Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to hanging: a retrospective analysis

BackgroundThere has been little research into the prehospital management of cardiac arrest following hanging despite it being among the most prevalent methods of suicide worldwide. The aim of this study was to report the characteristics, resuscitative treatment and outcomes of patients managed in the prehospital environment for cardiac arrest secondary to hanging and compare these with all-cause out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).MethodsData from a UK ambulance service cardiac arrest registry were extracted for all cases in which treatment was provided for OHCA due to hanging between 1 January 2013 and 30 June 2018. Cases were linked to outcome data obtained from the Trauma Audit and Research Network. Comparison of the cohort was made to previously published data from a UK study of all-cause OHCA with 95% CIs calculated for the proportional difference between the studies in selected presentation and outcome variables.Results189 cases were identified. 95 patients were conveyed to hospital and four of these survived to discharge. 50 patients were conveyed despite absence of a spontaneous circulation and none of these patients survived. While only three patients were initially in a shockable rhythm, DC shocks were administered in 20 cases. There was one case of failed ventilation prompting front-of-neck access for oxygenation. By comparison with all-cause OHCA the proportion of patients with a spontaneous circulation at hospital handover was similar (27.0% vs 27.5%; 0.5% difference, 95% CI −5.9% to 6.8%, p=0.882) but survival to hospital discharge was significantly lower (2.2% vs 8.4%; 6.2% difference, 95% CI 4.1% to 8.3%, p=0.002).ConclusionClinical outcomes following OHCA due to hanging are poor, particularly when patients are transported while in cardiac arrest. Failure to ventilate was uncommon, and clinicians should be alert to the possibility of shockable rhythms developing during resuscitation.

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Abstract 236: Regional Incidence and Outcome of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Associated with Overdose

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.130.suppl_2.236 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽

Author(s):

David D Salcido ◽

Allison C Koller ◽

Cesar D Torres ◽

Aaron M Orkin ◽

Rob H Schmicker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Arrest ◽

North America ◽

Prescription Drugs ◽

Regional Variation ◽

Spontaneous Circulation ◽

Research Network ◽

Shockable Rhythm ◽

Statistics Canada ◽

Population Counts ◽

Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Introduction: The frequency of lethal overdose due to prescription and non-prescription drugs is increasing in North America. The contribution of drug overdose (OD) to regional variation in the incidence and outcome out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is unclear. Objective: To estimate overall and regional variation in incidence and outcomes of emergency medical services (EMS)-treated OD-OHCA cases across North America. Methods: The Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC) is a clinical research network with 10 regional clinical centers in United States (US) and Canada that uses uniform methods for surveillance of all EMS-treated OHCA in participating regions. Cases of OHCA from 2006 to 2010 were reviewed for evidence of association with or without OD. Incidence of OD-OHCA was calculated as the number of OD-OHCA in a region per 100,000 cumulative person-years, using 2000 US Census and 2006 Statistics Canada population counts. Patient and EMS characteristics as well as outcome were described. Multiple logistic regression was used to describe the association between OD status on return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to hospital discharge, while adjusting for case characteristics and consortium center. Results: Included were 56,272 cases of OHCA. Regional incidence of OD-OHCA varied between 0.5 and 2.7 per 100,000 person years (p<0.001), and proportion of OD-OHCA among all EMS-treated OHCA ranged from 0.9% to 3.8%. Table 1 shows outcomes and characteristics stratified by OD status; OD-OHCA were younger, less likely to be witnessed, and less likely to present with a shockable rhythm. Compared to non-OD, OD-OHCA was associated with ROSC (OR: 1.55; 95%CI: 1.35-1.78) and survival (OR: 2.14; 95%CI: 1.72-2.65). Conclusions: OD-OHCA are a small proportion of all OHCA, although incidence varied up to 5-fold across regions. OD-OHCA were more likely to survive than non-OD-OHCA.

