Thesis (MPH) --University of Limpopo, 2007. / Aim of the study: To determine knowledge of CPR and heart attack or cardiac arrest signs and symptoms among university students. Study Design: A questionnaire based descriptive, cross – sectional study. Setting: University of Limpopo – Turfloop Campus in Limpopo Province of South Africa. Subjects: A total sample of 400 students participated in the study. The sample was selected randomly using simple random sampling techniques. Outcome measures: The faculty, age, gender and level of study were determined as well as the knowledge each student has on signs and symptoms of impending heart attack and CPR.Results: Of the 400 students only 26% (n=104) knew the signs and symptoms of an impending heart attack as well as out of hospital management of heart attack by performing CPR. There were differences between and within faculties, age groups, gender and level of study. Based on the Bonferroni test the student from faculty of Sciences, Health and Agriculture are more likely (p-value 0017) to know when to perform CPR compared to students from other faculties. Level of study is not associated (p-value 0128) with how much the students know about the timing and indications of CPR. Overall female students performed worse with 79% (n=123) responding incorrectly to the questions compared to 69% (n=169) males. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study it safely can be concluded that the students’ knowledge of signs and symptoms of an impending heart attack and CPR procedure is poor. It is therefore important for the university as a center of teaching and learning to consider including as part of university curriculum, basic life support and first aid courses which include CPR. The inclusion of basic life support and first aid in university curriculum will prepare students to be able to effectively manage out of hospital heart attack and reduce mortality resulting from the latter. The findings of this study might to a certain extent be reflecting what the public’s knowledge on the subject is, hence the need for the policy makers to take serious note of the findings when public health promotion programmes are developed.

Background: The new guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation states that the family should be given the opportunity to be present at the resuscitation of a close relative. A cardiac arrest is an emotional experience for the family. In addition to being part of the resuscitation effort, the nurse also needs to take care of the family. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe nurses' experiences of family presence during resuscitation. Method: A literature review has been made of 13 studies where differences and similarities were analyzed. The articles were published between the years of 2009 – 2013 Result: The nurses' experiences were divided into three categories; Factors that affect family presence, The nurse' experience surrounding the presence of the family, Factors affecting family presence in the resuscitation room. The result showed that, the feeling of confidence, the ability to work under stressful conditions, the reactions of the family and external prerequisites and the presences of a family support person were important. All nurses had unique experiences that influenced their attitudes towards family presence during resuscitation. Conclusion: Every resuscitation is unique and the family's presence should be evaluated. The need for a family support person was identified as an important factor to ease the family's presence. Local protocols should be created that clearly states the decision process and whom become the family support person. Travelbee's nursing theory facilitates the comprehension of the interactions between the family and the nurse.

Thesis (MPH) -- University of Limpopo, 2007. / Aim of the study: To determine knowledge of CPR and heart attack or cardiac arrest signs and symptoms among university students. Study Design: A questionnaire based descriptive, cross – sectional study. Setting: University of Limpopo – Turfloop Campus in Limpopo Province of South Africa. Subjects: A total sample of 400 students participated in the study. The sample was selected randomly using simple random sampling techniques. Outcome measures: The faculty, age, gender and level of study were determined as well as the knowledge each student has on signs and symptoms of impending heart attack and CPR. Results: Of the 400 students only 26% (n=104) knew the signs and symptoms of an impending heart attack as well as out of hospital management of heart attack by performing CPR. There were differences between and within faculties, age groups, gender and level of study. Based on the Bonferroni test the student from faculty of Sciences, Health and Agriculture are more likely (p-value 0017) to know when to perform CPR compared to students from other faculties. Level of study is not associated (p-value 0128) with how much the students know about the timing and indications of CPR. Overall female students performed worse with 79% (n=123) responding incorrectly to the questions compared to 69% (n=169) males. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study it safely can be concluded that the students’ knowledge of signs and symptoms of an impending heart attack and CPR procedure is poor. It is therefore important for the university as a center of teaching and learning to consider including as part of university curriculum, basic life support v and first aid courses which include CPR. The inclusion of basic life support and first aid in university curriculum will prepare students to be able to effectively manage out of hospital heart attack and reduce mortality resulting from the latter. The findings of this study might to a certain extent be reflecting what the public’s knowledge on the subject is, hence the need for the policy makers to take serious note of the findings when public health promotion programmes are developed.

