Causes of in-hospital cardiac arrest – Incidences and rate of recognition

Background and methodsDo emergency teams (ETs) consider the underlying causes of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) during advanced life support (ALS)? In a 4.5-year prospective observational study, an aetiology study group examined 302 episodes of IHCA. The purpose was to investigate the causes and cause-related survival and to evaluate whether these causes were recognised by the ETs.ResultsIn 258 (85%) episodes, the cause of IHCA was reliably determined. The cause was correctly recognised by the ET in 198 of 302 episodes (66%). In the majority of episodes, cardiac causes (156, 60%) or hypoxic causes (51, 20%) were present. The cause-related survival was 30% for cardiac aetiology and 37% for hypoxic aetiology.The initial cardiac rhythm was pulseless electrical activity (PEA) in 144 episodes (48%) followed by asystole in 70 episodes (23%) and combined ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT) in 83 episodes (27%). Seventy-one patients (25%) survived to hospital discharge. The median delay to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was 1 min (inter-quartile range 0–1 min).ConclusionsVarious cardiac and hypoxic aetiologies dominated. In two-thirds of IHCA episodes, the underlying cause was correctly identified by the ET, i.e. according to the findings of the aetiology study group.     

Recognizing the causes of in-hospital cardiac arrest — A survival benefit

BackgroundThe in-hospital emergency team (ET) may or may not recognize the causes of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) during the provision of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In a previous 4.5-year prospective study, this rate of recognition was found to be 66%. The aim of this study was to investigate whether survival improved if the cause of arrest was recognized by the ET.MethodsThe difference in survival if the causes were recognized versus not recognized was estimated after propensity score matching patients from these two groups.ResultsOverall survival to hospital discharge was 25%. After propensity score matching, the benefit of recognizing the cause regarding 1-hour survival of the episode was 29% (p < 0.01), and 19% regarding hospital discharge, respectively. Variables commonly known to affect the outcome after cardiac arrest were found to be balanced between the two groups. The largest difference was found in patients with non-cardiac causes and non-shockable presenting rhythms. Patient records and pre-arrest clinical symptoms were the information sources most frequently utilized by the ET to establish the causes of arrest.ConclusionsPatients suffering an IHCA showed a substantial survival benefit if the causes of arrest were recognized by the ET. Patient records and pre-arrest clinical symptoms were the sources of information most frequently utilized in these instances.     

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.     

Pharmacologic treatment of cardiac arrest

Antiarrhythmic drugs currently recommended in the American Heart Association's Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) guidelines for the treatment of cardiac arrest have not been proved in controlled clinical trials to improve survival in patients with ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT). Intravenous amio-darone is a promising agent for the treatment of VF and VT. Based on available evidence, amiodarone should be considered for use in patients with shock-refractory ventricular arrhythmias.     

Post-resuscitative clinical features in the first hour after achieving sustained ROSC predict the duration of survival in children with non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Aim of the study

Although sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) can be initially established after resuscitation from non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in some children, many of the children lose spontaneous circulation during hospital stay and do not survive to discharge. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical features during the first hour after ROSC that may predict survival to hospital discharge.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 228 children who presented to the emergency department without spontaneous circulation following non-traumatic OHCA during the period January 1996 to December 2008. Among these children, 80 achieved sustained ROSC for at least 20 min. The post-resuscitative clinical features during the first hour after achieving sustained ROSC that correlated with survival, median duration of survival, and death were analyzed.

Results

Among the 80 children who achieved sustained ROSC for at least 20 min, 28 survived to hospital discharge and 6 had good neurologic outcomes (PCPC scale = 1 or 2). Post-resuscitative clinical features associated with survival included sinus cardiac rhythm (p = 0.012), normal heart rate (p = 0.008), normal blood pressure (p < 0.001), urine output > 1 ml/kg/h (p = 0.002), normal skin color (p = 0.016), lack of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)-induced rib fracture (p = 0.044), initial Glasgow Coma Scale score > 7 (p < 0.001), and duration of in-hospital CPR ≤ 10 min (p < 0.001). Furthermore, these variables were also significantly associated with the duration of survival (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The most important predictors of survival to hospital discharge in children with OHCA who achieve sustained ROSC are a normal heart rate, normal blood pressure, and an initial urine output > 1 ml/kg/h.     

