Successful rescue of disseminated Nocardia infection with multiple abscesses in a patient with membranous nephropathy after cardiopulmonary resuscitation:A three-year follow-up

Nocardiosis manifests as an opportunistic infection,primarily affecting individuals who are immunocompromised and susceptible to the infection.We present a case study of one patient with nephrotic syndrome and membranous nephropathy,who underwent treatment with prednisone and cyclosporine in 2016.In early 2017,the patient was diagnosed with a"fungal infection"and discontinued the use of cyclosporine.After one month of anti-infection therapy,a cranial magnetic resonance imaging scan showed multiple abscesses in the right temporal region.The diagnosis of nocardiosis was confirmed based on the presence of metastatic abscess masses,multiple lung and brain lesions,and a positive culture of Nocardia in the drainage.We changed the anti-infection therapy to a combination of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole(TMP-SMX),minocycline,and voriconazole.However,the patient experienced a sudden cardiac arrest and subsequently recovered after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.During the five-month follow-up period following the discharge,the patient displayed an enhanced nutritional status and stable renal function.The focal infection ultimately resolved during the subsequent three years.Neuro-infection caused by Nocardia should be considered in immunocompromised patients,and TMP-SMX is the preferred initial therapy;however,because of the high mortality rate,a long-term combination therapy with imipenem,cefotaxime,amikacin,and TMP-SMX is suggested.

Cardiac arrest, stony heart, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation: An updated revisit

The post-resuscitation period is recognized as the main predictor of cardiopul-monary resuscitation(CPR)outcomes.The first description of post-resuscitation syndrome and stony heart was published over 50 years ago.Major manifestations may include but are not limited to,persistent precipitating pathology,systemic ischemia/reperfusion response,post-cardiac arrest brain injury,and finally,post-cardiac arrest myocardial dysfunction(PAMD)after successful resuscitation.Why do some patients initially survive successful resuscitation,and others do not?Also,why does the myocardium response vary after resuscitation?These ques-tions have kept scientists busy for several decades since the first successful resuscitation was described.By modifying the conventional modalities of resu-scitation together with new promising agents,rescuers will be able to salvage the jeopardized post-resuscitation myocardium and prevent its progression to a dismal,stony heart.Community awareness and staff education are crucial for shortening the resuscitation time and improving short-and long-term outcomes.Awareness of these components before and early after the restoration of circulation will enhance the resuscitation outcomes.This review extensively addresses the underlying pathophysiology,management,and outcomes of post-resuscitation syndrome.The pattern,management,and outcome of PAMD and post-cardiac arrest shock are different based on many factors,including in-hospital cardiac arrest vs out-of-hospital cardiac arrest(OHCA),witnessed vs unwitnessed cardiac arrest,the underlying cause of arrest,the duration,and protocol used for CPR.Although restoring spontaneous circulation is a vital sign,it should not be the end of the game or lone primary outcome;it calls for better understanding and aggressive multi-disciplinary interventions and care.The development of stony heart post-CPR and OHCA remain the main challenges in emergency and critical care medicine.

Advances in the Use of Prone Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation During Spinal Surgery in the Prone Position

Spinal surgery is usually performed in the prone position, which is a longer and more difficult procedure and is prone to complications such as circulatory dysfunction and stress injuries. Among them, stress injury is the main complication of prone spine surgery, but the reasons for stress injury in prone spine surgery are not clear, and whether prone cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be used needs to be further verified. Supine cardiopulmonary resuscitation is commonly used in posterior spinal surgery, retroperitoneal surgery, and so on, which can effectively improve the patient’s hypoxemia. Such surgeries require a high level of anesthetic management, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation is necessary if a patient in a prone position experiences cardiac arrest. In the process of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, supine cardiopulmonary resuscitation is often used, especially for some obese patients, if they are immediately changed to the supine position, it takes up more time, there may be wound infection, and there is a possibility of missing the optimal rescue and resuscitation time. Based on this, this paper reviews the use of prone-position cardiopulmonary resuscitation for spinal surgery in the prone position.

