Friday, July 23, 2010

The recent JAMA editorial on CPR

---doesn’t get it right. The authors conclude:

Improving the speed with which CPR and defibrillation are delivered will undoubtedly save more lives. But the fact remains that the fundamental knowledge of how to treat cardiac arrest has not changed appreciably in the past 5 decades. High survival rates and return of normal neurological function remain elusive. Perhaps a significant improvement in survival will require a multidisciplinary approach to the causes of ventricular fibrillation and a better understanding of cardiac arrest pathophysiology. Until then, it is important to redouble efforts to ensure better delivery of what is known can help.


Hmm. What about therapeutic hypothermia, the post-resuscitation bundle, regional centers for post arrest care and Ewy’s cardiocerebral resuscitation?

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