A meta-analysis of cardiopulmonary resuscitation with and without the administration of thrombolytic agents

OBJECTIVE: To pool data on the role of thrombolytic agents in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and evaluate the efficacy and safety of thrombolysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical studies in MEDLINE database from 1966 to August 2004 that studied the efficacy and safety in CPR with and without treatment with thrombolytic agents were assessed by a meta-analysis performed to evaluate the effect of the treatment. RESULTS: A total of eight papers evaluating the effect of thrombolysis in CPR were identified. This meta-analysis showed that thrombolytic agents significantly improved the rate of return of spontaneous circulation, 24 h survival rate, survival to discharge and long-term neurological function in patients treated with CPR (p < 0.01). However, the patients receiving thrombolysis had a risk of severe bleeding (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Thrombolytic agents during CPR can improve the survival rate to discharge and neurological function.