The epidemiology and resuscitation effects of cardiopulmonary arrest among hospitalized children and adolescents in Beijing: An observational study

Aim

To investigate the epidemiology and resuscitation effects of cardiopulmonary arrest among hospitalized children and adolescents in Beijing.

Methods

A prospective multicentre study was conducted in four hospitals in urban/suburban areas of Beijing. Patients aged 1 month–18 years with cardiopulmonary arrest and received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) who were consecutively hospitalised during the study period (1 September 2008–31 December 2010) were enrolled. Data was collected and analyzed using the “in-hospital Utstein style”. Neurological outcome was assessed with the pediatric cerebral performance category (PCPC) among patients who survived.

Result

201 of 108,673 hospitalized patients (0.18%) had cardiopulmonary arrest during their hospitalization. Of these, 174 patients underwent CPR. The most common causes of cardiopulmonary arrest were the diseases of respiratory system (29.3%) and circulatory system (19.0%). The most common initial rhythm was bradycardia (72.4%). About 108 patients (62.1%) had restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Forty-nine patients (28.2%) survived to hospital discharge, 25 (14.5%) survived 6 months post discharge, and 21 (12.1%) survived 1 year post discharge. Out of the 21 patients who survived 1 year after hospital discharge, 18 had good neurological outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed age, duration of CPR and endotracheal intubation performed before cardiopulmonary arrest were independent factors of cardiopulmonary resuscitation effect.

Conclusion

The prevalence of in-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest in children and adolescents is low. The long-term result of children and adolescents survived from cardiopulmonary resuscitation is quite good. Age, CPR duration and endotracheal intubation performed before cardiopulmonary arrest were independent factors of cardiopulmonary resuscitation effect.