Severe QTc prolongation under mild hypothermia treatment and incidence of arrhythmias after cardiac arrest--a prospective study in 34 survivors with continuous Holter ECG

Background

Mild hypothermia treatment (32-34 °C) in survivors after cardiac arrest (CA) is clearly recommended by the current guidelines. The effects of cooling procedure towards QT interval have not been evaluated so far outside of case series. In a prospective study 34 consecutive survivors after cardiac arrest were continuously monitored with Holter ECG over the first 48 h.

Patients and methods

A total of 34 patients were analysed and received mild therapeutic hypothermia treatment (MTH) according to the current guidelines and irrespective of the initial rhythm. At admission to hospital and in the field in case of OHCA, a 12-lead ECG was performed in all patients.

Results

During cooling the incidence of ventricular tachycardia was low (8.8%) and in none of the patients Torsade de pointes occurred. The QTc interval was within normal range at first patient contact with EMS in the field (440.00 ms; IQR 424.25-476.75; n = 17) but during hypothermia treatment the QTc interval was significantly prolonged at 33 °C after 24 h of cooling (564.47 ms; IQR 512.41-590.00; p = 0.0001; n = 34) and decreased after end of hypothermia to baseline levels (476.74 ms; 448.71-494.97; p = 0.15).

Conclusion

The QTc interval was found to be significantly prolonged during MTH treatment, and some severe prolongations >670 ms were observed, without a higher incidence of life-threatening arrhythmias, especially no Torsade des pointes were detected. However, routine and frequent ECG recording with respect to the QTc interval should become part of any hypothermia standard operation protocol and should be recommended by official guidelines.     

Value analysis of continuous EEG in patients during therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest

Introduction

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is standard of care after ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest (CA). Continuous EEG monitoring (cEEG) is increasingly used during TH. Analysis regarding value of cEEG utilization in this population in the context of cost and outcome has not been performed. We compared outcome and EEG charges in CA patients with selective versus routine cEEG.

Methods

A protocol for TH after CA without routine cEEG was implemented in December 2005, comprising our TH-pre-cEEG cohort. In November 2009, this protocol was changed to include cEEG in all CA–TH patients, comprising our TH-cEEG cohort. Clinical outcome using the Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) at discharge and estimated EEG charges were calculated retrospectively for both cohorts, based on National Charge Data 50th percentile charges expressed in USD per the CMS 2010 Standard Analytical File as reported in Code Correct by MedAssets, Inc.

Results

Our TH-pre-cEEG cohort comprised 91 patients, our TH-cEEG cohort 62. In the TH-pre-cEEG cohort, 19 patients (21%) had rEEGs, 4 (4%) underwent cEEG. The mean estimated EEG charges for the TH-pre-cEEG cohort was $1571.59/patient, and TH-cEEG cohort was $4214.93/patient (p < 0.0001). Two patients (2.1%) in the TH-pre-cEEG cohort had seizures, compared to five (8.1%) in the TH-cEEG cohort (p = 0.088). There was no difference in mortality or clinical outcome in these cohorts.

Conclusions

Routine use of cEEG during TH after CA improved seizure detection, but not outcomes. There was a three-fold increase in EEG estimated charges with routine use of cEEG.     

A rapid, safe, and low-cost technique for the induction of mild therapeutic hypothermia in post-cardiac arrest patients

Aim of study

The benefits of inducing mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) in cardiac arrest patients are well established. Timing and speed of induction have been related to improved outcomes in several animal trials and one human study. We report the results of an easily implemented, rapid, safe, and low-cost protocol for the induction of MTH.

Methods

All in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients admitted to an intensive care unit meeting inclusion criteria were cooled using a combination modality of rapid, cold saline infusion (CSI), evaporative surface cooling, and ice water gastric lavage. Cooling tasks were performed with a primary emphasis on speed. The main endpoints were the time intervals between return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), initiation of hypothermia (IH), and achievement of target temperature (TT).

