Survey of outcome of CPR in pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest in a medical center in Taiwan

Purpose of the studyWhile the outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) are reported for many regions, none is reported for Asian countries. We report the outcomes of CPR for pediatric IHCA in a tertiary medical center in Taiwan and also identify prognostic factors associated with poor outcome.MethodsData were retrieved retrospectively from 2000 to 2003 and prospectively from 2004 to 2006 from our web-based registry system. We evaluated patients younger than 18 years of age who had IHCA and received CPR. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge, and the secondary outcomes were sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and favorable neurological outcomes as assessed by pediatric cerebral performance categories (PCPC).ResultsWe identified 316 patients and the overall hospital survival was 20.9% and 16.1% had favorable neurological outcomes. Sixty-four patients ever supported with ECMO. We further analyzed 252 patients who underwent conventional CPR only and most had cardiac disease (133/252, 52.8%). The second most common preexisting condition was hematologic or oncologic disease (43/252, 17.1%). Of the 252 patients, 153 (60.7%) achieved sustained ROSC, 50 (19.8%) survived to discharge, and 39 patients (15.5%) had favorable neurological outcomes. CPR during off-work hours resulted in inferior chances of reaching sustained ROSC. Multivariate analysis showed that long CPR duration, hematology/oncology patients, and pre-arrest vasoactive drug infusion were significantly associated with decreased hospital survival (p < 0.05).ConclusionsOutcomes of CPR for pediatric patients with IHCA in Taiwan were comparable to corresponding reports in Western countries, but more hematology/oncology patients were included. Long CPR duration, hematologic or oncologic underlying diseases, and vasoactive agent infusion prior IHCA were associated with poor outcomes. The concept of palliative care should be proposed to families of terminally ill cancer patients in order to avoid unnecessary patient suffering. Also, establishing a balanced duty system in the future might increase chances of sustained ROSC.     

Factors influencing outcomes after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in emergency department

BACKGROUND:

The outcome of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may depend on a variety of factors related to patient status or resuscitation management. To evaluate the factors influencing the outcome of CPR after cardiac arrest (CA) will be conducive to improve the effectiveness of resuscitation. Therefore, a study was designed to assess these factors in the emergency department (ED) of a city hospital.

METHODS:

A CPR registry conforming to the Utstein-style template was conducted in the ED of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College from January 2005 to December 2011. The outcomes of CPR were compared in various factors groups. The primary outcomes were rated to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), 24-hour survival, survival to discharge and discharge with favorable neurological outcomes. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed to evaluate factors associated with survival.

RESULTS:

A total of 725 patients were analyzed in the study. Of these patients, 187 (25.8%) had ROSC, 100 (13.8%) survived for 24 hours, 48 (6.6%) survived to discharge, and 23 (3.2%) survived to discharge with favorable neurologic outcomes. A logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the independent predictors of ROSC included traumatic etiology, first monitored rhythms, CPR duration, and total adrenaline dose. The independent predictors of 24-hour survival included traumatic etiology, cardiac etiology, first monitored rhythm and CPR duration. Previous status, cardiac etiology, first monitored rhythms and CPR duration were included in independent predictors of survival to discharge and neurologically favorable survival to discharge.

CONCLUSIONS:

Shockable rhythms, CPR duration ≤15 minutes and total adrenaline dose ≤5 mg were favorable predictors of ROSC, whereas traumatic etiology was unfavorable. Cardiac etiology, shockable rhythms and CPR duration ≤15 minutes were favorable predictors of 24-hour survival, whereas traumatic etiology was unfavorable. Cardiac etiology, shockable rhythms, CPR duration ≤15 minutes were favorable predictors of survival to discharge and neurologically favorable survival to discharge, but previous terminal illness or multiple organ failure (MOF) was unfavorable.KEY WORDS: Cardiac arrest, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Utstein-style, Logistical regression analysis, Outcome     

