Results of the first five years of the prehospital automatic external defibrillation project in Singapore in the "Utstein style"

In 1994, all emergency medical services (EMS) ambulance officers in Singapore were trained to perform pre-hospital defibrillation with semi-automated external defibrillators (AED). All non-traumatic cardiac arrest patients over 10 years old were included, excluding those who were obviously dead and children below 36 kg. The data were collected by the ambulance officers according to the Utstein guidelines. From 1 February 1994 to 31 January 1999; resuscitation was attempted in 968 non-trauma cardiac arrests. Fifteen percent of the cases were of non-cardiac origin. The overall survival rate was 40/968 (4.1%, 95% CI 2.9-5.6%). Of 968 patients, 22/136 (16.2%, 95% CI 10.4-23.5%), 18/622 (2.9%, 95% CI 1.7-4.5%) and 0/210 (0%, 95% CI 0-1.7%) survived in the EMS witnessed, bystander witnessed and un-witnessed groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Within the EMS witnessed group, those with an initial rhythm of VF/VT had a higher survival rate (30.6%) than those without VF/VT (4.1%). P < 0.001, OR = 10.3, 95% CI 2.9-36.9. Similarly, the VF/VT survival rate in the bystander witnessed group (4.5%) was higher than the non-VF/VT (1.0%) (P = 0.011, OR = 4.4, 95% CI 1.3-15.4). The survival rate of patients with bystander witnessed VF/VT arrest who received bystander CPR was 9.4% compared to 1.0% in those who did not (P = 0.037, OR = 4.4, 95% CI 1.01-20.1). Our survival rate of bystander witnessed VF/VT arrest is comparable to large metropolitan cities in the USA. The determinants of survival include EMS witnessed arrest and VF/VT arrest. Increased quantity and quality of bystander CPR rate may improve the outcome in bystander witnessed cardiac arrest.     

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival improving over time: Results from the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC)

BackgroundOut-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a leading cause of death and a 2010 meta-analysis concluded that outcomes have not improved over several decades. However, guidelines have changed to emphasize CPR quality, minimization of interruptions, and standardized post-resuscitation care. We sought to evaluate whether OHCA outcomes have improved over time among agencies participating in the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC) cardiac arrest registry (Epistry) and randomized clinical trials (RCTs).MethodsObservational cohort study of 47,148 EMS-treated OHCA cases in Epistry from 139 EMS agencies at 10 ROC sites that participated in at least one RCT between 1/1/2006 and 12/31/2010. We reviewed patient, scene, event characteristics, and outcomes of EMS-treated OHCA over time, including subgroups with initial rhythm of pulseless ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF).ResultsMean response interval, median age and male proportion remained similar over time. Unadjusted survival to discharge increased between 2006 and 2010 for treated OHCA (from 8.2% to 10.4%), as well as for subgroups of VT/VF (21.4% to 29.3%) and bystander witnessed VT/VF (23.5% to 30.3%). Compared with 2006, adjusted survival to discharge was significantly higher in 2010 for treated cases (OR = 1.72; 95% CI 1.53, 1.94), VT/VF cases (OR = 1.69; 95% CI 1.45, 1.98) and bystander witnessed VT/VF cases (OR = 1.65; 95% CI 1.36, 2.00). Tests for trend in each subgroup were significant (p < 0.001).ConclusionsROC-wide survival increased significantly between 2006 and 2010. Additional research efforts are warranted to identify specific factors associated with this improvement.     

