Favorable Neurological Survival Research Articles

Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Traumatic Cardiopulmonary Arrest After Traffic Accidents and Termination of Resuscitation

We describe the characteristics and outcomes of pediatric traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest after traffic accidents and validate the termination of resuscitation clinical criteria for adult traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in pediatrics. We analyzed the records of pediatric (≤18 years) traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases after traffic accidents in a prospectively collected nationwide database (2012 to 2016). Endpoints were 1-month favorable neurologic outcomes and 1-month survival. Validation of termination of resuscitation criteria, cardiac arrest at the scene, and unsuccessful resuscitation after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) greater than 15 minutes was performed based on specificity and positive predictive value. Of the 582 patients who were eligible for analyses, 8 (1.4%) and 20 (3.4%) had 1-month favorable neurologic outcome and survival, respectively. All patients with favorable neurologic outcomes had out-of-hospital return of spontaneous circulation, and the duration of CPR was significantly shorter than for those with unfavorable neurologic outcomes (4 versus 23 minutes; absolute difference -21.9 minutes; 95% confidence interval -36.3 to -7.4 minutes). The duration of out-of-hospital CPR beyond which the possibility of favorable neurologic outcomes and survival diminished to less than 1% was 15 minutes. For predicting unfavorable neurologic outcomes, the termination of resuscitation criteria provided a specificity of 1.00 (95% confidence interval 0.52 to 1.00) and a positive predictive value of 1.00 (95% confidence interval 0.99 to 1.00). The outcomes of pediatric patients with traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest after traffic accidents were as poor as those of adults in previous studies. Out-of-hospital return of spontaneous circulation was a significant indicator of favorable outcomes, and the duration of out-of-hospital CPR beyond which the possibility of favorable neurologic outcomes and survival diminished to less than 1% was 15 minutes. Termination of resuscitation criteria provided an excellent positive predictive value for 1-month unfavorable neurologic outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Effectiveness of dispatcher instructions-dependent or independent bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation on neurological survival among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Abstract Background We evaluated the association between survival and bystandercardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with or without dispatcher instructions (DI) considering the time from emergency call receipt by the dispatch center to emergency medical services (EMS) personnel’s contact with the patient (i.e. time to EMS arrival). Methods This prospective study conducted in Osaka City, Japan, from 2009 to 2015 included patients with medical cause-related out-of-hospital cardiac arrest who were ≥18 years old. The primary outcome was one-month favorable neurological survival. Using multiple logistic regression models, the adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of independent and DI-dependent CPR for the primary outcome were compared with no CPR. Adjustments were made for patients’ age, sex, activities of daily living before the cardiac arrest, year of cardiac arrest, location, presence or absence of witnesses, etiology of cardiac arrest, and the time from EMS contact with the patient to patient’s arrival at the hospital. The effective estimated “time to EMS arrival” was also calculated. Results For analyses 10,925 individuals were eligible. Independent CPR had a significantly higher one-month favorable neurological survival than no CPR whereas there was no significant difference between DI-dependent CPR and no CPR (AOR, 1.90 [1.47–2.46] and 1.16 [0.91–1.47], respectively). The estimated “time to EMS arrival” for a one-month favorable neurological survival after independent CPR was ≤13 min. Conclusions Bystander CPR that did not need DI was associated with significantly higher one-month favorable neurological survival than no CPR, with an effective estimated “time to EMS arrival” of ≤13 min.