体外心肺复苏启动前因素对患者预后的影响

目的:分析体外心肺复苏（extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation,ECPR）启动前因素对患者预后的影响,以探讨ECPR的干预时机和改进策略。方法:回顾性分析2018年7月至2021年4月在湖南师范大学附属第一医院（湖南省人民医院）行ECPR的29例患者。按患者是否存活出院分为生存组( n=13)及死亡组( n=16),分析两组常规心肺复苏（conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation,CCPR）时间（开始心肺复苏到体外膜肺氧合运转的时间）、ECPR前初始心律、院外及院内心搏骤停的构成比、外院转运病例构成比。按CCPR时间分为≤45 min组、45~60 min组及>60 min组分别比较其出院存活率及持续自主循环恢复（sustained return of spontaneous circulation,ROSC）率。本院院内心搏骤停患者按心搏骤停（cardiac arrest,CA）发生地点分为本科室亚组和其他科室亚组,比较其存活率。 结果:29例患者总体生存率44.83%,体外膜肺氧合（extracorporeal membrane oxygenation,ECMO）平均辅助时长114（33.5,142.5） h,CCPR平均时长60（44.5,80） min。生存组ECMO辅助时间（140.15±44.80）h较死亡组长（ P=0.001）,生存组CCPR时间明显低于死亡组（ P=0.010）。初始心律为可除颤心律组生存率更高（ P=0.010）。OHCA较IHCA患者病死率高（ P=0.020）。外院转运病例病死率高于本院病例（ P=0.025）。CCPR时间≤45min、45~60 min、>60 min三组患者出院生存率依次递减（ P=0.001）,ROSC率依次递减（ P=0.001)。本院院内心搏骤停患者,CA发生地点在本科室（急诊医学科）组与其他科室组生存率差异无统计学意义（ P=0.54）。 结论:ECPR出院存活率高于国内外报道的CCPR存活率,ECPR对难治性心搏骤停是有效的。ECPR的预后跟CCPR时间、CA初始心律、CA发生地点明显相关,提高ECPR存活率需加强宣教及团队建设。     

An outcome study of adult in-hospital cardiac arrests in non-monitored areas with resuscitation attempted using AED

ObjectivesTo investigate the outcomes of patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using an automated external defibrillator (AED) in non-monitored areas. Additionally, to detect correlated factors associated with rate of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival rate, among collected data.MethodsThis study included 109 patients. After investigating patient characteristics and resuscitation-related factors, the correlated factors associated with ROSC rates and survival rate were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsThe rate of survival to hospital discharge was 21.1%. CPR with AED performed since 2013 was associated with a higher ROSC rate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21 to 9.52, p < 0.05), but not with the survival rate after ROSC. Tracheal intubation was significantly associated with a higher ROSC rate (AOR 3.62, 95% CI: 1.27 to 11.7, p < 0.05) and a lower survival rate after ROSC (hazard ratio 6.6, 95% CI: 1.2 to 43.3, p < 0.05). Dysrhythmia as the cause of cardiac arrest and intensive care unit (ICU) admission after ROSC were associated with higher survival rates (hazard ratio 0.056, 95% CI: 0.004 to 0.759, p < 0.05, and hazard ratio 0.072, 95% CI: 0.017 to 0.264, p < 0.0001, respectively).ConclusionsThe factors associated with ROSC rate and those associated with the survival rate after ROSC were different. Although initial shockable rhythms on AED were not associated with the survival rate, dysrhythmia as the etiology of cardiac arrest, and ICU admission were significantly associated with higher survival rates after ROSC.     

