Cerebral Performance Category Score Research Articles

Post-intensive care syndrome and health-related quality of life in long-term survivors of cardiac arrest: a prospective cohort study

Patients discharged from intensive care are at risk for post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), which consists of physical, psychological, and/or neurological impairments. This study aimed to analyze PICS at 24 months follow-up, to identify potential risk factors for PICS, and to assess health-related quality of life in a long-term cohort of adult cardiac arrest survivors. This prospective cohort study included adult cardiac arrest survivors admitted to the intensive care unit of a Swiss tertiary academic medical center. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of PICS at 24 months follow-up, defined as impairments in physical (measured through the European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions-3-Levels instrument [EQ-5D-3L]), neurological (defined as Cerebral Performance Category Score > 2 or Modified Rankin Score > 3), and psychological (based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised) domains. Among 107 cardiac arrest survivors that completed the 2-year follow-up, 46 patients (43.0%) had symptoms of PICS, with 41 patients (38.7%) experiencing symptoms in the physical domain, 16 patients (15.4%) in the psychological domain, and 3 patients (2.8%) in the neurological domain. Key predictors for PICS in multivariate analyses were female sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.17, 95% CI 1.08 to 9.3), duration of no-flow interval during cardiac arrest (minutes) (aOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.33), post-discharge job-loss (aOR 31.25, 95% CI 3.63 to 268.83), need for ongoing psychological support (aOR 3.64, 95% CI 1.29 to 10.29) or psychopharmacologic treatment (aOR 9.49, 95% CI 1.9 to 47.3), and EQ-visual analogue scale (points) (aOR 0.88, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.93). More than one-third of cardiac arrest survivors experience symptoms of PICS 2 years after resuscitation, with the highest impairment observed in the physical and psychological domains. However, long-term survivors of cardiac arrest report intact health-related quality of life when compared to the general population. Future research should focus on appropriate prevention, screening, and treatment strategies for PICS in cardiac arrest patients.

External Validation of Updated Prediction Models for Neurological Outcomes at 90 Days in Patients With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Few prediction models for individuals with early-stage out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have undergone external validation. This study aimed to externally validate updated prediction models for OHCA outcomes using a large nationwide dataset. We performed a secondary analysis of the JAAM-OHCA (Comprehensive Registry of In-Hospital Intensive Care for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Survival and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest) registry. Previously developed prediction models for patients with cardiac arrest who achieved the return of spontaneous circulation were updated. External validation was conducted using data from 56 institutions from the JAAM-OHCA registry. The primary outcome was a dichotomized 90-day cerebral performance category score. Two models were updated using the derivation set (n=3337). Model 1 included patient demographics, prehospital information, and the initial rhythm upon hospital admission; Model 2 included information obtained in the hospital immediately after the return of spontaneous circulation. In the validation set (n=4250), Models 1 and 2 exhibited a C-statistic of 0.945 (95% CI, 0.935-0.955) and 0.958 (95% CI, 0.951-0.960), respectively. Both models were well-calibrated to the observed outcomes. The decision curve analysis showed that Model 2 demonstrated higher net benefits at all risk thresholds than Model 1. A web-based calculator was developed to estimate the probability of poor outcomes (https://pcas-prediction.shinyapps.io/90d_lasso/). The updated models offer valuable information to medical professionals in the prediction of long-term neurological outcomes for patients with OHCA, potentially playing a vital role in clinical decision-making processes.