EMS defibrillation-first policy may not improve outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

OBJECTIVE: Early defibrillation using automated external defibrillators (AEDs) has been advocated to improve survival in witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) due to pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF). However, when VT/VF is untreated and prolonged for more than a few minutes, defibrillation using AEDs may fail. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed the charts from local emergency medical service (EMS) between the years 1993 to 2001 to evaluate the value of the AED after its introduction into our EMS. All witnessed OHCA due to VT/VF were analysed; cases of collapse witnessed by EMS were excluded. The primary endpoint was defined as survival to hospital discharge and at 1-year follow-up, and the secondary endpoint as survival without major neurological deficit. A total of 76 patients were treated for witnessed VT/VF before the implementation of the AED and 92 patients after its implementation. RESULTS: Before the introduction of paramedic AED defibrillation, physician defibrillation was performed at 15.6 min (+/-5.5, S.D.). After the introduction of AED defibrillation, paramedic defibrillation was performed at 5.7 min (+/-2.4, S.D.); the mean response interval from the call to defibrillation was shortened significantly (P<0.001). At the same time, survival to hospital discharge decreased from 23.7% (18/76 patients) to 14.1% (13/92) (P=0.112) and at 1-year follow-up from 17.1% (13/76) to 9.8% (9/92) (P=0.161). Favourable neurological outcome at 1-year follow-up also decreased from 14.5% (11/76) to 8.7% (8/92) (P=0.239). CONCLUSION: Implementation of the AED did not improve survival or a favourable neurological outcome in patients with OHCA due to VF/VT. However, with 5.7 min time to defibrillation, our EMS did not meet the criteria for early defibrillation. For prolonged periods of VT/VF, initial basic life support (BLS) may be superior to immediate AED. If response times of <4 min cannot be attained by the emergency systems, reconsidering of resuscitation algorithms seems to be advisable.     

The Increased Mortality from Witnessed Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in the Home

Abstract

Background. Research in 2008 demonstrated that the majority of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) occur in the home, and many important characteristics differ between private and public locations. However, the influence of the location of collapse on survival from OHCA is not well understood. Furthermore, most of the reports have been from Western countries; there is little research from Asia that differentiates the conditions of OHCA. Objective. To investigate the influence of the location of collapse on being discharged alive from OHCA and whether the location of collapse is also an independent predictor of survival from OHCA in Japan. Methods. We analyzed 463 consecutive cases of witnessed OHCA with cardiac etiology that occurred between October 2004 and September 2008 in Japan. We investigated the characteristics of OHCA patients who collapsed in private and public locations, and assessed the influence of the location of collapse on survival from OHCA. Results. Patients who collapsed outside the home were younger, more likely to be male, more likely to receive bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and more likely to have ventricular fibrillation (VF)/pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) and had a shorter time interval between collapse and 9-1-1 call than patients who collapsed in the home. Mortality was significantly higher in the group who collapsed in the home. The independent influence of the location of collapse was eliminated by additional adjustment for time interval from collapse to 9-1-1 call, age, bystander CPR, and initial cardiac rhythm. Finally, VF/pulseless VT as the initial rhythm and bystander CPR were independently associated with the patient's being discharged alive; the location of collapse was not an independently associated variable. Conclusions. The present analysis demonstrated that there were significant differences in survival between groups of patients who suffered from cardiac arrest inside and outside the home in Japan. The outside-the-home group had a higher rate of survival from OHCA; however, the location of collapse was not an independent predictor of survival from OHCA. Education of the families of high-risk patients in placing a rapid emergency call and performing effective CPR might be needed to improve survival from cardiac arrest in the home.     

Epidemiology and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Rochester, New York

OBJECTIVE: To characterize out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and factors that affect survival in a medium sized city that uses system status management for dispatch. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of all adult OHCA patients treated by EMS between 1998 and 2001 was conducted using Utstein definitions. The primary endpoint was 1-year survival. RESULTS: Of the 1177 patients who experienced OHCA during the study period, 539 (46%) met inclusion criteria. Age ranged from 18 to 98 years (median 67). The median call-response interval was 5 min (range 0-21), and 93% were 9 min or less. There was no significant difference in the median call-response intervals between call location zip (Post) codes (p=0.07). Twenty percent of experienced ROSC (95% CI 17-23), 7% survived more than 30 days (95% CI 5-9%), and 5% survived to 1 year (95% CI 3-7%). In bivariate analysis, first rhythm and bystander CPR affected survival to 1 year. There was no significant difference in survival between male (4%) and female (7%), black (4%) and white (6%), or witnessed (7%) and unwitnessed arrest (4%). Logistic regression identified younger age, CPR initiated by bystander (19%) or first responder (41%), and presenting rhythm of VF/VT (32%) as factors associated with survival to 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: This study finds a 5% survival to 1 year among OHCA patients in Rochester, NY. A presenting rhythm of VF/VT and bystander CPR were associated with increased survival.     