Outcomes for in-hospital cardiac arrest for COVID-19 patients at a rural hospital in Southern California

BackgroundIn-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) carries a high mortality and providing resuscitation to COVID-19 patients presents additional challenges for emergency physicians. Our objective was to describe outcomes of COVID-19 patients suffering IHCA at a rural hospital in Southern California.MethodsSingle-center retrospective observational study. A hospital registry of COVID-19 patients was queried for all patients who suffered IHCA and received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) between May 1st and July 31st, 2020. A manual chart review was performed to obtain patient demographics, oxygen requirement prior to cardiac arrest (CA), details of the resuscitation including presence of an emergency physician, and final disposition.ResultsTwenty-one patients were identified, most of whom were Hispanic, male, and aged 50–70. The most common medical comorbidities were diabetes and hypertension. Most patients suffered respiratory arrest, with an initial rhythm of pulseless electrical activity or asystole. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was achieved in 3/9 patients already receiving mechanical ventilation, but all 3 expired within the following 24 h. ROSC was achieved in 10/12 patients not already intubated, though most also expired within a few days. The only 2 patients who survived to discharge suffered respiratory arrest after their oxygen delivery device dislodged.ConclusionAt a small rural hospital with limited resources and a predominantly Hispanic population, cardiac arrest in a COVID-19 patient portends an extremely poor prognosis. A better appreciation of these outcomes should help inform emergency providers and patients when discussing code status and attempts at resuscitation, particularly in resource limited settings.     

海南省多中心心肺复苏Utstien模式注册研究

目的 本研究以心肺复苏乌斯坦因(Utstein)评估模式评价海南省13家医院心搏骤停患者流行病学特征、心肺复苏结果及其影响因素。方法 在Utstein指南基础上设计“海南省心肺复苏Utstein注册登记表”,在2007年1月1日至2010年12月31日期间对海南省13家医院急诊科心搏骤停心肺复苏患者实施注册登记。通过方差分析等统计学方法,对心肺复苏患者实施前瞻性描述性研究。结果 1125例心搏骤停患者男性占73.8％,女性26.2％,年龄为(53.9±13.1)岁,既往病史以冠心病最为多见,其次为高血压病;自主循环恢复率为23.8％,成活出院为7.4％。自主循环恢复和成活出院的患者中发病l min内获得心肺复苏患者所占比例分别为41.8％和49.4％。院内心搏骤停(IHCA)患者和院外心搏骤停(OHCA)患者ROSC率分别为36.3％,11.6％,成活出院率分别为11.5％,3.3％。心室纤颤/无脉性室性心动过速患者188例(16.7％),其自主循环恢复率及成活出院率分别为58.0％,21.8％。心源性心搏骤停448例(39.8％);其中院内与院外心搏骤停患者自主循环恢复率分别为36.3％,11.6％,成活出院率分别为11.5％,3.3％。非心源性心搏骤停677例(60.2％)。三级医院和二级医院自主循环恢复率分别为69.8％和30.2％,成活出院率分别为7.4％和7.3％。结论 心搏骤停更常见于男性。慢性疾病在本组患者中普遍存在,其中以冠心病和高血压病最为多见。院内心搏骤停患者自主循环恢复和成活出院率均明显高于院外心搏骤停患者。心室纤颤/无脉室性心动过速患者心肺复苏自主循环恢复及成活出院率高于其他类型初始心律的患者。缩短心肺复苏启动时间有助于提高自主循环恢复率及成活出院率。     

Functional outcomes following an in-hospital cardiac arrest: A retrospective cohort study

Background/PurposeWhilst much is known about the survival outcomes of patients that suffer an in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in Australia very little is known about the functional outcomes of survivors. This study aimed to describe the functional outcomes of a cohort of patients that suffered an in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) and survived to hospital discharge in a regional Australian hospital.MethodsThis is a single-centre retrospective observational cohort study conducted in a regional Australian hospital. All adult patients that had an IHCA in the study hospital between 1 Jan 2017 and 31 Dec 2019 and survived to hospital discharge were included in the study. Functional outcomes were reported using the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS), a six-point scale for which increasing scores represent increasing disability. Scores were assigned through a retrospective review of medical notes.ResultsOverall, 102 adult patients had an IHCA during the study period, of whom 50 survived to hospital discharge. The median age of survivors was 68 years, and a third had a shockable initial arrest rhythm. Of survivors, 47 were able to be assigned both mRS scores. At discharge, 81% of patients achieved a favourable functional outcome (mRS 0–3 or equivalent function at discharge equal to admission).ConclusionsMost survivors to hospital discharge following an IHCA have a favourable functional outcome and are discharged home. Although these results are promising, larger studies across multiple hospitals are required to further inform what is known about functional outcomes in Australian IHCA survivors.     

