Etiology Of Arrest Research Articles

510: Losing the War With Preventable Childhood Cardiac Arrest

1University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL Introduction: Nonintentional injury is the leading cause of death in children and adolescents. In addition, infant mortality has increased in recent years with poor compliance to the “Back to Sleep” campaign that was initiated in the mid-1990s. This campaign resulted in a significant decline in SIDS-related deaths after its release. In an effort to identify areas of focus for our population, we reviewed 10 years of pediatric out of hospital cardiac arrests. Methods: The goal of this project was to assess the etiologies of cardiac arrest that brought pediatric patients to the hospital. 10 years worth of cardiac arrest admissions were reviewed. The etiology of arrest was classified into preventable, non-preventable, or related to a chronic health condition. Results: Of 216 patients, the most common causes included SIDS/suffocation (16.6%), infection (9.7%), status asthmaticus (7.9%), tracheostomy issues (7.4%), drownings (6.5%), non-accidental trauma (6%), MVC (4.6%), and GSW (3%). 97 (44.9%) patients had a potentially preventable arrest, of which the most common causes were suffocation due to co-sleeping (26.8%), non-accidental trauma (13.4%), motor vehicle accidents (12.4%), and drownings (12.4%). There were 45 cases related to chronic illness, with asthma being the most common underlying disease. A common cause in medically complex children was trach decannulation, often in the setting of trach change performed by a single care provider. Overall, 33% (71/216) survived to hospital discharge; of those that survived, 35% (25/71 pt) were discharged to home, and 57% (40/71) to a rehabilitation or chronic care facility. Conclusions: This study highlights that we are losing the war of infant mortality, and the need to stem the tide with education on the dangers of co-sleeping. PICU providers have an integral role in prevention, especially in children we see frequently, such as those with life threatening asthma and technology dependence. When medically complex children are admitted to the PICU, we should assess families’ comfort with airway management and emergency plans. From a societal level, rates of non-accidental trauma and gun violence should be addressed. From an individual level, PICU providers have an integral role in advocacy to raise awareness about drowning, co-sleeping, and airway management.

Incidence and etiology of sudden cardiac arrest in Koreans: A cohort from the national health insurance service database.

The incidence of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in Asians is lower than that seen in Western populations, but there are few available data on the incidence and associated cardiac etiology of SCA in Asians. From 2002 to 2013, patients with SCA were analyzed using a cohort from the South Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) coded database. Sudden unexplained death syndrome (SUDS) was defined as cryptogenic arrest, excluding that of non-cardiac origin, coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiomyopathy (CM), and valvular heart disease. During the 12-year study period, 5,973 patients (0.53%) from the total cohort of 1,125,691 had a cardiac arrest code. The overall incidence of arrest was 48.7 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI 16.6–18.0). The incidence of primary SCA excluding those of non-cardiac origin was 16.1 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI 15.4–16.8). It was higher in males than in females (18.1 vs. 14.1 per 100,000 person-years). CAD was the most common cause of SCA (59.4%), and followed by CM (13.9%). SUDS accounted for 14.7% of SCA events. The risk of SCA had increased gradually from over 25 years old. Heart failure, atrial fibrillation and hypertension are major factors associated with SCA incidence. Our findings outline epidemiologic data for SCA and the proportion of associated cardiac etiology leads SCA in a large population.