Factors associated with family decision-making after pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

AimThis study aims to identify demographic factors, area-based social determinants of health (SDOH), and clinical features associated with medical decision-making after pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). MethodsThis is a retrospective, exploratory, descriptive analysis of patients < 18 years old admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) after OHCA from 2011 to 2022 (n = 217) at an urban tertiary care, free-standing children’s hospital. Outcomes of interest included: (1) whether a new advance care plan (ACP) (defined as a written advance directive including do not resuscitate and/or do not intubate) was ordered during hospitalization, and (2) whether the patient was discharged with new medical technology (defined as tracheostomy and/or feeding tube). Logistic regression models identified features associated with these outcomes. ResultsOf the 217 patients, 78 patients (36%) had a new ACP placed during their admission. Of the survivors, 26% (27/102) were discharged home with new medical technology. Factors associated with ACP were greater change in Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC) score (aOR = 1.49, 95% CI [1.28–1.73], p-value < 0.001) and palliative care consultation (aOR = 2.39, 95% CI [1.16–4.89], p-value 0.018). Factors associated with new medical technology were lower change in PCPC score (aOR = 0.76, 95% C.I. [0.61–0.95], p-value = 0.015) and palliative care consultation (aOR = 7.07, 95% CI [3.01–16.60], p-value < 0.001). There were no associations between area-based SDOH and outcomes. ConclusionsUnderstanding factors associated with decision-making related to ACP after OHCA is critical to optimize counseling for families. Multi-institutional studies are warranted to identify whether these findings are generalizable.

Fluid balance during acute phase extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation and outcomes in OHCA patients: a retrospective multicenter cohort study.

The association between fluid balance and outcomes in patients who underwent out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and received extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) remains unknown. We aimed to examine the above relationship during the first 24 h following intensive care unit (ICU) admission. We performed a secondary analysis of the SAVE-J II study, a retrospective multicenter study involving OHCA patients aged ≥ 18 years treated with ECPR between 2013 and 2018 and who received fluid therapy following ICU admission. Fluid balance was calculated based on intravenous fluid administration, blood transfusion, and urine output. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcomes included unfavorable outcome (cerebral performance category scores of 3-5 at discharge), acute kidney injury (AKI), and need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Overall, 959 patients met our inclusion criteria. In-hospital mortality was 63.6%, and the proportion of unfavorable outcome at discharge was 82.0%. The median fluid balance in the first 24 h following ICU admission was 3673 mL. Multivariable analysis revealed that fluid balance was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio (OR), 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-1.06; p < 0.001), unfavorable outcome (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06; p = 0.005), AKI (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.05; p < 0.001), and RRT (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.03-1.07; p < 0.001). Excessive positive fluid balance in the first day following ICU admission was associated with in-hospital mortality, unfavorable outcome, AKI, and RRT in ECPR patients. Further investigation is warranted.

A retrospective comparison of mechanical cardio-pulmonary ventilation and manual bag valve ventilation in non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrests: A study from the Belgian cardiac arrest registry

BackgroundThe optimal ventilation modalities to manage out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remain debated. A specific pressure mode called cardio-pulmonary ventilation (CPV) may be used instead of manual bag ventilation (MBV). We sought to analyse the association between mechanical CPV and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in non-traumatic OHCA. MethodsMBV and CPV were retrospectively identified in patients with non-traumatic OHCA from the Belgian Cardiac Arrest Registry. We used a two-level mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine the association between the ventilation modalities and outcomes. The primary and secondary study criteria were ROSC and survival with a Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) score of 1 or 2 at 30 days. Age, sex, initial rhythm, no-flow duration, low-flow duration, OHCA location, use of a mechanical chest compression device and Rankin status before arrest were used as covariables. ResultsBetween January 2017 and December 2021, 2566 patients with OHCA who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included. 298 (11.6%) patients were mechanically ventilated with CPV whereas 2268 were manually ventilated. The use of CPV was associated with greater probability of ROSC both in the unadjusted (odds ratio: 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.63; p = 0.043) and adjusted analyses (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.16, 95%CI 1.37–3.41; p = 0.001) but not with a lower CPC score (aOR: 1.44, 95%CI 0.72–2.89; p = 0.31). ConclusionsCompared with MBV, CPV was associated with an increased risk of ROSC but not with improved an CPC score in patients with OHCA. Prospective randomised trials are needed to challenge these results.