In-hospital cardiac arrest: incidence,prognosis and possible measures to improve survival

Design Review. Objective Medical literature on in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) was reviewed to summarise: (a) the incidence of and survival after IHCA, (b) major prognostic factors, (c) possible interventions to improve survival. Results and conclusions The incidence of IHCA is rarely reported in the literature. Values range between 1 and 5 events per 1,000 hospital admissions, or 0.175 events/bed annually. Reported survival to hospital discharge varies from 0% to 42%, the most common range being between 15% and 20%. Pre-arrest prognostic factors: the prognostic value of age is controversial. Among comorbidities, sepsis, cancer, renal failure and homebound lifestyle are significantly associated with poor survival. However, pre-arrest morbidity scores have not yet been prospectively validated as instruments to predict failure to survive after IHCA. Intra-arrest factors: ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT) as the first recorded rhythm and a shorter interval between IHCA and cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillation are associated with higher survival. However, VF/VT is present in only 25–35% of IHCAs. Short-term survival is also higher in patients resuscitated with chest compression rates above 80/min. Interventions likely to improve survival include: early recognition and stabilisation of patients at risk of IHCA to enable prevention, faster and better in-hospital resuscitation and early defibrillation. Mild therapeutic hypothermia is effective as post-arrest treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to VF/VT, but its benefit after IHCA and after cardiac arrest with non-VF/VT rhythms has not been clearly demonstrated.     

Association between interval between call for ambulance and return of spontaneous circulation and survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

AIM: To describe the association between the interval between the call for ambulance and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. PATIENTS: All patients suffering an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in whom cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was started, included in the Swedish Cardiac Arrest Registry (SCAR) for whom information about the time of calling for an ambulance and the time of ROSC was available. RESULTS: Among 26,192 patients who were included in SCAR and were not witnessed by the ambulance crew, information about the time of call for an ambulance and the time of ROSC was available in 4847 patients (19%). There was a very strong relationship between the interval between call for an ambulance and ROSC and survival to one month. If the interval was less than or equal to 5 min, 47% survived to one month. If the interval exceeded 30 min, only 5% (n = 35) survived to one month. The vast majority of the latter survivors had a shockable rhythm either on admission of the rescue team or at some time during resuscitation. CONCLUSION: Among patients who have ROSC after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, there is a very strong association between the interval between the call for ambulance and ROSC and survival to one month. However, even if this delay is very long (> 30 min after calling for an ambulance), a small percentage will ultimately survive; they are mainly patients who at some time during resuscitation have a shockable rhythm. The overall percentage of patients for whom CPR continued for more than 30 min who are alive one month later can be assumed to be extremely low.     

Racial disparities in outcomes following PEA and asystole in-hospital cardiac arrests