Analysis of the Application Value of Virtual Reality Combined with Flipped Classroom Teaching Mode in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Teaching

Objective:To analyze the value of using virtual reality combined with the flipped classroom teaching model in teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR).Methods:Two classes of our nursing program were randomly selected for the study from September 2022 to September 2023,Class A(52 students,conventional teaching method)and Class B(52 students,virtual reality combined with flipped classroom teaching mode).The assessment scores and independent learning ability scores of the students in the two classes were compared.Results:CPR theory and operation scores,passing rate,and independent learning ability scores of Class B were higher than those of Class A(P<0.05).Conclusion:the use of virtual reality combined with the flipped classroom teaching mode in CPR teaching is conducive to the improvement of students’assessment scores and independent learning ability.

Do cardiopulmonary resuscitation real-time audiovisual feedback devices improve patient outcomes? A systematic review and metaanalysis

BACKGROUND Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of mortality in America and has increased in the incidence of cases over the last several years.Cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)increases survival outcomes in cases of cardiac arrest;however,healthcare workers often do not perform CPR within recommended guidelines.Real-time audiovisual feedback(RTAVF)devices improve the quality of CPR performed.This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare the effect of RTAVF-assisted CPR with conventional CPR and to evaluate whether the use of these devices improved outcomes in both in-hospital cardiac arrest(IHCA)and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest(OHCA)patients.AIM To identify the effect of RTAVF-assisted CPR on patient outcomes and CPR quality with in-and OHCA.METHODS We searched PubMed,SCOPUS,the Cochrane Library,and EMBASE from inception to July 27,2020,for studies comparing patient outcomes and/or CPR quality metrics between RTAVF-assisted CPR and conventional CPR in cases of IHCA or OHCA.The primary outcomes of interest were return of spontaneous circulation(ROSC)and survival to hospital discharge(SHD),with secondary outcomes of chest compression rate and chest compression depth.The methodo-logical quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and Cochrane Collaboration’s“risk of bias”tool.Data was analyzed using R statistical software 4.2.0.results were statistically significant if P<0.05.RESULTS Thirteen studies(n=17600)were included.Patients were on average 69±17.5 years old,with 7022(39.8%)female patients.Overall pooled ROSC in patients in this study was 37%(95%confidence interval=23%-54%).RTAVF-assisted CPR significantly improved ROSC,both overall[risk ratio(RR)1.17(1.001-1.362);P=0.048]and in cases of IHCA[RR 1.36(1.06-1.80);P=0.002].There was no significant improvement in ROSC for OHCA(RR 1.04;0.91-1.19;P=0.47).No significant effect was seen in SHD[RR 1.04(0.91-1.19);P=0.47]or chest compression rate[standardized mean difference(SMD)-2.1;(-4.6-0.5);P=0.09].A significant improvement was seen in chest compression depth[SMD 1.6;(0.02-3.1);P=0.047].CONCLUSION RTAVF-assisted CPR increases ROSC in cases of IHCA and chest compression depth but has no significant effect on ROSC in cases of OHCA,SHD,or chest compression rate.

The neuro-prognostic value of the ion shift index in cardiac arrest patients following extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation

BACKGROUND:The ion shift index(ISI) as a prognostic indicator that can show the severity of hypoxic-ischemic injury.We aimed to evaluate the performance of the ISI in predicting unfavorable neurological outcomes at hospital discharge in cardiac arrest(CA) patients following extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation(ECPR) and to compare its performance to other prognostic predictors.METHODS:This was a retrospective observational study including adult CA patients treated with ECPR between January 2018 and December 2022 in a tertiary hospital.Data regarding clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters were collected from medical records.The ISI was determined based on the first available serum electrolyte levels after ECPR.The primary outcome was unfavorable neurological status at hospital discharge,defined as Cerebral Performance Categories 3–5.Comparisons of the characteristics between the two groups were made using the χ2 test for categorical variables and the t-test or non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test for continuous variables,as appropriate.Correlation analysis was performed using Spearman’s rank correlation coeficient.A two-tailed P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS:Among the 122 patients involved,46(37.7%) had out-of-hospital CA,and 88 had unfavorable neurological outcomes.The ISI was significantly higher in the unfavorable outcome group than in the favorable outcome group(3.74 [3.15–4.57] vs.2.69 [2.51–3.07],P<0.001).A higher ISI level was independently related to unfavorable outcome(odds ratio=6.529,95% confidence interval 2.239–19.044,P=0.001).An ISI level >3.12 predicted unfavorable outcomes with a sensitivity and specificity of 74.6% and 85.2%,respectively(P<0.001).The prognostic performance of ISI(area under the curve [AUC]=0.887) was similar to that of other predictors,such as gray-to-white matter ratio(AUC=0.850,P=0.433) and neuronspecific enolase(AUC=0.925,P=0.394).CONCLUSION:ISI may be used as a prognostic biomarker to predict neurological outcomes in CA patients following ECPR.