Clinical predictors of survival in patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia following cardiac arrest

Introduction

Therapeutic hypothermia has been shown to provide neuroprotection and improved survival in patients suffering a cardiac arrest. We report outcomes of consecutive patients receiving therapeutic hypothermia for cardiac arrest and describe predictors of short and long-term survival.

Methods

Eighty patients receiving therapeutic hypothermia between January 2005 and December 2008 were identified and categorized as those who survived and died. Outcomes and predictors of survival were determined.

Results

Forty-five patients (56%) survived to hospital discharge and were alive at 30 days and among survivors 41 (91%) were alive 1 year after discharge. Survivors were younger, were more likely to present with VF, required less epinephrine during resuscitation, were more likely to have preserved renal function, and were less likely to be taking beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors. Predictors of survival included VF on presentation (OR 14.9, CI 2.7-83.2, p = 0.002), pre-cardiac arrest aspirin use (OR 9.7, CI 1.6-61.1, p = 0.02), return of spontaneous circulation <20 min (OR 9.4, CI 2.2-41.1, p = 0.003), absence of coronary artery disease (OR 5.3, CI 1.1-24.7, p = 0.002) and preserved renal function.

Conclusion

Therapeutic hypothermia is useful in the treatment of patients suffering a cardiac arrest. Several clinical factors may aid in predicting patients who are likely to survive after a cardiac arrest.     

Duration of hospital participation in Get With the Guidelines-Resuscitation and survival of in-hospital cardiac arrest

Background

Get With the Guidelines (GWTG-R) is a data registry and quality improvement program for in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). It is unknown if duration of hospital participation in GWTG-R is associated with IHCA outcomes.

Methods

We analyzed adults with IHCA from 362 hospitals participating in GWTG-R between 2000 and 2009. Using logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to account for clustering on hospital, we determined the association between duration of hospital participation in GWTG-R and patient outcomes after IHCA, adjusted for patient and arrest characteristics and secular trend. Using these methods, we also evaluated the association between duration of participation and factors previously correlated with survival after IHCA, including ECG monitored status, after-hours arrest, and time to defibrillation.

Results

Of 104,732 patients with IHCA, 17,646 patients (16.9%) survived to discharge. Duration of hospital participation in GWTG-R was associated with IHCA event survival (per year of participation, odds ratio [OR] 1.02; 95% CI 1.00–1.04; p = 0.046) but not survival to discharge (OR 1.02; 95% CI 0.99–1.04; p = 0.18). Among factors previously correlated with IHCA survival, duration of participation was associated with time to defibrillation ≤2 min (per year of participation, OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.03–1.10; p < 0.001), but not ECG monitored status (OR 1.00; 95% CI 0.93–1.06; p = 0.90) or survival of after-hours arrest (OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.99–1.03; p = 0.41). Among ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) arrests, time to defibrillation attenuated the association between duration of hospital participation and outcomes.

Conclusion

Duration of hospital participation in GWTG-R was significantly associated with survival of the IHCA event, but not with survival to discharge. In VT/VF arrests, this association may have been mediated by improvements in time to defibrillation.     

Long-term evolution after in-hospital cardiac arrest in children: Prospective multicenter multinational study

ObjectiveThe main objective was to study survival and neurologic evolution of children who suffered in-hospital pediatric cardiac arrest (CA). The secondary objective was to analyze the influence of risk factors on the long term outcome after CA.Methodsprospective, international, observational, multicentric study in 48 hospitals of 12 countries. CA in children between 1 month and 18 years were analyzed using the Utstein template. Survival and neurological state measured by Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC) scale one year after hospital discharge was evaluated.Results502 patients with in-hospital CA were evaluated. 197 of them (39.2%) survived to hospital discharge. PCPC at hospital discharge was available in 156 of survivors (79.2%). 76.9% had good neurologic state (PCPC 1–2) and 23.1% poor PCPC values (3–6). One year after cardiac arrest we could obtain data from 144 patients (28.6%). PCPC was available in 116 patients. 88 (75.9%) had a good neurologic evaluation and 28 (24.1%) a poor one. A neurological deterioration evaluated by PCPC scale was observed in 40 patients (7.9%). One year after cardiac arrest PCPC scores compared to hospital discharge had worsen in 7 patients (6%), remained constant in 103 patients (88.8%) and had improved in 6 patients (5.2%).ConclusionSurvival one year after cardiac arrest in children after in-hospital cardiac arrest is high. Neurologic outcome of these children a year after cardiac arrest is mostly the same as after hospital discharge. The factors associated with a worst long-term neurological outcome are the etiology of arrest being a traumatic or neurologic illness, and the persistency of higher lactic acid values 24 h after ROSC. A standardised basic protocol even practicable for lower developed countries would be a first step for the new multicenter studies.     