Intraoperative Cardiac Arrest: Immediate Treatment and Diagnostic Evaluation

Although perioperative cardiac arrest during anesthetic care in infants and children is a rare event, its consequences can be devastating. Risk factors associated with perioperative cardiac arrest include cardiac surgery, younger age, presence of comorbid conditions and emergency surgery. Although medication-related etiologies formerly predominated, the elimination of halothane from anesthetic care has resulted in a shift in etiology to hemodynamic events related to blood loss or hyperkalemia associated with the rapid administration of blood products. Rarely, cardiac arrest can be sudden and unexpected without an obvious pre-existing etiology in an otherwise apparently healthy patient. We present a 16-month-old child who experienced a sudden cardiac arrest following anesthetic induction for a routine urologic procedure. The potential etiology of cardiac arrest during anesthesia is reviewed, keys to resuscitation discussed, and an outline for the investigative work-up presented. J Med Cases. 2021;12(1):18-22 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc3579

Abstract 124: Chest Compression Pause Duration is Associated with Worse Survival Outcomes Following Pediatric In-hospital Cardiac Arrest

Introduction: The association between chest compression (CC) pause duration and pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) survival outcomes is unknown. We hypothesized that longer maximum CC pause durations are associated with worse survival and neurological outcomes. Methods: Cohort study of all index pediatric IHCAs (<18 years of age) ≥1 min in the Pediatric Resuscitation Quality (PediRES-Q) Network from July 2015 through December 2019. We used multivariate logistic regression with mixed effects and robust standard errors to analyze association of 5-sec increments of longest CC pause duration with survival and neurologic outcomes. Favorable neurological outcome was defined as Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC) at discharge ≤3 or no change from baseline. Results: We identified 371 index IHCAs: median [Q1,Q3] age 2.6 [0.6,9.4] years, female 46%, shockable rhythm 13%, CPR duration 23 [9,47] min. Median length of the longest pause was 17 [8,27] sec. Each 5 sec increase in longest CC pause duration was associated with 6% lower odds for survival with favorable neurological outcome, even after adjusting for age, defibrillation, intubation, extracorporeal CPR, illness category, hypotension as etiology for arrest, CC depth, and clustering by site (aOR 0.94 [95% CI:0.88-0.99], p=0.04). Analyses controlling for the same factors demonstrated an association of longest pause duration with lower odds for survival to hospital discharge (aOR 0.94 [95% CI: 0.90-0.99, p=0.02) and return of spontaneous circulation (aOR 0.91 [(95% CI: 0.86-0.96], p=0.001). Conclusions: Longest CC pause duration is associated with favorable neurological outcome, survival to hospital discharge, and return of spontaneous circulation following pediatric IHCA, even when controlling for known confounders and clustering by site. Each 5 sec. increment in longest CC pause duration was associated with 6% lower odds for survival with favorable neurological outcome.

Abstract 331: Trajectories of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (sofa) Scores After Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest (CA) often results in multi-system organ failure (MSOF). The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) Score is a tool based on the assessment of 6 physiological systems and can quantify severity of MSOF. Understanding the epidemiology, temporal dynamics and anticipated course of MSOF after CA is critical to both clinical care and prognostication. We included patients treated at a single center after CA from 2010-2019, regardless of arrest location or etiology. We electronically extracted all medication, laboratory, ventilator, intake and output data. We calculated SOFA scores daily for up to five days (or until death or discharge). We used group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM, also known as growth curve mixture modeling) to identify groups of patients with distinct trajectories of SOFA over time. We started by fitting trajectories with third order polynomials then sequentially eliminated higher order terms with non-significant coefficients. We used AIC and BIC to determine the number of groups. We included 2,740 patients, of whom most (1,633; 59%) were male, with mean (SD) age of 59 (16) years. Most arrests (2,106; 76%) occurred out-of-hospital and 837 (30%) had a shockable initial rhythm. Overall survival to discharge was 38%. Bilirubin was infrequently checked in this cohort, so we excluded the liver subscale of SOFA from total SOFA calculation making maximum SOFA 20. Mean presenting SOFA was 6 (3), and mean SOFA on day 2 was 6 (4). We identified 5 groups of patients with unique trajectories of SOFA over time. Baseline demographics and survival differed across trajectory groups. Despite showing delayed MOSF onset with rapidly rising SOFA from baseline to day 2, 26% of Group 4 still survived to discharge, while Group 3, which had an initially severe but rapidly improving MSOF had a 32% survival rate. Unique patterns of MSOF after CA can be identified using GBTM. Delayed onset of severe MSOF is less prognostically ominous than commonly believed by clinicians.

