Usefulness of thrombolysis in cardiac arrest secondary to suspected or confirmed pulmonary embolism

Abstract

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a form of venous thromboembolism associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Massive PE, characterized by hemodynamic instability, has been reported as a common cause of cardiac arrest. Thrombolytic agents have therefore been identified as a potential rescue therapy to restore circulatory perfusion. This study describes use patterns of systemic thrombolysis in cardiac arrest and corresponding patient outcomes. A multicenter retrospective chart review was conducted to evaluate adult patients who received rescue thrombolysis during cardiac arrest for suspected or confirmed PE. A total of 27 patients were included. PE was confirmed in 4 patients (15%). Pulseless electrical activity was the initial rhythm in 21 patients (78%), with a median cardiac arrest duration of 23 minutes in patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) vs 42.5 minutes in patients without ROSC. Among the 11 patients (41%) with ROSC, two (7%) survived to hospital discharge. Notable characteristics of the two survivors included a confirmed PE, an initial presenting rhythm of pulseless electrical activity, and administration of alteplase within 5 minutes of cardiac arrest. We recommend early administration of rescue thrombolysis when there is a high clinical index of suspicion that PE is the cause of the arrest.