A model of survival following pre-hospital cardiac arrest based on the Victorian Ambulance Cardiac Arrest Register

AIMS: This study describes the epidemiology of sudden cardiac arrest patients in Victoria, Australia, as captured via the Victorian Ambulance Cardiac Arrest Register (VACAR). We used the VACAR data to construct a new model of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), which was specified in accordance with observed trends. PATIENTS: All cases of cardiac arrest in Victoria that were attended by Victorian ambulance services during the period of 2002-2005. RESULTS: Overall survival to hospital discharge was 3.8% among 18,827 cases of OHCA. Survival was 15.7% among 1726 bystander witnessed, adult cardiac arrests of presumed cardiac aetiology, presenting in ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT), where resuscitation was attempted. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, bystander CPR, cardiac arrest (CA) location, response time, age and sex were predictors of VF/VT, which, in turn, was a strong predictor of survival. The same factors that affected VF/VT made an additional contribution to survival. However, for bystander CPR, CA location and response time this additional contribution was limited to VF/VT patients only. There was no detectable association between survival and age younger than 60 years or response time over 15min. CONCLUSION: The new model accounts for relationships among predictors of survival. These relationships indicate that interventions such as reduced response times and bystander CPR act in multiple ways to improve survival.     

Comparison of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest occurring before and after paramedic arrival: Epidemiology,survival to hospital discharge and 12-month functional recovery

BackgroundDespite immediate resuscitation, survival rates following out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) witnessed by emergency medical service (EMS) are reportedly low. We sought to compare survival and 12-month functional recovery outcomes for OHCA occurring before and after EMS arrival.MethodsBetween 1st July 2008 and 30th June 2013, we included 8648 adult OHCA cases receiving an EMS attempted resuscitation from the Victorian Ambulance Cardiac Arrest Registry, and categorised them into five groups: bystander witnessed cases ± bystander CPR, unwitnessed cases ± bystander CPR, and EMS witnessed cases. The main outcomes were survival to hospital and survival to hospital discharge. Twelve-month survival with good functional recovery was measured in a sub-group of patients using the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE).ResultsBaseline and arrest characteristics differed significantly across groups. Unadjusted survival outcomes were highest among bystander witnessed cases receiving bystander CPR and EMS witnessed cases, however outcomes differed significantly between these groups: survival to hospital (46.0% vs. 53.4% respectively, p < 0.001); survival to hospital discharge (21.1% vs. 34.9% respectively, p < 0.001). When compared to bystander witnessed cases receiving bystander CPR, EMS witnessed cases were associated with a significant improvement in the risk adjusted odds of survival to hospital (OR 2.02, 95% CI: 1.75–2.35), survival to hospital discharge (OR 6.16, 95% CI: 5.04–7.52) and survival to 12 months with good functional recovery (OR 5.56, 95% CI: 4.18–7.40).ConclusionWhen compared to OHCA occurring prior to EMS arrival, EMS witnessed arrests were associated with significantly higher survival to hospital discharge rates and favourable neurological recovery at 12-month post-arrest.     

A composite model of survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest using the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES)

