Resuscitation
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In-hospital cardiac arrest in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: characteristics and association of early intervention with risk -findings from the CCC-ACS project

Mar 19, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the characteristics and risk factors associated with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and to assess the impact of early intervention on outcomes. Their study found that IHCA occurred in 1.24% of NSTEMI patients, with a high in-hospital mortality rate, and identified several risk factors, including advanced age and elevated troponin levels, while early coronary angiography emerged as a significant protective factor. The findings highlight the importance of recognizing high-risk patients and implementing timely interventions to potentially reduce IHCA incidence.

Impact of tidal volume during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: an experimental pilot porcine study

Mar 19, 2026

This study investigates the impact of different tidal volumes (V_T) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on hemodynamics and whether capnogram analysis can assess ventilation's influence on circulation. The results indicate that a V_T of 10 ml/kg optimizes cerebral and coronary perfusion pressures compared to lower or higher volumes, while capnogram analysis effectively distinguishes thoracic distension levels associated with hemodynamic changes. The findings suggest a U-shaped relationship between V_T and circulation, highlighting the potential for capnogram monitoring in optimizing CPR ventilation settings.

Does the initial description of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest given by callers contacting Emergency Medical Services contain key indicator words which can be used to support appropriate resource deployment?

Mar 19, 2026

This study investigates whether the initial descriptions provided by callers during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) incidents contain key indicator words that can aid Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in resource deployment. By analyzing 37,532 OHCA records, the authors identified specific descriptors that correlate with the likelihood of resuscitation being withheld or survival to 30 days. The findings suggest that incorporating these indicators into EMS protocols could optimize resource allocation and improve patient outcomes.

POST-CARDIAC ARREST BRAIN INJURY MODEL: NEUROBIOMARKER KINETICS FOLLOWING GLOBAL CEREBRAL HYPOPERFUSION-REPERFUSION

Mar 19, 2026

The authors aimed to characterize the kinetics of blood-based neurobiomarkers following brief episodes of global cerebral hypoperfusion and reperfusion induced by rapid ventricular pacing during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). They found that while neuron specific enolase (NSE) levels increased progressively over time, S100B exhibited an inverse U-shaped profile, indicating distinct responses to ischemia and reperfusion, despite no patients developing neurological deficits. This study highlights the potential for measurable neurobiomarker changes during controlled low-flow states that may not manifest as clinical symptoms.

The impact of defibrillation current and pad position on return of spontaneous circulation during refractory ventricular fibrillation

Mar 19, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate how pad position and transthoracic current delivery affect the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in patients experiencing refractory ventricular fibrillation during defibrillation. Their analysis revealed that while the anteroposterior (AP) pad position delivered higher current than the standard anterolateral (AL) position, it was the pad position itself, rather than the amount of current delivered, that was independently associated with improved ROSC outcomes. This suggests that the AP positioning may enhance the efficacy of defibrillation techniques like vector-change and double sequential external defibrillation.

Multiplying Flow and Pressure: Detecting Respiratory Phases in Intra-Arrest Ventilation

Mar 16, 2026

The authors aimed to develop an algorithm for detecting respiratory phases and their onsets during intra-arrest ventilation while chest compressions are ongoing. Their approach, which leverages the relationship between airflow and airway pressure, demonstrated perfect classification of respiratory phases in regular ventilation and high accuracy during intra-arrest scenarios. The results indicate that the algorithm can effectively differentiate between ventilation-induced airflow and that caused by chest compressions, providing a robust tool for automated analysis in emergency settings.

Effect of prehospital respiratory interventions on pediatric drowning outcomes

Mar 12, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the impact of prehospital respiratory interventions, specifically airway adjuncts and supplemental oxygen, on outcomes for pediatric drowning victims. Their study found that in children experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, endotracheal intubation did not significantly improve survival or neurological outcomes compared to bag-valve mask ventilation, and there were no notable differences in outcomes for non-cardiac arrest patients based on the provision of supplemental oxygen.

Nationwide trends and future projections of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Japan: a Bayesian age-period-cohort model and demographic decomposition analysis

Mar 12, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the effects of aging, period, and birth cohort on the trends of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Japan and to project future incidence rates. Their analysis revealed a significant increase in OHCA rates from 2009 to 2023, primarily driven by population aging, and they project that this trend will continue, with rates expected to rise further by 2030. The findings highlight the implications of Japan's aging population for other countries facing similar demographic shifts.

3-Dimensional quantification of ischemic brain injury in post-cardiac arrest patients with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury

Mar 12, 2026

The authors aimed to develop a reproducible, semi-automated analysis pipeline to quantitatively assess and anatomically localize ischemic brain injury in post-cardiac arrest patients with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. Their findings revealed that ischemic injury was heterogeneous, predominantly affecting specific brain regions, with a significant lesion burden in white matter compared to gray matter. This study provides a robust method for detailed quantification of ischemic injury, enhancing the understanding of HIBI following cardiac arrest.

Decline in Rescue Breathing and Its Impact on Outcomes in Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Due to Drowning: A Nationwide Study, 2012-2023

Mar 12, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the impact of declining rescue breathing practices on outcomes in pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) due to drowning, particularly in the context of increasing adoption of compression-only CPR (CO-CPR). Their analysis of nationwide data revealed that CO-CPR was associated with higher 30-day mortality and worse neurological outcomes compared to rescue-breathing CPR (RB-CPR), especially in unwitnessed arrests. These findings highlight the critical role of rescue breathing in improving survival and neurological health in pediatric drowning cases.