Comments were made on some thought-provoking articles, which included articles that dealt with cardiac arrest (CA). Two articles on CA elaborate on the role of automated compression devices to provide chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in "hostile" environments and on a predictive model in cases of out-of-hospital CA (OHCA). CPR after CA has been practiced for centuries, and the evolution until current modern-day practices are discussed. The delay in adopting efficient techniques of resuscitation by the medical community for decades is also touched upon. Both in-hospital and OHCA are discussed along with guidelines and strategies to improve outcomes. Areas of possible research in the future are mentioned.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in microgravity requires specific methods to counteract weightlessness. Automatic chest compression devices (ACCDs) could improve CPR in microgravity. We aimed to compare ACCDs versus manual CPR in microgravity simulated through parabolic flights.

This prospective, open, controlled study compared 3 ACCDs (LUCAS 3©, AUTOPULSE©, EASYPULSE©) to manual CPR during the 66th CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) parabolic flights campaign onboard the Novespace Air Zero-G A310 aircraft. Chest compression depths and rates were monitored by a Laerdal© Resusci-Ann-QCPR manikin.

The LUCAS 3© device had a median compression depth of 53.0 [53.0-54.0] mm, significantly higher than the EASYPULSE©, AUTOPULSE©, and Manual CPR (Handstand method), measured at 29.0 [26.0-32.0] mm, 29.0 [27.5-30.7] mm and 34.5 [29.6-43.3] mm, respectively (p value < 0.001). Compression rates were 101 [101-101], 100 [100-100] and 80 [80-80] compressions per minute (cpm) for the LUCAS 3©, EASYPULSE©, and AUTOPULSE©, respectively. Manual CPR provided a significantly higher compression rate with 115 [109-123] cpm (p value < 0.001).

Only LUCAS 3© provided effective CPR according to international guidelines. ACCDs should implement microgravity CPR algorithms.

Animal models of Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (ECPR) focusing on neurological outcomes are required to further the development of this potentially life-saving technology. The aim of this review is to summarize current animal models of ECPR.

A comprehensive database search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science was undertaken. Full-text publications describing animal models of ECPR between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2022, were identified and included in the review. Data describing the conduct of the animal models of ECPR, measured variables, and outcomes were extracted according to pre-defined definitions.

The search strategy yielded 805 unique reports of which 37 studies were included in the final analysis. Most studies (95%) described using a pig model of ECPR with the remainder (5%) describing a rat model. The most common method for induction of cardiac arrest was a fatal ventricular arrhythmia through electrical stimulation (70%). 10 studies reported neurological assessment of animals using physical examination, serum biomarkers, or electrophysiological findings, however, only two studies described a multimodal assessment. No studies reported the use of brain imaging as part of the neurological assessment. Return of spontaneous circulation was the most reported primary outcome, and no studies described the neurological status of the animal as the primary outcome.

Current animal models of ECPR do not describe clinically relevant neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest. Further work is needed to develop models that more accurately mimic clinical scenarios and can test innovations that can be translated to the application of ECPR in clinical medicine.

Mechanical automated compression devices are being used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation instead of manual, "hands-on", rescuer-delivered chest compressions. The -theoretical- advantages include high-quality non-stop compressions, thus freeing the rescuer performing the compressions and additionally the ability of the rescuer to stand reasonably away from a potentially "hazardous" victim, or from hazardous and/or difficult resuscitation conditions. Such circumstances involve cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, especially directly under the fluoroscopy panel, where radiation is well known to cause detrimental effects to the rescuer, and CPR during/after land or air transportation of cardiac arrest victims. Lastly, CPR in a coronavirus disease 2019 patient/ward, where the danger of contamination and further serious illness of the health provider is very existent. The scope of this review is to review and present literature and current guidelines regarding the use of mechanical compressions in these "hostile" and dangerous settings, while comparing them to manual compressions.

Successful implementation of medical technologies applied in life-threatening conditions, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) requires appropriate preparation and training of medical personnel. The pandemic has accelerated the creation of new ECMO centers and has highlighted continuous training in adapting to new pandemic standards. To reach high standards of patients' care, we created the first of its kind, National Education Centre for Artificial Life Support (NEC-ALS) in 40 million inhabitants' country in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The role of the Center is to test and promote the novel or commonly used procedures as well as to develop staff skills on management of patients needing ECMO.

In 2020, nine approved and endorsed by ELSO courses of "Artificial Life Support with ECMO" were organized. Physicians participated in the three-day high-fidelity simulation-based training that was adapted to abide by the social distancing norms of the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowledge as well as crucial cognitive, behavioral and technical aspects (on a 5-point Likert scale) of management on ECMO were assessed before and after course completion. Moreover, the results of training in mechanical chest compression were also evaluated.

There were 115 participants (60% men) predominantly in the age of 30-40 years. Majority of them (63%) were anesthesiologists or intensivists with more than 5-year clinical experience, but 54% had no previous ECMO experience. There was significant improvement after the course in all cognitive, behavioral, and technical self-assessments. Among aspects of management with ECMO that all increased significantly following the course, the most pronounced was related to the technical one (from approximately 1.0 to more 4.0 points). Knowledge scores significantly increased post-course from 11.4 ± SD to 13 ± SD (out of 15 points). The quality of manual chest compression relatively poor before course improved significantly after training.

Our course confirmed that simulation as an educational approach is invaluable not only in training and testing of novel or commonly used procedures, skills upgrading, but also in practicing very rare cases. The implementation of the education program during COVID-19 pandemic may be helpful in founding specialized Advanced Life Support centers and teams including mobile ones. The dedicated R&D Innovation Ecosystem established in the "ECMO for Greater Poland" program, with developed National Education Center can play a crucial role in the knowledge and know-how transfer but future research is needed.