ObjectiveUsing CARES data, to develop a composite multivariate logistic regression model of survival for projecting survival rates for out-of-hospital arrests of presumed cardiac etiology (OHCA).MethodsThis is an analysis of 25,975 OHCA cases (from October 1, 2005 to December 31, 2011) occurring before EMS/first responder arrival and involving attempted resuscitation by responders from 125 EMS agencies.ResultsThe survival-at-hospital discharge rate was 9% for all cases, 16% for bystander-witnessed cases, 4% for unwitnessed cases, and 32% for bystander-witnessed pVT/VF cases. The model was estimated separately for each set of cases above. Generally, our first equation showed that joint presence of a presenting rhythm of pVT/VF and return of spontaneous circulation in the pre-hospital setting (PREHOSPROSC) is a substantial direct predictor of patient survival (e.g., 55% of such cases survived). Bystander AED use, and, for witnessed cases, bystander CPR and response time are significant but less sizable direct predictors of survival. Our second equation shows that these variables make an additional, indirect contribution to survival by affecting the probability of joint presence of pVT/VF and PREHOSPROSC. The model yields survival rate projections for various improvement scenarios; for example, if all cases had involved bystander AED use (vs. 4% currently), the survival rate would have increased to 14%. Approximately one-half of projected increases come from indirect effects that would have been missed by the conventional single-equation approach.ConclusionThe composite model describes major connections among predictors of survival, and yields specific projections for consideration when allocating scarce resources to impact OHCA survival.     

Outcomes for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests across 7 countries in Asia: The Pan Asian Resuscitation Outcomes Study (PAROS)

BackgroundThe Pan Asian Resuscitation Outcomes Study (PAROS) Clinical Research Network (CRN) was established in collaboration with emergency medical services (EMS) agencies and academic centers in Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and UAE-Dubai and aims to report out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) and provide a better understanding of OHCA trends in Asia.Methods and resultsThis is a prospective, international, multi-center cohort study of OHCA across the Asia-Pacific. Each participating country provided between 1.5 and 2.5 years of data from January 2009 to December 2012. All OHCA cases conveyed by EMS or presenting at emergency departments were captured.66,780 OHCA cases were submitted to the PAROS CRN; 41,004 cases were presumed cardiac etiology. The mean age OHCA occurred varied from 49.7 to 71.7 years. The proportion of males ranged from 57.9% to 82.7%. Proportion of unwitnessed arrests ranged from 26.4% to 67.9%. Presenting shockable rhythm rates ranged from 4.1% to 19.8%. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) rates varied from 10.5% to 40.9%, however <1.0% of these arrests received bystander defibrillation. For arrests that were with cardiac etiology, witnessed arrest and VF, the survival rate to hospital discharge varied from no reported survivors to 31.2%. Overall survival to hospital discharge varied from 0.5% to 8.5%. Survival with good neurological function ranged from 1.6% to 3%.ConclusionsSurvival to hospital discharge for Asia varies widely and this may be related to patient and system differences. This implies that survival may be improved with interventions such as increasing bystander CPR, public access defibrillation and improving EMS.     

Limited Response to Cardiac Arrest by Police Equipped with Automated External Defibrillators: Lack of Survival Benefit in Suburban and Rural Indiana—The Police as Responder Automated Defibrillation Evaluation (PARADE)

OBJECTIVE: To assess the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival advantage after providing police with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in rural and suburban Indiana. METHODS: An observational evaluation was conducted in six Indiana counties (population: 464,741) before (retrospective) and after (prospective) training and equipping police with AEDs. The primary outcome evaluated was survival to hospital discharge for all cases of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) OHCA. Other factors evaluated include age, gender, race, arrest location, witnessed arrest, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, response intervals, and survival to discharge for all OHCAs. Results are reported using chi-square, Student's t-test, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Police were equipped with 112 AEDs, increasing total defibrillator capability by 43.2%. During the study period, AED-equipped police responded prior to emergency medical services (EMS) in 26 of 388 cases (6.7%). The time intervals from 911 call-to-scene and 911 call-to-shock were shortened by 1.6 minutes (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.0 to 3.1, p = 0.05) and 4.8 minutes (95% CI = 1.3 to 8.3, p = 0.008), respectively, with police response as compared with EMS response. Survival to hospital discharge for VT/VF OHCA was 15.0% (3/20) in cases in which police responded first and 10.0% (16/160) in cases in which EMS responded first (relative risk [RR] 0.63, 95% CI = 0.17 to 2.39, p = 0.45). Survival to hospital discharge for VT/VF OHCA did not improve from the prestudy period (16/204, 7.8%) to after police AED availability (19/180, 10.6%) (RR 0.72, 95% CI = 0.36 to 1.45, p = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival in suburban and rural Indiana did not improve after police were equipped with AEDs, likely related to poor police response.     