Abstract 275: Cardiac Arrest Etiology and Associated Cognitive Impairment in Survivors

Background: Cardiac arrest is a significant public health problem, impacting over 500,000 people in the United States annually. The four major etiologies of arrest are cardiac, respiratory, traumatic, and other. The objective was to determine the impact of etiology on cognition in cardiac arrest survivors using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA). Hypothesis: Cardiac arrest etiology impacts cognitive exam score, and patient demographics and characteristics modify that relationship. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on all Pittsburgh Post Cardiac Arrest Service (PCAS) patients from 2012-18. Data were acquired through medical record review. T-tests, linear and logistic regression were used to assess the relationships between exam score and modifying factors. MOCA score was analyzed as a binomial variable using a pass/fail threshold of 26/30 points (86.7%) and above for normal cognition. For statistical significance, an alpha level of 0.05 was used. Results: In total, 192 patients completed the MOCA: 104 with cardiac etiology, 35 with respiratory, 4 with trauma, and 49 with other. Median age for all patients was 59.3 years, and 58% were male. Mean (SE) MOCA score for all patients was 72.8 (1.1) percent. When MOCA score was converted to a binomial indicator of normal cognition, respiratory, traumatic, and other etiologies were more likely to exhibit impairment than cardiac etiology arrest when age, sex, witnessed status, length of ICU stay and coma were controlled for (OR: 2.52, 3.43, 2.18 respectively). These findings were nullified when time from arrest to MOCA administration was included. Of the MOCA subcategories, delayed recall was the most severely impacted, with patients recalling an average of 1.67 of 5 words after 5 minutes. Additionally, respiratory arrests performed significantly worse than cardiac etiology arrests in attention (4.1 vs 4.9 points, p=0.004) and language domains (1.9 vs. 2.3, p=0.04). Conclusions: Respiratory, traumatic, and other etiologies were more likely to exhibit abnormal cognition on the MOCA than those with a cardiac etiology. The etiological findings were nullified when time to cognitive examination was controlled for. Timing appears to influence cognitive assessments more than etiology.

Abstract 222: Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Care of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests in Detroit

Introduction: March 10 th , 2020 marked the first positive case of SARS-CoV-2 in Detroit. EMS protocol changes were implemented by March 25 th , 2020 in response to the virus. These modifications restricted intubation and allowed medical control to terminate resuscitation in cases of suspected COVID-19 after 10 minutes of CPR without ROSC. Due to global changes in pre-hospital cardiac arrest care caused by COVID-19, we conducted an analysis to determine OHCA characteristics of patients and fatality rates in the COVID-19 era. Methods: CARES data was analyzed between March 10 th , 2019 - April 30 th , 2019 and March 10 th , 2020 - April 30 th, 2020 for comparison before and during the pandemic. Patient demographics, location of arrest, initial rhythms, bystander CPR, EMS interventions and field termination were compared between the two time points. No major factors occurred in 2019 that would potentially skew that data. Descriptive statistics were utilized. Results: A total of 475 CARES patients were included during the study period. Total arrests surged in the COVID-19 era from 180 to 295. OHCA for individuals greater than 50 increased from 130 to 243. An initial rhythm of PEA tripled (10 to 30) during COVID-19, possibly due to hypoxia. The percentage of patients with a shockable rhythm declined (7.8 to 5.1). Bystander CPR decreased from 28.9% (52) to 18.3% (54), secondary to an increase of arrests being in non-public places and concern about disease transmission. Nursing home cardiac arrests increased during COVID from 19 to 73, from the previous year. Placement of an endotracheal tube or supraglottic airway by a basic or advanced unit decreased from 68.3% (123) in pre-COVID-19 era to 37.0% (109) in the current state of the pandemic. Termination of resuscitation in the field occurred over 3-fold from the previous year, an absolute increase from 64 to 204. Conclusion: There was a 61% increase in cardiac arrests during COVID-19 in Detroit. The pandemic and subsequent protocol changes greatly altered practice. COVID-19 has likely directly and indirectly, due to fear of going to the hospital, affected the number of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Additional review is being conducted to further delineate arrest etiologies.