Clinical and cardiac features of patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage presenting with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Background

Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is known as one of the aetiologies of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, the mechanisms of circulatory collapse in these patients have remained unclear.

Methods and results

We examined 244 consecutive OHCA patients transferred to our emergency department. Head computed tomography was performed on all patients and revealed the existence of SAH in 14 patients (5.9%, 10 females). Among these, sudden collapse was witnessed in 7 patients (50%). On their initial cardiac rhythm, all 14 patients showed asystole or pulseless electrical activity, but no ventricular fibrillation (VF). Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was obtained in 10 of the 14 patients (14.9% of all ROSC patients) although all resuscitated patients died later. The ROSC rate in patients with SAH (71%) was significantly higher than that of patients with either other types of intracranial haemorrhage (25%, n = 2/8) or presumed cardiovascular aetiologies (22%, n = 23/101) (p < 0.01). On electrocardiograms, ST-T abnormalities and/or QT prolongation were found in all 10 resuscitated patients. Despite their electrocardiographic abnormalities, only 3 patients showed echocardiographic abnormalities.

Conclusions

The frequency of SAH in patients with all causes of OHCA was about 6%, and in resuscitated patients was about 15%. The initial cardiac rhythm revealed no VF even though half had a witnessed arrest. A high ROSC rate was observed in patients with SAH, although none survived to hospital discharge.     

Comparing the survival between extracorporeal rescue and conventional resuscitation in adult in-hospital cardiac arrests: Propensity analysis of three-year data

Aim

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has been shown to have survival benefit over conventional CPR (CCPR) in patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest of cardiac origin. We compared the survival of patients who had return of spontaneous beating (ROSB) after ECPR with the survival of those who had return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after conventional CPR.

Methods

Propensity score-matched cohort of adults with in-hospital prolonged CPR (>10 min) of cardiac origin in a university-affiliated tertiary extracorporeal resuscitation center were included in this study. Fifty-nine patients with ROSB after ECPR and 63 patients with sustained ROSC by CCPR were analyzed. Main outcome measures were survival at hospital discharge, 30 days, 6 months, and one year, and neurological outcome.

Results

There was no statistical difference in survival to discharge (29.1% of ECPR responders vs. 22.2% of CCPR responders, p = 0.394) and neurological outcome at discharge and one year later. In the propensity score-matched groups, 9 out of 27 ECPR patients survived to one month (33.3%) and 7 out of 27 CCPR patients survived (25.9%). Survival analysis showed no survival difference (HR: 0.856, p = 0.634, 95% CI: 0.453-1.620) between the groups, either at 30 days or at the end of one year (HR: 0.602, p = 0.093, 95% CI: 0.333-1.088).

Conclusions

This study failed to demonstrate a survival difference between patients who had ROSB after institution of ECMO and those who had ROSC after conventional CPR. Further studies evaluating the role of ECMO in conventional CPR rescued patients are warranted.     

Level of consciousness on admission to a Heart Attack Centre is a predictor of survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Introduction

The relationship between the neurological status at the time of handover from the ambulance crew to a Heart Attack Centre (HAC) in patients who have achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and subsequent outcome, in the context of current treatment standards, is unknown.

Methods

A retrospective review of all patients treated by London Ambulance Service (LAS) from 1^st April 2011 to 31^st March 2013 admitted to a HAC in Greater London was undertaken. Neurological status (A - alert; V - responding to voice; P - responding to pain; U - unresponsive) recorded by the ambulance crew on handover was compared with length of hospital stay and survival to hospital discharge.

