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

Cardiac arrest: Pre-hospital strategies to facilitate successful resuscitation and improve recovery rates

The estimated annual incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is approximately 120 cases per 100000 inhabitants in western countries. Although the rates of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of automated external defibrillator are increasing, the likelihood of survival to hospital discharge is no more than 8%. To date, various devices and methods have been utilized in the initial CPR approach targeting to improve survival and neurological outcomes in OHCA patients. The aim of this review is to discuss strategies that facilitate resuscitation, increase the chance to achieve return to spontaneous circulation and improve survival to hospital discharge and neurological outcomes in the pre-hospital setting.

Thoughts on recent articles on cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Comments were made on some thought-provoking articles, which included articles that dealt with cardiac arrest (CA). Two articles on CA elaborate on the role of automated compression devices to provide chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in "hostile" environments and on a predictive model in cases of out-of-hospital CA (OHCA). CPR after CA has been practiced for centuries, and the evolution until current modern-day practices are discussed. The delay in adopting efficient techniques of resuscitation by the medical community for decades is also touched upon. Both in-hospital and OHCA are discussed along with guidelines and strategies to improve outcomes. Areas of possible research in the future are mentioned.