Survival rate and factors associated with 1-month survival of witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of cardiac origin with ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia: the Utstein Osaka project

OBJECTIVE: We reassessed 1-month survival of patients with witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) of cardiac origin with ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) in Osaka, Japan, and identified factors associated with 1-month survival using updated data from 1998 to 2004 collected based on the Utstein Style. METHODS: Using the Utstein Osaka Project database, we analyzed 1028 cases which met the following criteria: (1) patient age 18 years or older; (2) presumed cardiac origin based on the definition of the Utstein Style; (3) witnessed by citizens; (4) VF or pulseless VT at the time of arrival of the ambulance. The main outcome measure was survival at 1 month after collapse. Variables to develop a predictive model for 1-month survival were selected by stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: Survival at 1 month was 19.6%. Factors retained in the final logistic regression were age, sex, type of witness, and time interval from (a) ambulance call receipt to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by the ambulance crew; (b) ambulance call to defibrillation; (c) CPR by the ambulance crew to hospital arrival. Area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for the model developed with the six variables was 0.738 and Hosmer-Lemshow goodness-of-fit p-value was 0.94. CONCLUSION: We successfully developed a model to estimate the probability of 1-month survival using variables easy to collect in the early phase of resuscitation, and this model would help physicians and family members predict the likelihood of 1-month survival of OHCA patients on admission.     

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in schools: A systematic review

BackgroundOut-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in children and adolescents is rare, with a minority of cases occurring at school. When OHCA does occur at school it is more likely to affect an adult than a student. Developing comprehensive strategies to treat cardiac arrest occurring at schools would be helped by accurate data regarding its epidemiology.MethodsA systematic review was undertaken. An electronic search strategy of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was devised and relevant papers reporting data on school-based OHCA incidence and/or outcome in both adults and children were identified. Further articles were obtained from the bibliographies of these papers and from related articles.ResultsNine studies were included in the systematic review. Cardiac arrest incidence was one per 23.8–284.1 schools per year. Cardiac arrest incidence amongst students, reported in some studies, was 0.17–4.4 per 100,000 students per year. Studies also reported, although not universally, rates of witnessed OHCA (25.0–97.2%), VF (57.4–67.6%), bystander CPR (25.0–94.4%) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use (23.4–91.5%). Survival to hospital discharge or at one month was between 31.9% and 71.2%.ConclusionCardiac arrest in schools is rare, and more likely to occur in adults than children. Outcomes are better than OHCA occurring at other locations, probably due to the high proportion of witnessed arrests and high rates of bystander CPR. It is likely that school-based AEDs will rarely be needed, but have the potential to make a dramatic impact on outcome.     

Increased survival after EMS witnessed cardiac arrest. Observations from the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC) Epistry—Cardiac arrest

Background

Out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is common and lethal. It has been suggested that OHCA witnessed by EMS providers is a predictor of survival because advanced help is immediately available. We examined EMS witnessed OHCA from the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC) to determine the effect of EMS witnessed vs. bystander witnessed and unwitnessed OHCA.

Methods

Data were analyzed from a prospective, population-based cohort study in 10 U.S. and Canadian ROC sites. Individuals with non-traumatic OHCA treated 04/01/06-03/31/07 by EMS providers with defibrillation or chest compressions were included. Cases were grouped into EMS-witnessed, bystander witnessed, and unwitnessed and further stratified for bystander CPR. Multiple logistic regressions evaluated the odds ratio (OR) for survival to discharge relative to the EMS-witnessed group after adjusting for age, sex, public/private location of collapse, ROC site, and initial ECG rhythm. Of 9991 OHCA, 1022 (10.2%) of EMS-witnessed, 3369 (33.7%) bystander witnessed, and 5600 (56.1%) unwitnessed.