Results

A total of 475 sequential adult cardiac arrests of presumed cardiac origin, achieving ROSC on admission to a HAC were identified. Outcome data was available for 452 patients, of whom 253 (56.0%) survived to discharge. Level of consciousness on admission to the HAC was a predictor of duration of hospital stay (P < 0.0001) and survival to hospital discharge (P < 0.0001). Of those presenting with a shockable rhythm, 32.3% (120/371) were ‘A’ or ‘V’, compared with 9.1% (9/99) of those with non-shockable rhythms (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients with shockable rhythms achieving ROSC are more likely to be conscious (A or V) compared with those with non-shockable rhythms. Most patients who are conscious on admission to the HAC will survive, compared with approximately half of those who are unconscious (P or U), suggesting that critical care is generally appropriate at all levels of consciousness if ROSC has been achieved.     

高敏C反应蛋白与血清白蛋白比值对院内心脏骤停患者预后的预测价值

目的:探讨高敏C反应蛋白（high sensitivity C-reactive protein,hs-CRP）与血清白蛋白（Albumin,Alb）比值对院内心脏骤停（in-hospital cardiac arrest,IHCA）患者预后的判断价值。方法:连续入选2017年1月1日至2020年09月30日期间在徐州医科大学附属医院收治的IHCA后经心肺复苏（cardiopulmonary resuscitation,CPR）自主循环恢复（restoration of spontaneous circulation,ROSC）的患者为研究对象,按照IHCA后14 d是否存活分为存活组和死亡组,分析IHCA患者高敏C反应蛋白与血清白蛋白比值（hs-CRP/Alb）与预后的相关性。结果:存活组和死亡组的性别、年龄、既往病史、使用心电监护、复苏时通气方式、首次监测心率人数所占比例、复苏前Alb等指标的差异无统计学意义（ P>0.05）;非心源性CA、使用肾上腺素剂量>5 mg占比,CPR持续时间,血乳酸、Alb和hs-CRP浓度,以及hs-CRP/Alb比值等指标的差异有统计学意义（ P<0.05）。Logistic回归分析显示肾上腺素剂量>5 mg占比,血乳酸浓度、心肺复苏持续时间、hs-CRP/Alb比值是预测死亡的独立危险因素。ROC曲线分析显示hs-CRP/Alb比值、血hs-CRP和Alb浓度对患者死亡均有一定预测价值;曲线下面积分别为0.876、0.864、0.745,hs-CRP/Alb比值的预测效能优于hs-CRP浓度或Alb浓度。 结论:hs-CRP/Alb比值对IHCA患者的预后有一定预测价值,且预测效能优于单用血hs-CRP浓度或Alb浓度。     

高敏C反应蛋白与血清白蛋白比值对院内心脏骤停患者预后的预测价值

目的:探讨高敏C反应蛋白（high sensitivity C-reactive protein,hs-CRP）与血清白蛋白（Albumin,Alb）比值对院内心脏骤停（in-hospital cardiac arrest,IHCA）患者预后的判断价值。方法:连续入选2017年1月1日至2020年09月30日期间在徐州医科大学附属医院收治的IHCA后经心肺复苏（cardiopulmonary resuscitation,CPR）自主循环恢复（restoration of spontaneous circulation,ROSC）的患者为研究对象,按照IHCA后14 d是否存活分为存活组和死亡组,分析IHCA患者高敏C反应蛋白与血清白蛋白比值（hs-CRP/Alb）与预后的相关性。结果:存活组和死亡组的性别、年龄、既往病史、使用心电监护、复苏时通气方式、首次监测心率人数所占比例、复苏前Alb等指标的差异无统计学意义（ P>0.05）;非心源性CA、使用肾上腺素剂量>5 mg占比,CPR持续时间,血乳酸、Alb和hs-CRP浓度,以及hs-CRP/Alb比值等指标的差异有统计学意义（ P<0.05）。Logistic回归分析显示肾上腺素剂量>5 mg占比,血乳酸浓度、心肺复苏持续时间、hs-CRP/Alb比值是预测死亡的独立危险因素。ROC曲线分析显示hs-CRP/Alb比值、血hs-CRP和Alb浓度对患者死亡均有一定预测价值;曲线下面积分别为0.876、0.864、0.745,hs-CRP/Alb比值的预测效能优于hs-CRP浓度或Alb浓度。 结论:hs-CRP/Alb比值对IHCA患者的预后有一定预测价值,且预测效能优于单用血hs-CRP浓度或Alb浓度。     

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in patients aged 35 years and under: A 4-year study of frequency and survival in London

Background

The aim of this study was to describe the frequency and characteristics of cardiac arrest patients of 35 years and under attended by the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust between April 2003 and March 2007. Few large studies have described the occurrence, mechanism, resuscitation viability and outcome of this substantial subset of the cardiac arrest population. By documenting over 3000 cardiac arrests in young people we sought to improve understanding, awareness and ultimately survival of a condition notorious for high mortality rates.