Sample size estimation and re-estimation of cluster randomized controlled trials for real-time feedback, debriefing, and retraining system of cardiopulmonary resuscitation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

BackgroundIn cluster randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for emergency medical services (EMS) system, we encounter the situation that the actual cluster size and ratio of allocated patients between two groups eventually differ from those used for sample size estimation because of the nature of patient enrollment. In such trials, estimations of effect size of test intervention and intra-cluster correlation coefficient (ICC) used for sample size estimation are also difficult. To improve efficient management on clinical cluster RCTs, we need to understand the effect of such inconsistencies of the design parameters on the type I error rate and statistical power of testing.MethodsWe planned the trial which evaluated the 1-month favorable neurological survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with or without real-time feedback, debriefing, and retraining system by EMS personnel. Under the conditions that we possibly encountered in this trial, we examined the effect of inconsistencies in the actual ICC, cluster size, and ratio of patient allocation with those expected for sample size estimation on the type I error rate and power, using simulation studies. We further investigated the contribution of incorporating sample size re-estimation, based on the results of interim analysis of the trial, on the power increase.ResultsThis simulation study showed that the inconsistencies of cluster size and patient allocation ratio decreased the power by 5–10% in some cases. In addition, the power decreased by 3–4% when the actual ICC was larger than that expected for sample size estimation. Furthermore, the use of a generalized estimating equation method to evaluate the difference in the 1-month favorable neurological survival between two groups caused inflation of type I error rate. Finally, the increase in power by incorporating sample size re-estimation was limited.ConclusionsWe identified remarkable effects of sample size estimation and re-estimations in a cluster RCT for real-time feedback, debriefing, and retraining system of cardiopulmonary resuscitation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. The estimation of design parameters for sample size estimation is generally challenging in cluster RCTs for EMS system; therefore, it is important to conduct a trial simulation that assesses the statistical performances under sample sizes based on the various expected values of the design parameters before beginning the trial.

Abstract 22: When Laws Save Lives: Impact of Legislation Requiring Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Education in High Schools on Survival After Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Introduction: Thirty eight states have laws requiring education of high school students on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED). No study has measured the association of these laws and outcomes. Hypothesis: Out of hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) occurring in states with CPR high school education laws will have higher bystander CPR, survival, and favorable neurological survival than states without such laws. Methods: We conducted an analysis of the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival database and included all nontraumatic OHCAs with at least 50% population catchment from 1/2013-12/2017 in all ages. We excluded OHCAs witnessed by 911 responders, in healthcare facilities, or nursing homes. Outcomes were bystander CPR, survival to hospital discharge and neurologically favorable survival (Cerebral Performance Category score of 1 or 2 at hospital discharge). Chi-square tests were used to assess associations. Results: The 110,902 subjects with OHCA included Male, 64.0%; <18 yrs., 3.2%; <35 yrs., 10.7%; <50 yrs., 23.9%; White, 49.3%; Black, 19.1%; Hispanic, 2.3%; Other, 2.9%; Unknown, 26.5%. Most OHCAs occurred at home, 81.4%. 44.4% were witnessed by bystanders. 75.5% occurred in states with CPR high school education laws. A higher percent of OHCAs received bystander CPR prior to emergency medical services (EMS) arrival in states with CPR high school education laws (40.1%) compared to states without laws (37.0%) (p<0.001). Bystander CPR was less common in males (40.3% vs. 37.7% for females), those >50 yrs. (38.9% vs. 40.7% for ≤50 yrs.), Black and Hispanic subjects (25.7% and 34.9%, respectively, vs. 42.4% for Whites) (p<0.001 for all). Overall survival to hospital discharge was 10.4%; 8.8% had a favorable neurological outcome. A higher percent survived to hospital discharge in states with CPR high school education laws (11.0%) compared to states without laws (8.7%) (p<0.001). Neurologically favorable survival was more likely in states with CPR high school education laws, (9.3%) compared to states without laws (7.5%) (p<0.001). Conclusions: Bystander CPR, survival to hospital discharge, and neurologically favorable survival was higher in states that had CPR high school education laws.