Objective: There is growing evidence that therapeutic hypothermia and other post-resuscitation care improves outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Thus, transporting patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) to specialized facilities may increase survival rates. However, it is unknown whether prolonging transport to reach a designated facility would be detrimental. Methods: Data from OHCA patients treated in EMS systems that cover approximately 70% of Arizona's population were evaluated (October 2004-December 2006). We analyzed the association between transport interval (depart scene to ED arrival) and survival to hospital discharge in adult, non-traumatic OHCA patients and in the subgroup who achieved ROSC and remained comatose. Results: 1846 OHCA occurred prior to EMS arrival. Complete transport interval data were available for 1177 (63.8%) patients (study group). 253 patients (21.5%) achieved ROSC and remained comatose making them theoretically eligible for transport to specialized care. Overall, 70 patients (5.9%) survived and 43 (17.0%) comatose ROSC patients survived. Mean transport interval for the study group was 6.9 min (95% CI: 6.7, 7.1). Logistic regression revealed factors that were independently associated with survival: witnessed arrest, bystander CPR, method of CPR, initial rhythm of ventricular fibrillation, and shorter EMS response time interval. There was no significant association between transport interval and outcome in either the overall study group (OR = 1.2; 0.77, 1.8) or in the comatose, ROSC subgroup (OR 0.94; 0.51, 1.8). Conclusion: Survival was not significantly impacted by transport interval. This suggests that a modest increase in transport interval from bypassing the closest hospital en route to specialized care is safe and warrants further investigation.

In Botswana, nurses play a major role in the provision of healthcare. Most of the time it is the professional nurses who frequently discover patients with cardiac arrests and it is necessary for them to be trained to perform CPR as efficiently as possible. The aim of this study is to describe and explore the perceptions, barriers and needs as experienced by nurses in Botswana during the provision of CPR. For this study, the researcher utilised both quantitative and qualitative research designs in four phases. Phase one assessed and audited the existing available facilities in the provision of CPR. Phase two investigated the existing knowledge and skills of registered nurses in the performance of CPR. Focus groups discussions and semi-structured interviews were held during phase three to identify the perceived barriers, needs in the performance of CPR. In phase four, the researcher made recommendation to improve the provision of CPR in relation to system, nurse and patient. Convenience sampling and purposive sampling were used in this study respectively. The auditing of the equipment in the two referral hospitals showed that the availability of equipment was below 50%. The CPR knowledge and skills demonstrated by the nurses in the pre-test were inadequate. Following CPR training with the help of a manikin, the knowledge and skills among registered nurses improved substantially. The focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews among registered nurses and senior nurse mangers revealed that there was a lack of organisational support and resources, lack of knowledge and skills among registered nurses, inadequate policies and protocols are the major contributory factors affecting the registered nurses performance in the provision of CPR. In order to enhance the performance of the registered nurses while providing CPR, the researcher recommends the two referral hospitals to • have adequate provision of equipment • introduce regular BLS training program for registered nurses • have clearly defined policies regarding the nurses’ role on end-of-life care / Health Studies

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that hypothermia and early reperfusion are synergistic for limiting infarct size when an acutely occluded coronary is associated with cardiac arrest. BACKGROUND Cohort studies have shown that 1 in 4 post-cardiac arrest patients without ST-segment elevation has an acutely occluded coronary artery. However, many interventional cardiologists remain unconvinced that immediate coronary angiography is needed in these patients. METHODS Thirty-two swine (mean weight 35 +/- 5 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of the following 4 treatment groups: group A, hypothermia and reperfusion; group B, hypothermia and no reperfusion; group C, no hypothermia and reperfusion; and group D, no hypothermia and no reperfusion. The left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded with an intracoronary balloon, and ventricular fibrillation was electrically induced. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was begun after 4 min of cardiac arrest. Defibrillation was attempted after 2 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Resuscitated animals randomized to hypothermia were rapidly cooled to 34 degrees C, whereas those randomized to reperfusion had such after 45 min of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion. RESULTS At 4 h, myocardial infarct size was calculated. Group A had the smallest infarct size at 16.1 +/- 19.6% (p < 0.05). Group C had an intermediate infarct size at 29.5 +/- 20.2%, whereas groups B and D had the largest infarct sizes at 41.5 +/- 15.5% and 41.1 +/- 15.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Acute coronary occlusion is often associated with cardiac arrest, so treatment of resuscitated patients should include early coronary angiography for potential emergent reperfusion, while providing hypothermia for both brain and myocardial protection. Providing only early hypothermia, while delaying coronary angiography, is not optimal. (J Am Coll Cardiol Intv 2016; 9: 2403-12)

