Abstract
BackgroundClinicians may make prognostication decisions for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) using historical details pertaining to non-prescription drug use. However, differences in outcomes between OHCAs with evidence of non-prescription drug use, compared to other OHCAs, have not been well described. MethodsWe included emergency medical service-treated OHCA in the British Columbia Cardiac Arrest Registry (January/2019–June/2023). We classified cases as “non-prescription drug-associated cardiac arrests” (DA-OHCA) if there was evidence of non-prescription drug use preceding the OHCA, including witness accounts of use within 24 hours or paraphernalia at the scene. We fit logistic regression models to investigate the association between DA-OHCA (vs. other cases) and favourable neurological outcome (Cerebral Performance Category [CPC] 1-2) and survival at hospital discharge, and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). ResultsOf 34,745 OHCA, 2,171 (12%) were classified as DA-OHCA. DA-OHCA tended to be younger, unwitnessed, occur during the evening or night, and present with a non-shockable rhythm, compared to other OHCA. DA-OHCA (221 [10%]) had a greater proportion (difference 1.8%; 95%CI 0.49–3.2) with favourable neurological outcomes compared to other OHCA (1,365 [8.4%]). Adjusted models did not identify an association of DA-OHCA with favourable neurological outcome (OR 1.08, 95%CI 0.87–1.33) or survival to hospital discharge (OR 1.13, 95%CI 0.93–1.38), but did demonstrate an association with ROSC (OR 1.13, 95%CI 1.004–1.27). ConclusionIn unadjusted models, DA-OHCA was associated with an improved odds of survival and favourable neurological outcomes at hospital discharge, compared to other OHCA. However, we did not detect these associations in adjusted analyses.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have