BACKGROUND There is increasing evidence that defibrillation from prolonged ventricular fibrillation (VF) before CPR decreases survival. It remains unclear, however, whether harmful effects are due primarily to initial countershock of ischemic myocardium or to resultant postdefibrillation rhythms (ie, pulseless electrical activity [PEA] or asystole). METHODS AND RESULTS We induced 15 dogs into...

INTRODUCTION Mounting evidence suggests that high-fidelity mannequin-based (HFMBS) and computer-based simulation are useful adjunctive educational tools for advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) instruction. We sought to determine whether access to a supplemental, online computer-based ACLS simulator would improve students' performance on a standardized Mega Code using high-fidelity mannequin ba...

BACKGROUND Prospective and retrospective studies have shown that empiric use of fibrinolytic agents in sudden cardiac arrest is safe and may improve outcomes in sudden cardiac arrest. Use of fibrinolytic agents for this indication is increasing in response to these data. METHODS A prospective multicenter observational trial was performed in three emergency departments (EDs) to determine the p...

To increase cardiopulmonary arrest survival, the American Heart Association developed basic and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) courses that expose participants to realistic learning situations. This experimental study compared results of two ACLS classes on measures of knowledge (content exam) and resuscitation skills (performance exam). Both the control and experimental groups consisted ...

OUT-OF-HOSPITAL CARDIAC arrest survival remains poor in most jurisdictions more than 30 years after Pantridge and Geddes introduced the concept of providing advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) care to patients with cardiac arrest outside of the hospital setting with mobile intensive care vehicles in Belfast. Reported cardiac arrest survival rates range from 1% to 20%, and this variation can be...

Rescuer ventilation has always been an integral part of both basic (BLS) and advanced (ACLS) cardiac life support.1 Despite 5 decades of continuous attempts to improve training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), maintenance of free airways and adequate ventilation continue to be difficult skills to acquire and maintain for both lay persons and professionals. Because of airway problems and ...

A prospective alternate-day controlled trial of prehospital transcutaneous cardiac pacing (PACE) of hemodynamically significant bradycardia and asystole was undertaken. All patients had a Glasgow coma scale score of 12 or less. Patients in the control group (n = 101) received standard advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) care. Patients in the pacing group (n = 101) were to receive PACE in addit...