Over the past century, resuscitation of victims of hemorrhage with crystalloid or colloid solutions has proven time and again to enhance survival. Recent animal studies have shown even further improvement if drag reducing polymers (DRPs) were added in nanomolar concentrations to these resuscitation fluids. Nevertheless, our fundamental understanding of how the microcirculation responds to hemorrhage is incomplete, as well as how properties of resuscitation fluids may modulate microvascular blood flow and tissue oxygen delivery. In the present study, we examined the systemic and microcirculatory responses to hemorrhage, as they relate to hemodynamics and oxygenation, and how resuscitation fluids modify these responses. Fourteen anesthetized, male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a volume hemorrhage that reduced their blood volume by 30%. After 30 minutes of hemorrhagic hypotension, the animals were resuscitated either with a conventional colloid solution of Hespan (6% hetastarch), or Hespan plus 10 parts per million of the drag reducing polymer polyethylene oxide. A volume of either fluid equal to the shed blood volume was infused over a period of one hour. All the animals were observed for two hours following the initiation of fluid resuscitation or until they expired, with measurements made at 30-minute intervals during this time. Unlike previous studies, this study found no significant improvement in blood flow and tissue oxygenation, and no significant difference between the Control and DRP groups.

Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers for use as transfusion fluids have emerged as a leading technology directed at stemming shortages of a safe blood supply and providing a readily available resuscitation fluid in various trauma situations. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of isovolemic hemodilution with Hespan and a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) on erythrocyte-associated transients (EATs) in capillary PO2. The particulate nature of blood flow in capillaries, when observed from a stationary observation point, results in fluctuations of PO2 as alternating red blood cells and plasma gaps move through the detection region. Therefore, through experimental methods which provided the necessary temporal and spatial resolution required to make such measurements, EATs can be observed and corresponding PO2 fluctuations can be determined. The spinotrapezius muscle in sixteen Sprague-Dawley rats was exteriorized for intravital microscopy measurements in capillaries. Capillary PO2 was measured using Pd-porphyrin phosphorescence quenching microcopy. The hemodiluents used in isovolemic hemodilution included Hespan, a non-oxygen carrying plasma expander, and Oxyglobin®, a HBOC. Two isovolemic hemodilution steps were performed, reducing the systemic hematocrit to an average of 27.5% after the first step and 13.5% after the second step. Results showed that erythrocyte-associated transients in PO2 can be observed in the rat spinotrapezius with significant differences occurring between red blood cell and plasma gap PO2 under control conditions, isovolemic hemodilution with Oxyglobin after step one, and isovolemic hemodilution with Hespan after step two. This study concludes that EATs are observable and PO2 transients relating to EATs can be measured in the rat spinotrapezius muscle. Furthermore, it can be concluded that the HBOC Oxyglobin caused a decrease in erythrocyte-associated capillary PO2 transients, as well as a general decrease in capillary PO2. In addition, this study concludes that erythrocyte-associated capillary PO2 transients can best be observed under control conditions and after step two of isovolemic hemodilution with Hespan.