Age and sex-related differences in outcomes of OHCA patients after adjustment for sex-based in-hospital management disparities

ObjectivesOut-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival differences due to sex remain controversial. Previous studies adjusted for prehospital variables, but not sex-based in-hospital management disparities. We aimed to investigate age and sex-related differences in survival outcomes in OHCA patients after adjustment for sex-based in-hospital management disparities. MethodsThis retrospective observational study used a prospective multicenter OHCA registry to review data of patients from October 2015 to December 2020. The primary outcome was good neurological outcome defined as cerebral performance category score 1 or 2. We performed multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analysis according to age. ResultsTotally, 8988 patients were analyzed. Women showed poorer prehospital characteristics and received fewer coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary interventions, targeted temperature management, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation than men. Good neurological outcomes were lower in women than in men (5.8% vs. 12.2%, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age, prehospital variables, and in-hospital management, women were more likely to have good neurological outcomes than men (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–1.74, p = 0.012). The restricted cubic spline curve showed a reverse sigmoid pattern of adjusted predicted probability of outcomes and dynamic associations of sex and age-based outcomes. ConclusionsWomen with OHCA were more likely to have good neurological outcome after adjusting for age, prehospital variables, and sex-based in-hospital management disparities. There were non-linear associations between sex and survival outcomes according to age and age-related sex-based differences.

CT brain perfusion patterns and clinical outcome after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A pilot study

AimCT perfusion is a valuable tool for evaluating cerebrovascular diseases, but its role in patients with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy is unclear. This study aimed to investigate 1) the patterns of cerebral perfusion changes that may occur early on after successful resuscitation, and 2) their correlation with clinical outcome to explore their value for predicting outcome. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of perfusion maps from patients who underwent CT brain perfusion within 12 h following successful resuscitation. We classified the perfusion changes into distinct patterns. According to the cerebral performance category (CPC) score clinical outcome was categorised as favourable (CPC 1–2), or unfavourable (CPC 3–5). ResultsA total of 87 patients were included of whom 33 had a favourable outcome (60.6% male, mean age 60 ± 16 years), whereas 54 exhibited an unfavourable outcome (59.3% male, mean age 60 ± 19 years). Of the patients in the favourable outcome group, 30.3% showed no characteristic perfusion changes, in contrast to the unfavourable outcome group where all patients exhibit changes in perfusion. Eighteen perfusion patterns were identified. The most significant patterns for prediction of unfavourable outcome in terms of their high specificity and frequency were hypoperfusion of the brainstem as well as coexisting hypoperfusion of the brainstem and thalamus. ConclusionThis pilot study identified various perfusion patterns in patients after resuscitation, indicative of circulatory changes associated with post-cardiac-arrest brain injury. After validation, certain patterns could potentially be used in conjunction with other prognostic markers for stratifying patients and adjusting personalized treatment following cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Normal brain perfusion within 12 h after resuscitation is predictive of favourable outcome with high specificity.

Duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and outcomes for adults with in-hospital cardiac arrest: retrospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo quantify time dependent probabilities of outcomes in patients after in-hospital cardiac arrest as a function of duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defined as the interval between start of chest compression...

Delayed CCL23 response is associated with poor outcomes after cardiac arrest

Chemokines, a family of chemotactic cytokines, mediate leukocyte migration to and entrance into inflamed tissue, contributing to the intensity of local inflammation. We performed an analysis of chemokine and immune cell responses to cardiac arrest (CA). Forty-two patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest were analyzed, and twenty-two patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery were enrolled. Quantitative antibody array, chemokines, and endotoxin quantification were performed using the patients blood. Analysis of CCL23 production in neutrophils obtained from CA patients and injected into immunodeficient mice after CA and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) were done using flow cytometry. The levels of CCL2, CCL4, and CCL23 are increased in CA patients. Temporal dynamics were different for each chemokine, with early increases in CCL2 and CCL4, followed by a delayed elevation in CCL23 at forty-eight hours after CA. A high level of CCL23 was associated with an increased number of neutrophils, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), worse cerebral performance category (CPC) score, and higher mortality. To investigate the role of neutrophil activation locally in injured brain tissue, we used a mouse model of CA/CPR. CCL23 production was increased in human neutrophils that infiltrated mouse brains compared to those in the peripheral circulation. It is known that an early intense inflammatory response (within hours) is associated with poor outcomes after CA. Our data indicate that late activation of neutrophils in brain tissue may also promote ongoing injury via the production of CCL23 and impair recovery after cardiac arrest.