Aetiology and incidence of sudden cardiac arrest and death in young competitive athletes in the USA: a 4-year prospective study

ObjectiveTo investigate the aetiology and incidence of sudden cardiac arrest and death (SCA/D) in US competitive athletes.MethodsProspective surveillance was conducted from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2018 through the...

Potential Role of Life Stress in Unexplained Sudden Cardiac Arrest

BackgroundThe etiology of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in individuals without known cardiovascular heart disease remains elusive in nearly half of all patients after systematic testing. We investigated the relationship between stressful life events and SCA risk in cases of explained and unexplained SCA (USCA) events. MethodsIndividuals who previously experienced SCA were enrolled prospectively and divided into a USCA or explained SCA (ESCA) subgroup dependent on whether a diagnosis was ascribed after SCA. Participants completed either the 1997 Recent Life Changes Questionnaire, Student Stress Scale, or Social Re-adjustment Rating Scale for Non-Adults recalling events during the year preceding their SCA, depending on age at SCA presentation; all measure stress in life change units (LCUs). SCA group scores were compared with an age- and sex-matched control group. ResultsWe compared 36 SCA group participants (22 USCA, 14 ESCA, age 47 ± 15 years, age at SCA 40 ± 14 years, 50% male) with 36 control participants (age 47 ± 15 years, 50% male). There was no significant difference in LCU score between the control group and the SCA group (248 ± 181 LCU vs 252 ± 227 LCU; P > .05). The ESCA subgroup had significantly lower mean LCU scores than the USCA subgroup (163 ± 183 LCU vs 308 ± 237 LCU; P = .030). ConclusionsStressful life events, especially those producing chronic stress, might predispose otherwise healthy individuals to lethal arrhythmias. Further investigation into the role of stress in SCA precipitation is warranted.

Role of coronary angiography in patients with a non-diagnostic electrocardiogram following out of hospital cardiac arrest: Rationale and design of the multicentre randomized controlled COUPE trial

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The role of emergency coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following cardiac arrest in patients without ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains unclear. We aim to assess whether emergency CAG and PCI, when indicated, will improve survival with good neurological outcome in post-OHCA patients without STEMI who remain comatose. COUPE is a prospective, multicentre and randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 166 survivors of OHCA without STEMI will be included. Potentially non-cardiac aetiology of the cardiac arrest will be ruled out prior to randomization. Randomization will be 1:1 for emergency (within 2 h) or deferred (performed before discharge) CAG. Both groups will receive routine care in the intensive cardiac care unit, including therapeutic hypothermia. The primary efficacy endpoint is a composite of in-hospital survival free of severe dependence, which will be evaluated using the Cerebral Performance Category Scale. The safety endpoint will be a composite of major adverse cardiac events including death, reinfarction, bleeding and ventricular arrhythmias. This study will assess the efficacy of an emergency CAG versus a deferred one in OHCA patients without STEMI in terms of survival and neurological impairment.