Abstract 164: Comparison of Tracheal Intubation vs. Supraglottic Airway Following Pediatric Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Introduction: There are few data comparing Tracheal Intubation (TI) and SupraGlottic Airway (SGA) following pediatric out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Hypothesis: TI is associated with improved outcomes compared to SGA following pediatric OHCA. Methods: Analysis of the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival database. Inclusion criteria were age ≤ 18 years, non-traumatic OHCA from 2013 through 2017, resuscitated by Emergency Medical Services (EMS). To adjust for covariate imbalance, propensity score matching and entropy balancing were utilized; variables included age category, sex, bystander CPR, and initial rhythm. Primary outcome was neurologically favorable survival defined as a cerebral performance category scale of 1 or 2. Secondary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Results: Of 2653 cardiac arrests evaluated, 2178 (82.1%) had TI and 475 (17.9%) had SGA placed during OHCA. 835 (31.2%) arrests were resuscitated by agencies used bag valve mask (BVM) and TI and 1818 (68.0%) arrests had agencies that used all 3 airway types (BVM/TI/SGA). Overall, unadjusted favorable neurological survival was 5.7% for TI and 5.3% for SGA, p=0.67 and survival to hospital discharge was 7.9% for TI and 7.5% for SGA, p=0.73. In multivariable analysis (adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, bystander witness, bystander CPR, initial rhythm, AED use, year of arrest, and agency category), SGA was associated with lower neurologically favorable survival compared to TI (adjusted proportion 3.7% vs. 6.3%, OR 0.49, p=0.01), and lower survival to hospital discharge (5.5% vs. 8.5%, OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.36, 0.89). These results were robust on tests for unmeasured confounding and covariate balance; propensity analysis neurologically favorable survival 4.4% vs.7.6% (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.30, 0.96), survival to hospital discharge 6.6% vs.10.5% (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.35, 0.95); and entropy balance neurologically favorable survival 5.0 % vs. 9.7% for ETI (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.27, 0.72), survival to hospital discharge 7.3% vs.12.5% (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.34, 0.78). Conclusion: In pediatric OHCA, TI, compared with SGA advanced airway management is associated with improved neurologically favorable survival and survival to hospital discharge.

Target Temperature Management May Not Improve Clinical Outcomes of Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Target temperature management (TTM) and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) have been established as important interventions during cardiopulmonary arrest. However, the impact of combined TTM and ECPR on clinical outcomes has not been studied in detail. We reviewed the records of 245 patients who received extracorporeal life support (ECLS) between January 2012 and June 2015. Exclusion criteria were as follows: Extracorporeal life support performed for reasons other than cardiac arrest, age less than 18 years, and death within 24 hours. A total of 101 patients were finally included in the study. Twenty-five patients underwent TTM, and 76 patients did not. The patients' mean age was 55 ± 16.7 years. The mean cardiac arrest time was 44.6 ± 33.5 minutes. There were 84 patients whose cardiac arrest was due to a cardiac cause (83.2%) and 79 patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (78.2%). There was a significant difference in average body temperature during the first 24 hours following ECPR (33.4°C vs 35.6°C; P = .001). The overall favorable neurological outcome rate was 34% and hospital survival rate was 47%. There was no difference in favorable neurological outcomes and hospital survival between the TTM and non-TTM groups (P = .91 and .84, respectively). On multivariate analysis of neurological outcomes and hospital survival, TTM was not a significant prognostic factor. We did not observe any benefits of TTM in patients undergoing ECPR. Natural hypothermia or normothermia related to ECLS may explain this result. Further research is needed to understand the role of TTM in ECPR.