Cardiac Arrest Following Drug Overdose in the United States: An Analysis of the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival.

Given increases in drug overdose-associated mortality, there is interest in better understanding of drug overdose out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). A comparison between overdose-attributable OHCA and nonoverdose-attributable OHCA will inform public health measures. We analyzed data from 2017 to 2021 in the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES), comparing overdose-attributable OHCA (OD-OHCA) with OHCA from other nontraumatic causes (non-OD-OHCA). Arrests involving patients <18 years, health care facility residents, patients with cancer diagnoses, and patients with select missing data were excluded. Our main outcome of interest was survival with good neurological outcome, defined as Cerebral Performance Category score 1 or 2. From a data set with 537 100 entries, 29 500 OD-OHCA cases and 338 073 non-OD-OHCA cases met inclusion criteria. OD-OHCA cases involved younger patients with fewer comorbidities, were less likely to be witnessed, and less likely to present with a shockable rhythm. Unadjusted survival to hospital discharge with Cerebral Performance Category score =1 or 2 was significantly higher in the OD-OHCA cohort (OD: 15.2% versus non-OD: 6.9%). Adjusted results showed comparable survival with Cerebral Performance Category score =1 or 2 when the first monitored arrest rhythm was shockable (OD: 28.9% versus non-OD: 23.5%, P=0.087) but significantly higher survival rates with Cerebral Performance Category score =1 or 2 for OD-OHCA when the first monitored arrest rhythm was nonshockable (OD: 9.6% versus non-OD: 3.1%, P<0.001). Among patients presenting with nonshockable rhythms, OD-OHCA is associated with significantly better outcomes. Further research should explore cardiac arrest causes, and public health efforts should attempt to reduce the burden from drug overdoses.

Aberrant brain-heart coupling is associated with the severity of post cardiac arrest brain injury.

To investigate autonomic nervous system activity measured by brain-heart interactions in comatose patients after cardiac arrest in relation to the severity and prognosis of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Strength and complexity of bidirectional interactions between EEG frequency bands (delta, theta, and alpha) and ECG heart rate variability frequency bands (low frequency, LF and high frequency, HF) were computed using a synthetic data generation model. Primary outcome was the severity of brain injury, assessed by (i) standardized qualitative EEG classification, (ii) somatosensory evoked potentials (N20), and (iii) neuron-specific enolase levels. Secondary outcome was the 3-month neurological status, assessed by the Cerebral Performance Category score [good (1-2) vs. poor outcome (3-4-5)]. Between January 2007 and July 2021, 181 patients were admitted to ICU for a resuscitated cardiac arrest. Poor neurological outcome was observed in 134 patients (74%). Qualitative EEG patterns suggesting high severity were associated with decreased LF/HF. Severity of EEG changes were proportional to higher absolute values of brain-to-heart coupling strength (p < 0.02 for all brain-to-heart frequencies) and lower values of alpha-to-HF complexity (p = 0.049). Brain-to-heart coupling strength was significantly higher in patients with bilateral absent N20 and correlated with neuron-specific enolase levels at Day 3. This aberrant brain-to-heart coupling (increased strength and decreased complexity) was also associated with 3-month poor neurological outcome. Our results suggest that autonomic dysfunctions may well represent hypoxic-ischemic brain injury post cardiac arrest pathophysiology. These results open avenues for integrative monitoring of autonomic functioning in critical care patients.