CPR related injuries

Abstract Introduction CPR related injuries were not properly observed since were established new guidlines for resuscitation (CPR) 2015 Objectives To describe incidency and seriousness of injuries related to CPR, compare it and try identify factors for seriousness of injury. Methods Multicentric study, retrospective analysis of autopsy reports of patients after CPR, trauma were excluded. We objectivised the most serious injury with Abbreviated injury scale (AIS)and summary of all injuries with New injury severity score (NISS). Results We have analyzed 628 autopsies: 80,4% men, age median 67 years, out of hospital cardiac arrests 89,2%, bystander CPR 56,8% and cardiac ethiology 78,2%. Ribs injury were founded by 94,6%, injury of lung by 9,9%, sternal injury by 62,4%, liver by 2,5% and spleen by 1,8% Median of the most serious injury was 3 (AIS) and median of summry of injuries was 13 by NISS-low risk of fatal injury. By out of hospital cardiac arrest was hifgher incidency of pleural injury and thorax vessles injuries without influence on total seriousness of injury compared to hospital cardiac arrests. Bystanders provided CPR had similar incidency and seriousness of injury like CPR provided only by professional emergency stuff. Women are significant older (p=0,0001), frequency of their injuries are similar to men, but seriousness of their injuries by NISS is significant higher (p=0,01). Patients with life threatening injury (AIS 4 and more) has similar baseline profil to their without injury (AIS 0), except of significant higher cardiac etiology of cardiac arrest by AIS 4+. Manually CPR were provided by 559 patients and mechanical by 64 (11,4%) patients. Both groups are no diferent in baseline. Mechanical CRP was significantly longer (p=0,0005). Both groups have no diferences in incidency of injuries of visceral organs. We have observed injuries by 80% of manual and 87,5% of mechanical CPR (p=0,18). The most frequent was thorax sceleton injury 85,5% vs. 87,5%. Median of the most seriuos injury was 3 (serious by AIS), median of summary of injuries (NISS) was 13 in both groups (low probability of fatal injury). If we analysed CPR by LUCAS 2 compared to manual, results are similar, only pericard injuries are higher with LUCAS 2. Conclusion Incidency of CPR related injuries from autopsy reports is very high, but life threatening injuries create only 3%. The highest incidency have injuries of thoreax sceleton, especially ribs. There is no difereneces if patients were resuscitated by bystander or compared to those by professional stuff or manually. Women has similar frequency of injuries like men, but significant more serious by NISS. Incidency a seriousness of CPR related injuries according to autopsy reports are no diferent in comapring of manually and mechanical CPR. Mechanical CPR is significant longer a LUCAS 2 leads to significant more pericard injuries without influence to total seriousness of injury Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest in the Republic of Crimea: Analysis of Epidemiology and Practice of Care

Introduction. Efficient organization of measures aimed at decreasing mortality from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) warrants a clear understanding of OHCA epidemiology and performance of the prehospital care system in such cases. The study was aimed at performing respective analysis and identifying the ways for improving prehospital management of OHCA in the Republic of Crimea.Material and methods. Annual data from the Crimean OHCA and Resuscitation Registry for 2018 were utilized. All OHCA cases attended by emergency medical services (EMS) with attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) were included, regardless of cardiac arrest etiology or patients’ age (n=419). For ensuring conformity and comparability of the study results, data collection and analysis were executed in correspondence with the statements of the Utstein recommendations.Results. The overall incidence of EMS-attended OHCA in the Republic of Crimea was 673.3 per 100,000 population per year, the incidence of OHCA with attempted CPR – 21.9 per 100,000 population per year, the proportion of CPR attempts out of all OHCA cases – 3.3%. Mean patient age was 66.9 years, and 52.7% were male. The etiology was cardiac in 42.5% cases. In 71.8% cases OHCA was witnessed by EMS, in 25.5% – by a bystander before EMS arrival. Bystanders initiated CPR in 5.7% cases. The initial rhythm was asystole in 80.4% of all cases. When excluding EMS-witnessed cases, the mean EMS response time was 13 min. 5.0% patients had a sustained return of spontaneous circulation at hospital admission. Survival was associated with lower EMS response time (p=0.027), administration of shock (p<0.001) and advanced airway management with endotracheal tube or laryngeal mask (p=0.047).Conclusion. High incidence of OHCA, low rates of CPR commencement and low rates of survival from OHCA in the Republic of Crimea determine the necessity of implementing a comprehensive program to improve prehospital care in the region. Considering the critical relevance of early intervention in OHCA and the revealed low bystander CPR rate, the measures for involving community into the process of prehospital care should form the basis of this program.