Real-time feedback, debriefing, and retraining system of cardiopulmonary resuscitation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests: a study protocol for a cluster parallel-group randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel affects patient outcomes after cardiac arrest. A CPR feedback device with an accelerometer mounted on a defibrillator can monitor the motion of the patient’s sternum to display and record CPR quality in real time. To evaluate the utility of real-time feedback, debriefing, and retraining using a CPR feedback device outside of the hospital, an open-label, cluster randomized controlled trial will be conducted in five municipalities of Osaka Prefecture, Japan.MethodsEach EMS station within a fire department will be randomly assigned to: 1) the treatment group with real-time feedback, debriefing, and retraining using the CPR feedback device (intervention group); or 2) the conventional treatment group without real-time feedback, debriefing, and retraining (control group). This trial will include 2850 to 3020 patients over about 4 years. The primary outcome of the trial is 1-month favorable neurological survival, defined as cerebral performance category scale score 1 or 2. Secondary outcomes are 1-month survival, survival to hospital discharge, return of spontaneous circulation, and quality of CPR including fraction, depth, tempo, and ventilation rate.DiscussionThe trial will assess whether treatment monitored by the CPR feedback device, which allows for real-time feedback, debriefing, and retraining using CPR quality data, outperforms conventional treatment without real-time feedback, debriefing, and retraining in terms of 1-month favorable neurological survival in cardiac arrest patients receiving CPR outside the hospital.Trial registrationUniversity Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000021431. Registered on 11 March 2016.

Associations between body size and outcomes of adult in-hospital cardiac arrest: A retrospective cohort study

AimAnimal studies have demonstrated that hemodynamic-directed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves outcomes following cardiac arrest compared with the “one-size-fits-all” algorithm. We investigated whether body size of patients is correlated with outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). MethodsA retrospective study in a single centre was conducted. Adult patients experiencing IHCA between 2006 and 2015 were screened. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using body weight and height measured at hospital admission. Thoracic anteroposterior diameter (APD) was measured by analysing computed tomography images. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to study the associations between independent variables and outcomes. Generalised additive models were used to identify cut-off points for continuous variables. ResultsA total of 766 patients were included, and 60.4% were male. Their mean age was 62.8 years. Mean BMI was 22.9 kg/m2, and the mean thoracic APD was 21.4 cm. BMI > 23.2 kg/m2 was inversely associated with a favourable neurological outcome (odds ratio [OR]: 0.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13–0.68; p-value = 0.004), while thoracic APD was not. When the interaction term was analysed, BMI > 23.2 (kg/m2) × thoracic APD > 18.5 (cm) was inversely associated with both a favourable neurological outcome (OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.16–0.69; p-value = 0.003) and survival to hospital discharge (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.26–0.81; p-value = 0.007). ConclusionHigher BMI and thoracic APD was correlated with worse outcomes following IHCA. For those patients, it might be better to perform CPR under guidance of physiological parameters rather than a “one-size-fits-all” resuscitation algorithm to improve outcomes.

Implications of a recurrent in-hospital cardiac arrest on survival and neurological outcomes

BackgroundDespite the high incidence of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in US hospitals, the prognosis and end-of-life decision-making patterns of a patient with a recurrent IHCA are unknown. MethodsWithin Get-With-The-Guidelines-Resuscitation, we identified 192,250 patients from 711 hospitals with an IHCA from 2000 to 2015. Patients were categorized as having no recurrent IHCA (only 1 event), recurrent IHCA (≥2 IHCAs), and recurrent out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), defined as an IHCA after an OHCA. Using multivariable hierarchical logistic regression, rates of survival to discharge and favorable neurological survival (mild or no disability) between the 3 groups were compared. Rates of de novo “do not attempt resuscitation” (DNAR) and withdrawal of care orders among successfully resuscitated patients were also evaluated. ResultsOverall, 165,446 (86.1%) had no recurrent IHCA, 23,643 (12.3%) had recurrent IHCA, and 3162 (1.6%) had recurrent OHCA. Compared with patients with no recurrent IHCA, patients with recurrent IHCA were less than half as likely to survive to discharge (12.7% vs 22.1%; adjusted OR: 0.46 [0.44-0.48], P < .001) and have favorable neurological survival (7.0% vs 13.1%; adjusted OR: 0.44 [0.42-0.47], P < .001). Compared with patients with recurrent OHCA, patients with recurrent IHCA also had lower rates of survival to discharge (12.7% vs 16.1%; adjusted OR: 0.81 [0.71-0.94], P = .005) and favorable neurological survival (7.0% vs 8.9%; adjusted OR: 0.66 [0.54-0.81], P < .001). Despite worse survival outcomes, patients with recurrent IHCA were least likely to adopt DNAR orders within the first 24 hours after successful resuscitation compared with patients with no recurrent IHCA or recurrent OHCA (17.2% vs 18.9% and 26.6%, respectively) or withdraw care at any time (17.7% vs 24.4% and 31.2%, respectively). ConclusionsNearly 1 in 8 patients with an IHCA has a recurrent IHCA, and these patients have worse outcomes than patients with only a single IHCA and those with an IHCA after being hospitalized for an OHCA. Despite worse survival, rates of DNAR and withdrawal of care were lowest for patients with recurrent IHCA. These findings provide important prognostic information for clinicians caring for patients with recurrent IHCA and suggest the need to better align resuscitation and end-of-life decisions with patients' prognoses after IHCA.