Results

The most common initial rhythm in the EMS-witnessed group was PEA which was higher than in the bystander- and unwitnessed groups (p < 0.001). The adjusted OR (95% CI) of survival compared to the EMS-witnessed group was 0.41, (0.36, 0.46) in bystander witnessed with bystander CPR, 0.37 (0.33, 0.43) in bystander witnessed without bystander CPR, 0.17 (0.14, 0.20) in unwitnessed with bystander CPR and 0.21 (0.18, 0.24) in unwitnessed cases without bystander CPR.

Conclusions

Immediate application of prehospital care for OHCA may improve survival. Efforts should be made to educate patients to access 9-1-1 for prodromal symptoms.     

Bystander vs EMS First–responder CPR: Initial Rhythm and Outcome in Witnessed Nonmonitored Out–of–hospital Cardiac Arrest

Objectives: To assess whether outcome and first–monitored rhythm for patients who sustain a witnessed, nonmonitored, out–of–hospital cardiac arrest are associated with on–scene CPR provider group.
Methods: A retrospective, cohort analysis was conducted in a suburban, heterogeneous EMS system. Patients studied were ± 19 years of age, had had an arrest of presumed cardiac origin between July 1989 and January 1993, had gone into cardiac arrest prior to ALS arrival, and had received CPR on collapse. First–monitored rhythms and survival rates were compared for two patient groups who on collapse either: 1) had received CPR by nonprofessional bystanders (BCPR) or 2) had received CPR by on–scene EMS system first responders (FRCPR).
Results: Of 217 cardiac arrest victims, 153 (71%) had received BCPR and 64 (29%) had received FRCPR. The BCPR patients were slightly younger (62. 4 vs 68. 4 years, p = 0. 01) and had slightly shorter ALS response intervals (6. 4 vs 7. 7 minutes, p = 0. 02). There was no difference in BLS response time intervals or automatic external defibrillator (AED) use rates. The percentage of patients with a first–monitored rhythm of pulseless ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) and the percentage of patients grouped by CPR provider who survived to hospital admission or to hospital discharge were:
Controlling for age, the odds ratio for VT/VF with BCPR was 5. 45 (95% CI 2. 8, 10. 3).
Conclusion: Patients who receive BCPR more often have a first–monitored rhythm of VT/VF than do FRCPR patients, despite both CPR–provider groups' initiating CPR essentially immediately after patient collapse. Hence, BCPR and FRCPR groups have different first–monitored arrest rhythms, which may affect survival rate. These patient populations should not be considered to be homogeneous groups in CPR research.     

Association of response time interval with neurological outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest according to bystander CPR

BackgroundThis study intended to find out how association between response time interval (RTI) and good neurological outcome is affected by bystander CPR. We hypothesized that bystander CPR will ensure positive effect in relationship between RTI and clinical outcome.MethodsA retrospective, observational study was made with Pan-Asian Resuscitation Outcome Study data from January 2009 to December 2016. Six cities from four Asian countries were selected. EMS-treated, non-traumatic witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) cases were included. General demographic data, prehospital cardiac arrest details and clinical outcome were collected and analyzed according to whether bystander CPR was performed. Good neurological outcome and survival discharge were primary and secondary outcomes.ResultsA total of 13,245 OHCA cases were analyzed. Median EMS response time intervals were 6 min, regardless of bystander CPR. Dividing into RTI time range by 3 min, good neurological outcome and survival discharge were only significant in 3 to 6 minutes group (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.42, 1.17–1.73 95% confidence interval [CI] and AOR 1.31, 1.15–1.51 95% CI) in non-bystander CPR group but in bystander CPR group significant RTI time range was 3 to 9 min (AOR 2.02, 1.82, 1.62–2.52, 1.48–2.25 95% CI for primary, AOR 1.66, 1.43, 1.41–1.96, 1.22–1.67 95% CI for secondary).ConclusionsAs response time interval increased, slower deterioration of good neurological outcome and survival discharge was shown in cardiac arrest patients with bystander CPR performed. If bystander CPR is provided, RTI time range showing significant neurological outcome and survival improvement seems to be relatively lengthened.     

