Survival After Ventricular Fibrillation Cardiac Arrest in the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Subway System: First Successful Targeted Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program in Latin America.

Targeted automated external defibrillator (AED) programs have improved survival rates among patients who have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in US airports, as well as European and Japanese railways. The Sao Paulo (Brazil) Metro subway carries 4.5 million people per day. A targeted AED program was begun in the Sao Paulo Metro with the objective to improve survival from cardiac arrest. A prospective, longitudinal, observational study of all cardiac arrests in the Sao Paulo Metro was performed from September 2006 through November 2012. This study focused on cardiac arrest by ventricular arrhythmias, and the primary endpoint was survival to hospital discharge with minimal neurological impairment. A total of 62 patients had an initial cardiac rhythm of ventricular fibrillation. Because no data on cardiac arrest treatment or outcomes existed before beginning this project, the first 16 months of the implementation was used as the initial experience and compared with the subsequent 5 years of full operation. Return of spontaneous circulation was not different between the initial 16 months and the subsequent 5 years (6 of 8 [75%] vs. 39 of 54 [72%]; P=0.88). However, survival to discharge was significantly different once the full program was instituted (0 of 8 vs. 23 of 54 [43%]; P=0.001). Implementation of a targeted AED program in the Sao Paulo Metro subway system saved lives. A short interval between arrest and defibrillation was key for good long-term, neurologically intact survival. These results support strategic expansion of targeted AED programs in other large Latin American cities.

Gianotto-Oliveira R ，Gonzalez MM ，Vianna CB ，Monteiro Alves M ，Timerman S ，Kalil Filho R ，Kern KB ... -  《Journal of the American Heart Association》

Public-access automated external defibrillation and bystander-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation in schools: a nationwide investigation in Japan.

We aimed to reveal the effects of application of public-access automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and bystander-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on survival of paediatric patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) occurring on school campuses in Japan. Data were obtained from a nationwide prospective observational study of paediatric OHCAs in school settings in Japan, termed Stop and Prevent cardIac aRrest, Injury, and Trauma in Schools (SPIRITS). Non-traumatic OHCA patients from elementary school, junior high school, and high school/technical college between April 2008 and December 2015 were enrolled. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the effect of bystander interventions (i.e. public-access AED application and bystander-CPR) on 30-day survival with favourable neurological outcome. In total, 232 OHCA cases were analysed. The proportion of 30-day survival with favourable neurological outcome was significantly higher among the patients receiving both public-access AED application and bystander-CPR than those without any bystander intervention (50.9% vs. 20.0%, adjusted odds ratio 4.08, 95% confidence interval 1.25-13.31; P = 0.020). During the study period, the proportion of patients to whom public-access AEDs were applied increased significantly (from 61.9% in 2008 to 87.0% in 2015, P-for trend = 0.014). Accordingly, the proportion of 30-day survival with favourable neurological outcome improved significantly (from 38.1% in 2005 to 56.5% in 2015, P-for trend = 0.026). The combination of public-access AED application and bystander-CPR increased the chance of survival approximately four-fold in schools. The nationwide efforts towards disseminating public-access defibrillation systems in school settings may reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death among school children.

Kiyohara K ，Sado J ，Kitamura T ，Ayusawa M ，Nitta M ，Iwami T ，Nakata K ，Sobue T ，Kitamura Y ... -  《-》

Public Access Defibrillation Programs: Improving Outcomes Worldwide.

Valdes SO 《-》

Antiarrhythmic Drugs for Nonshockable-Turned-Shockable Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: The ALPS Study (Amiodarone, Lidocaine, or Placebo).

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) commonly presents with nonshockable rhythms (asystole and pulseless electric activity). It is unknown whether antiarrhythmic drugs are safe and effective when nonshockable rhythms evolve to shockable rhythms (ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia [VF/VT]) during resuscitation. Adults with nontraumatic OHCA, vascular access, and VF/VT anytime after ≥1 shock(s) were prospectively randomized, double-blind, to receive amiodarone, lidocaine, or placebo by paramedics. Patients presenting with initial shock-refractory VF/VT were previously reported. The current study was a prespecified analysis in a separate cohort that initially presented with nonshockable OHCA and was randomized on subsequently developing shock-refractory VF/VT. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included discharge functional status and adverse drug-related effects. Of 37 889 patients with OHCA, 3026 with initial VF/VT and 1063 with initial nonshockable-turned-shockable rhythms were treatment-eligible, were randomized, and received their assigned drug. Baseline characteristics among patients with nonshockable-turned-shockable rhythms were balanced across treatment arms, except that recipients of a placebo included fewer men and were less likely to receive bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Active-drug recipients in this cohort required fewer shocks, supplemental doses of their assigned drug, and ancillary antiarrhythmic drugs than recipients of a placebo (P<0.05). In all, 16 (4.1%) amiodarone, 11 (3.1%) lidocaine, and 6 (1.9%) placebo-treated patients survived to hospital discharge (P=0.24). No significant interaction between treatment assignment and discharge survival occurred with the initiating OHCA rhythm (asystole, pulseless electric activity, or VF/VT). Survival in each of these categories was consistently higher with active drugs, although the trends were not statistically significant. Adjusted absolute differences (95% confidence interval) in survival from nonshockable-turned-shockable arrhythmias with amiodarone versus placebo were 2.3% (-0.3, 4.8), P=0.08, and for lidocaine versus placebo 1.2% (-1.1, 3.6), P=0.30. More than 50% of these survivors were functionally independent or required minimal assistance. Drug-related adverse effects were infrequent. Outcome from nonshockable-turned-shockable OHCA is poor but not invariably fatal. Although not statistically significant, point estimates for survival were greater after amiodarone or lidocaine than placebo, without increased risk of adverse effects or disability and consistent with previously observed favorable trends from treatment of initial shock-refractory VF/VT with these drugs. Together the findings may signal a clinical benefit that invites further investigation. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01401647.

Kudenchuk PJ ，Leroux BG ，Daya M ，Rea T ，Vaillancourt C ，Morrison LJ ，Callaway CW ，Christenson J ，Ornato JP ，Dunford JV ，Wittwer L ，Weisfeldt ML ，Aufderheide TP ，Vilke GM ，Idris AH ，Stiell IG ，Colella MR ，Kayea T ，Egan D ，Desvigne-Nickens P ，Gray P ，Gray R ，Straight R ，Dorian P ，Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium Investigators ... -  《-》

The automated external defibrillator, an underused simple life-saving device: a review of the literature. A joint document from the Italian Resuscitation Council (IRC) and Associazione Italiana di Aritmologia e Cardiostimolazione (AIAC).

Savastano S ，Baldi E ，Compagnoni S ，Fracchia R ，Ristagno G ，Grieco N ... -  《-》