Part 1: Executive Summary: 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.

Part 1: Executive Summary: 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.

320 Post Cardiac Arrest Care: Does Usual Care Comply With Guidelines and Impact Outcomes?

Guideline-based post-arrest care includes efforts to determine and treat the cause of arrest while minimizing cardiac dysfunction and brain injury resulting from lack of perfusion. Diagnostic testing such as early head imaging, electrocardiogram and other imaging studies may help determine the etiology of arrest. Mitigating injury to brain and heart involves maintaining adequate blood pressure, targeted temperature management (TTM) and early diagnosis and treatment of seizures with electroencephalogram (EEG). Our institution created a set of evidence-based guidelines for the management of post-arrest patients which, in addition to the above, also recommends early consultation with the neurocritical care service and an early echocardiogram. We aim to examine compliance with the guidelines in a cohort of survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and related outcomes. Retrospective cohort study of patients with OHCA at two urban emergency departments (ED) within a health system between 7/2016 and 7/2018. Exclusion criteria included age < 18 years old and if CPR was terminated upon arrival. Data were extracted from an internal institutional quality improvement database maintained of all resuscitative measures. We abstracted demographic data, Utstein criteria (rhythm, bystander CPR) and time of arrest (day vs night). Quality measures included NCC consultation, cEEG, and computed tomography (CT) of the brain within 6 hours of admission. Descriptive statistics are provided as indicated. Chi-squared and two-sided t tests were used to determine differences in univariate analysis. An alpha < 0.05 was used for statistical significance. 124 patients presented with OHCA, of which 41 (33.0%) were comatose and survived to admission. Nearly 83% (34 /41patients) of these patients received guideline-recommended TTM:, 15 were targeted to low temperature (34 C) and 19 targeted to higher temperature (35 C). Seventeen patients of 41 (41.4%) received an early head CT in the ED, 17/41 (41.4%) patients were placed on cEEG and 23/41 (56.1%) patients received a NCC consult. Five of these comatose 43 patients (11.6 %) survived to discharge. The presence of a shockable rhythm was associated with a higher likelihood of receiving TTM (p= 0.005), and also higher rates of survival to discharge (p= 0.025). No significant differences were seen in the initiation of TTM when comparing demographics and Utstein criteria, and variation in temperature goal did not affect survival to discharge. Seventeen patients received an early head CT, 17 patients were placed on cEEG and 23 patients received a NCC consult. 5 patients (12 %) survived to discharge. Of these quality processes, only initiation of TTM was associated with survival to hospital discharge. No significant differences were seen in the initiation of TTM when comparing demographics and Utstein criteria, and variation in temperature goal did not affect survival to discharge. While four out of five survivors of OHCA received TTM, compliance with the other recommendations for the post arrest algorithm was variable. Presence of a shockable rhythm was most associated with TTM compliance and was the strongest predictor of survival to hospital discharge. Further studies are needed to investigate whether better outcomes will result from improving usual care to include compliance with the guidelines.

Simulation-Based Up-Training in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The dramatic outbreak of COVID-19 placed unprecedented strain on the critical care workforce of New York City. The enhanced precautions required to safely care for COVID-19 patients impacted the performance of even routine critical care procedures. Meanwhile, staff were stretched to care for exponentially rising case volume as COVID intensive care units (ICUs) expanded. Simulation was used to bridge these gaps-first to familiarize personnel within the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care with revised COVID-19 care procedures, then to orient noncritical care clinicians volunteering from other specialties for COVID ICU deployment to general critical care and COVID-19 care principles. Using mannequin-based simulation scenarios followed by comprehensive debriefing sessions, simulation participants received high-intensity, high-fidelity training in respiratory failure, circulatory failure, bedside ultrasound, bedside ICU procedures, and elements of COVID-19-specific care. More than 200 physicians and advanced practice practitioners completed simulation training in preparation for deployment, supplementing and enhancing the ICU workforce at a decisive time during the outbreak.