AimTo define the racial differences present after PEA and asystolic IHCA and explore factors that could contribute to this disparity.MethodsWe analyzed PEA and asystolic IHCA in the Get-With-The-Guidelines-Resuscitation database. Multilevel conditional fixed effects logistic regression models were used to estimate the relationship between race and survival to discharge and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), sequentially controlling for hospital, patient demographics, comorbidities, arrest characteristic, process measures, and interventions in place at time of arrest.ResultsAmong the 561 hospitals, there were 76,835 patients who experienced IHCA with an initial rhythm of PEA or asystole (74.8% white, 25.2% black). Unadjusted ROSC rate was 55.1% for white patients and 54.1% for black patients (unadjusted OR: 0.94 [95% CI, 0.90–0.98], p = 0.016). Survival to discharge was 12.8% for white patients and 10.4% for black patients (unadjusted OR: 0.83 [95% CI, 0.78–0.87], p < 0.001). After adjusting for temporal trends, patient characteristics, hospital, and arrest characteristics, there remained a difference in survival to discharge (OR: 0.85 [95% CI, 0.79–0.92]) and rate of ROSC (OR: 0.88 [95% CI, 0.84–0.92]). Black patients had a worse mental status at discharge after survival. Rates of DNAR placed after survival from were lower in black patients with a rate of 38.3% compared to 44.5% in white patients (p < 0.001).ConclusionBlack patients are less likely to experience ROSC and survival to discharge after PEA or asystole IHCA. Individual patient characteristics, event characteristics, and hospital characteristics don’t fully explain this disparity. It is possible that disease burden and end-of-life preferences contribute to the racial disparity.     

Frequency of Advanced Cardiac Life Support Medication Use and Association With Survival During In-hospital Cardiac Arrest

PurposeCardiopulmonary resuscitation is common in the United States, with >200,000 people experiencing an in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) annually. Recent medication shortages have raised the question of the frequency and type of medication used during cardiac arrest resuscitation. We sought to determine the frequency and quantity of medications used during IHCA.MethodsThis retrospective, single-center, medical record review was performed at a large, urban teaching hospital. Adults ≥18 years old who had an IHCA with confirmed loss of pulse between January 2017 and March 2018 were identified. A standardized data collection tool was used to extract data from the electronic medical record. The primary outcome was the frequency and quantity of medications used during the IHCA. Secondary outcomes included median time to defibrillation and frequency of sodium bicarbonate use, including among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).FindingsCriteria were met for 181 IHCA events. Demographic characteristics were 71% black, 17% white, mean age of 65 years, and 46% women. Epinephrine was given in 86.7% of the arrests, with a mean cumulative dose of 4.2 mg. Sodium bicarbonate was given in 63.5% of the arrests, with a mean cumulative dose of 9.0 g (1.9 amps). Amiodarone was given in 30.9% of the arrests, with a mean cumulative dose of 311.8 mg. Median time to defibrillation was 2 min (interquartile range, 1–4 min). Preexisting ESRD was present in 24.8% of patients, of whom 71.1% received sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate administration was associated with a lower likelihood of survival to discharge (odds ratio [OR] = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.11–0.66) as well as a lower rate of return to spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (OR = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.13–0.95). Magnesium administration was associated with a lower rate of ROSC (OR = 0.39; 95% CI, 0.15–0.98). Of note, in patients with preexisting ESRD, no medications were significantly associated with a change in likelihood of survival to discharge or rate of ROSC. In patients without preexisting ESRD, magnesium was associated with a lower rate of ROSC (OR = 0.23; 95% CI, 0.08–0.77).ImplicationsWe found that in a hospital with established rapid response and code blue teams, numerous medications that are not recommended for routine use in cardiac arrest are still administered at significant frequencies. Furthermore, substantial amounts of drugs with known recent shortage are used in IHCA. Inc.     

Relationship between Time-to-ROSC and Survival in Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest ECPR Candidates: When is the Best Time to Consider Transport to Hospital?

