Abstract 19: Progressive Metabolic Derangement During Prolonged Resuscitation for Refractory VT/VF Cardiac Arrest and the Relationship to Neurologically Intact Survival With Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Background: Multiple studies have shown declining likelihood of neurologically intact survival with prolonged resuscitation with standard CPR. With standard CPR, survival after VT/VF arrest declines from 35-45% at initiation of CPR to 10-20% survival at 30 min. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of resuscitation duration on neurologically intact survival in the Minnesota Resuscitation Consortium ECPR protocol. Further, the progressive metabolic derangement of prolonged resuscitation was observed for the first time in this population. Methods: Between December 1, 2015 and May 1, 2018, 115 consecutive adult patients with refractory out-of-hospital VT/VF cardiac arrest requiring ongoing CPR were transported to the cardiac catheterization laboratory where ECLS was initiated and coronary angiography and PCI were performed as needed. Patients achieving an organized cardiac rhythm were admitted for further treatment. Results: Overall, 41% of patients receiving full resuscitative efforts were discharged neurologically intact. Neurologically intact survival declined with increasing duration of CPR with 100% survival in patients placed on ECLS within 30 min. Survival declined to 50% within 50 min and 20% within 70 min. Lactic acid and paCO2 increased over time peaking at 15 mmol/L and 72 mmHg, respectively. pH declined accordingly reaching 6.92 at its nadir. paO2 was stable over time but variable between patients. Conclusions: Likelihood of neurologically intact survival declined with increasing duration of CPR for patients going on to receive ECLS. The metabolic profile worsened during prolonged CPR with increasing lactic acidemia and hypercapnia but survival could be achieved with the hemodynamic support provided by ECLS. Together these findings support the need for rapid transport of patients to teams prepared to place ECLS. Substantial decline in survival begins at 30 min of CPR.