Prehospital emergency thoracotomy performed by helicopter emergency medical service team: A case report

Emergency thoracotomy can be a life-saving procedure in critically injured patients who present with chest injuries. Currently, the indications for an on-the-scene thoracotomy are penetrating trauma of the chest or upper abdomen with cardiac arrest that has occurred in the presence of an emergency team or within 10 minutes prior to their arrival. The indications for an emergency thoracotomy in blunt chest trauma are less clearly defined. In the present case, a helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) team performed an emergency thoracotomy at the scene. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first description of such a procedure in Poland. A 41-year-old male was crushed in a tractor accident. Though all available measures were taken, a sudden cardiac arrest occurred. The HEMS team performed an emergency thoracotomy at the scene as an integral part of prehospital cardiopulmonary arrest management. The patient survived, and was later discharged from the hospital in good physical condition. No neurological deficit was identified (cerebral performance category 1). The patient returned to his previous activities with no complications or deficits. The presence of a fully trained crew allows for the performance of a potentially critical on-the-scene emergency thoracotomy. In a well-selected group of patients with blunt thoracic injury, a prehospital emergency thoracotomy may be a significant and life-saving procedure.

An analysis of the relationship between the applied medical rescue actions and the return of spontaneous circulation in adults with out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a significant medical and social issue, the main cause of death in Europe and the United States.The aim of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of emergency medical procedures applied by emergency medical teams in prehospital care in the context of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).The case-control study was based on the medical documentation of the Rescue Service in Katowice (responsible for monitoring 2.7 million inhabitants of the region) referring to 2016. The research involved exclusively adults (ie, individuals older than 18 years) with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). After considering the above inclusion criteria, there were 1603 dispatch order forms (0.64% of all dispatch orders) involved in further research.On the basis of the emergency medical procedure forms, the actions of emergency medical teams were verified as medical procedures (endotracheal intubation, the use of suction pumps, defibrillation, the use of alternatives providing airway patency and ROSC was determined.The analysis covered 1603 cases of OHCA. SCA turned out more frequent in men than in women (P = .000). Most often, SCA occurred in domestic conditions during the day and was witnessed by a third person. In 59.9% of the cases, actions were taken by witnesses, which increased the probability of ROSC. Patients were usually intubated (51.4%). Respirators were used less frequently (20.2%). Ventricular fibrillation (VF) was reported only in 22.0% of the cases. The ROSC rate was higher in the group of patients with diagnosed VF than in those with nonshockable rhythms (VF, 55.43% vs asystole, 24.05%; P = .000).Successful resuscitation depends on the quality of emergency medical procedures performed at the place of incident. The highest probability of ROSC is related with defibrillation (in the cases of VF or ventricular tachycardia with no pulse), intubation, the application of a respirator, and performing mechanical ventilation, as well as with a shorter time from dispatch to arrival.

The impact of the use of a CPRMeter monitor on quality of chest compressions: a prospective randomised trial, cross-simulation

BACKGROUND

Drowning is a common issue at many pools and beaches, and in seas all over the world. Lifeguards often act as bystanders, and therefore adequate training in high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of adequate equip-ment by lifeguards is essential.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the recently introduced CPRMeter (Laerdal, Stavanger, Norway) on quality of CPR, if used by moderately experienced CPR providers. In particular, we tested the hypothesis that using the CPRMeter improves quality of chest compression by lifeguards compared to standard non-feedback CPR.

METHODS

The study was designed as prospective, randomised, cross-over manikin trial. Fifty lifeguards of the Volunteer Water Rescue Service (WOPR), a Polish nationwide association specialised in water rescue, participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to one of two groups: a feedback group and a non-feedback group. Participants swim a distance of 25 m in the pool, and then they were asked to haul a manikin for the second 25 m, simulating rescuing a drowning victim. Once participants finished the second 25-m distance, participants were asked to initiate 2-min basic life support according to the randomisation.

RESULTS

The median quality of CPR score for the 2-min CPR session without feedback was 69 (33-77) compared to 84 (55-93) in the feedback group (p < 0.001). Compression score, mean depth, rate of adequate chest compressions/min, and overall mean rate during the CPR session improved significantly in the feedback group, compared to the non-feedback group.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the visual real-time feedback device significantly improved quality of CPR in our relatively unexperienced CPR providers. Better quality of bystander CPR is essential for clinical outcomes, and therefore feedback devices should be considered. Further clinical studies are needed to assess the effect of real-time visual devices, especially in bystander-CPR.

Problems and challenges in the early period of rehabilitating patients with severe hypothermia treated using ecmo support

The objectives: To show and discuss the most frequent functional problems encountered in patients who underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment after severe hypothermia and point out appropriate physiotherapy procedures used in order to diminish the effects of hypothermia on the human organism. It is necessary to look for effective physiotherapeutic solutions, especially that the number of scientific publications on the subject is very limited.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis Setting: Severe Accidental Hypothermia Center ( medical intensive care unit of a university hospital) Patients or participants: Nineteen patients who were qualified for ECMO in Severe Accidental Hypothermia Center Intervention: At least three times a day rehabilitation session (physiotherapeutic procedures adequate to patient problems) and interventions in case of emergency. Physiotherapy staff in the Center has regular work hours and night duties, so can provide round-the clock rehabilitation treatment adjusted to the dynamically changing clinical picture of the patient.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed the group of patients who were treated in our center from July 2013 to March 2015. The degree of functional complications increased with the duration and extent of hypothermia and time of conducting extracorporeal therapy. The frequent problems were: respiratory failure due to sputum retention (25%) or sternum fracture due to resuscitation (25%), lower and upper extremity muscle weakening (75%), peroneal nerve palsy (25%). In the first period of hospitalization all of patients have generalised edema. As a result of the treatment and rehabilitation, full stabilization of the cardiovascular - respiratory system and full recovery of neurological functions was achieved in 14 persons (73.68%).

