Abstract 12052: A Comprehensive Simulation-Based Training for E-CPR Improves the Neurological Outcome of Patients With Refractory Cardiac Arrest

Background: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) has been utilized as a rescue strategy for patients with refractory cardiac arrest (CA). To improve the outcome of E-CPR, we developed a comprehensive simulation-based E-CPR training program. In the present study we assessed whether the E-CPR training improved the mortality and the neurological outcome. Methods: We have implemented the comprehensive E-CPR simulation training program twice a year to the medical team, which consists of emergency physicians, cardiologists, nurses, clinical engineers, and radiographers using a mock vascular model for E-CPR (ECMO cannulation). We assessed collapse to ECMO time, cumulative 30-day survival and good neurological outcome at hospital discharge defined as the cerebral performance categories (CPC) of 1 or 2. Results: Fifty-three consecutive patients received E-CPR for OHCA from January 2012 to December 2020 in which 31 patients were prior to (until September 2017) and 22 were after (from October 2017) the initiation of the E-CPR training. No differences were found in age, rates of witnessed and bystander-CPR, shockable rhythms, or acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Intra-aortic balloon pump was used in 87% patients prior to and 27% patients after the training (p<0.001), and a microaxial Impella pump was used in 55% after the training. Collapse to ECMO time was significantly shorter after the training (p<0.001). Cumulative 30-day survival and the rate of favorable neurological outcome were significantly higher after the training (p<0.05). Multivariate cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.38 (10 years increase), 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.73, p=0.002), Collapse to ECMO time (HR, 1.14, 95%CI, 1.04-1.23, p=0.006), and additional Impella use (HR, 0.23, 95% CI, 0.08-0.69, p=0.0009) were significantly associated with the 30-day survival. Conclusions: The E-CPR training significantly improved the collapse to ECMO time. The faster deployment of ECMO improves the neurological outcome and 30-day survival in patients with refractory CA. Additional use of Impella may improve the survival.

Abstract 11336: Experience with an Institutional Guideline on Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Refractory in Hospital and Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Aim: To compare survival rates in patients with refractory cardiac arrest treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) before and after implementation of an action card.The primary outcome was survival to discharge, and secondary outcomes were low-flow time and rate of cerebral complications. Methods: Retrospective evaluation of 37 patients treated with ECPR for refractory cardiac arrest. Information was obtained through medical records. Patients were categorized into two groups - before (BA) and after (AA) introduction of an action card. The card entailed inclusion and exclusion criteria used to evaluate the benefit of ECPR for any individual patient. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups.After the introduction of the action card, survival to discharge increased from 6.7 % to 18.2 % suggesting a trend toward improved survival, despite this finding being statistically insignificant (p = 0.629).Low-flow time was reduced from 100 (12-195) minutes to 66 (30-195) minutes and the upper extreme was reduced from 195 to 153 minutes, but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.334).Cerebral factors contributed to significantly fewer deaths in AA compared with BA (p = 0.0022). Conclusion: There was no statistically significant improvement in survival rates nor a reduction in low-flow time after the implementation of an action card for the use of ECPR in patients with refractory CA. However, cerebral causes factored in fewer deaths and several patients survived despite meeting potential exclusion criteria outlined in local and international guidelines.

Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients with Refractory Cardiac Arrest due to Severe Persistent Hypothermia: About 2 Case Reports and a Review of the Literature

We report the cases of two patients experiencing persistent severe hypothermia. They were 45 and 30 years old and had a witnessed cardiac arrest managed with mechanized cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for 4 and 2.5 hours, respectively. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used in both patients who fully recovered without any neurological sequelae. These two cases illustrate the important role of extracorporeal CPR (eCPR) in persistent severe hypothermia leading to cardiac arrest.

