Coronary angiography may improve outcomes for cardiac arres... ( PITTSBURGH March 31 People who suff...)

Coronary angiography may improve outcomes for cardiac arrest patients

Date:3/31/2009

PITTSBURGH, March 31 People who suffer cardiac arrests and then receive coronary angiography are twice as likely to survive without significant brain damage compared with those who don't have the procedure, according to a study by University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers. The study, published in the May/June issue of the Journal of Intensive Care Medicine and now available online, showed that patient outcomes improved with coronary angiography, an imaging procedure that shows how blood flows through the heart, regardless of certain clinical and demographic factors that influenced who received the procedure.

"Given the low odds of survival about 6 percent for patients who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, it's important to understand which treatments might make a difference in these dismal outcomes," noted Jon C. Rittenberger, M.D., corresponding author of the study and an assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. The importance of prompt coronary angiography is well-established for cardiac arrest patients presenting with certain types of heart problems, Dr. Rittenberger noted. "But our study, which shows that angiography is independently associated with good neurologic outcomes, suggests that clinicians should consider the procedure for all post-cardiac arrest patients," he added.

Coronary angiography uses a contrast dye and X-rays to see the blood vessels and chambers of the heart. The procedure is usually done in conjunction with catheterization, which involves threading a thin hollow tube through an artery and into the heart. Dye is injected into the catheter and highlights any blockages in blood flow, which are then visible by X-ray.

The researchers retrospectively analyzed the charts of 241 adult cardiac arrest patients who were treated at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, part of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, between January 1, 2005, an
'/>"/>

Contact: Wendy Zellner
ZellnerWL@upmc.edu
412-647-3555
University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3
Related medicine news :

1. Number of Revascularization Procedures, Related In-Hospital Mortality and Some Complications Decline, While Rates of Infection and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery Increase
2. Despite Patent Expiries of Leading Therapies, New Product Launches Will Drive a $4.6 Billion Increase in the Coronary Heart Disease Market
3. Stent 4 Life: A campaign is launched to increase the use of primary PCI in acute coronary patients
4. Abbott Launches VOYAGER(TM) NC Coronary Balloon Catheter
5. Society for Womens Health Research and MITA Promote Greater Awareness of Medical Imaging to Diagnose Womens Coronary Artery Disease
6. Traditional risk assessment tools do not accurately predict coronary heart disease
7. New Research Estimates 1500 Lives Could Be Saved Annually if the Lowest Performing Hospitals for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Performed as Well as Top-ranking Hospitals
8. Coronary CTA: Non-invasive, low cost alternative for intermediate risk patients
9. Large study illustrates cardiac CT can effectively assess coronary artery disease
10. Mentice VIST(TM) New and Enhanced Carotid and Coronary Training Modules Take Medical Simulation Training to the Next Level
11. Ricky Tomlinson Joins Lloydspharmacy Against Coronary Heart Disease

Post Your Comments:

Coronary angiography may improve outcomes for cardiac arres...( PITTSBURGH March 31 People who suff...),Health