New approach to CPR may save more lives
Written by: Reuters | Posted March 14,2008

New approach to CPR may save more lives

Study: Constant chest compressions triple survival in out-of-hospital cases

updated 5:01 p.m. ET, Tues., March. 11, 2008

NEW YORK - A new approach to cardiac resuscitation designed to maintain nearly constant chest compressions triples the rate of survival of "out-of-hospital" cardiac arrest, study findings suggest.

"Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a major public health problem and a leading cause of death," note the study investigators. "Although early defibrillation with automated external defibrillators improves survival, early defibrillation is rare and few patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survive."

The new approach — termed minimally interrupted cardiac resuscitation or MICR — focuses on maximizing blood flow to the heart and brain through a series of coordinated interventions. It includes an initial series of 200 uninterrupted chest compressions, heart rhythm analysis with a single shock, 200 immediate post-shock chest compressions before the pulse check, early administration of epinephrine to stimulate the heart, and delayed placement of a flexible plastic tube into the trachea for the purpose of ventilating the lungs.

Dr. Bentley J. Bobrow at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, and associates evaluated the protocol in a study comparing survival before and after MICR training of fire department EMS personnel in two Arizona cities.

Among 886 patients who suffered cardiac arrest in the two cities, survival-to-hospital discharge increased from 4 of 218 patients (1.8 percent) in the before MICR training group to 36 of 668 patients (5.4 percent) in the after MICR training group.

In a subgroup of 174 patients with a "witnessed" cardiac arrest and a shockable rhythm, survival increased from 2 of 43 patients (4.7 percent) in the before MICR training group to 23 of 131 patients (17.6 percent) in the after MICR training group.In a second analysis, the investigators determined outcomes of 1,799 people that did not receive MICR with 661 that did. Survival to hospital discharge was 3.8 percent and 9.1 percent, respectively. Survival rates among 528 patients with witnessed cardiac arrest were 11.9 percent and 28.4 percent, respectively.

Why should MICR be associated with improved outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest? One major contributor to the poor survival rates of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is prolonged inadequate blood flow to the heart and brain, the investigators explain. "During resuscitation efforts, the forward blood flow produced by chest compressions is so marginal that any interruption of chest compressions is extremely, especially for favorable neurological outcomes," they write. "Excessive interruptions of chest compressions by pre-hospital personnel are common. Therefore, MICR emphasizes uninterrupted chest compressions."

"This study," Drs. Mary Ann Peberdy and Joseph P. Ornato, at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond write in a related editorial, "represents confirmation that the quality of CPR, particularly the need for minimally interrupted chest compression ... is a meaningful development in the evolution of resuscitation science." Copyright 2008 Reuters

Philips to Acquire Raytel Cardiac Services
Posted January 26,2008

PHILIPS TO ACQUIRE RAYTEL CARDIAC SERVICES TO EXPAND INTO US HOME CARDIAC MONITORING MARKET

• Acquisition builds on Philips' leading position in medical technologies for heart disease – the most common cause of death in the developed world
• Move a next step in expanding home healthcare market position – complements earlier Lifeline and Health Watch acquisitions

Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Windsor, Connecticut – Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE:PHG, AEX:PHI) today announced Philips will acquire US-based Raytel Cardiac Services (“Raytel”) (a division of Raytel Medical Corporation) and other ancillary operations from SHL Telemedicine Ltd., for approximately USD 110 million in cash. Subject to receipt of regulatory approval, the transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2007, upon which Raytel will become part of Philips' Home Healthcare Solutions business group. Raytel Cardiac Services is a leading US provider of home cardiac monitoring services that doctors prescribe to heart patients. Headquartered in Windsor, Connecticut, Raytel Cardiac Services employs highly-trained cardiac technicians working at monitoring centers, where they analyze patient data and provide real-time patient information to prescribing physicians.

