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Abstract: Introduction: Echocardiography is a useful tool in patients suffering from shock of unknown origin to evaluate cardiac function and volume status in order to decide on further treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate how well participants could identify function, preload and regional wall motion abnormalities after attending a 4-day transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) seminar. Methods: In this prospective educational trial, participants of six TOE seminars from 2005 to 2006 were evaluated. On the basis of seven echocardiographic studies, evaluations by participants concerning cardiac function, preload and regional wall motion were analyzed. Moreover, specific causes of undifferentiated hypotension were to be judged in three cases by the participants. Results: A total of 115 participants of the TOE seminars from 2005 to 2006 were evaluated. Correct sectional plane was recognized by more than 76% of the participants. Left ventricular function, preload, and regional wall abnormalities were assessed correctly by the participants in 98%, 96%, and 84%, respectively. Moreover, more than 70% of the participants recognized the correct cause of hemodynamic instability. Conclusion: The results of the investigation show that participants of a 4-day TOE seminar can interpret left ventricular function, preload and regional wall motion abnormalities correctly at a very high rate. TOE seminars seem to be effective in teaching basic theoretical knowledge of TOE. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Introduction: The current guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) stipulate that an intraosseous access should be placed if establishing a peripheral venous access for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) would involve delays. The aim of this study was therefore to compare a manual intraosseous infusion technique (MAN-IO) and a semi-automatic intraosseous infusion system (EZ-IO) using adult human cadavers as a model. Materials and methods: After receiving verbal instruction and giving their written informed consent, the participants of the study were randomized into two groups (group I: MAN-IO, and group II: EZ-IO). In addition to the demographic data, the following were evaluated: (1) Number of attempts required to successfully place the infusion, (2) Insertion time, (3) Occurrence of technical complications and (4) User friendliness. Results: Evaluation protocols from 84 study participants could be evaluated (MAN-IO: n =39 vs. EZ-IO: n =45). No significant differences were seen in the study participants’ characteristics. Insertion times (MW±S.D.) of the respective successful attempts were comparable (MAN-IO: 33±28s vs. EZ-IO: 32±11s). When using the EZ-IO, the access was successfully established significantly more often on the first attempt (MAN-IO: 79.5% vs. EZ-IO: 97.8%; p <0.01). The EZ-IO was also found to have more advantages in terms of technical complications (MAN-IO: 15.4% vs. EZ-IO: 0.0%; p <0.01) and user friendliness (school grading system: MAN-IO: 1.9±0.7 vs. EZ-IO: 1.2±0.4; p <0.01). Conclusions: In an adult human cadaver model, the semi-automatic system was proven to be more effective. The EZ-IO gave more successful results, was associated with fewer technical complications, and is user friendlier. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Introduction: Successful management of emergency patients with multiple trauma in the hospital resuscitation room depends on the immediate diagnosis and rapid treatment of the most life-threatening injuries. In order to reduce the time spent in the resuscitation room, an in-hospital algorithm was developed in an interdisciplinary team approach with respect to local structures. The aim of the study was to analyse whether this algorithm affects the interval between hospital admission and the completion of diagnostic procedures and the start of life-saving interventions. Moreover, in-hospital mortality was investigated before and after the algorithm was introduced. Material and methods: In this prospective study, all consecutive trauma patients in the resuscitation room were investigated before (group I, 01/04–10/04) and after (group II, 01/05–11/05) introduction of the algorithm. The times between hospital admission and the end of the diagnostic procedures (ultrasound [sono], chest X-ray [CF], and cranial computed tomography [CCT]), and between hospital admission and the start of life-saving interventions were registered and in-hospital mortality analysed. Results: In the study period, 170 patients in group I and 199 patients in group II were investigated. Injury severity score (ISS) were comparable between the two groups. The intervals between admission and completion of diagnostic procedures were significantly lower after the algorithm was introduced (mean±S.D.): sono (11±10min versus 7±6min, p <0.05), CF (21±12min versus 12±9min, p <0.01), and CCT (55±27min versus 32±14min, p <0.01). Moreover, the interval to the start of life-saving interventions was significantly shorter (126±90min versus 51±20min, p <0.01). After introducing the algorithm, in-hospital mortality was reduced significantly from 33.3% to 16.7% (p <0.05) in the most severely injured patients (ISS≥25). Conclusion: The introduction of an algorithm for early management of emergency patients significantly reduced the time spent in the resuscitation room. The periods to completion of sono, CF, and CCT, respectively, and the start of life-saving interventions were significantly shorter after introduction of the algorithm. Moreover, introduction of the algorithm reduced mortality in the most severely injured patients. Although further investigations are needed to evaluate the effects of the Heidelberg treatment algorithm in terms of outcome and mortality, the time reduction in the resuscitation room seems to be beneficial. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Up to 20,000 patients annually suffer from spinal cord injury (SCI) and 20% of these die before being admitted to the hospital in the United States as well as in the European Union. Prehospital management of SCI is of critical importance since 25% of SCI damage may occur or be aggravated after the initial event. Prehospital management includes examination of the patient, spinal immobilisation, careful airway management (intubation, if indicated, using manual in-line stabilisation), and cardiovascular support (maintenance of mean arterial blood pressure above 90mmHg) and blood glucose levels within the normal range. It is still not known whether additional specific therapy is useful. Studies have not demonstrated convincingly that methylprednisolone (MPS) or other pharmacological agents really have clinically significant and important benefits for patients suffering from SCI. Recently published statements from the United States also do not support the therapeutic use of MPS in patients suffering from SCI in the prehospital setting any more. Moreover, at this stage, it is not known whether therapeutic hypothermia or any further pharmacological intervention has beneficial effects or not. Therefore, networks for clinical studies in SCI patients should be established, as a basic requirement for further improvement in outcome in such patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction of accredited Cardiac Arrest Centers. Patients after OHCA who were transferred to one of three university hospitals before and after CAC accreditation were analyzed retrospectively concerning treatment and outcome variables. Created with https://www.biorender.com/ [Display omitted] Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a frequent medical emergency with low survival rates even after a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Growing evidence supports formation of dedicated teams in scenarios like cardiogenic shock to improve prognosis. Thus, the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) recommended introduction of Cardiac Arrest Centers (CAC) in their 2015 guidelines. Here, we aimed to elucidate the effects of newly introduced CACs in Germany regarding survival rate and neurological outcome. A multicenter retrospective observational cohort study was performed at three university hospitals and outcomes after OHCA were compared before and after CAC accreditation. Primary outcomes were survival until discharge and favorable neurological status (CPC 1 or 2) at discharge. In total 784 patients (368 before and 416 after CAC accreditation) were analyzed. Rates of immediate percutaneous coronary intervention (40 vs. 52%, p = 0.01) and implementation of extracorporeal CPR (8 vs. 13%, p < 0.05) increased after CAC accreditation. Likelihood of favorable neurological status at discharge was higher after CAC accreditation (71 vs. 87%, p < 0.01), whereas overall survival remained similar (35 vs. 35%, p > 0.99). CAC accreditation is linked to higher rates of favorable neurological outcome and unchanged overall survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: An effective airway management is pivotal for treating hypoxia and to ensure reoxygenation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This matched-pair analysis from the German Resuscitation Registry (GRR) investigates the outcomes of various methods of airway management used on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients.Methods: 89,220 OHCA patients were reported between 01/01/2007 and 12/31/2017. After applying exclusion and inclusion criteria, the resulting 19,196 patient's data were analyzed. Endpoints were return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), hospital admission, 24-h survival, hospital discharge, and discharge with cerebral performance categories 1,2 (CPC1,2). Three categories of airway management were defined: endotracheal tube ("ETT"), laryngeal tube ("LT_only"), and laryngeal to endotracheal tube exchange ("LTEX"). The groups were matched with respect to age, gender, aetiology or location of OHCA, witnessing or CPR by lay people, initial rhythm, and use of epinephrine and amiodarone.Results: "ETT" versus "LT_only" was associated with higher short- and long-term outcome rates and better neurological recovery (CPC_1.2: 7.7 vs. 5.8%, OR = 1.35, 95%-CI = 1.09-1.67, n = 5552). "LTEX" versus "LT_only" showed significantly higher ROSC- and 24-h survival rate (33.7 vs. 21.8%, OR = 1.82, 95%-CI = 1.51-2.2, n = 2302). "LTEX" versus "ETT" revealed significantly higher ROSC- and 24-h survival rate (34.6 vs. 30.4%, OR = 1.21, 95%-CI = 1.03-1.42, n = 2608).Conclusion: "ETT" was associated with higher survival rates and better neurological outcomes in comparison to "LT_only". The strategy of "LTEX" versus "LT_only" or "ETT" was only associated with better short-term outcomes. Our observational registry data suggests that endotracheal intubation by physician staffed EMS is the optimal airway strategy for OHCA in our system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sudden cardiac arrest is a relevant problem with a significant number of deaths in Europe.Aim: Using data from the German Resuscitation Register (GRR), we examined changes in epidemiology and therapeutic interventions over a 15-year period in order to identify key factors contributing to favourable outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients.Methods: GRR data were analysed in 5-year periods (2006-2010 vs 2011-2015 vs 2016-2020) representing changes in the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines. Group comparison of OHCA patients was made for epidemiological and resuscitation-associated factors. Endpoints included 30-day survival and hospital discharge with a good neurological outcome (CPC 1,2). Matched-pair analysis compared outcomes, and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis identified variables with effects on survival.Results: A total of 42,997 GRR patients were studied (2006-2010: n = 3,471, 2011-2015: n = 16,122, 2016-2020: n = 23,404). Proportion of patients over 80 years, use of intraosseous (IO) access and supraglottic airway devices, rate of bystander CPR, and the proportion of telephone CPR increased over the study period. The 30-day survival, and hospital discharge rates with CPC1/2 were unchanged. After adjusting cohorts using matched pairs, a higher CPC1,2 rate was observed (8.8 vs 10.2%, p < 0.03). Logistic regression analysis showed that IO and SAD had an unfavourable impact on outcome.Conclusion: Despite a significant increase in bystander and telephone CPR rates, no improvement in 30-day survival and hospital discharge rate with CPC1,2 was observed. Initial rhythm (VF/VT), cardiac and hypoxic cause of CA, bystander CPR and IV access were identified as factors associated with a favourable neurological outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]