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Abstract 206: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Process Measures Associated With Return of Spontaneous Circulation in Non-Shockable Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.138.suppl_2.206 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 138 (Suppl_2) ◽

Author(s):

Jose M Juarez ◽

Allison C Koller ◽

Robert H Schmicker ◽

Seo Young Park ◽

David D Salcido ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Arrest ◽

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ◽

Chest Compression ◽

Duty Cycle ◽

Spontaneous Circulation ◽

Research Network ◽

Process Measures ◽

Return Of Spontaneous Circulation ◽

Shockable Rhythm ◽

Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Purpose: Survival rates after non-shockable out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remain low despite advances in resuscitation. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) process measures may inform treatment strategies. We hypothesized that CPR process measures would be associated with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and patient electrocardiogram (ECG) transitions. Methods: We obtained defibrillator monitor data for emergency medical service (EMS)-treated non-shockable OHCA from the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC), an OHCA research network (U.S./Canada). We extracted ECG data from EMS defibrillator files and parsed cases into compression-free analyzable segments using custom MATLAB software. Two data abstractors classified segment rhythms as PEA, asystole, ventricular fibrillation (VF), pulseless ventricular tachycardia (PVT), or ROSC. We calculated CPR process measures (average rate, depth, duration, leaning proportion, chest compression fraction, and duty cycle) for CPR bouts preceding every ECG segment. We used mixed effects models controlling for subject to test associations between individual CPR process measures and the bout-level outcomes ROSC and shockable rhythm. Results: We analyzed 1893 cases consisting of 7981 CPR bouts. Case initial rhythms were asystole (68.2%), PEA (24.9%), or NSA-AED (6.9%). Segment rhythm classifications were asystole (78.1%), PEA (20.4%), ROSC (5.5%), VF (1.4%), and PVT (0.07%). Regression model results are shown in Table 1. Chest compression fraction was most strongly associated with ROSC and shockable rhythm. Depth was also associated with shockable rhythm. Leaning proportion and duty cycle were not associated with either outcome. Conclusions: In cases of non-shockable OHCA, CPR quality measures were associated with ROSC and transition to a shockable rhythm at the bout level.

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Abstract 44: Time to Epinephrine Impacts Mortality Following Pediatric In-Hospital Nonshockable Cardiac Arrest

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.130.suppl_2.44 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽

Author(s):

Lars W Andersen ◽

Katherine Berg ◽

Brian Z Saindon ◽

Joseph M Massaro ◽

Tia T Raymond ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Arrest ◽

Hospital Discharge ◽

Neurological Outcome ◽

Spontaneous Circulation ◽

National Registry ◽

Epinephrine Administration ◽

Negatively Associated ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Shockable Rhythm ◽

Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Background: Delay in administration of the first epinephrine dose has been shown to be associated with a lower chance of good outcome in adult, in-hospital, non-shockable cardiac arrest. Whether this association is true in pediatric in-hospital non-shockable cardiac arrest remains unknown. Methods: We utilized the Get With the Guidelines - Resuscitation national registry to identify pediatric patients (age < 18 years) with an in-hospital cardiac arrest between 2000 and 2010. We included patients with an initial non-shockable rhythm who received at least one dose of epinephrine. To assess the association between time to epinephrine administration and survival to discharge we used multivariate logistic regression models with adjustment for multiple predetermined variables including age, gender, illness category, pre-existing mechanical ventilation, monitored, witnessed, location, time of the day/week, year of arrest, insertion of an airway, initial rhythm, time to initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, hospital type and hospital teaching status. Secondary outcomes included return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and neurological outcome. Results: 1,131 patients were included. Median age was 9 months (quartiles: 21 days - 6 years) and 46% were female. Overall survival to hospital discharge was 29%. Longer time to epinephrine was negatively associated with survival to discharge in multivariate analysis (OR: 0.94 [95%CI: 0.90 - 0.98], per minute delay). Longer time to epinephrine was negatively associated with ROSC (OR: 0.93 [95%CI: 0.90 - 0.97], per minute delay) but was not statistically significantly associated with survival with good neurological outcome (OR: 0.95 [95%CI: 0.89 - 1.03], per minute delay). Conclusions: Delay in administration of epinephrine during pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest with a non-shockable rhythm is associated with a lower chance of ROSC and lower survival to hospital discharge.

