scholarly journals LO03: Impact of the conversion to a shockable rhythm from a non-shockable rhythm for patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

CJEM ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (S1) ◽  
pp. S7-S7
Author(s):  
A. Cournoyer ◽  
E. Notebaert ◽  
S. Cossette ◽  
J. Morris ◽  
L. de Montigny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Pulseless Electrical Activity ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Absolute Difference ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Secondary Outcome Measure ◽  
Shockable Rhythm ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Introduction: Patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with an initial shockable rhythm (ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation) have higher odds of survival than those suffering from non-shockable rhythm (asystole or pulseless electrical activity). Because of that prognostic significance, patients with an initial non-shockable rhythm are often not considered for advanced resuscitation therapies such as extracorporeal resuscitation. However, the prognostic significance of the conversion to a shockable rhythm from an initially non-shockable rhythm remains uncertain. This study aimed to determine the degree of association between the conversion (or not) of a non-shockable rhythm to a shockable rhythm and resuscitation outcomes in patients with OHCA. It was hypothesized that such a conversion would be associated with a higher survival to discharge. Methods: The present study used a registry of adult OHCA between 2010 and 2015 in Montreal, Canada. Adult patients with non-traumatic OHCA and an initial non-shockable rhythm were included. The primary outcome measure was survival to hospital discharge, and the secondary outcome measure was prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The associations of interest were evaluated with univariate logistic regressions and multivariate models controlling for demographic and clinical variables (e.g. age, gender, type of initial non-shockable rhythm, witnessed arrest, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Assuming a survival rate of 3% and 25% of the variability explained by the control variables, including more than 4580 patients would allow to detect an absolute difference of 4% in survival between both groups with a power of more than 90%. Results: A total of 4893 patients (2869 men and 2024 women) with a mean age of 70 years (standard deviation 17) were included, of whom 450 (9.2%) experienced a conversion to a shockable rhythm during the course of their prehospital resuscitation. Among all patients, 146 patients (3.0%) survived to discharge and 633 (12.9%) experienced prehospital ROSC. In the univariate models, there was no association between the conversion to a shockable rhythm and survival (odds ratio [OR] 1.14 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.66-1.95]), but a significant assocation was observed with ROSC (OR 2.00 [95% CI 1.57-2.55], p<0.001). However, there was no independent association between the conversion to a shockable rhythm and survival (adjusted OR [AOR] 0.92 [95% CI 0.51-1.66], p=0.78) and prehospital ROSC (AOR 1.30 [95% CI 0.98-1.72], p=0.073). Conclusion: There is no clinically significant association between the conversion to a shockable rhythm and resuscitation outcomes in patients suffering from OHCA. The initial rhythm remains a much better outcome predictor than subsequent rhythms and should be preferred when evaluating the eligibility for advanced resuscitation procedures.

Abstract 13292: Comparison of Outcomes Between Pulseless Electrical Activity by Electrocardiography and Pulseless Myocardial Activity by Echocardiography in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Circulation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 144 (Suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Romolo Gaspari ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Electrical Activity ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Cardiac Activity ◽  
Pulseless Electrical Activity ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Shockable Rhythm ◽  
Cardiac Electrical Activity ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Objective: To measure prevalence of discordance between electrical activity recorded by electrocardiography (ECG) and myocardial activity visualized by echocardiography (echo) in patients presenting after cardiac arrest and to compare survival outcomes in cohorts defined by ECG and echo. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a previously published prospective study at twenty hospitals. Patients presenting after out-of-hospital arrest were included. The cardiac electrical activity was defined by ECG and contemporaneous myocardial activity was defined by bedside echo. Myocardial activity by echo was classified as myocardial asystole- -the absence of myocardial movement, pulseless myocardial activity (PMA)--visible myocardial movement but no pulse, and myocardial fibrillation- -visualized fibrillation. Primary outcome was the prevalence of discordance between electrical activity and myocardial activity. Secondary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Results: 793 patients and 1943 pauses in CPR were included. 28.6% of CPR pauses demonstrated a difference in electrical activity (ECG) and myocardial activity (echo), 5.0% with asystole (ECG) and PMA (echo), and 22.1% with PEA (ECG) and myocardial asystole (echo). Survival to hospital admission for patients with PMA (echo) was 29.1% (95%CI-23.9-34.9) compared to those with PEA (ECG) (21.4%, 95%CI-17.7-25.6). Twenty-five percent of the 32 pauses in CPR with a shockable rhythm by echo demonstrated a non-shockable rhythm by ECG and were not defibrillated. One of these patients survived, a patient with asystole on ECG and vfib by echo survived because vfib was identified on ECG during a subsequent pause and was defibrillated. Conclusion: Patients in cardiac arrest commonly demonstrate different electrical (ECG) and myocardial activity (echo). Further research is needed to better define cardiac activity during cardiac arrest and to explore outcome between groups defined by electrical and myocardial activity.