Results

65 patients underwent MTH during a 3-year period. All patients reached target temperature. Median ROSC-TT was 134 min. Median ROSC-IH was 68 min. Median IH-TT was 60 min. IH-TT cooling rate was 2.6 °C/h. Complications were similar to that of other large trials. 31% of this mixed population of IHCA and OHCA patients recovered to a Pittsburgh cerebral performance score (CPC) of 1 or 2.

Conclusion

A protocol using a combination of core and surface cooling modalities was rapid, safe, and low cost in achieving MTH. The cooling rate of 2.6 °C/h was superior to most published protocols. This method uses readily available equipment and reduces the need for costly commercial devices.     

Conversion to shockable rhythms during resuscitation and survival for out-of hospital cardiac arrest

Background

In out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), the prognostic influence of conversion to shockable rhythms during resuscitation for initially non-shockable rhythms remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the relationship between initial and subsequent shockable rhythm and post-arrest survival and neurological outcomes after OHCA.

The prognostic value of end tidal carbon dioxide during cardiac arrest: A systematic review

Introduction

Cardiac arrest is a common presentation to the emergency care system. The decision to terminate CPR is often challenging to heath care providers. An accurate, early predictor of the outcome of resuscitation is needed. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the prognostic value of ETCO₂ during cardiac arrest and to explore whether ETCO₂ values could be utilised as a tool to predict the outcome of resuscitation.

Method

Literature search was performed using Medline and EMBASE databases to identify studies that evaluated the relationship between ETCO₂ during cardiac arrest and outcome. Studies were thoroughly evaluated and appraised. Summary of evidence and conclusions were drawn from this systematic literature review.

Results

23 observational studies were included. The majority of studies showed that ETCO₂ values during CPR were significantly higher in patients who later developed ROSC compared to patients who did not. Several studies suggested that initial ETCO₂ value of more than 1.33 kPa is 100% sensitive for predicting survival making ETCO₂ value below 1.33 kPa a strong predictor of mortality. These studies however had several limitations and the 100% sensitivity for predicting survival was not consistent among all studies.

Conclusion

ETCO₂ values during CPR do correlate with the likelihood of ROSC and survival and therefore have prognostic value. Although certain ETCO₂ cut-off values appears to be a strong predictor of mortality, the utility of ETCO₂ cut-off values during CPR to accurately predict the outcome of resuscitation is not fully established. Therefore, ETCO₂ values cannot be used as a mortality predictor in isolation.     

Requirement for a structured algorithm in cardiac arrest following major trauma: Epidemiology,management errors,and preventability of traumatic deaths in Berlin

Background

Despite continuous innovation in trauma care, fatal trauma remains a significant medical and socioeconomic problem. Traumatic cardiac arrest (tCA) is still considered a hopeless situation, whereas management errors and preventability of death are neglected. We analyzed clinical and autopsy data from tCA patients in an emergency-physician-based rescue system in order to reveal epidemiologic data and current problems in the successful treatment of tCA.

Material and methods

Epidemiological and autopsy data of all unsuccessful tCPR cases in a one-year-period in Berlin, Germany (n = 101, Group I) and clinical data of all cases of tCPR in a level 1 trauma centre in an 6-year period (n = 52, Group II) were evaluated. Preventability of traumatic deaths in autopsy cases (n = 22) and trauma-management failures were prospectively assessed.

Results

In 2010, 23% of all traumatic deaths in Berlin received tCPR. Death after tCPR occurred predominantly prehospital (PH;74%) and only 26% of these patients were hospitalized. Of 52 patients (Group II), 46% required tCPR already PH and 81% in the emergency department (ED). In 79% ROSC was established PH and 53% in the ED. The survival rate after tCPR was 29% with 27% good neurological outcome. Management errors occurred in 73% PH; 4 cases were judged as potentially or definitive preventable death.

Conclusion

Trauma CPR is beyond routine with the need for a tCPR-algorithm, including chest/pericardial decompression, external pelvic stabilization and external bleeding control. The prehospital trauma management has the highest potential to improve tCPR and survival. Therefore, we suggested a pilot prehospital tCPR-algorithm.