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Abstract 18070: Therapies Optimizing Organ Perfusion and Protection After Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Improves Survival With Favorable Neurologic Outcome

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.132.suppl_3.18070 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽

Author(s):

Michael J Jacobs ◽

Leo S Derevin ◽

Sue Duval ◽

James E Pointer ◽

Karl A Sporer

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Arrest ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Cerebral Performance Category ◽

Spontaneous Circulation ◽

Outcome Data ◽

Neurological Function ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Advanced Airway ◽

Initial Rhythm ◽

Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Introduction: Survival rates with favorable neurologic function after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have remained low for decades. Hypothesis: Use of therapies focused on better perfusion during CPR using mechanical adjuncts and protective post-resuscitation care would improve survival and neurologic outcomes after OHCA compared to conventional CPR and care. Methods: OHCA outcomes in Alameda County, CA, USA, population 1.5 million, from December 2009-2011 when there was incomplete availability and use of impedance threshold device [ITD], mechanical CPR [MCPR], and hospital therapeutic hypothermia [HTH], were compared to 2012 when all were available and more widely used. Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC), survival and Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scores were compared using univariate and multivariable analyses. Results: Of the 3008 non-traumatic OHCAs who received CPR during the study period, >95% of survival outcome data were available. From 2009-11 to 2012, there was an increase in ROSC from 28.6% to 34.1% (p=0.002; OR=1.28; CI=1.09, 1.51) and a non-significant increase in hospital discharge from 10.5% to 12.3% (p=0.14; OR=1.17; CI=0.92, 1.49). There was, however, an 80% increase in survival with favorable neurological function between the two periods, as determined by CPC≤2, from 4.4% to 7.9% (p<0.001; unadjusted OR=1.85; CI=1.35, 2.54). After adjusting for witnessed arrest, bystander CPR, initial rhythm (VT/VF vs. others), placement of an advanced airway, EMS response time, and age, the adjusted OR was 1.60 (1.11, 2.31; p=0.012). Using a stepwise regression model, the most important independent positive predictors of CPC≤2 were 2012 (p=0.019), witnessed (p<0.001), initial rhythm VT/VF (p<0.001), and advanced airway (inverse association p<0.001). Additional analyses of the three therapies, separately and in combination, demonstrated that for all patients admitted to the hospital, ITD use with HTH had the most impact on survival to discharge with CPC≤2 of 24%. Conclusions: Therapies (ITD, MCPR, HTH) developed to enhance circulation during CPR and cerebral recovery after ROSC, significantly improved survival with favorable neurological function by 80% following OHCA.

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

10.21203/rs.3.rs-106512/v1 ◽

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.

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Survival analysis in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with shockable rhythm directly transport to Heart Centers

10.22514/sv.2021.084 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Arrest ◽

Survival Analysis ◽

Cerebral Performance Category ◽

Spontaneous Circulation ◽

Transport Time ◽

Neurological Outcomes ◽

Neurologic Outcomes ◽

Shockable Rhythm ◽

Short Time ◽

Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Background: This study aimed to evaluate whether out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients with initial shockable rhythm without prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) who are directly transported to Heart Centers in appropriate time will have better post-cardiac arrest four months survival and neurological outcomes at discharge. Methods: This retrospective study assessed the data of 1,588 OHCA patients with shockable rhythm and without prehospital ROSC collected from the registry database of Taoyuan City between January 2014 and June 2018. The relationships of transport time to Heart Centers with survival at discharge and with neurological outcomes were investigated for survival analysis. Results: Among the 1,588 OHCA patients with initial shockable rhythm and without prehospital ROSC, 1,222 (77.0%) and 366 (23.0%) were transported to Heart Centers and non-Heart Centers, respectively. However, the transport to Heart Centers was associated with an increased survival at discharge (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.00, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42–2.81) and good neurological outcomes (cerebral performance category [CPC] 1 and 2) (aOR 3.14, 95% CI, 1.88–5.23), regardless of the transport time. The overall mortality reduction for Heart Centers was 39% (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.61; 95% CI 0.47–0.78), compared to that for non-Heart Centers. At 120 days of follow-up, the results showed a higher survival rate for patients who were transported to Heart Centers within a short time. The percentages of good CPC showed a better distribution for non-Heart Centers versus those for Heart Centers. Conclusions: Adult OHCA patients with initial shockable rhythm and without prehospital ROSC who were transported to Heart Centers directly had better post-cardiac arrest survival and good neurologic outcomes, regardless of the transport time.