Objective: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) may improve outcomes for refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Transport of intra-arrest patients to hospital however, may decrease CPR quality, potentially reducing survival for those who would have achieved return-of-spontaneous-circulation (ROSC) with further on-scene resuscitation. We examined time-to-ROSC and patient outcomes for the optimal time to consider transport. Methods: From a prospective registry of consecutive adult non-traumatic OHCA's, we identified a hypothetical ECPR-eligible cohort of EMS-treated patients with age ≤ 65, witnessed arrest, and bystander CPR or EMS arrival < 10 minutes. We assessed the relationship between time-to-ROSC and survival, and constructed a ROC curve to illustrate the ability of a pulseless state to predict non-survival with conventional resuscitation. Results: Of 6,571 EMS-treated cases, 1,206 were included with 27% surviving. Increasing time–to–ROSC (per minute) was negatively associated with survival (adjusted OR 0.91; 95%CI 0.89–0.93%). The yield of survivors per minute of resuscitation increased from commencement and started to decline in the 8th minute. Fifty percent and 90% of survivors had achieved ROSC by 8.0 and 24 min, respectively, at which times the probability of survival for those with initial shockable rhythms was 31% and 10%, and for non-shockable rhythms was 5.2% and 1.6%. The ROC curve illustrated that the 16th minute of resuscitation maximized sensitivity and specificity (AUC = 0.87, 95% CI 0.85–0.89). Conclusion: Transport for ECPR should be considered between 8 to 24 minutes of professional on-scene resuscitation, with 16 minutes balancing the risks and benefits of early and later transport. Earlier transport within this window may be preferred if high quality CPR can be maintained during transport and for those with initial non-shockable rhythms.     

Factors influencing the outcomes after in-hospital resuscitation in Taiwan

BACKGROUND: The effects on prognosis of some advanced interventions established before cardiopulmonary resuscitation are not clear. The outcomes and patterns of various factors of in-hospital resuscitation are also influenced by different disease patterns in different areas. We studied the factors related to outcomes in an oriental country. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied the in-hospital resuscitation events in a tertiary medical center in Taipei city, Taiwan. All events and variables were recorded using the Utstein style for in-hospital resuscitation. We measured the influence of patients and event variables on the outcomes of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to discharge. RESULTS: The rate of establishing a ROSC was 67% and the rate of survival to discharge was 17% in the studied population. The 1-year survival rate was 3.9%. Only 17% of the patients resuscitated had coronary artery disease. VT/VF was the initial rhythm in only 13.6% patients. Nearly half (49%) of the resuscitation attempts took place in emergency department (ED). Patients who were already intubated or had received mechanical ventilation before resuscitation had reduced chances of achieving ROSC. (P<0.05). Favorable prognostic factors of survival to discharge were shorter time intervals from patient collapse to arrival of the resuscitation team (69 vs. 154 s, P<0.05) and to confirmation of arrest (93 vs. 217 s, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Intubation and mechanical ventilation already established before arrest implies an underlying critical illness and reduce the chances of ROSC. Shorter intervals from collapse to resuscitation improve the chance of survival to discharge. The high proportion of resuscitation events occurring in the ED, reflecting ED overcrowding, and low frequency of pre-existing coronary artery disease are unique to our country.     

Cardiac arrest survival is rare without prehospital return of spontaneous circulation

Abstract Background. Emergency medical services (EMS) are crucial in the management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Despite accepted termination-of-resuscitation criteria, many patients are transported to the hospital without achieving field return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Objective. We examine field ROSC influence on OHCA survival to hospital discharge in two large urban EMS systems. Methods. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was conducted. Data collection is a component of San Antonio Fire Department's comprehensive quality assurance/quality improvement program and Cincinnati Fire Department's participation in the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) project. Attempted resuscitations of medical OHCA and cardiac OHCA for San Antonio and Cincinnati, respectively, from 2008 to 2010 were analyzed by city and in aggregate. Results. A total of 2,483 resuscitation attempts were evaluated. Age and gender distributions were similar between cities, but ethnic profiles differed. Cincinnati had 17% (p = 0.002) more patients with an initial shockable rhythm and was more likely to initiate transport before field ROSC. Overall survival to hospital discharge was 165 of 2,483 (6.6%). More than one-third (894 of 2,483, 36%) achieved field ROSC. Survival with field ROSC was 17.2% (154 of 894) and without field ROSC was 0.69% (11 of 1,589). Of the 11 survivors transported prior to field ROSC, nine received defibrillation by EMS. No asystolic patient survived to hospital discharge without field ROSC. Conclusion. Survival to hospital discharge after OHCA is rare without field ROSC. Resuscitation efforts should focus on achieving field ROSC. Transport should be reserved for patients with field ROSC or a shockable rhythm.     