How do survivors after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest perceive their health compared to the norm population? A nationwide registry study from Norway

IntroductionSelf-perceived health status data is usually collected using patient-reported outcome measures. Information from the patients’ perspective is one of the important components in planning person-centred care. The study aimed to compare EQ-5D-5L in survivors after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with data for Norwegian population controls. Secondary aim included comparing characteristics of respondents and non-respondents from the OHCA population. MethodsIn this cross-sectional survey, 714 OHCA survivors received an electronic EQ-5D-5L questionnaire 3–6 months following OHCA. EQ-5D-5L assesses for five dimensions of health (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression) with five-point descriptive scales and overall health on a visual analogue scale from 0 (worst) to 100 (best) (EQ VAS). Results are used to calculate the EQ index ranging from −0.59 (worst) to 1 (best). Patient responses were matched for age and sex with existing data from controls, collected through a postal survey (response rate 26%), and compared with Chi-square tests or t-tests as appropriate. ResultsOf 784 OHCA survivors, 714 received the EQ-5D-5L, and 445 (62%) responded. Respondents had higher rates of shockable first rhythm and better cerebral performance category scores than the non-respondents. OHCA survivors reported poorer health compared to controls as assessed by EQ-5D-5L dimensions, the EQ index (0.76 ± 0.24 vs 0.82 ± 0.18), and EQ VAS (69 ± 21 vs 79 ± 17), except for the pain/discomfort dimension. ConclusionsNorwegian OHCA survivors reported poorer health than the general population as assessed by the EQ-5D-5L. PROMs use in this population can be used to inform follow-up and health care delivery.

A locally optimised machine learning approach to early prognostication of long-term neurological outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) represents a major burden for society and health care, with an average incidence in adults of 67 to 170 cases per 100,000 person-years in Europe and in-hospital survival rates of less than 10%. Patients and practitioners would benefit from a prognostication tool for long-term good neurological outcomes. We aim to develop a machine learning (ML) pipeline on a local database to classify patients according to their neurological outcomes and identify prognostic features. We collected clinical and biological data consecutively from 595 patients who presented OHCA and were routed to a single regional cardiac arrest centre in the south of France. We applied recursive feature elimination and ML analyses to identify the main features associated with a good neurological outcome, defined as a Cerebral Performance Category score less than or equal to 2 at six months post-OHCA. We identified 12 variables 24 h after admission, capable of predicting a six-month good neurological outcome. The best model (extreme gradient boosting) achieved an AUC of 0.96 and an accuracy of 0.92 in the test cohort. We demonstrated that it is possible to build accurate, locally optimised prediction and prognostication scores using datasets of limited size and breadth. We proposed and shared a generic machine-learning pipeline which allows external teams to replicate the approach locally.

“Application of Transitions Nursing Theory among Patients with Cardiac Arrests to Assess the Impact of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Duration on Functional Outcome—A Conceptual Framework”

Background: Change is the only constant in life, and humans continuously strive to cope and adapt based on the changes in their health (physical and mental) status. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD’s) are the leading cause of cardiac emergencies that cause enormous impact on patients, families, and health systems prompting processes and strategies for coping with their health status changes and their aftermath effect. Aim: A discussion of the conceptual framework of transition theory applicable to the study to assess the impact of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) duration on the functional outcome among patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). Methodology: The transition theory, a middle-range and situation specific theory is applied to the prospective study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in South India. The outcomes were measured using the cerebral performance category (CPC). Results: The theory identifies that cardiac arrest is a situational transition affected by the chronicity of the disease as described with unfavorable outcome with CPC score of 3–5. The fear of death, dependency state of the patient in an unfavorable outcome based on CPC, and caregiver burden on family due to the prolonged duration of acuity of the disease or death of the patient are identified as properties in this theory. Based on the study, the personal meaning includes lifestyle modifications, the impact of spiritualism, financial stability, and the educational qualifications of the patient and family identified as personal meanings that play a major role as facilitators and inhibitors. The patterns and responses in this study identified with follow-up appointments, confidence in caring for themselves, and coping for themselves among the survived cardiac arrest patients. The nursing therapeutics identified from the study are risks identified from the comprehensive assessment, readiness to intervene and implement nursing actions, educating the patient and family based on the transition, and enhancing the creation of a healthy environment. Conclusions: The transition theory is holistically applicable for patients with cardiac arrest, identifying the process and changes adapted by the patient and family with the progression of the disease and the roles adapted by the family members in the event of the patient’s death.

