Abstract
International guidelines give recommendations for the management of comatose out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors. We aimed to investigate adherence to guidelines and disparities in the treatment of OHCA in hospitals in Europe. A web-based, multi-institutional, multinational survey in Europe was conducted using an electronic platform with a predefined questionnaire developed by experts in post-resuscitation care. The survey was disseminated to all members of the societies via email, social media, websites, and newsletters in June 2021. Of 252 answers received, 237 responses from different units were included and 166 (70%) were from cardiac arrest centres. First-line vasopressor used was noradrenaline in 195 (83%) and the first-line inotrope was dobutamine in 148 (64%) of the responses. Echocardiography is available 24/7 in 204 (87%) institutions. Targeted temperature management was used in 160 (75%) institutions for adult comatose survivors of OHCA with an initial shockable rhythm. Invasive or external cooling methods with feedback were used in 72 cardiac arrest centres (44%) and 17 (24%) non-cardiac arrest centres (P < 0.0003). A target temperature between 32 and 34°C was preferred by 46 centres (21%); a target between 34 and 36°C by 103 centres (52%); and <37.5°C by 35 (16%). Multimodal neuroprognostication was poorly implemented and a follow-up at 3 months after discharge was done in 71 (30%) institutions. Post-resuscitation care is not well established and varies among centres in European hospitals. Cardiac arrest centres have a higher coherence with guidelines compared with respondents from non-cardiac arrest centres. The overall inconsistency in approaches and deviation from recommendations could be a focus for improvement.
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