CONCLUSION

early and round-the clock physiotherapy treatment adequate to appearing patient's syndromes seems crucial for his physical and mental recovery after severe accidental hypothermia treated by ECMO support. In order to attain therapeutic success, it is indispensable to work in experienced, multidisciplinary team.

Problems and challenges in the early period of rehabilitating patients with severe hypothermia treated using ecmo support

The objectives: To show and discuss the most frequent functional problems encountered in patients who underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment after severe hypothermia and point out appropriate physiotherapy procedures used in order to diminish the effects of hypothermia on the human organism. It is necessary to look for effective physiotherapeutic solutions, especially that the number of scientific publications on the subject is very limited.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis Setting: Severe Accidental Hypothermia Center ( medical intensive care unit of a university hospital) Patients or participants: Nineteen patients who were qualified for ECMO in Severe Accidental Hypothermia Center Intervention: At least three times a day rehabilitation session (physiotherapeutic procedures adequate to patient problems) and interventions in case of emergency. Physiotherapy staff in the Center has regular work hours and night duties, so can provide round-the clock rehabilitation treatment adjusted to the dynamically changing clinical picture of the patient.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed the group of patients who were treated in our center from July 2013 to March 2015. The degree of functional complications increased with the duration and extent of hypothermia and time of conducting extracorporeal therapy. The frequent problems were: respiratory failure due to sputum retention (25%) or sternum fracture due to resuscitation (25%), lower and upper extremity muscle weakening (75%), peroneal nerve palsy (25%). In the first period of hospitalization all of patients have generalised edema. As a result of the treatment and rehabilitation, full stabilization of the cardiovascular - respiratory system and full recovery of neurological functions was achieved in 14 persons (73.68%).

CONCLUSION

early and round-the clock physiotherapy treatment adequate to appearing patient's syndromes seems crucial for his physical and mental recovery after severe accidental hypothermia treated by ECMO support. In order to attain therapeutic success, it is indispensable to work in experienced, multidisciplinary team.

The Role of Hypothermia Coordinator: A Case of Hypothermic Cardiac Arrest Treated with ECMO

Darocha, Tomasz, Sylweriusz Kosinski, Maciej Moskwa, Anna Jarosz, Dorota Sobczyk, Robert Galazkowski, Marcin Slowik, and Rafal Drwila. The role of hypothermia coordinator: A case of hypothermic cardiac arrest treated with ECMO. High Alt Biol Med 16:352-355, 2015.—We present a description of emergency medical rescue procedures in a patient suffering from severe hypothermia who was found in the Babia Gora mountain range (Poland). After diagnosing the symptoms of II/III stage hypothermia according to the Swiss Staging System, the Mountain Rescue Service notified the coordinator from the Severe Accidental Hypothermia Center (CLHG) Coordinator in Krakow and then kept in constant touch with him. In accordance with the protocol for managing such situations, the coordinator started the procedure for patients in severe hypothermia with the option of extracorporeal warming and secured access to a device for continuous mechanical chest compression. After reaching the hospital, extracorporeal warming with ECMO support in the arteriovenuous configuration was started. The total duration of circulatory arrest was 150 minutes. The rescue procedures were supervised by the coordinator, who was on 24-hour duty and was reached by means of an alarm phone. The task of the coordinator is to consult the management of hypothermia cases, use his knowledge and experience to help in the diagnosis and treatment. and if the need arises refer the patient for ECMO at CLHG. Good coordination, planning, predicting possible problems, and acting in accordance with the agreed procedures in the scheme, make it possible to shorten the time of reaching the destination hospital and implement effective treatment.

[Helicopter emergency medical services for patients with cerebral stroke]

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyze transport by helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) in cases of ischemic cerebral stroke in Poland in 2011 and 2012. We assessed the role of the HEMS in reducing prehospital times and analyzed changes in patients' status during transport.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective study of all missions flown by the Polish HEMS to attend stroke patients over the 2-year period. The following data were collected for each mission and patient: time from activation of the HEMS until arrival at the scene, time spent at the scene; and scores on the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics scale, the Revised Trauma Scale (ETR), and the Glasgow Coma Scale (ECG) at the scene and on transfer of the patient to the hospital or ambulance.

RESULTS

A total of 1191 patients were analyzed. The mean (SD) ETR and ECG scores on the scene were 11.1 (1.36) and 11.8 (3.39), respectively. After HEMS transport the means were 11.0 (1.5) and 11.7 (3.5). In-flight transport did not affect the patient's condition, but more time spent at the scene was associated with significantly lower scores on the scales.

CONCLUSION

Helicopter transport of these patients is safe and ensures their transfer to the nearest hospital or ambulance within the treatment time window. Time spent on care at the scene of the emergency should probably be as short as possible.