An escalating higher energy regimen was better than a fixed lower energy regimen for defibrillation in out of hospital cardiac arrest
Q In patients with out of hospital cardiac arrest, is an escalating higher energy regimen better than a fixed lower energy regimen for arrhythmia termination with an automated external defibrillator (AED) using a biphasic waveform?
Clinical impact ratings Emergency medicine ★★★★★★☆ Internal medicine ★★★★★★☆ Cardiology ★★★★★★☆
METHODS
Design:
randomised controlled trial.
Allocation:
concealed.*
Blinding:
blinded (healthcare providers, patients, data collectors, and outcome assessors).*
Follow-up period:
to death or hospital discharge.
Setting:
out of hospital locations in 3 Canadian cities.
Patients:
221 patients ⩾8 years of age (mean age 66 y, 80% men) who had out of hospital cardiac arrest and required defibrillation (for ventricular fibrillation [VF] or pulseless ventricular tachycardia) and whose initial defibrillation was provided by first responders using an AED. Exclusion criteria included terminal illness, acute trauma, exsanguination, and not having basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation for >10 …