scholarly journals Association of subsequent shock after conversion to shockable rhythm with outcomes stratified by the type of initial non-shockable rhythm in children with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Goto ◽  
A Funada ◽  
T Maeda ◽  
Y Goto
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Cerebral Performance Category ◽  
Pulseless Electrical Activity ◽  
Delivery Time ◽  
Shock Delivery ◽  
Shockable Rhythm ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Neurologically Intact ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research) Background/Introduction: The rhythm conversion from initial non-shockable to shockable rhythm during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by emergency medical services (EMS) providers may be associated with neurologically intact survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in children with an initial non-shockable rhythm. However, the prognostic significance of rhythm conversion stratified by the type of initial non-shockable rhythm is still unclear. Purpose We aimed to investigate the association of subsequent shock after rhythm conversion to shockable rhythm with neurologically intact survival and shock delivery time (time from EMS-initiated CPR to first shock delivery) by the type of initial non-shockable rhythm in children with OHCA. Methods We analysed the records of 19,095 children (age &lt;18 years) with OHCA treated by EMS providers. Data were obtained from a prospectively recorded Japanese nationwide Utstein-style database for a 13-year period (2005–2017). The primary outcome measure was 1-month neurologically intact survival, defined as cerebral performance category score of 1 to 2. Patients were divided into the initial pulseless electrical activity (PEA) (n = 3,326 [17.4%]) and initial asystole (n = 15,769 [82.6%]) groups. Results The proportion of patients who received subsequent shock after conversion to shockable rhythm was significantly higher in the initial PEA than in the initial asystole groups (3.3% [109/3,326] vs. 1.4% [227/15,769], p &lt; 0.0001). The shock delivery time was significantly shorter in the initial PEA than in the initial asystole groups (median [IQR], 8 min [5 min – 12 min] vs. 10 min [6 min – 16 min], p &lt; 0.01). Among the initial PEA patients, there was no significant difference between subsequently shocked (10.0% [11/109]) and subsequently non-shocked patients (6.0% [192/3,217], p = 0.10) regarding the rate of 1-month neurologically intact survival. However, after adjusting for 9 pre-hospital variables, subsequent shock with a delivery time of &lt;10 min was associated with increased odds of neurologically intact survival compared with no shock delivery (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–5.16], p = 0.018). Among the initial asystole patients, the rate of 1-month neurologically intact survival was significantly higher in the subsequently shocked (4.4% [10/227]) than in the subsequently non-shocked (0.7% [106/15,542], p &lt; 0.0001). A multivariate logistic regression model showed that subsequent shock with a delivery time of &lt;10 min was associated with increased odds of neurologically intact survival compared with no shock delivery (adjusted OR, 9.77 [95% CI, 4.2–22.5], p &lt; 0.0001). Conclusions In children with OHCA with an initial non-shockable rhythm, subsequent shock after conversion to shockable rhythm during CPR was associated with increased odds of 1-month neurologically intact survival only when shock was delivered &lt;10 min from EMS-initiated CPR regardless of the type of initial rhythm.

scholarly journals Success of trabeculectomy surgery in relation to cataract surgery: 5-year outcomes

2018 ◽  
Vol 103 (10) ◽  
pp. 1395-1400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashmi G Mathew ◽  
Sahar Parvizi ◽  
Ian E Murdoch
Keyword(s):  
Cataract Surgery ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Secondary Outcome Measure ◽  
Risk Of Failure ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Measure Change ◽  
Group 2