Hypothermia vs Normothermia in Patients With Cardiac Arrest and Nonshockable Rhythm

International guidelines recommend body temperature control below 37.8 °C in unconscious patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA); however, a target temperature of 33 °C might lead to better outcomes when the initial rhythm is nonshockable. To assess whether hypothermia at 33 °C increases survival and improves function when compared with controlled normothermia in unconscious adults resuscitated from OHCA with initial nonshockable rhythm. Individual patient data meta-analysis of 2 multicenter, randomized clinical trials (Targeted Normothermia after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest [TTM2; NCT02908308] and HYPERION [NCT01994772]) with blinded outcome assessors. Unconscious patients with OHCA and an initial nonshockable rhythm were eligible for the final analysis. The study cohorts had similar inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were randomized to hypothermia (target temperature 33 °C) or normothermia (target temperature 36.5 to 37.7 °C), according to different study protocols, for at least 24 hours. Additional analyses of mortality and unfavorable functional outcome were performed according to age, sex, initial rhythm, presence or absence of shock on admission, time to return of spontaneous circulation, lactate levels on admission, and the cardiac arrest hospital prognosis score. Only patients who experienced OHCA and had a nonshockable rhythm with all causes of cardiac arrest were included. Variables from the 2 studies were available from the original data sets and pooled into a unique database and analyzed. Clinical outcomes were harmonized into a single file, which was checked for accuracy of numbers, distributions, and categories. The last day of follow-up from arrest was recorded for each patient. Adjustment for primary outcome and functional outcome was performed using age, gender, time to return of spontaneous circulation, and bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The primary outcome was mortality at 3 months; secondary outcomes included unfavorable functional outcome at 3 to 6 months, defined as a Cerebral Performance Category score of 3 to 5. A total of 912 patients were included, 490 from the TTM2 trial and 422 from the HYPERION trial. Of those, 442 had been assigned to hypothermia (48.4%; mean age, 65.5 years; 287 males [64.9%]) and 470 to normothermia (51.6%; mean age, 65.6 years; 327 males [69.6%]); 571 patients had a first monitored rhythm of asystole (62.6%) and 503 a presumed noncardiac cause of arrest (55.2%). At 3 months, 354 of 442 patients in the hypothermia group (80.1%) and 386 of 470 patients in the normothermia group (82.1%) had died (relative risk [RR] with hypothermia, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.89-1.20; P = .63). On the last day of follow-up, 386 of 429 in the hypothermia group (90.0%) and 413 of 463 in the normothermia group (89.2%) had an unfavorable functional outcome (RR with hypothermia, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.87-1.15; P = .97). The association of hypothermia with death and functional outcome was consistent across the prespecified subgroups. In this individual patient data meta-analysis, including unconscious survivors from OHCA with an initial nonshockable rhythm, hypothermia at 33 °C did not significantly improve survival or functional outcome.

Neurological outcomes and quality of life in post-cardiac arrest patients with return of spontaneous circulation supported by ECMO: A retrospective case series.