Vagus nerve stimulation protects against cerebral injury after cardiopulmonary resuscitation by inhibiting inflammation through the TLR4/NF-κB and α7nAChR/JAK2 signaling pathways

BACKGROUND: Our previous research proved that vagus nerve stimulation(VNS) improved the neurological outcome after cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) by activating α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(α7nAChR) in a rat model, but the underlying mechanism of VNS in neuroprotection after CPR remains unclear.METHODS: In vivo, we established a mouse model of cardiac arrest(CA)/CPR to observe the survival rate, and the changes in inflammatory factors and brain tissue after VNS treatment. In vitro, we examined the effects of α7nAChR agonist on ischemia/reperfusion(I/R)-induced inflammation in BV2 cells under oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R) conditions. We observed the changes in cell survival rate, the levels of inflammatory factors, and the expressions of α7nAChR/Janus kinase 2(JAK2) and toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB).RESULTS: In vivo, VNS preconditioning enhanced functional recovery, improved the survival rate, and reduced hippocampal CA1 cell damage, and the levels of inflammatory mediators after CA/CPR. The application of α7nAChR agonists provided similar effects against cerebral injury after the return of spontaneous circulation(ROSC), while α7nAChR antagonists reversed these neuroprotective impacts. The in vitro results mostly matched the findings in vivo. OGD/R increased the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α), TLR4 and NF-κB p65. When nicotine was added to the OGD/R model, the expression of TLR4, NF-κB p65, and TNF-α decreased, while the phosphorylation of JAK2 increased, which was prevented by preconditioning with α7nAChR or JAK2 antagonists.CONCLUSION: The neuroprotective effect of VNS correlated with the activation of α7nAChR. VNS may alleviate cerebral IR injury by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB and activating the α7nAChR/JAK2 signaling pathway.

Cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation in“hostile”environments:Using automated compression devices to minimize the rescuers’danger

Mechanical automated compression devices are being used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation instead of manual,“hands-on”,rescuer-delivered chest compressions.The-theoretical-advantages include high-quality non-stop compressions,thus freeing the rescuer performing the compressions and additionally the ability of the rescuer to stand reasonably away from a potentially“hazardous”victim,or from hazardous and/or difficult resuscitation conditions.Such circumstances involve cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory,especially directly under the fluoroscopy panel,where radiation is well known to cause detrimental effects to the rescuer,and CPR during/after land or air transportation of cardiac arrest victims.Lastly,CPR in a coronavirus disease 2019 patient/ward,where the danger of contamination and further serious illness of the health provider is very existent.The scope of this review is to review and present literature and current guidelines regarding the use of mechanical compressions in these“hostile”and dangerous settings,while comparing them to manual compressions.

Establishment of a Rat Model of Capillary Leakage Syndrome Induced by Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation After Cardiac Arrest