QTc interval in survivors of out of hospital cardiac arrest

BackgroundQTc interval (QTc) prolongation is seen on the post-arrest electrocardiogram (ECG) of many out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors. It remains unclear whether this is a transient phenomenon or a manifestation of an underlying arrhythmic substrate.This observational study assessed the trend of QTc in an unselected group of patients presenting with OHCA. We sought to identify any relationship between QTc, gender and aetiology of arrest. We observed whether targeted temperature management (TTM) is associated with malignant arrhythmia. MethodWe analysed 60 patients presenting with OHCA to the Bristol Heart Institute during a 20-month period. We measured QTc on admission and assessed for persistence, development and resolution of prolongation at up to 5 time points post-OHCA. Aetiology of arrest was divided into coronary, non-coronary or primary arrhythmic to investigate for patterns in QTc behaviour. Results81.7% (49/60) of arrests were attributed to an acute coronary event. 55% (33/60) had QTc prolongation on admission, of which 79% resolved. There were no significant differences in QTc behaviour by aetiology.One patient presenting with a normal QTc, developed prolongation during admission and received a genetic diagnosis of Long QT Syndrome. TTM was employed in 57/60, with no increased incidence of malignant arrhythmia. ConclusionsProlonged QTc on admission does not imply a primary arrhythmic aetiology and resolves in the majority pre-discharge. However, an initial normal QTc post-OHCA does not preclude a diagnosis of Long QT syndrome, highlighting the importance of thorough investigations in these patients. TTM appears safe from a cardiac perspective.

The role of coronary angiography in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients in the absence of ST-segment elevation: Aliterature review.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major cause of death. Although the aetiology of cardiac arrest can be diverse, the most common cause is ischaemic heart disease. Coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention, if indicated, has been associated with improved long-term survival for patients with initial shockable rhythm. However, in patients without ST-segment elevation on the post-resuscitation electrocardiogram, the optimal timing of performing this invasive procedure is uncertain. One important challenge that clinicians face is to appropriately select patients that will benefit from immediate coronary angiography, yet avoid unnecessary delay of intensive care support and targeted temperature management. Observational studies have reported contradictory results and until recently, randomised trials were lacking. The Coronary Angiography after Cardiac Arrest without ST-segment elevation (COACT) was the first randomised trial that provided comparative information between coronary angiography treatment strategies. This literature review will provide the current knowledge and gaps in the literature regarding optimal care for patients successfully resuscitated from OHCA in the absence of ST-segment elevation and will primarily focus on the role and timing of coronary angiography in this high-risk patient population.

Life-threatening and major cardiac events during long-distance races: updates from the prospective RACE PARIS registry with a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Limited data exist regarding the incidence and aetiology of life-threatening events such as major cardiac events or exertional heat stroke during long-distance races. We aimed to provide an updated incidence, etiology and prognosis of life-threatening events during long-distance races. The prospective RACE PARIS registry recorded all life-threatening events/fatal events occurring during 46 marathons, half-marathons and other long-distance races in the Paris area between 2006 and 2016, comprising 1,073,722 runners. Event characteristics were determined by review of medical records and interviews with survivors. The incidence of life-threatening events, exertional heat stroke and major cardiac events was 3.35 per 100,000, 1.02 per 100,000 and 2.33 per 100,000, respectively, including 18 sudden cardiac arrests (1.67 per 100,000). The main aetiology of sudden cardiac arrest was myocardial ischaemia (11/18), due to acute coronary thrombosis (6/11), stable atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (2/11), coronary dissection (1/11), anomalous connection (1/11) or myocardial bridging (1/11). A third of participants with ischaemia-related major cardiac events presented with pre-race clinical symptoms. Major cardiac events were more frequent in the case of a high pollution index (6.78 per 100,000 vs. 2.07 per 100,000, odds ratio 3.27, 95% confidence interval 1.12-9.54). Case fatality was low (0.19 per 100,000). Similarly, we report in a meta-analysis of eight long-distance race registries comprising 16,223,866 runners a low incidence of long-distance race-related sudden cardiac arrest (0.82 per 100,000) and fatality (0.39 per 100,000). Death following sudden cardiac arrest was strongly associated with initial asystole or pulseless rhythm. Long-distance race-related life-threatening events remain rare although serious events. Better information for runners on the risk of pre-race clinical symptoms, outside air pollution and temperature may reduce their incidence.

