Defibrillation News and Research

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Experts issue new CPR guidance addressing highly contagious variants of SARS-CoV-2

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Heart Association and collaborating organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Association for Respiratory Care, the Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists and the American Society of Anesthesiologists, continue to provide interim guidance to address the latest scientific research related to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, particularly the Delta and Omicron variants.

24 Jan 2022

Simulation training improves nurses' response to code events

During in-hospital cardiac arrests, responding quickly and confidently to code events requires a cohesive team, clearly defined roles and timely defibrillation.

1 Dec 2021

Hyperinvasive approach is an effective treatment strategy for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

A subgroup of patients who experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) that did not respond to standard advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), were immediately transported to a cardiac care center, and placed on a device similar to a heart-lung bypass machine were more likely to have survived with good brain function six months later than similar patients who received standard care at the site where the OHCA occurred.

18 May 2021

Study shows CPR is the “gold standard” technique against other alternatives

A technique frequently portrayed in dramatic resuscitation scenes in television and film is among several alternative methods to CPR that have shown no benefit in saving lives in a review by University of Warwick researchers.

15 Feb 2021

Researchers report a case of S-ICD implantation in patient with ccTGA and DDD pacemaker

In a new publication from Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications; Yu Zhang, Wen-Long Dai, Can-Can Lin, Qiao-Yuan Li and Cheng-Jun Guo from Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China consider implantation of an S-ICD in a patient with a DDD pacemaker and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries.

20 Nov 2020

Smartphone alert can aid laypersons in opioid overdose reversal

Without timely reversal, opioid overdose causes respiratory depression that may deteriorate into apnea, leading to brain injury and even death.

3 Aug 2020

Intravenous sodium nitrite does not help out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients

Among patients who had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, intravenous sodium nitrite given by paramedics during resuscitation did not significantly improve their chances of being admitted to or discharged from the hospital alive, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session Together with World Congress of Cardiology.

29 Mar 2020

Study uncovers how to more effectively use ECPR for better outcomes after cardiac arrest

People who suffer cardiac arrest usually have low likelihood of survival, especially if it happens out of the hospital.

24 Mar 2020

Researchers evaluate epinephrine use for treatment of pediatric OHCA

A loved one suffering cardiac arrest is an emotionally stressful time for families, but never more so than when the patient is a child. The very real potential for loss of life in these situations means that the way in which emergency responders treat out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) becomes even more crucial when dealing with pediatric patients.

14 Jan 2020

Study indicates opportunities to improve quality of in-hospital cardiac arrest care for dialysis patients

A new study indicates that there are opportunities to improve the quality of care for patients on dialysis who experience cardiac arrest while in the hospital, but survival rates are similar for these patients compared with patients not on dialysis.

7 Jan 2020

Early emergency care by bystanders can save lives of cardiac arrest victims

Only 8% of Americans survive cardiac arrest outside a hospital, but that percentage could increase significantly if bystanders recognize cardiac arrest and perform simple lifesaving tasks, a UVA Health physician says.

5 Dec 2019

Risk factors of malignant arrhythmias found in patients treated with therapeutic hyperthermia after cardiac arrest

Researchers showed that 20-50% of patients developed an irregular heartbeat that required defibrillation during the active cooling phase of therapeutic hypothermia following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

5 Nov 2019

Clinical trial explores effect of whole-body cooling in comatose patients after cardiac arrest

While body temperature cooling is not a new treatment tactic for patients who experience cardiac arrest, a new clinical trial hopes to better understand the optimal amount of time for targeted temperature management.

4 Oct 2019

Noninvasive radiation therapy offers new hope for patients with high-risk heart arrhythmias

Treating high-risk heart patients with a single, high dose of radiation therapy can dramatically reduce episodes of rapid, abnormal heartbeats for more than two years, offering hope to patients who have exhausted other treatment options.

26 Sep 2019

New and improved: CPR undergoes overhaul

An international study reviewed methods of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in an attempt to save lives and reduce neurological damage.

19 Sep 2019

Optimal AED placements may lead to better cardiac arrest outcomes

Automated external defibrillators are often placed in areas of low risk and may be unavailable during certain times of the day.

16 Sep 2019

New study helps predict high-benefit group for implantable defibrillators

Many patients in cardiac arrest have had lifesaving treatment with a defibrillator. However, these machines can also be implanted into patients whose hearts tend to kick off into their own crazy rhythms, making them unable to pump blood.

4 Sep 2019

Study finds no increase in deaths from cardiac arrests at the weekend

People admitted to NHS hospitals with a cardiac arrest over the weekend do not face a higher risk of dying compared to those admitted during the week, according to new research presented today at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference in Manchester.

3 Jun 2019

Advanced airway management and ECG rhythms make all the difference during cardiac arrest

In cardiac arrest, the speed and type of treatment can literally mean life or death in the immediate term, but can also affect health outcomes after successful resuscitation.

7 Mar 2019

Women and men with heart attack symptoms receive different care from EMS

Women are more likely than men to die of coronary heart disease, and past research has found that they are less likely to receive evidence-based therapies for heart attacks.

11 Dec 2018