ER doc & CPR professor here - with a second thread tonight to explain what comes next, AFTER CPR....
it seems that Damar Hamlin is alive, in critical condition... so what does this mean, & what happens now?
a new thread, below 🧵
#Bills #DamarHamlin #CPR @NFL @nflnetwork
it seems that Damar Hamlin is alive, in critical condition... so what does this mean, & what happens now?
a new thread, below 🧵
#Bills #DamarHamlin #CPR @NFL @nflnetwork
2/8
in my first thread earlier tonight, I briefly explained CPR.
When CPR is successful, and heart function is restored, patients require specialized ICU care to support organ and brain recovery - this is known as POST-ARREST CARE.
It is slow and careful work.
in my first thread earlier tonight, I briefly explained CPR.
When CPR is successful, and heart function is restored, patients require specialized ICU care to support organ and brain recovery - this is known as POST-ARREST CARE.
It is slow and careful work.
3/8
One of the keys to post-arrest care is TARGETED TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT (TTM) - the use of technologies to avoid fever and precisely control body (and hopefully brain) temperature.
It can look like this - cooling pads hooked up to a coolant machine:
One of the keys to post-arrest care is TARGETED TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT (TTM) - the use of technologies to avoid fever and precisely control body (and hopefully brain) temperature.
It can look like this - cooling pads hooked up to a coolant machine:
4/8
patients also need careful blood pressure support, to ensure blood flow to the brain
the central goal of post-arrest care is BRAIN RECOVERY - and in some cases, full brain recovery is possible.
Not easy, but possible.
patients also need careful blood pressure support, to ensure blood flow to the brain
the central goal of post-arrest care is BRAIN RECOVERY - and in some cases, full brain recovery is possible.
Not easy, but possible.
5/8
Example: in 2012, UK footballer Fabrice Muamba had a cardiac arrest in a game - CPR commenced on the pitch - and was successful after over 70 minutes of CPR
Example: in 2012, UK footballer Fabrice Muamba had a cardiac arrest in a game - CPR commenced on the pitch - and was successful after over 70 minutes of CPR
6/8
he made a full recovery, you can find lots of content about his story online (here he is in 2014, below):
there are survivors of cardiac arrest out there; it's a tough road to healing for them and their families, but the point is:
It is possible.
he made a full recovery, you can find lots of content about his story online (here he is in 2014, below):
there are survivors of cardiac arrest out there; it's a tough road to healing for them and their families, but the point is:
It is possible.
7/8
important for supporters of Damar Hamlin to know:
it will take time, maybe days, maybe a week, for us to find out about his recovery process. It is slow.
Our work:
Patience, trust in medical care, & support for his family & teammates. They have all gone through this.
important for supporters of Damar Hamlin to know:
it will take time, maybe days, maybe a week, for us to find out about his recovery process. It is slow.
Our work:
Patience, trust in medical care, & support for his family & teammates. They have all gone through this.
8/8
I know the UC medical teams well, indeed I have collaborated with them on post-arrest care. I can say that Hamlin is an excellent hands.
/fin
I know the UC medical teams well, indeed I have collaborated with them on post-arrest care. I can say that Hamlin is an excellent hands.
/fin
post-script
we have established a post-arrest care resource site (admittedly, more for health professionals, but still might be of interest) -
pennttm.com
we have established a post-arrest care resource site (admittedly, more for health professionals, but still might be of interest) -
pennttm.com
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