Changes in Field Termination of Resuscitation and Survival Rates After an Educational Intervention to Promote on Scene Resuscitation for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

BackgroundEmergency medical services (EMS) agencies with higher field termination-of-resuscitation (TOR) rates tend to have higher survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Whether EMS agencies can improve survival rates through efforts to focus on resuscitation on scene and optimize TOR rates is unknown.ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to determine if an EMS agency's efforts to enhance on-scene resuscitation were associated with increased TOR and OHCA survival with favorable neurologic outcome.MethodsA single-city, retrospective analysis of prospectively collected 2017 quality assurance data was conducted. Patient demographics, process, and outcome measures were compared before and after an educational intervention to increase field TOR. The primary outcome measure was survival to hospital discharge with favorable neurologic status.ResultsThere were 320 cases that met inclusion criteria. No differences in age, gender, location, witnessed arrest, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, initial shockable rhythm, or presumed cardiac etiology were found. After the intervention, overall TOR rate increased from 39.6% to 51.1% (p = 0.06). Among subjects transported without return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), average time on scene increased from 26.4 to 34.2 min (p = 0.02). Rates of sustained ROSC and survival to hospital admission were similar between periods. After intervention, there was a trend toward increased survival to hospital discharge rate (relative risk [RR] 2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74–5.91) and an increase in survival with favorable neurologic status rate (RR 5.96; 95% CI 0.80–44.47).ConclusionThis study described the association between an educational intervention focusing on optimization of resuscitation on scene and OHCA process and outcome measures. Field termination has the potential to serve as a surrogate marker for aggressively treating OHCA patients on scene.     

Impact of dispatcher assisted CPR on ROSC rates: A National Cohort Study

IntroductionOut of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of mortality. Bystander CPR is associated with increased OHCA survival rates. Dispatcher assisted CPR (DA-CPR) increases rates of bystander CPR, shockable rhythm prevalence, and improves ROSC rates. The aim of this article was to quantify and qualify DA-CPR (acceptance/rejection), ROSC, shockable rhythms, and associations between factors as seen in MDA, Israel, during 2018.MethodsAll 2018 OHCA incidents in Israel's national EMS database were studied retrospectively. We identified rates and reasons for DA-CPR acceptance or rejection. Reasons DA-CPR was rejected/non-feasible by caller were categorized into 5 groups. ROSC was the primary outcome. We created two study groups: 1) No DA-CPR (n = 542). 2) DA-CPR & team CPR (n = 1768).ResultsDA-CPR was accepted by caller 76.5% of incidents. In group 1, ROSC rates were significantly lower compared to patients in group 2 (12.4% vs. 21.3% p < .001). Group 1 had 12.4% shockable rhythms vs. 17.1% in group 2 (DA-CPR and team CPR). Of the total 369 shockable cases, 42.3% (156) achieved ROSC, in the non-shockable rhythms only 14.8% achieved ROSC.ConclusionsOHCA victims receiving dispatcher assisted bystander CPR have higher rates of ROSC and more prevalence of shockable rhythms. MDA dispatchers offer DA-CPR and it is accepted 76.5% of the time. MDA patients receiving DA-CPR had higher ROSC rates and more shockable rhythms. MDA's age demographic is high, possibly affecting ROSC and shockable rhythm rates.     