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Survival rate of incoming patients with cardiac arrest at the cardiology infirmary of the emergency department of a public hospital in Greece

Health & Research Journal ◽

10.12681/healthresj.20871 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 53

Author(s):

Styliani Papadopoulou ◽

Olympia Konstantakopoulou ◽

Antonia Kalogianni ◽

Martha Kelesi-Stavropoulou ◽

Theodore Kapadohos

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Cardiac Arrest ◽

Survival Rate ◽

Emergency Room ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Spontaneous Circulation ◽

Shockable Rhythm ◽

Discharged Patients ◽

Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Introduction: Cardiac arrest is an urgent situation that, despite the improved resuscitation capabilities, the survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims remains low.Aim: Τo investigate the survival rate of the incoming patients with cardiac arrest in the cardiology infirmary of the emergency department of a public hospital.Material-Method: The study included 210 patients who were transferred pulseless and breathless at the cardiology infirmary of the emergency department of “Tzaneio” Hospital, Piraeus, during the period April 2017 - November 2018. Data was collected from the National Center of Emergency Dispatch's printed forms, as well as from the patients’ admission book of the emergency department.Results: More than 10% (11.9%) of patients with cardiac arrest returned to spontaneous circulation in the emergency department, of which 16% was discharged. Patients with known cardiac history, (p=0.002), with a shockable rhythm (p<0.001), and especially ventricular fibrillation (p<0.001) upon arrival at the emergency room, and patients who were defibrillated at the ambulance during admission and at the emergency room, were more likely to survive (p<0.001). No statistically significant correlation was found between the factors studied and survival after cardiac arrest, in the group of patients that were discharged.Conclusions: The survival rate of the incoming patients with cardiac arrest at the emergency department of “Tzaneio” Hospital, Piraeus, was low. As for most health systems, this issue constitutes a fairly complex public health problem. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and corresponding guidelines require further improvement in order for the survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients to increase.

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Abstract 12258: Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest With Initially Shockable Rhythm: What Are the Outcomes if No Shock is Given?

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.132.suppl_3.12258 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽

Author(s):

Yan Xiong ◽

Ahamed H Idris

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Arrest ◽

Hospital Discharge ◽

Spontaneous Circulation ◽

Shock Delivery ◽

Return Of Spontaneous Circulation ◽

Shockable Rhythm ◽

Multiple Variable ◽

Multiple Variable Regression ◽

Hospital Cardiac Arrest ◽

Resuscitation Attempt

Background: Prompt defibrillation is critical for termination of ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). For ethical reasons, the real impact of not shocking OHCA patients with a shockable rhythm is unlikely to be investigated in clinical trials and thus remains unknown. Objectives: To describe demographics, pre-hospital characteristics, interventions, and outcomes in OHCA patients with an initially shockable rhythm who did and did not get shocked in the field in DFW ROC site. Methods: We included all non-traumatic OHCA cases ≥18 years old with VF or VT as first known rhythms, who were treated and transported to a hospital within the DFW ROC site between 2006 - 2011. We report return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in the field and survival to hospital discharge for victims with and without shock delivered in the field. Multiple variable regression analysis assessed the association between shock delivery and ROSC in the field as well as survival. Results: Included were 882 adult non-traumatic OHCA cases with VF or VT as first known rhythms; mean (±SD) age was 60 ± 15 years, 71% male, bystander witnessed 56%, bystander resuscitation attempt 43%, public arrest location 26%, EMS response time 4.7 ± 2.3 min, 26.9% (237) had ROSC in the field, 14.9% (131) survived to hospital discharge; 93.4% (824) of all patients were shocked, while 6.6% (58) were not shocked. Of the 6.6% (58) who were not shocked, 12.1% (7) achieved ROSC in the field and 8.6% (5) survived to hospital discharge. For those not shocked in the field, the unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios for ROSC were 0.354 (95% CI 0.158-0.791, p=0.011) and 0.189 (95% CI 0.039-0.911, p=0.038), respectively; and for survival to hospital discharge they were 0.522 (95% CI 0.205-1.331, p=0.173) and 0.498 (95% CI 0.088-2.810, p=0.430), respectively. Conclusions: In the DFW ROC site, 6.6% of OHCA victims with an initially shockable rhythm did not receive a shock, which was significantly associated with decreased ROSC in the field. More patients survived who were shocked in the field, but this difference was not significant after adjustment for Utstein variables.