Objective:Cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)after cardiac arrest(CA)is one of the main causes of capillary leakage syndrome(CLS).This study aimed to establish a stable CLS model following the CA and cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CA-CPR)model in Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats.Methods:We conducted a prospective,randomized,animal model study.All adult male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group(group N),a sham operation group(group S),and a cardiopulmonary resuscitation group(group T).The SD rats of the three groups were all inserted with 24-G needles through their left femoral arteries and right femoral veins.In group S and group T,the endotracheal tube was intubated.In group T,CA induced by asphyxia(AACA)was caused by vecuronium bromide with the endotracheal tube obstructed for 8 min,and the rats were resuscitated with manual chest compression and mechanical ventilation.Preresuscitation and postresuscitation measurements,including basic vital signs(BVS),blood gas analysis(BG),routine complete blood count(CBC),wet-to-dry ratio of tissues(W/D),and the HE staining results after 6 h were evaluated.Results:In group T,the success rate of the CA-CPR model was 60%(18/30),and CLS occurred in 26.6%(8/30)of the rats.There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics,including BVS,BG,and CBC,among the three groups(P>0.05).Compared with pre-asphyxia,there were significant differences in BVS,CBC,and BG,including temperature,oxygen saturation(SpO_(2)),mean arterial pressure(MAP),central venous pressure(CVP),white blood cell count(WBC),hemoglobin,hematocrit,pH,pCO_(2),pO_(2),SO_(2),lactate(Lac),base excess(BE),and Na+(P<0.05)after the return of spontaneous circulation(ROSC)in group T.At 6 h after ROSC in group T and at 6 h after surgery in groups N and S,there were significant differences in temperature,heart rate(HR),respiratory rate(RR),SpO_(2),MAP,CVP,WBC,pH,pCO_(2),Na+,and K+among the three groups(P<0.05).Compared with the other two groups,the rats in group T showed a significantly increased W/D weight ratio(P<0.05).The HE-stained sections showed consistent severe lesions in the lung,small intestine,and brain tissues of the rats at 6 h after ROSC following AACA.Conclusion:The CA-CPR model in SD rats induced by asphyxia could reproduce CLS with good stability and reproducibility.

Cardiac arrest secondary to pulmonary embolism treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation:Six case reports

BACKGROUND Massive pulmonary embolism(PE)results in extremely high mortality rates.Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(VA-ECMO)can provide circulatory and oxygenation support and rescue patients with massive PE.However,there are relatively few studies of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation(ECPR)in patients with cardiac arrest(CA)secondary to PE.The aim of the present study is to investigate the clinical use of ECPR in conjunction with heparin anticoagulation in patients with CA secondary to PE.CASE SUMMARY We report the cases of six patients with CA secondary to PE treated with ECPR in the intensive care unit of our hospital between June 2020 and June 2022.All six patients experienced witnessed CA whilst in hospital.They had acute onset of severe respiratory distress,hypoxia,and shock rapidly followed by CA and were immediately given cardiopulmonary resuscitation and adjunctive VA-ECMO therapy.During hospitalization,pulmonary artery computed tomography angiography was performed to confirm the diagnosis of PE.Through anticoagulation management,mechanical ventilation,fluid management,and antibiotic treatment,five patients were successfully weaned from ECMO(83.33%),four patients survived for 30 d after discharge(66.67%),and two patients had good neurological outcomes(33.33%).CONCLUSION For patients with CA secondary to massive PE,ECPR in conjunction with heparin anticoagulation may improve outcomes.

Investigation of Myocardial Stunning after Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Pigs

Objective To investigate cardiac function and myocardial perfusion during 48 h after cardiopulmonary resuscitation （CPR）, further to test myocardial stunning and seek indicators for long‐term survival after CPR. Methods After 4 min of untreated ventricular fibrillation, fifteen anesthetized pigs were studied at baseline and 2 h, 4 h, 24 h, and 48 h after restoration of spontaneous circulation （ROSC）. Hemodynamic data, echocardiography and gated‐single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion images were carried out. Results Mean arterial pressure （MAP）, coronary perfusion pressure （CPP） and cardiac troponin I （CTNI） showed significant differences between eventual survival animals and non‐survival animals at 4 h after ROSC （109.2±10.7 mmHg vs. 94.8±12.3 mmHg, P=0.048; 100.8±6.9 mmHg vs. 84.4±12.6 mmHg, P=0.011; 1.60±0.13 ug/L vs. 1.75±0.10 ug/L, P=0.046）. Mitral valve early‐to‐late diastolic peak velocity ratio, mitral valve deceleration time recovered 24 h; ejection faction and the summed rest score recovered 48 h after ROSC. Conclusion Cardiac systolic and early active relaxation dysfunctions were reversible within survival animals; cardiac stunning might be potentially adaptive and protective after CPR. The recovery of MAP, CPP, and CTNI could be the indicators for long‐term survival after CPR.