Biphasic versus monophasic defibrillation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveBiphasic defibrillation is more effective than monophasic one in controlled in-hospital conditions. The present review evaluated the performance of both waveforms in the defibrillation of patients of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with initial ventricular fibrillation (Vf) rhythm under the context of current recommendations for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.MethodsFrom inception to June 2012, Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched systemically for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational cohort studies that compared the effects of biphasic and monophasic shocks on Vf termination, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and survival to hospital discharge in OHCA patients with initial Vf rhythm. No restrictions were applied regarding language, population, or publication year.ResultsFour RCTs including 572 patients were identified from 131 potentially relevant references for meta-analysis. The synthesis of these RCTs yielded fixed-effect pooled risk ratios (RRs) for biphasic and monophasic waveforms on Vf termination survival to hospital discharge (RR, 1.14; 95% CI, [0.84-1.54]).ConclusionBiphasic waveforms did not seem superior to monophasic ones with respect to Vf termination, ROSC, or survival to hospital discharge in OHCA patients with initial Vf rhythm under the context of current guidelines. However, most trials were conducted in accordance with previous guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Therefore, further trials are needed to clarify this issue.     

Impact of resuscitation system errors on survival from in-hospital cardiac arrest

Background

An estimated 350,000-750,000 adult, in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) events occur annually in the United States. The impact of resuscitation system errors on survival during IHCA resuscitation has not been evaluated. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the impact of resuscitation system errors on survival to hospital discharge after IHCA.

Methods and results

We evaluated subjective and objective errors in 118,387 consecutive, adult, index IHCA cases entered into the Get with the Guidelines National Registry of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation database from January 1, 2000 through August 26, 2008. Cox regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between reported resuscitation system errors and other important clinical variables and the hazard ratio for death prior to hospital discharge. Of the 108,636 patients whose initial IHCA rhythm was recorded, resuscitation system errors were committed in 9,894/24,467 (40.4%) of those with an initial rhythm of ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VF/pVT) and in 22,599/84,169 (26.8%) of those with non-VF/pVT. The most frequent system errors related to delay in medication administration (>5 min time from event recognition to first dose of a vasoconstrictor), defibrillation, airway management, and chest compression performance errors. The presence of documented resuscitation system errors on an IHCA event was associated with decreased rates of return of spontaneous circulation, survival to 24 h, and survival to hospital discharge. The relative risk of death prior to hospital discharge based on hazard ratio analysis was 9.9% (95% CI 7.8, 12.0) more likely for patients whose initial documented rhythm was non-VF/pVT when resuscitation system errors were reported compared to when no errors were reported. It was 34.2% (95% CI 29.5, 39.1) more likely for those with VF/pVT.

Conclusions

The presence of resuscitation system errors that are evident from review of the resuscitation record is associated with decreased survival from IHCA in adults. Hospitals should target the training of first responders and code team personnel to emphasize the importance of early defibrillation, early use of vasoconstrictor medication, and compliance with ACLS protocols.     

Re-examining outcomes after unsuccessful out-of-hospital resuscitation in the era of field termination of resuscitation guidelines and regionalized post-resuscitation care

BackgroundDismal prognosis after failed out-of-hospital resuscitation has previously been demonstrated. Changes in resuscitation and post-resuscitation care may affect patient outcomes. We describe characteristics and outcomes of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) transported to specialty cardiac centers after failure of out-of-hospital interventions.MethodsIn Los Angeles (LA) County, patients with non-traumatic OOHCA with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) are transported to specialized cardiac care centers. Outcomes are reported to a registry maintained by the LA County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency. We report patient characteristics and outcomes for the subset of patients treated at these specialty centers in whom initial ROSC was achieved in the ED. The primary outcome was neurologically intact survival, defined by a cerebral performance category (CPC) score of 1 or 2.Results105 patients transported to the SRC after failure to achieve ROSC with out-of-hospital resuscitation were successfully resuscitated in the ED. The median age was 68 years (IQR 57–78); 74 (70%) were male. The presenting rhythm was ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia in 40 patients (38%) and 86 (82%) were witnessed. Twenty-two patients (21%) survived to hospital discharge. Of the 103 patients with known CPC scores, 13 (13% [95% CI 7–21%]) survived to hospital discharge with a CPC score of 1 or 2. No patient who survived with good neurologic outcome met criteria for termination of resuscitation in the field.ConclusionFailure of out-of-hospital resuscitation is not universally predictive of poor neurologic outcome.