Methods and results

Data were analysed for 3084 young cardiac arrest patients and reported retrospectively. Patients were categorised by age, gender, aetiology and whether or not resuscitation attempts were made.Over 75% of patients were aged 18-35 years. There were significantly more males in this age group (p < 0.001) compared to those aged 17 years or less. The most common cause of cardiac arrest was an underlying cardiac cause (44.9%). Overdoses, hanging and other suicides were found to be major causes of cardiac arrests of non-cardiac origin in young adult males. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) was the most common known cause of death in infants aged less than 1 year. This age group received bystander CPR most often. 5.6% of young cardiac arrest patients who were taken to hospital survived to hospital discharge.

Conclusions

Mortality in young cardiac arrest patients remains high. Focus should be placed on tackling social and psychological causes of cardiac arrest as well as cardiac aetiologies.     

基于乌斯坦因模式的心肺复苏研究报告

目的 心肺复苏Utstein评价模式已被许多国家广泛用于心肺复苏评价研究.本文以心肺复苏结果Utstein评价模式设计心肺复苏注册登记表,以评价中国海南海南省人民医院心搏骤停患者流行病学特征、心肺复苏效果与影响因素.方法 应用心肺复苏Utstein模式注册登记表,对海南省人民医院急诊科511例心肺复苏患者进行前瞻性观察研究,评价本组患者心搏骤停流行病学特征及心肺复苏结果.结果 注册登记的511例心肺复苏患者纳入研究.本研究患者以40 ～ 70岁等年龄段心搏骤停发生率较高.既往史中,心血管系统疾病(190例,37.2％)、脑血管疾病(48例,9.4％)及呼吸系统疾病(39例,7.6％)等慢性疾病较为常见.173例(33.9％)为心源性心搏骤停,其中109例(21.3％)为急性心肌梗死.80例(15.7％)患者首次监测心律为心室纤颤.院内心搏骤停患者自主循环恢复率及成活出院率分别为47.0％和13.5％,院外心搏骤停患者为16.7％和4.7％.结论 本研究表明心血管系统疾病、脑血管疾病及呼吸系统疾病为最常见慢性疾病.急性心肌梗死、中风及创伤为最常见心搏骤停病因.院内心搏骤停组自主循环恢复率及成活出院率均高于院外心搏骤停组,两组差异具有统计学意义.     

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.     

Electrical and mechanical recovery of cardiac function following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Background

Compression pauses may be particularly harmful following the electrical recovery but prior to the mechanical recovery from cardiopulmonary arrest.

Methods and results

A convenience sample of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) were identified. Data were exported from defibrillators to define compression pauses, electrocardiogram rhythm, PetCO2, and the presence of palpable pulses. Pulse-check episodes were randomly assigned to a derivation set (one-third) and a validation set (two-thirds). Both an unweighted and a weighted receiver–operator curve (ROC) analysis were performed on the derivation set to identify optimal thresholds to predict ROSC using heart rate and PetCO2. A sequential decision guideline was generated to predict the presence of ROSC during compressions and confirm perfusion once compressions were stopped. The ability of this decision guideline to correctly identify pauses in which pulses were and were not palpated was then evaluated. A total of 145 patients with 349 compression pauses were included. The ROC analyses on the derivation set identified an optimal pre-pause heart rate threshold of > 40 beats min⁻¹ and an optimal PetCO2 threshold of >20 mmHg to predict ROSC. A sequential decision guideline was developed using pre-pause heart rate and PetCO2 as well as the PetCO2 pattern during compression pauses to predict and rapidly confirm ROSC. This decision guideline demonstrated excellent predictive ability to identifying compression pauses with and without palpable pulses (positive predictive value 95%, negative predictive value 99%). The mean latency period between recovery of electrical and mechanical cardiac function was 78 s (95% CI 36–120 s).