O ensino de enfermagem em ressuscitação cardiopulmonar (RCP) deve refletir a prática baseada em evidências, as diretrizes da American Heart Assossiation (AHA) e basear-se nos cenários de prática clínica incluindo o reconhecimento da parada cardiorrespiratória, em qualquer ambiente de atenção à saúde. Este estudo trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura e tem como referencial teórico a prática baseada em evidência. Buscou-se identificar e analisar na literatura as evidências oriundas dos estudos primários que abordassem as estratégias de ensino e aprendizagem da RCP em adultos, para os estudantes de graduação em enfermagem. A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados PUBMED, EMBASE, CINAHL e LILACS, no período de 2000 a 2011. Das 591 referências encontradas, 18 estudos primários fizeram parte desta amostra. Foi realizada a extração e análise dos dados, por dois revisores. Foram encontradas as seguintes evidências nos estudos primários: sete de nível II, dois de nível III, dois nível IV e sete estudos de nível VI. Instrução por pares, aprendizagem assistida por computador, aprendizagem baseada em problemas, simulações de alta e baixa finalidade, autoinstrução por leitura de manuais do BLS, autoinstrução por vídeo e a estratégia tradicional têm sido explorados pelos pesquisadores para ensinar e avaliar o nível de aquisição e da retenção dos conhecimentos e das habilidades dos estudantes de enfermagem em RCP. Os estudos de evidência II apresentam comparações entre a estratégia de simulação com o padrão da AHA, com os menequins de média e alta fidelidade, com os estudantes de diferentes níveis de formação; dois estudos comparam estratégias Instrução por pares com a estratégia de ensino tradicional e outro estudo comparando a autoinstrução com a tradicional e com a web-based. O uso da estratégia de simulação com cenários estruturados e com manequins de alta fidelidade mostrou-se, em relação as demais estratégias, a que melhor apresentou subsído para a retenção do conhecimento e aquisição de habilidades na realização da RCP, de acordo com as recomendações das diretrizes da AHA. Os estudos primários mostraram que a retenção do conhecimento e das habilidades apresenta declínio com o passar do tempo, independente da estratégia utilizada pelo professor, sendo necessárias sessões de repetição para que as habilidades não se deteriorem. / Nursing teaching of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should reflect the evidence-based practice, the guidelines of the American Heart Association (AHA), and be based on clinical practice scenarios, including the recognition of cardiopulmonary arrest in any environment of health care. This study is an integrative literature review and has the evidence-based practice as the theoretical referential. It aimed to identify and analyze in the literature the evidences from the primary studies that addressed teaching and learning strategies of CPR in adults for undergraduate nursing students. The search was conducted in the PUBMED, EMBASE, CINAHL and LILACS databases in the period from 2000 to 2011. Of the 591 found references, 18 primary studies were part of this sample. Data extraction and analysis were performed by two reviewers. The following evidence in the primary studies were found: seven of level II, three of level III, two of level IV, and six studies of level VI. Peer instruction, computer-assisted learning, problem based learning, high and low-fidelity simulations, self education by reading BLS manual, self education by video and traditional strategy have been explored by researchers to teach and evaluate the level of acquisition and retention of knowledge and skills of nursing students in CPR. Studies of evidence II show comparisons among the simulation strategy with the AHA standard, with the medium and high-fidelity mannequins, and with students of different levels of training; two studies comparing peer instruction strategy with traditional teaching strategy, and another study comparing self education with traditional and web-based strategies. The use of simulation strategy with structured scenarios and high-fidelity mannequins was that showed, in relation to other strategies, better subsidy for the retention of knowledge and skill acquisition in CPR, according to the recommendations and guidelines of the AHA. The primary studies showed that the retention of knowledge and skills declined over time, regardless of the strategy used by the professor, requiring repeated sessions so that skills do not deteriorate.