Comparison of extracorporeal and conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation:A meta-analysis of 2 260 patients with cardiac arrest

BACKGROUND: This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation(ECPR), compared with conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CCPR), improves outcomes in adult patients with cardiac arrest(CA).DATA RESOURCES: Pub Med, EMBASE, Web of Science, and China Biological Medicine Database were searched for relevant articles. The baseline information and outcome data(survival, good neurological outcome at discharge, at 3–6 months, and at 1 year after CA) were collected and extracted by two authors. Pooled risk ratios(RRs) and 95% confidence intervals(CIs) were calculated using Review Manager 5.3.RESULTS: In six studies 2 260 patients were enrolled to study the survival rate to discharge and longterm neurological outcome published since 2000. A signi? cant effect of ECPR was observed on survival rate to discharge compared to CCPR in CA patients(RR 2.37, 95%CI 1.63–3.45, P<0.001), and patients who underwent ECPR had a better long-term neurological outcome than those who received CCPR(RR 2.79, 95%CI 1.96–3.97, P<0.001). In subgroup analysis, there was a significant difference in survival to discharge favoring ECPR over CCPR group in OHCA patients(RR 2.69, 95%CI 1.48–4.91, P=0.001). However, no signi? cant difference was found in IHCA patients(RR 1.84, 95%CI 0.91–3.73, P=0.09).CONCLUSION: ECPR showed a bene? cial effect on survival rate to discharge and long-term neurological outcome over CCPR in adult patients with CA.

Effect of metronome rates on the quality of bag-mask ventilation during metronome-guided 30:2 cardiopulmonary resuscitation:A randomized simulation study

BACKGROUND: Metronome guidance is a feasible and effective feedback technique to improve the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR). The rate of the metronome should be set between 100 to 120 ticks/minute and the speed of ventilation may have crucial effect on the quality of ventilation. We compared three different metronome rates(100, 110, 120 ticks/minute) to investigate its effect on the quality of ventilation during metronome-guided 30:2 CPR.METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized, crossover observational study using a Respi Trainer r. To simulate 30 chest compressions, one investigator counted from 1 to 30 in cadence with the metronome rate(1 count for every 1 tick), and the participant performed 2 consecutive ventilations immediately following the counting of 30. Thirty physicians performed 5 sets of 2 consecutive(total 10) bag-mask ventilations for each metronome rate. Participants were instructed to squeeze the bag over 2 ticks(1.0 to 1.2 seconds depending on the rate of metronome) and defl ate the bag over 2 ticks. The sequence of three different metronome rates was randomized.RESULTS: Mean tidal volume significantly decreased as the metronome rate was increased from 110 ticks/minute to 120 ticks/minute(343±84 m L vs. 294±90 m L, P=0.004). Peak airway pressure significantly increased as metronome rate increased from 100 ticks/minute to 110 ticks/minute(18.7 vs. 21.6 mm Hg, P=0.006).CONCLUSION: In metronome-guided 30:2 CPR, a higher metronome rate may adversely affect the quality of bag-mask ventilations. In cases of cardiac arrest where adequate ventilation support is necessary, 100 ticks/minute may be better than 110 or 120 ticks/minute to deliver adequate tidal volume during audio tone guided 30:2 CPR.

Social attitude and willingness to attend cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and perform resuscitation in the Crimea

BACKGROUND: To promote potentially life-saving bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR), the proportion of CPR-trained general public and their attitude toward CPR should be assessed, which is yet to be done in the former Soviet Union countries. As a case study, the survey is aimed to investigate the prevalence of CPR training, CPR knowledge, attitude and willingness to attend training and attempt CPR in the general population of the Crimea.METHODS: A personal interview survey was done from November 2017 to January 2018 with quota sampling refl ecting age, gender and territorial distribution of the Crimean population.RESULTS: Out of 384 persons surveyed, 53% were trained in CPR. Of trained, 24% passed training within the last year, 44% attended a single course. Among the non-trained, 51% never thought about the need to attend training. Knowledge of CPR is generally poor. About 52% wish to learn CPR, 79% and 91% are willing to attempt CPR on a stranger or a loved one, respectively. Lack of knowledge is the strongest barrier to attempt CPR. People aged ≥60, those with educational level lower than high school, widowed and retired are mostly untrained and unwilling to learn CPR. Females and unemployed are mostly untrained, but willing to be educated.CONCLUSION: There is a need for increasing CPR training and retraining, and improving awareness and motivation to learn CPR in the Crimean population, targeting the least trained groups. The results could be used as a reference point for future studies in the former USSR countries, utilising the same methodology.