Changing EMS dispatcher CPR instructions to 400 compressions before mouth-to-mouth improved bystander CPR rates

Background

To examine the impact of changing dispatcher CPR instructions (400 compressions: 2 breaths, followed by 100:2 ratio) on rates of bystander CPR and survival in adults with presumed cardiac out-of-hospital arrest (OHCA) in Melbourne, Australia.

Methods

The Victorian Ambulance Cardiac Arrest Registry (VACAR) was searched for OHCA where Emergency Medical Services (EMS) attempted CPR between August 2006 and August 2009. OHCA included were: (1) patients aged ≥18 years old; (2) presumed cardiac etiology; and (3) not witnessed by EMS.

Results

For the pre- and post-study periods, 1021 and 2101 OHCAs met inclusion criteria, respectively. Rates of bystander CPR increased overall (45-55%, p < 0.001) and by initial rhythm (shockable 55-70%, p < 0.001 and non-shockable 40-46%, p = 0.01). In VF/VT OHCA, there were improvements in the number of patients arriving at hospital with a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (48-56%, p = 0.02) and in survival to hospital discharge (21-29%, p = 0.002), with improved outcomes restricted to patients receiving bystander CPR. After adjusting for factors associated with survival, the period of time following the change in CPR instructions was a significant predictor of survival to hospital discharge in VF/VT patients (OR 1.57, 95% CI: 1.15-2.20, p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Following changes to dispatcher CPR instructions, significant increases were seen in rates of bystander CPR and improvements were seen in survival in VF/VT patients who received bystander CPR, after adjusting for factors associated with survival.     

Continuous Quality Improvement Efforts Increase Survival with Favorable Neurologic Outcome after Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest

Objective: To assess system-wide implementation of specific therapies focused on perfusion during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and cerebral recovery after Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC). Methods: Before and after retrospective analysis of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest database. Implementation trial in the urban/suburban community of Alameda County, California, USA, population 1.6 million, from November 2009–December 2012. Adult patients with non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) who received CPR and/or defibrillation. The impedance threshold device was used throughout this study and there was an increased use of mechanical CPR (mCPR) and in-hospital therapeutic hypothermia (HTH). Results: Rates of ROSC, survival to hospital discharge and Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scores were compared using univariate and multivariable analyses. A total of 2,926 adult non-traumatic patients with OHCA received CPR during the study period. From 2009–2011 to 2012, there was an increase in ROSC from 29.0% to 34.4% (p = 0.003) and a non-significant increase in hospital discharge from 10.2% to 12.0% (p = 0.16). There was a 76% relative increase in survival with favorable neurologic function between the two periods, as determined by CPC ≤ 2, from 4.5% to 7.9% (unadjusted OR = 1.80; CI = 1.31, 2.48; p < 0.001). After adjusting for witnessed arrest, bystander CPR, initial rhythm (VT/VF vs. others), placement of an advanced airway, EMS response time, drugs administered, and age, the OR was 1.61 (1.10, 2.36; p = 0.015). Using a stepwise multivariable logistic regression model, the independent predictors of CPC ≤ 2 were 2012 (vs. 2009–2011; p = 0.022), witnessed arrest (p < 0.001), initial rhythm VT/VF (p < 0.001), and advanced airway (inverse association p < 0.001). Additional analyses of the three prescribed therapies, separately and in combination, demonstrated that for those patients admitted to the hospital, mCPR with HTH had the biggest impact on survival to hospital discharge with CPC ≤ 2. Conclusions: Specific therapies within a system of care (mCPR, HTH), developed to enhance circulation during CPR and cerebral recovery after ROSC, significantly improved survival by 74% with favorable neurologic function following OHCA.     

The duration of SIRS before organ failure is a significant prognostic factor of sepsis

Background

A growing elderly population along with advances in equipment and approaches for pre-hospital resuscitation necessitates up-to-date information when developing policies to improve elderly out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) outcomes. We examined the effects of bystander type (family or non-family) intervention on 1-month outcomes of witnessed elderly OHCA patients.

Methods

Data from a total of 85,588 witnessed OHCA events in patients aged ≥65 years, which occurred from 2005 to 2008, were obtained from a nationwide population-based database. Patients were stratified into three age categories (65–74, 75–84, ≥85 years), and the effects of bystander type (family or non-family) on initial cardiac rhythm, rate of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and 1-month outcomes were assessed.

