basic overview of the most commonly used left VAD systems and propose guidelines that should be followed in the event of an emergency with a VAD patient out of hospital.

from #AlexandrosSfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fWntSE
via IFTTT

Issue Information

from #AlexandrosSfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fwcnn2
via IFTTT

Enhancing the specificity of polymerase chain reaction by graphene oxide through surface modification: zwitterionic polymer is superior to other polymers with different charges

from #AlexandrosSfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fftQNh
via IFTTT