Etiology of Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Death in US Competitive Athletes: A 2-Year Prospective Surveillance Study.

To determine the etiology of sudden cardiac arrest and death (SCA/D) in competitive athletes through a prospective national surveillance program. Sudden cardiac arrest and death cases in middle school, high school, college, and professional athletes were identified from July 2014 to June 2016 through traditional and social media searches, reporting to the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research, communication with state and national high school associations, review of the Parent Heart Watch database, and search of student-athlete deaths on the NCAA Resolutions List. Autopsy reports and medical records were reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel to determine the underlying cause. US competitive athletes with SCA/D. Etiology of SCA/D. A total of 179 cases of SCA/D were identified (74 arrests with survival, 105 deaths): average age 16.6 years (range 11-29), 149 (83.2%) men, 94 (52.5%) whites, and 54 (30.2%) African American. One hundred seventeen (65.4%) had an adjudicated diagnosis, including 83 deaths and 34 survivors. The most common etiologies included hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (19, 16.2%), coronary artery anomalies (16, 13.7%), idiopathic left ventricular hypertrophy/possible cardiomyopathy (13, 11.1%), autopsy-negative sudden unexplained death (8, 6.8%), Wolff-Parkinson-White (8, 6.8%), and long QT syndrome (7, 6.0%). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was more common in male basketball (23.3%), football (25%), and African American athletes (30.3%). An estimated 56.4% of cases would likely demonstrate abnormalities on an electrocardiogram. The etiology of SCA/D in competitive athletes involves a wide range of clinical disorders. More robust reporting mechanisms, standardized autopsy protocols, and accurate etiology data are needed to better inform prevention strategies.

Duration and clinical features of cardiac arrest predict early severe cerebral edema

BackgroundSevere brain edema appears early after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a subset of patients and portends a poor prognosis. We tested whether clinical features of patients or resuscitation during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) are associated with early, severe cerebral edema. Method/research designWe reviewed pre-hospital and hospital records for comatose patients surviving to hospital admission after OHCA who had computed tomography (CT) of brain at the time of hospital admission available for inspection. We measured the gray-white ratio (GWR) of X-ray attenuation between the caudate nucleus and posterior limb of the internal capsule, defining severe cerebral edema as GWR < 1.20. We calculated associations between severe cerebral edema and patient or resuscitation variables. ResultsBetween 2010 and 2019, 1340 subjects were admitted of whom 296 (22%) showed severe cerebral edema on initial CT. Subjects with severe edema had lower survival (5/296, 2% vs. 377/1044, 36%). Severe edema was independently associated with total CPR duration, total dose of epinephrine, younger age, non-shockable arrest rhythms, fewer total number of rescue shocks, rearrest after initial return of pulses, and non-cardiac arrest etiology. Prevalence of severe cerebral edema increased from 2% among subjects with 0–10 min of CPR to 31% among subjects with >40 min of CPR. ConclusionCPR duration along with easily measurable clinical and resuscitation characteristics predict early severe cerebral edema after OHCA. Future interventional trials should consider targeting or preventing cerebral edema after prolonged hypoxic-ischemic brain injury especially in patients with high risk clinical features.