AimsTo compare success proportions at 5 years in three surgical groups: group 1, trabeculectomy alone; group 2, trabeculectomy followed by cataract surgery within 2 years; and group 3, trabeculectomy performed on a pseudophakic eye.MethodsA retrospective cohort study. 194 eyes of 194 patients were identified with at least 5 years’ follow-up post trabeculectomy (N=85, 60 and 49 in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively).Main outcome measures1. Primary outcome measure: intraocular pressure (IOP) at 5 years post-trabeculectomy surgery, 2.Secondary outcome measure: change in visual acuity at 5 years.ResultsAt 5 years, the mean IOP (SD) was 12.9 (3.5), 12.5 (4.8) and 12.7 (4.8) mm Hg in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Overall success was almost identical, 58%, 57% and 59% in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of percentage IOP reduction, number of medications, proportion restarting medication and reoperation rates at 5 years. Logistic regression for an outcome of failure showed men to be at increased risk of failure OR 1.97 (95% CI 1.10 to 3.52, p=0.02). Nearly 80% of patients retained or improved their vision following their initial trabeculectomy.ConclusionsThe sequence in which surgery is carried out does not appear to affect trabeculectomy function at 5 years, success being similar to trabeculectomy alone. In our study, men may be at increased risk of failure.

Abstract 01: The Importance of Time to Cooling in Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients to Influence Neurologically Intact Survival: A Sub-Analysis of the Princess Trial

Circulation ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 140 (Suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akil Awad ◽  
Fabio Silvio Taccone ◽  
Martin Jonsson ◽  
Sune Forsberg ◽  
Jacob Hollenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Cerebral Performance Category ◽  
Neurologic Outcome ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Shockable Rhythm ◽  
Good Neurologic Outcome ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Background: Early initiation of hypothermia has shown to be important to reduce brain injuries in experimental cardiac arrest models. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between time to initiate cooling and neurological intact survival in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Methods: A secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from the PRINCESS trial (NCT01400373) including 677 OHCA patients randomized to transnasal evaporative intra-arrest cooling or standard advanced life support and cooling started subsequent to hospital arrival. Time to randomization was used a proxy measurement for time to initiate cooling. An early treatment group was defined as patients randomized by the EMS <20 minutes from the time of the cardiac arrest. Propensity scores were used to find matching patients in the control group. Patients with initial shockable rhythms were analyzed as a predefined subgroup. The primary outcome was good neurologic outcome, Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) 1-2 at 90 days. Secondary outcome was complete recovery (CPC 1). Results: In total 406 patients were randomized <20 minutes from the cardiac arrest and were propensity score matched (1:1). In the propensity score matched analysis the proportion of patients with CPC 1-2 was 21.7% in the intervention and 17.2% in the control group, odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80-2.21, p=0.273. In patients with initial shockable rhythm (79 intervention, 79 control) the difference in CPC 1-2 was 48.1% versus 32.0%, OR 2.05, 95%CI 1.00-4.21, p=0.0498. The proportion of patients with complete neurologic recovery, CPC 1, was 19.7% in the intervention and 13.3% in the control group, OR 1.60, 95% CI 0.92-2.79, p=0.097. In patients with initial shockable rhythm the proportion with CPC 1 was 45.6% versus 24.6%, OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.23-6.42, p=0.014. Conclusions: In this ancillary study of OHCA patients receiving intra-arrest cooling, there were differences in survival with good neurologic outcome and in complete neurological recovery in favor of early intra-arrest cooling patient group compared to standard care. These differences were statistically significant in the subgroup of patients with initial shockable rhythms.

scholarly journals Association of beta-blockers and first-registered heart rhythm in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: real-world data from population-based cohorts across two European countries

EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1206-1215
Author(s):  
Carlo A Barcella ◽  
Talip E Eroglu ◽  
Michiel Hulleman ◽  
Asger Granfeldt ◽  
Patrick C Souverein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Beta Blocker ◽  
Beta Blockers ◽  
Pulseless Electrical Activity ◽  
Heart Rhythm ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Shockable Rhythm ◽  
Receptor Blockers ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Abstract Aims Conflicting results have been reported regarding the effect of beta-blockers on first-registered heart rhythm in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We aimed to establish whether the use of beta-blockers influences first-registered rhythm in OHCA. Methods and results We included patients with OHCA of presumed cardiac cause from two large independent OHCA-registries from Denmark and the Netherlands. Beta-blocker use was defined as exposure to either non-selective beta-blockers, β1-selective beta-blockers, or α-β-dual-receptor blockers within 90 days prior to OHCA. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) for the association of beta-blockers with first-registered heart rhythm using multivariable logistic regression. We identified 23 834 OHCA-patients in Denmark and 1584 in the Netherlands: 7022 (29.5%) and 519 (32.8%) were treated with beta-blockers, respectively. Use of non-selective beta-blockers, but not β1-selective blockers, was more often associated with non-shockable rhythm than no use of beta-blockers [Denmark: OR 1.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.48–2.52; the Netherlands: OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.15–5.49]. Non-selective beta-blocker use was associated with higher proportion of pulseless electrical activity (PEA) than of shockable rhythm (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.01–5.65); the association with asystole was of similar magnitude, although not statistically significant compared with shockable rhythm (OR 2.34, 95% CI 0.89–6.18; data on PEA and asystole were only available in the Netherlands). Use of α-β-dual-receptor blockers was significantly associated with non-shockable rhythm in Denmark (OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.03–1.42) and not significantly in the Netherlands (OR 1.37; 95% CI 0.61–3.07). Conclusion Non-selective beta-blockers, but not β1-selective beta-blockers, are associated with non-shockable rhythm in OHCA.

