Renan Gianotto-Oliveira

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

Background 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. Methods and Results 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). Conclusions 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.

Quality of continuous chest compressions performed for one or two minutes

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality and rescuer fatigue when rescuers perform one or two minutes of continuous chest compressions. METHODS: This prospective crossover study included 148 lay rescuers who were continuously trained in a cardiopulmonary resuscitation course. The subjects underwent a 120-min training program comprising continuous chest compressions. After the course, half of the volunteers performed one minute of continuous chest compressions, and the others performed two minutes, both on a manikin model. After 30 minutes, the volunteers who had previously performed one minute now performed two minutes on the same manikin and vice versa. RESULTS: A comparison of continuous chest compressions performed for one and two minutes, respectively, showed that there were significant differences in the average rate of compressions per minute (121 vs. 124), the percentage of compressions of appropriate depth (76% vs. 54%), the average depth (53 vs. 47 mm), and the number of compressions with no errors (62 vs. 47%). No parameters were significantly different when comparing participants who performed regular physical activity with those who did not and participants who had a normal body mass index with overweight/obese participants. CONCLUSION: The quality of continuous chest compressions by lay rescuers is superior when it is performed for one minute rather than for two minutes, independent of the body mass index or regular physical activity, even if they are continuously trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is beneficial to rotate rescuers every minute when performing continuous chest compressions to provide higher quality and to achieve greater success in assisting a victim of cardiac arrest.

Prolonged cardiopulmonary arrest treated successfully in the São Paulo's subway.

In Brazil, circulatory diseases, including CPA (Cardiopulmonary Arrests), were the leading cause of death in 20101. Estimates are that, in Brazil, around 220,000 CPAs happen every year, including ventricular fibrillation, 180,000 in pre-hospital environment and 40,000 in-hospital2. Recent observational studies of victims of CPA in extra-hospital environment revealed that only CCC (Continuous Chest Compressions) - hands-only CPR - were equivalent or higher than conventional CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) (using a 30:2 ratio of compressions/ventilations) in adult patients, mainly with regard to neurological benefits3-5. We present a case of PCA occurred in Companhia do Metropolitano de Sao Paulo (Sao Paulos Subway) attended by lay rescuers who performed CCC and applied shocks by means of AED (Automatic External Defibrillator).