Acquiring Raytel Cardiac Services represents a further step in Philips' healthcare strategy of improving patient outcomes in specific care cycles, such as cardiology: "Heart disease is the number one killer in the west. So Philips has invested heavily over the years to become the top supplier to hospitals of medical equipment for managing heart disease. Patients are living longer and healthcare costs are rising, so we're looking for innovative and effective ways to support both patients and the healthcare system. Raytel can help us extend the cardiac care cycle into the home, which is where patients prefer to stay, and where we see opportunities for addressing healthcare costs as well as quality of life issues," said Ron Feinstein, CEO of Philips' Home Healthcare Solutions business group.

The activities Philips is acquiring are expected to have 2007 sales of approximately USD 55 million. In the coming years, Philips aims to grow Raytel Cardiac Services by capitalizing on its existing relationships with 15,000 referring physicians and cardiologists who serve over 200,000 patients annually. Philips aims to leverage these relationships for Philips Lifeline’s products and services as well as for Philips' in-house line of remote patient monitoring products and services. New products and services based on Philips' and SHL's products and solutions, such as congestive heart failure (CHF) monitoring in the home, are also expected to fuel growth. Given that Philips Lifeline's 750,000 subscribers often suffer from a variety of chronic illnesses, including CHF, Philips expects they too would benefit from a cardiac monitoring service supported by trained cardiac technicians that Raytel offers.

Since Raytel sells to physicians and cardiologists, these activities will be rebranded under the "Philips" name to benefit from the strength that the "Philips" brand enjoys among healthcare professionals.

2005 Guidelines for CPR
Posted January 26,2008

Philips entire line of HeartStart Defibrillators are compliant with American Heart Association (AHA), European Resuscitation Council (ERC), and International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) 2005 Guidelines for CPR and ECC.

 Since the AHA last updated the Guidelines in 2000, numerous research studies have shown that effective CPR is an even more critically important element in helping save the lives of cardiac arrest victims. 

These studies are in large part the basis for the development of the new Guidelines.  Responding to this science, Philips' range of resuscitation technology solutions are designed to ensure that quality CPR and early defibrillation are delivered quickly and effectively.

Dog leads people to man suffering heart attack
Posted January 23,2008

On Thanksgiving Day, a Massachusetts family was playing football in a local field when one of the players fell and was unresponsive.  Fortunately, a state trooper (the victim's future brother-in-law) and his fiance (a CF Medical sales representative) were nearby walking their dog and while the trooper started CPR, his fiancee grabbed the Philips Heartstart FR2 AED from her car and shocked the victim twice, after a shock was advised by the defibrillator.  He had 5 way bypass surgery later that day and is now doing well.  This was a Thanksgiving to certainly be thankful for!!

Seattle PD to put AEDs in all patrol cars
Posted November 16,2007

SEATTLE, Wash. —The Seattle Police Department (SPD) and the Seattle Police Foundation (SPF) have announced a collaboration that will result in full deployment of lifesaving equipment in Seattle PD patrol cars.

Forged between the SPF, Philips Medical Systems, private citizens Craig and Julie Tall, and the American Heart Association, the agreement will make Seattle PD one of the first major-city police departments to have AEDs in all patrol cars. The AED project is possible due to the generosity of Craig and Julie Tall, who are personally donating $100,000, and Philips’ donation of more than half of the needed devices — totaling more than $375,000. SPF will fund the remainder of the $630,000 project.

"Full deployment of AEDs in our police patrol cars will enhance the safety of the Seattle community as well as the police officers themselves. We are so appreciative to Craig and Julie Tall, Philips, and the Seattle Police Foundation. A project of this magnitude would not have happened without them," says Chief Gil Kerlikowske.

"Because Philips HeartStart defibrillators are designed and manufactured in Seattle, we are especially pleased to have been chosen as the supplier of AEDs to the Seattle Police Department," says Michael Miller, senior vice president, Cardiac Care for Philips Medical Systems. "We applaud the Seattle Police Foundation for its dedication to our police officers, and for bringing our community together to fund the AED program."

The 225 units needed for full deployment will be installed in patrol cars beginning in November. All cars will be outfitted by June 2007.