QRS complex characteristics and patient outcomes in out-of-hospital pulseless electrical activity cardiac arrest

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-58
Author(s):  
Jung Ho Kim ◽  
Hyun Wook Ryoo ◽  
Jong-yeon Kim ◽  
Jae Yun Ahn ◽  
Sungbae Moon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Electrical Activity ◽  
Hospital Discharge ◽  
Neurological Outcome ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Pulseless Electrical Activity ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Qrs Complex ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

BackgroundPulseless electrical activity (PEA) is increasingly observed in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), but outcomes are still poor. We aimed to assess the relationship between QRS characteristics and outcomes of patients with OHCA with initial PEA (OHCA-P).MethodsThis prospective observational study included patients aged at least 18 years who developed OHCA-P between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2018, and were enrolled in the Daegu Emergency Medical Services registry, South Korea. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify the associations between QRS characteristics and OHCA-P outcomes, in which QRS complexes were considered separately (model 1) and simultaneously (model 2). The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge and the secondary outcome was a favourable neurological outcome.ResultsOf the 3659 patients with OHCA, 576 were enrolled (median age 73 years; 334 men). A higher QRS amplitude was associated with survival to hospital discharge and a favourable neurological outcome in model 1 (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.077 and 1.106, respectively; 95% CI 1.021 to 0.136 and 1.029 to 1.190, respectively) and model 2 (aOR 1.084 and 1.123, respectively; 95% CI 1.026 to 1.145 and 1.036 to 1.216, respectively). A QRS width of <120 ms was associated with survival to hospital discharge and a favourable neurological outcome in model 1 (aOR 3.371 and 4.634, respectively; 95% CI 1.633 to 6.960 and 1.562 to 13.144, respectively) and model 2 (aOR 3.213 and 5.103, respectively; 95% CI 1.568 to 6.584 and 1.682 to 15.482, respectively). Survival to hospital discharge and neurological outcome were not associated with QRS frequency.ConclusionOHCA-P outcomes were better when the initial QRS complex showed a higher amplitude or narrower width.

scholarly journals How many prehospital defibrillation attempts should be performed in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with shockable rhythm?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byuk Sung Ko ◽  
Youn-Jung Kim ◽  
Kap Su Han ◽  
You Hwan Jo ◽  
Jonghwan Shin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Cerebral Performance Category ◽  
Spontaneous Circulation ◽  
Neurologic Outcome ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ◽  
Shockable Rhythm ◽  
Good Neurologic Outcome ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Abstract Background: Early defibrillation is vital to improve outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with shockable rhythm. Currently, there is no agreed consensus on the number of defibrillation attempts before transfer to a hospital. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the number of defibrillations on the prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).Methods: A multicenter, prospective, observational registry-based study was conducted for OHCA in patients with presumed cardiac etiology that underwent prehospital defibrillation between October 2015 and June 2017. The primary outcome was prehospital ROSC, and the secondary outcome was a good neurologic outcome at hospital discharge, defined as Cerebral Performance Category score 1 or 2. Results: Among 2,155 OHCA patients’ data, 178 patients with missing data were excluded, a total of 1,983 OHCA patients who received prehospital defibrillation were included. The median age was 61 years and prehospital ROSC was observed in 738 patients (37.2%). The median time from arrest to first defibrillation was 10 (interquartile range: 7-15) minutes. The cumulative ROSC rates and good neurologic outcome from the initial defibrillation to the sixth defibrillation were 43%, 68%, 81%, 90%, 95%, 98% and 42%, 66%, 81%, 90%, 95%, 98%, respectively. After clinical characteristics adjustment and time to defibrillation, the number of defibrillations were independently associated with ROSC (odds ratio 0.81 95% CI 0.76-0.86) and good neurologic outcome (odds ratio 0.86 95% CI 0.80-0.91). Moreover, subgroup analysis results with patients that underwent the initial defibrillation within 10 minutes from arrest were consistent (95% up to five times).Conclusion: More than 95% of prehospital ROSC was achieved within five times of defibrillation in OHCA patients. This result provides a basis for the ideal number of defibrillation attempts before transfer to hospital with the possibility of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in these refractory ventricular fibrillation patients.