Post-cardiac arrest brain injury constitutes a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality, leading to cognitive impairment and subsequent disability. Individuals within this patient cohort grapple with uncertainty regarding the potential advantages of extracorporeal life support (ECMO) cannulation. This study elucidates the neurological outcomes and quality of life of post-cardiac arrest patients who attained spontaneous circulation and underwent ECMO cannulation. This is a retrospective case study within a local context, the research involved 32 patients who received ECMO support following an intrahospital cardiac arrest with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). An additional 32 patients experienced cardiac arrest with ROSC before undergoing cannulation. The average age was 41 years, with the primary causes of cardiac arrest identified as acute coronary syndrome (46.8%), pulmonary thromboembolism (21.88%), and hypoxemia (18.7%). The most prevalent arrest rhythm was asystole (37.5%), followed by ventricular fibrillation (34.4%). The mean SOFA score was 7 points (IQR 6.5-9), APACHE II score was 12 (IQR 9-16), RESP score was -1 (IQR -1 to -4) in cases of respiratory ECMO, and SAVE score was -3 (IQR -5 to 2) in cases of cardiac ECMO. Overall survival was 71%, and at 6 months, the Barthel score was 75 points, modified Rankin score was 2, cerebral performance categories score was 1, and the SF-12 had an average score of 30. Notably, there were no significant associations between the time, cause, or rhythm of cardiac arrest and neurological outcomes. Importantly, cardiac arrest is not a contraindication for ECMO cannulation. A meticulous assessment of candidates who have achieved spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest, considering the absence of early signs of poor neurological prognosis, is crucial in patient selection. Larger prospective studies are warranted to validate and extend these findings.

The prognostic value of the phosphate-to-albumin ratio in patients with OHCA: A multicenter observational study

PurposeIn patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), early and accurate outcome prediction is crucial for making treatment decisions and informing their relatives. A previous study reported an association between high phosphate levels and unfavorable neurological outcomes after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC); however, its prognostic value was insufficient when used independently. Therefore, this study aimed to validate the usefulness of the phosphate-to-albumin ratio (PAR) in predicting neurological outcomes and in-hospital mortality by incorporating albumin, another known prognostic indicator. Materials and methodsThis multicenter observational study included adult OHCA survivors from October 2015 to June 2021. The primary endpoint was an unfavorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge, defined as a cerebral performance category score of 3–5. The in-hospital mortality rates were also evaluated. ResultsOf the 2397 adult OHCA survivors, PAR differed significantly between the unfavorable and favorable neurological outcome groups, as well as between the non-survival and survival to hospital discharge groups (2.4 vs 1.4, 2.5 vs 1.6, respectively). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) value of the PAR for predicting unfavorable neurological outcome was 0.81 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79–0.83), and the AUROC value for predicting in-hospital mortality was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.74–0.78). In multivariable analysis, the PAR was independently associated with unfavorable neurological outcome (odds ratio [OR] 1.30, 95% CI 1.15–1.37; p < 0.001) and in-hospital mortality (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.12–1.38; p < 0.001). ConclusionThe PAR is a readily obtainable and independent prognostic indicator for patients with ROSC after OHCA, helping healthcare providers in predicting outcomes.

The association between blood glucose levels on arrival at the hospital and patient outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A multicenter cohort study