Conclusions

Heart rate and PetCO2 can predict ROSC without stopping compressions, and the PetCO2 pattern during compression pauses can rapidly confirm ROSC. Use of a sequential decision guideline using heart rate and PetCO2 may reduce unnecessary compression pauses during critical moments during recovery from cardiopulmonary arrest.     

Cardiac arrest due to food asphyxiation in adults: Resuscitation profiles and outcomes

Aim

Food asphyxiation is uncommon but unignorable cause of sudden death in the elderly. Several autopsy studies, which identified those at particular risk, have been conducted on the subject. Resuscitation profiles and outcomes of food asphyxiation victims presenting with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) to the emergency department, however, have rarely been reported.

Methods

Data on adults (≥20 years) presenting with OHCA after witnessed food asphyxiation were retrieved from an institutional database. Clinical variables were evaluated to identify their demographic characteristics. Their outcomes, represented by return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival rate, were also investigated.

Results

Sixty-nine food asphyxiation victims presenting with OHCA were identified during the 4-year period. Food asphyxiation occurred most frequently in the age group of 71-80 years, followed by that of 81-90 years. The majority of victims had medical conditions that adversely affected mastication/swallowing, such as dementia. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed only in 26%, although bystanders often attempted to clear the airway without performing CPR. Despite the high ROSC rate of 78%, only 7% survived to discharge. Asphyxiation-ROSC interval might play a crucial role in determining the outcomes: the interval was ≤10 min in all survivors, while it was longer than 10 min in all non-survivors.

Conclusion

Because of their advanced age and debilitating general condition, it may be difficult to substantially improve the outcomes of food asphyxiation victims. Effort should be directed to prevent food asphyxiation, and public education to perform standard CPR for food asphyxiation victims including the Heimlich manoeuvre is warranted.     

移动ICU院内急救模式在呼吸心搏骤停患者抢救中的应用

目的探讨移动ICU院内急救模式在呼吸心搏骤停患者抢救中的应用效果。方法设立移动ICU,基本设施包括必要的抢救设备及足量的抢救药物,并在此基础上提供有急救技术准入的医护人力支援。对临床科室抢救的22例呼吸心搏骤停患者,启动移动ICU协助救治。分析其应用效果。结果移动ICU在（2.5±0.5）min到达急救现场并建立抢救团队。22例患者中,死亡4例（18.18%）,抢救成功12例（54.55%）,转入ICU继续救治6例（27.27%）。未发生一例医疗纠纷。结论移动ICU院内急救模式的建立,提高了住院患者呼吸心搏骤停的救治水平,提高了救治成功率,最大限度地挽救了患者的生命。     

Therapeutic benefits of mild hypothermia in patients successfully resuscitated from cardiac arrest: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND:

Good neurological outcome after cardiac arrest (CA) is hard to achieve for clinicians. Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that therapeutic mild hypothermia is beneficial. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of therapeutic mild hypothermia in patients successfully resuscitated from CA using a meta-analysis.

METHODS:

We searched the MEDLINE (1966 to April 2012), OVID (1980 to April 2012), EMBASE (1980 to April 2012), Chinese bio-medical literature & retrieval system (CBM) (1978 to April 2012), Chinese medical current contents (CMCC) (1995 to April 2012), and Chinese medical academic conference (CMAC) (1994 to April 2012). Studies were included if 1) the study design was a randomized controlled trial (RCT); 2) the study population included patients successfully resuscitated from CA, and received either standard post-resuscitation care with normothermia or mild hypothermia; 3) the study provided data on good neurologic outcome and survival to hospital discharge. Relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to pool the effect.

RESULTS:

The study included four RCTs with a total of 417 patients successfully resuscitated from CA. Compared to standard post-resuscitation care with normothermia, patients in the hypothermia group were more likely to have good neurologic outcome (RR=1.43, 95% CI 1.14–1.80, P=0.002) and were more likely to survive to hospital discharge (RR=1.32, 95% CI 1.08–1.63, P=0.008). There was no significant difference in adverse events between the normothermia and hypothermia groups (P>0.05), nor heterogeneity and publication bias.

CONCLUSION:

Therapeutic mild hypothermia improves neurologic outcome and survival in patients successfully resuscitated from CA.KEY WORDS: Cardiac arrest, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Return of spontaneous circulation, Mild hypothermia, Meta-analysis