scholarly journals High HbA1c is associated with decreased 6-month survival and poor outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a retrospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junhaeng Lee ◽  
Joo Suk Oh ◽  
Jong Ho Zuh ◽  
Sungyoup Hong ◽  
Sang Hyun Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Temperature Management ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
High Hba1c ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Abstract Background: To evaluate the associations between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) at admission and 6-month mortality and outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) treated by hypothermic targeted temperature management (TTM).Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study included adult OHCA survivors who underwent hypothermic TTM from December 2011 to December 2019. High HbA1c at admission was defined as a level higher than 6%. Poor neurological outcomes were defined as cerebral performance category scores of 3-5. The primary outcome was 6-month mortality. The secondary outcome was the 6-month neurological outcome. Descriptive statistics, log-rank tests, and multivariable regression modeling were used for data analysis.Results: Of the 302 patients included in the final analysis, 102 patients (33.8%) had HbA1c levels higher than 6%. The high HbA1c group had significantly worse 6-month survival (12.7% vs. 37.5%, p < 0.001) and 6-month outcomes (89.2% vs. 73.0%, p = 0.001) than the non-high HbA1c group. Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test showed that the survival time was significantly shorter in the patients with HbA1c >6% than in those with HbA1c ≤6%. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, HbA1c >6% was independently associated with 6-month mortality (OR 5.85, 95% CI 2.26-15.12, p < 0.001) and poor outcomes (OR 4.18, 95% CI 1.41-12.40, p < 0.001).Conclusions: This study showed that HbA1c higher than 6% at admission was associated with increased 6-month mortality and poor outcomes in OHCA survivors treated with hypothermic TTM. Poor long-term glycemic management may have prognostic significance after cardiac arrest.

scholarly journals Serological prevalence of antibodies to SARS CoV-2 amongst cancer centre staff

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karol Sikora ◽  
Ian Barwick ◽  
Ceri Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Seroconversion Rate ◽  
Proton Beam Therapy ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Secondary Outcome Measure ◽  
Buffer Solution ◽  
South Korean ◽  
Vulnerable Patient

Objectives: the aim of this study was to test Rutherford Health (RH) staff for the presence of SARS CoV-2 antibodies to reduce the risk of infection to cancer patients. Setting: Between 14 and 24 April 2020 we tested 161 staff at four locations: our cancer centres in Reading - Berkshire, Newport - S Wales, Liverpool - Merseyside, and Bedlington in Northumberland. Participants: Testing was available to all staff who were on site at the four locations named above at the time the study was carried out. 161 staff (80 men, 81 women) gave voluntary consent to have the tests and all testing gave rise to valid results. Interventions: We used the South Korean test for antibodies to SARS CoV-2: Sugentech SGTi-flex COVID-19 IgM/IgG1. For each test, blood was collected and added to the sample well of the test cassette and buffer solution added. The test result was legible after 15 minutes. Outcome measures: The number of tests positive for the presence of antibodies was the primary outcome measure. The ratio of tests positive for the presence of IgM antibodies versus IgG antibodies was the secondary outcome measure. Results: Between 14 and 24 April 2020, 161 staff (age m = 43) were tested at four Rutherford Cancer Care centres that offer proton beam therapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Out of 161, 12 samples (7.50%) tested positive of which 7 samples (4.35%) detected IgM only, 2 samples (1.24%) detected IgG only and 3 samples (1.86%) detected both IgM and IgG. Conclusions: The low seroconversion rate in the sample population limits the current utility of the test as a way of reducing risk to vulnerable patient populations but longitudinal retesting will provide further data.

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