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the association between blood glucose levels on arrival at the hospital and 1-month survival and favorable neurological outcomes in patients with OHCA using a large Japanese dataset. MethodsThis study was a secondary analysis of data from the JAAM-OHCA Registry. Adult (≥18 years) patients with witnessed OHCA transported to emergency departments and registered in the database from June 2014 to December 2019 were included in the study. The primary and secondary endpoints were 1-month survival and 1-month favorable neurological outcomes (Glasgow-Pittsburgh Cerebral Performance Category score 1 or 2), respectively. Patients were categorized into the following four groups based on blood glucose levels on arrival at the hospital: <80 mg/dL, 80–179 mg/dL, 180–299 mg/dL, and ≥300 mg/dL. ResultsThis study included 11,387 patients. Survival rates were 1.3%, 3.1%, 7.0%, and 5.7% in the <80 mg/dL, 80–179 mg/dL, 180–299 mg/dL, and ≥ 300 mg/dL blood glucose groups, respectively. The rates of favorable neurological outcomes in each group were 0.4%, 1.5%, 3.3%, and 2.5%, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that 180–299 mg/dL glucose was significantly associated with 1-month survival and favorable neurological outcomes compared with 80–179 mg/dL glucose (odds ratio [OR], 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34–2.31; p < 0.001 and OR, 1.52; 95 % Cl, 1.02–2.25; p = 0.035, respectively). In this study, blood glucose levels with the best outcomes likely ranged from 200 to 250 mg/dL based on the cubic spline regression model. ConclusionsBlood glucose level of 180–299 mg/dL on arrival at the hospital was significantly associated with 1-month survival and favorable neurological outcomes compared to blood glucose level of 80–179 mg/dL in patients with OHCA.

Updated trends in the outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest from 2017-2021: Prior to and during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

This study aims to describe out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) characteristics and trends before and during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Taiwan. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a 5-year interrupted time series analysis. Eligible adults with non-traumatic OHCAs from January 2017 to December 2021 in 3 hospitals (university medical center, urban second-tier hospital, and rural second-tier hospital) were retrospectively enrolled. Variables were extracted from the emergency medical service reports and medical records. The years 2020 and 2021 were defined as the COVID-19 pandemic period. Outcomes included survival to admission after a sustained return of spontaneous circulation, survival to hospital discharge, and good neurological outcomes (cerebral performance category score 1 or 2). We analyzed 2819 OHCA, including 1227 from a university medical center, 617 from an urban second-tier hospital, and 975 from a rural second-tier hospital. The mean age was 71 years old, and 60% of patients were males. During the COVID-19 pandemic period, video-assisted endotracheal tube intubation replaced the traditional direct laryngoscopy intubation. The trends of outcomes in the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods varied among different hospitals. Compared with the pre-pandemic period, the outcomes at the university medical center during the COVID-19 pandemic were significantly poorer in several respects. The survival rate on admission dropped from 44.6% to 39.4% (P=0.037), and the survival rate to hospital discharge fell from 17.5% to 14.9% (P=0.042). Additionally, there was a notable decrease in patients' good neurological outcomes, declining from 13.2% to 9.7% (P=0.048). In contrast, the outcomes in urban and rural second-tier hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly differ from those in the pre-pandemic period. COVID-19 may alter some resuscitation management in OHCAs. There were no overall significant differences in outcomes before and during COVID-19 pandemic, but there were significant differences in outcomes when stratified by hospital types.

Association between obesity and neurological outcomes among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients: The SOS-KANTO 2017 study

AimTo assess the association between body mass index (BMI) and neurological outcomes among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). MethodsThis prospective, multicenter, observational study conducted between 2019 and 2021 included adults with OHCA who were hospitalized after return of spontaneous circulation. Based on the BMI, the patients were categorized as underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25.0–29.9 kg/m2), or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). The normal weight group served as the reference. Favorable neurological outcomes were defined as a Cerebral Performance Category score of ≤2 at 30 days. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to adjust for patient characteristics, OHCA circumstances, and time variables. ResultsOf the 9,909 patients with OHCA who presented during the study period, 637 were eligible, of whom 10.8% (69/637), 48.9% (312/637), 27.6% (176/637), and 12.5% (80/637) were underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese, respectively. These groups had favorable neurological outcome in 23.2%, 29.2%, 20.5%, and 16.2% of patients, respectively. Obese and overweight patients had a significantly lower rate of favorable neurologic outcomes (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.16–0.77; adjusted OR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.31–0.90, respectively) than those with a normal weight. ConclusionsObese and overweight patients with OHCA have reduced rates of favorable neurological outcomes, suggesting that clinicians should pay attention to the BMI of patients.