Comparing Drugs for Out-of-hospital, Shock-refractory Cardiac Arrest: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Introduction: The benefit of medications used in out-of-hospital, shock-refractory cardiac arrest remains controversial. This study aims to compare the treatment outcomes of medications for out-of-hospital, shock-refractory ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pVT). Methods: The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials of participants older than eight years old who had atraumatic, out-of-hospital, shock-refractory VF/pVT in which at least one studied group received a medication. We conducted a database search on October 28, 2019, that included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL Complete, and Cochrane CENTRAL. Citations of relevant meta-analyses were also searched. We performed frequentist network meta-analysis (NMA) to combine the comparisons. The outcomes were analyzed by using odds ratios (OR) and compared to placebo. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. The secondary outcomes included the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival to hospital admission, and the neurological outcome at discharge. We ranked all outcomes using surface under the cumulative ranking score. Results: We included 18 studies with 6,582 participants. The NMA of 20 comparisons included 12 medications and placebo. Only norepinephrine showed a significant increase of ROSC (OR = 8.91, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.88-42.29). Amiodarone significantly improved survival to hospital admission (OR = 1.53, 95% CI, 1.01-2.32). The ROSC and survival-to-hospital admission data were significantly heterogeneous with the I2 of 55.1% and 59.1%, respectively. This NMA satisfied the assumption of transitivity. Conclusion: No medication was associated with improved survival to hospital discharge from out-of-hospital, shock-refractory cardiac arrest. For the secondary outcomes, norepinephrine was associated with improved ROSC and amiodarone was associated with an increased likelihood of survival to hospital admission in the NMA.

Prompt extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation with left ventricular unloading by IMPELLA improves the outcome of patients with refractory cardiac arrest: A single-site retrospective cohort study

Background: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) using venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a novel lifesaving method for refractory cardiac arrest (CA). However, VA-ECMO increases damaged left ventricular (LV) afterload. The percutaneous microaxial pump Impella can reduce LV preload with simultaneous circulatory support, which may have a significant effect on clinical outcome by concomitant use of VA-ECMO and IMPELLA (ECPELLA). In the current retrospective cohort study, we assessed factors affecting the outcome of CA patients who underwent E-CPR.Method: We retrospectively reviewed 149 consecutive CA patients with E-CPR from January 2012 through December 2020 in our institute. Patients were divided into three groups: ECEPLLA (n=29), IABP + VA-ECMO (n=78), and single VA-ECMO (n=42). We assessed 30-day survival and neurological outcome using cerebral performance categories (CPCs).Results: There were no significant differences in age, sex, out-of-hospital CA, or acute coronary syndrome among the groups. ECPELLA showed the highest cumulative 30-day survival (ECPELLA: 55%, IABP + VA-ECMO: 23%, VA-ECMO: 9.5; p=0.001) and the rates of CPC score 1 or 2 (ECPELLA: 31%, IABP + VA-ECMO: 13%, VA-ECMO: 7%; p=0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed that age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.52, P=0.005) and time from CA to ECMO support (HR, 1.22, 95% CI, 1.13-1.31, P<0.0001) and ECPELLA (HR, 0.46, 95% CI, 0.24-0.88, P=0.02) were significantly associated with the clinical outcome.Conclusion: Earlier initiation of E-CPR is critical to improve patient survival and neurological outcome. Additional Impella support, ECPELLA, appears to significantly improve the clinical outcome.

Prompt Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation with Left Ventricular Unloading by IMPELLA Improves Outcome of Patients with Refractory Cardiac Arrest: A Single-Site Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) using venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a novel lifesaving method for refractory cardiac arrest (CA). However, VA-ECMO increases damaged left ventricular (LV) afterload. The percutaneous microaxial pump, Impella, can reduce LV preload with simultaneous circulatory support, which may have significant effect on clinical outcome by concomitant use of VA-ECMO and IMPELLA (ECPELLA). In the current retrospective cohort study, we assessed factors affecting outcome of CA patients who underwent E-CPR.Method: We retrospectively reviewed 149 consecutive CA patients with E-CPR from January 2012 through December 2020 in our institute. Patients were divided into three groups, ECEPLLA (n=29), IABP + VA-ECMO (n=78), and single VA-ECMO (n=42). We assessed 30-day survival and neurological outcome using the Cerebral Performance Categories (CPC). Results: There were no significant differences in age, gender, out of hospital CA, acute coronary syndrome among groups. The ECPELLA showed the highest cumulative 30-day survival (ECPELLA: 55%, IABP + VA-ECMO: 23%, VA-ECMO: 9.5; p=0.001) and the rates of CPC score 1 or 2 (ECPELLA: 31%, IABP + VA-ECMO: 13%, VA-ECMO: 7%; p=0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed that age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.52, P=0.005) and Time from CA to ECMO support (HR, 1.22, 95%CI, 1.13-1.31, P<0.0001) and ECPELLA (HR, 0.46, 95%CI, 0.24-0.88, P=0.02) were significantly associated with the clinical outcome. Conclusion: Earlier initiation of E-CPR is critical to improve patient survival and neurological outcome. Additional Impella support, ECPELLA, appears to significantly improve the clinical outcome.