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Abstract 14171: Prehospital Outcomes and Patient Characteristics Associated With PulsePoint Dispatches for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.144.suppl_2.14171 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 144 (Suppl_2) ◽

Author(s):

David Salcido ◽

Christian Martin-Gill ◽

LEONARD WEISS ◽

David D Salcido

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Arrest ◽

Response Time ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

The United States ◽

Spontaneous Circulation ◽

Shockable Rhythm ◽

Bystander Cpr ◽

Case Characteristics ◽

Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Background: Mobile phone-based dispatch of volunteers to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has been shown to increase the likelihood of early chest compressions and AED application. In the United States, limited characterization of patients encountered as a result of such systems exists, including PulsePoint Respond, a smartphone-based volunteer dispatch system. Objective: Examine prehospital case characteristics and outcomes from a multi-year deployment of PulsePoint in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Methods: Case data, including PulsePoint determinant triggers and timing, prehospital electronic health records (EHRs), and computer aided dispatch records were obtained for suspected EMS-treated OHCA cases that did and did not generate PulsePoint alerts within the service area of Pittsburgh EMS for the period July 2016 to October 2020. EHRs were reviewed to determine true OHCA status, and OHCA case characteristics were extracted according to the Utstein template. Key characteristics and the outcome of prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) were summarized and compared between cases with and without PulsePoint dispatches. Chi-squared tests were used to determine statistical significance of relationships. Results: There were 1229 OHCA cases overall in the capture period, with an estimated 29.6% occurring in public. Of 840 total PulsePoint dispatches, 68 (8.1%) were for true OHCA. Forty-five (66.2%) of these were witnessed, 43 (63.2%) received bystander CPR, and 17 (25%) had an AED applied prior to first responder arrival. Twenty-seven (39.7%) had an initial shockable rhythm, and 34 (50%) achieved ROSC in the field. Compared to non-PulsePoint dispatch generating OHCA, PulsePoint alert-associated patients were significantly more likely to be male (p=0.024), have bystander CPR/AED application performed (p<0.001), have an initial shockable rhythm (p<0.001), and achieve ROSC (p<0.001). EMS response time, age, ALS response time, and witnessed status were not significantly different. Conclusions: A minority of PulsePoint dispatches in Pittsburgh were triggered by true OHCA. Among cases that did generate a PulsePoint dispatch, case characteristics were prognostically favorable.

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Improving Survival After In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: The Australian Experience

American Journal of Critical Care ◽

10.4037/ajcc2007.16.3.240 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 240-247 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Robyn Peters ◽

Mary Boyde

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Arrest ◽

Life Support ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Spontaneous Circulation ◽

High Rate ◽

Hospital Data ◽

Return Of Spontaneous Circulation ◽

Shockable Rhythm ◽

Resuscitation Training ◽

Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Background Survival rates after in-hospital cardiac arrest have not improved markedly despite improvements in technology and resuscitation training. Objectives To investigate clinical variables that influence return of spontaneous circulation and survival to discharge after in-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods An Utstein-style resuscitation template was implemented in a 750-bed hospital. Data on 158 events were collected from January 2004 through November 2004. Significant variables were analyzed by using a multiple logistic regression model. Results Of the 158 events, 128 were confirmed cardiac arrests. Return of spontaneous circulation occurred in 69 cases (54%), and the patient survived to discharge in 41 (32%). An initial shockable rhythm was present in 42 cases (33%), with a return of spontaneous circulation in 32 (76%) and survival to discharge in 24 (57%). An initial nonshockable rhythm was present in the remaining 86 cases (67%), with a return of spontaneous circulation in 37 (43%) and survival to discharge in 17 (20%). Witnessed or monitored arrests (P=.006), time to arrival of the cardiac arrest team (P=.002), afternoon shift (P=.02), and initial shockable rhythm (P=.005) were independently associated with return of spontaneous circulation. Location of patient in a critical care area (P=.002), initial shockable rhythm (P<.001), and length of resuscitation (P=.02) were independently associated with survival to hospital discharge. Conclusions The high rate of survival to discharge after cardiac arrest is attributed to extensive education and the incorporation of semiautomatic external defibrillators into basic life support management.

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