Table 1

Criteria for inclusion.

Inclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria

• Witnessed cardiac arrest with a probable cardiac cause. (Ventricular fibrillation, tachycardia, asystole and pulseless electrical activity)

• Terminal illness, strongly in need of nursing

• Advanced medical life support within 15 minutes

• Primary coagulopathy

• Return of spontaneous circulation within 60 minutes

• Prehospital fluid load >2000 ml

• Comatose when admitted to the hospital, (Glasgow Coma Score 3)

• Age 18-80 years

Heradstveit et al. Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine 2010 18:29   doi:10.1186/1757-7241-18-29