Active compression-decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) versus standard CPR for cardiac arrest patients:a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND:Active compression-decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation(ACDCPR) has been popular in the treatment of patients with cardiac arrest(CA).However,the effect of ACD-CPR versus conventional standard CPR(S-CRP) is contriversial.This study was to analyze the efficacy and safety of ACD-CPR versus S-CRP in treating CA patients.METHODS:Randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials published from January 1990 to March 2011 were searched with the phrase "active compression-decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation and cardiac arrest" in PubMed,EmBASE,and China Biomedical Document Databases.The Cochrane Library was searched for papers of meta-analysis.Restoration of spontaneous circulation(ROSC) rate,survival rate to hospital admission,survival rate at 24 hours,and survival rate to hospital discharge were considered primary outcomes,and complications after CPR were viewed as secondary outcomes.Included studies were critically appraised and estimates of effects were calculated according to the model of fixed or random effects.Inconsistency across the studies was evaluated using the I2 statistic method.Sensitivity analysis was made to determine statistical heterogeneity.RESULTS:Thirteen studies met the criteria for this meta-analysis.The studies included 396 adult CA patients treated by ACD-CPR and 391 patients by S-CRP.Totally 234 CA patients were found out hospitals,while the other 333 CA patients were in hospitals.Two studies were evaluated with high-quality methodology and the rest 11 studies were of poor quality.ROSC rate,survival rate at 24 hours and survival rate to hospital discharge with favorable neurological function indicated that ACD-CPR is superior to S-CRP,with relative risk(RR) values of 1.39(95%CI 0.99-1.97),1.94(95%CI 1.45-2.59) and 2.80(95%CI 1.60-5.24).No significant differences were found in survival rate to hospital admission and survival rate to hospital discharge for ACD-CPR versus S-CRP with RR values of 1.06(95%CI 0.76-1.60) and 1.00(95%CI 0.73-1.38).CONCLUSION:Quality controlled studies confirmed the superiority of ACD-CPR to S-CRP in terms of ROSC rate and survival rate at 24 hours.Compared with S-CRP,ACD-CPR could not improve survival rate to hospital admission or survival rate to hospital discharge.

Effect of β-sodium aescinate on hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression in rat brain cortex after cardiopulmonary resuscitation

BACKGROUND： This study was undertaken to investigate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α） in rat cerebral cortex and the effects of β-sodium aescinate （SA） administration after return of spontaneous circulation （ROSC）.METHODS： Sixty rats were divided into three groups： SA group, injected intraperitoneally with SA instantly after ROSC; control group, injected intraperitoneally with normal saline; and sham-operated group, without cardiac arrest or SA. The cardiac arrest model was established using asphyxiation and intravenous potassium chloride. Blood was sampled 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours after ROSC. Protein and mRNA levels of HIF-1α, VEGF and EPO were detected in the cerebral cortex by immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR; serum levels of NSE and S100β were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.RESULTS： Serum S100β and NSE were signi？ cantly increased in the control group versus the sham-operated group 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours after ROSC （P〈0.05）. Protein and mRNA levels of HIF-1α, VEGF and EPO were signi？ cantly increased in the control rats （P〈0.05）. Serum NSE and S100β were significantly decreased in the SA group versus the control group 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours after ROSC （P〈0.05）. Protein and mRNA levels of HIF-1α, VEGF and EPO were signi？ cantly increased in the SA group （P〈0.05）.CONCLUSIONS： The expression of HIF-1α is increased in rat cerebral cortex after ROSC, and SA up-regulates the expression of HIF-1α. The up-regulation of HIF-1α improves the resistance of the cortex to ischemia and hypoxia and contributes to neuroprotection, possibly because of up-regulation of EPO and VEGF expression.

Mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation for patients with cardiac arrest

BACKGROUND：Although modern cardiopulmonary resuscitation （CPR） substantially decreases the mortality induced by cardiac arrest, cardiac arrest still accounts for over 50% of deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases. In this article, we address the current use of mechanical devices during CPR, and also compare the CPR quality between manual and mechanical chest compression. METHODS：We compared the quality and survival rate between manual and mechanical CPR, and then reviewed the mechanical CPR in special circumstance, such as percutaneous coronary intervention, transportation, and other fields. RESULTS：Compared with manual compression, mechanical compression can often be done correctly, and thus can compromise survival; can provide high quality chest compressions in a moving ambulance; enhance the flow of blood back to the heart via a rhythmic constriction of the veins; allow ventilation and CPR to be per formed simultaneously. CONCLUSION：Mechanical devices will be widely used in clinical practice so as to improve the quality of CPR in patients with cardiac arrest.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge and attitude among general dentists in Kuwait

BACKGROUND: Dentists as health care providers should maintain a competence in resuscitation. This cannot be overemphasized by the fact that the population in our country is living longer with an increasing proportion of medically compromised persons in the general population. This preliminary study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of general dentists towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR).METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 250 licensed general dental practitioners working in ministry of health. Data were obtained through electronic self-administered questionnaire consisting of demographic data of general dentists, and their experience, attitude and knowledge about CPR based on the 2010 American Heart Association guidelines update for CPR.RESULTS: Totally 208 general dentists took part in the present study giving a response rate of 83.2%. Only 36% of the participants demonstrated high knowledge on CPR, while 64% demonstrated low knowledge. Participants' age, gender, nationality, years of experience, career hierarchy, and formal CPR training were associated significantly with CPR knowledge. Almost all the participants(99%) felt that dentists needed to be competent in basic resuscitation skills and showed a positive attitude towards attending continuing dental educational programs on CPR.CONCLUSION: This study showed that majority of general dental practitioners in Kuwait had inadequate knowledge on CPR. It was also found that CPR training signi? cantly in? uenced the CPR knowledge of the participants. Therefore, training courses on CPR should be regularly provided to general dentists in the country.

Xuebijing alters tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase content in a rat model of cardiac arrest following cardiopulmonary resuscitation

We established a rat model of cardiac arrest by clamping the endotracheal tube of adult rats at expiration. Twenty-four hours after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, nerve cell injury and expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase content were increased. Rats injected with Xuebijing, a Chinese herb compound preparation, exhibited normal cellular structure and morphology, dense neuronal cytoplasm, and decreased tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase expression at 24 hours following cardiopulmonary resuscitation. These data suggest that Xuebijing can attenuate neuronal injury induced by hypoxia and reperfusion during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The association of layperson characteristics with the quality of simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the association of layperson characteristics with cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) provision. Previous studies suggested provider characteristics, including age and gender, were associated with CPR quality, particularly chest compression(CC) depth. We sought to determine the association of subject characteristics, including age and gender with layperson CPR quality during an unannounced simulated CPR event. We hypothesized shallower CC depth in females, and older-aged subjects.METHODS: As part of a larger multicenter randomized controlled trial of CPR training for cardiac patients' caregivers, CPR skills were assessed 6 months after training. We analyzed associations between subject characteristics and CC rate, CC depth and no-? ow time. Each variable was analyzed independently; signi? cant predictors determined via univariate analysis were assessed in a multivariate regression model.RESULTS: A total of 521 laypersons completed a 6-month CPR skills assessment and were included in the analysis. Mean age was 51.8±13.7 years, 75% were female, 57% were Caucasian. Overall, mean CC rate was 88.5±25.0 per minute, CC depth was 50.9±2.0 mm, and mean no-flow time was 15.9±2.7 sec/min. CC depth decreased signi? cantly in subjects >62 years(P<0.001). Male subjects performed deeper CCs than female subjects(47.5±1.7 vs. 41.9±0.6, P<0.001).CONCLUSION: We found that layperson age >62 years and female gender are associated with shallower CC depth.