Results

The overall survival rate was 6.9% (65–74 years: 9.8%, 75–84 years: 6.9%, ≥85 years: 4.6%). Initial VF/VT was recorded in 11.1% of cases with a family bystander and 12.9% of cases with a non-family bystander. The rate of bystander CPR was constant across the age categories in patients with a family bystander and increased with advancing age categories in patients with a non-family bystander. Patients having a non-family bystander were associated with significantly higher 1-month rates of survival (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.19–1.33) and favorable neurological status (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.34–1.60).

Conclusions

Elderly patient OHCA events witnessed by a family bystander were associated with worse 1-month outcomes than those witnessed by a non-family bystander. Healthcare providers should consider targeting potential family bystanders for CPR education to increase the rate and quality of bystander CPR.     

Outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest--why do physicians withhold resuscitation attempts?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with a focus on why physicians withhold resuscitation attempts. METHODS: Prospective collection of data during 12 months by the anaesthesiologists from the Advanced Life Support unit (ALS) of the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) according to the Utstein template. RESULTS: In total, 499 OHCA were analysed and 266 patients received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by the ALS unit. Initial rhythm was ventricular fibrillation (VF)/pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) in 35%, asystole in 38%, and other rhythm in 27%. Of the 266 treated patients, 83 (31%) patients had a spontaneous circulation on admission to hospital. Survival to discharge from hospital was 6.2% for all cases of OHCA, 11.7% for all 266 treated patients, and 20.5% for patients with witnessed cardiac arrest and presumed cardiac aetiology in VF. On arrival, the physician decided in 233 cases to withhold or discontinue CPR. The explanation for this was prolonged anoxia (74%), terminal cancer (8%), and severe trauma (7%). The most common incident locations were the patient's home and nursing homes. These locations were more common in the group where resuscitation was not attempted and these patients were older and the proportions of females and asystole were significantly higher. Bystander CPR was provided in 82 (16%) overall, but only in 8 (3%) in the group where resuscitation was not attempted. CONCLUSION: Survival to discharge from hospital in all cases of OHCA was 6.2% but 20.5% in witnessed, presumed cardiac aetiology in VF. The decision to withhold resuscitation was based upon presumed prolonged anoxia in the majority of cases.     

A MIODARONE AND R URAL E MERGENCY M EDICAL S ERVICES C ARDIAC A RREST P ATIENTS : A C OST A NALYSIS

Objective: Recent American Heart Association guidelines suggest amiodarone as an antiarrhythmic in refractory ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT). The authors sought to assess the impact of amiodarone use on outcomes and cost associated with this practice in a rural emergency medical services (EMS) state. Methods: Statewide EMS records were reviewed for the calendar year 1999. Data reviewed included prehospital diagnosis, medications given by prehospital providers to patients with cardiac arrest, and procedures performed, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation. Cost-benefit analysis assumed the cost of amiodarone treatment to be $137.65 per patient encounter. Absolute risk reduction (ARR) and number needed to treat (NNT) analysis utilized resuscitation rates published in the ARREST and ALIVE trials. Results: During the study period, EMS providers diagnosed 2,189 patients as having cardiac arrest. Five hundred thirty-five (24.4%) cardiac arrest patients were defibrillated. One hundred sixty patients (7.3%), including 15 who did not receive defibrillation, were given lidocaine during resuscitation efforts. The annual cost increase from current practice for a statewide amiodarone VF/VT protocol was $21,822.40 (10,572.87%). The initial cost to stock EMS vehicles for this protocol would be $50,115.52. The cost-benefit analysis yielded a potential for one additional patient survival to hospital discharge in Maine per 3.125 years of system-wide practice at a cost of $68,840.00. Conclusion: Based on current data, instituting amiodarone treatment for refractory VF and pulseless VT in a rural EMS setting requires the investment of substantial resources, relative to current treatment strategies, for any potential survival benefit.