A parada cardiorrespiratória (PCR) é uma situação que requer atuação imediata dos profissionais da saúde. Na maioria dos hospitais e unidades de saúde, a equipe de enfermagem é a primeira a chegar em casos de PCR, devendo ser competente em iniciar as manobras de ressuscitação cardiopulmonar (RCP). Dentre os procedimentos durante a RCP, a intubação endotraqueal é o padrão ouro para abordagem das vias aéreas, mas nem todos os profissionais de saúde estão aptos a realizá-la. A máscara laríngea é um dispositivo que permite a formação de um selo ao redor da laringe, oferecendo uma satisfatória alternativa para manejo das vias aéreas. O referencial teórico-metodológico utilizado foi o da Prática Baseada em Evidências, que preconiza a aplicação de resultados de pesquisas na prática profissional do enfermeiro. O estudo teve como objetivo identificar as evidências disponíveis na literatura sobre a abordagem de vias aéreas por meio da inserção da máscara laríngea pelo enfermeiro, na RCP, em pacientes adultos. A metodologia adotada foi a revisão integrativa da literatura cujo propósito é reunir e sintetizar o conhecimento sobre a temática proposta. As bases de dados acessadas foram: LILACS, PUBMED, CINAHL e COCHRANE com os descritores controlados laryngeal masks AND cardiopulmonary resuscitation AND nursing. Após leitura exaustiva dos artigos foram selecionadas 18 referencias. Os resultados evidenciaram que 66,5% dos estudos foram oriundos do Reino Unido, o periódico que apresentou maior número de publicações foi a Resuscitation (cinco), 50% dos estudos foram realizados somente por médicos, 28% somente por enfermeiros e 11% por ambos, conjuntamente. Em relação ao delineamento de pesquisa foram encontrados seis estudos (33,5%) de delineamento quaseexperimental, 12 (66,5%) de delineamento não-experimental, sendo três do tipo survey/descritivo/exploratório (25%), um prospectivo (8,5%) e oito relatos de experiência/opinião de especialista (66,5%). Os estudos foram agrupados em três momentos históricos (antes da publicação das diretrizes de RCP de 2000, entre as diretrizes de 2000 e 2005 e após as diretrizes de 2005). Verificou-se que o grande impacto dos estudos publicados na década de 90 foi evidenciado nas diretrizes de 2005, pois as embasaram e foram citados nas mesmas (estudos 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 e 9). Conclui-se que a mascara laríngea é de fundamental importância para manejo de vias aéreas em situações criticas, necessita de treinamento para sua utilização e, quando testada em manequins, mostrou-se eficaz, atingindo taxas de sucesso em sua inserção e nas ventilações, próximas a 100%. É um dispositivo de fácil manuseio e inserção, minimiza o risco de distensão gástrica, regurgitação e aspiração em relação à unidade bolsa-valva-máscara. A ausência de estudos com delineamento experimental acerca da temática, evidencia a necessidade de investigações cientificas envolvendo mascara laríngea, ressuscitação cardiopulmonar e enfermagem, com o intuito de subsidiar a pratica clínica do enfermeiro e sua tomada de decisão acerca do cuidado prestado ao paciente. Os enfermeiros atuaram nos estudos como sujeitos e puderam identificar, compreender e sinalizar aspectos relevantes dos atributos cognitivo, técnicos e demais habilidades para executarem tal intervenção, permitindo-se prestar assistência de enfermagem com qualidade e embasamento técnico-científico em situações de emergência. / Heart arrest (HA) is a situation that demands immediate action from health professionals. In most hospitals and health units, the nursing team is the first to arrive in cases of HA, and should be competent to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) maneuvers. In CPR procedures, endotracheal intubation is the gold standard for the airways, but not all health professionals are apt to perform this procedure. The laryngeal mask is a device that permits forming a seal around the larynx, offering a satisfactory alternative for airway management. The theoretical-methodological reference framework of Evidence-Based Practice was used, which recommends that research results be applied in nurses professional practice. This study aimed to identify available evidence in literature about airway management by nurses through the insertion of the laryngeal mask, during CPR, in adult patients. The integrative literature review method was adopted, which aims to join and synthesize knowledge on the proposed theme. The following databases were accessed: LILACS, PUBMED, CINAHL and COCHRANE, using the controlled descriptors laryngeal masks AND cardiopulmonary resuscitation AND nursing. After exhaustive reading of the articles, 18 references were selected. The results evidenced that 66.5% of the studies came from the United Kingdom; the journal with the largest number of publications was Resuscitation (five); 50% of the studies was performed by physicians only, 28% by nurses only and 11% by both, in cooperation. As to research design, six studies (33.5%) had a quasiexperimental design and 12 (66.5%) a non-experimental design, with three survey/descriptive/exploratory studies (25%), one prospective study (8.5%) and eight experience reports/expert opinions (66.5%). Studies were grouped at three moments in time (before the publication of the 2000 CPR guidelines, between the 2000 and 2005 guidelines and after the 2005 guidelines). The strong impact of the studies published in the 1990s was evidenced in the 2005 guidelines, which constituted the base and were cited in that document (studies 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9). It is concluded that the laryngeal mask is fundamentally important for airway management in critical situations, requires training for its use and showed its efficiency when tested on manikins, reaching success levels of nearly 100% for insertion and ventilations. The device is easy to manage and insert, minimizes the risk of gastric distension, regurgitation and aspiration of the bag-valve-mask unit. The lack of studies about the theme with an experimental design evidences the need for scientific research involving laryngeal mask, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and nursing, with a view to supporting clinical nursing practice and nurses decision making about patient care delivery. Nurses participated in the studies and could identify, understand and signal relevant aspects of the cognitive and technical attributes and other skills to perform this intervention, with a view to nursing care delivery with quality and theoretical-scientific support in emergency situations.