Therapeutic hypothermia in patients with coagulopathy following severe traumatic brain injury

BackgroundCoagulopathy in traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been associated with poor neurological outcomes and higher in-hospital mortality. In general principle of trauma management, hypothermia should be prevented as it directly worsens coagulopathy. Therefore, we examined the safety of mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) in patients with coagulopathy following severe TBI.MethodsWe re-evaluated the brain hypothermia (B-HYPO) study data based on coagulopathy and compared the Glasgow Outcome Scale scores and survival rates at 6 months using per protocol analyses. Coagulopathy was defined as an activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) > 60 s and/or fibrin/fibrinogen degradation product levels (FDP) > 90 μg/mL on admission. Baseline characteristics, coagulation parameters, and outcomes were compared between the control and MTH groups with or without coagulopathy.ResultsIn patients with coagulopathy, 12 patients were allocated to the control group (35.5–37.0 °C) and 20 patients to the MTH group (32–34 °C). In patients without coagulopathy, 28 were allocated to the control group and 59 patients were allocated to the MTH group.In patients with coagulopathy, favorable neurological outcomes and survival rates were comparable between the control and MTH groups (33.3% vs. 35.0%, P = 1.00; 50.0% vs. 60.0%, P = 0.72) with no difference in complication rates. On admission, no significant differences in APTT or FDP levels were observed between the two groups; however, APTT was significantly prolonged in the MTH group compared to the control group on day 3.DiscussionBased on our study, MTH did not seem to negatively affect the outcomes in patients with coagulopathy following severe TBI on admission; therefore, the present study indicates that MTH may be applicable even in patients with severe TBI and coagulopathy.ConclusionsOur study suggests that in comparison to control, MTH does not worsen the outcome of patients with coagulopathy following severe TBI.Trial registrationUMIN-CTR, No. C000000231, Registered 13 September 2005.

Impact of timing of cardiac arrest during hospitalization on survival outcomes and subsequent length of stay

BackgroundIn-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) is common and often fatal. However, the association between timing of cardiac arrest and likelihood of survival to discharge, neurological status, and subsequent hospital length of stay (LOS) is unknown. MethodsWithin the Get-With-The-Guidelines Resuscitation registry, we identified 175,904 patients between 2000 and 2014 with an IHCA. Time from admission to IHCA was categorized as <3, 3–7, or >7days from admission. Multivariable hierarchical logistic regression models examined the association between timing of IHCA and survival to discharge, and, among survivors, favorable neurological survival (cerebral performance category score of 1) and LOS after IHCA. ResultsOverall, 83,811 (47.6%) of IHCAs occurred <3days from admission, whereas 47,713 (27.1%) and 44,380 (25.5%) occurred between 3 and 7 and >7days from admission, respectively. Cardiac arrests occurring later during the hospitalization were associated with lower survival ([reference: <3days]; for 3-7days: adjusted OR 0.93 [0.90–0.96]; for >7days: adjusted OR 0.89 [0.86-0.92]; P<0.01) and favorable neurological survival ([reference: <3days]; for 3-7days: adjusted OR 0.83 [0.77-0.89], for >7days: adjusted OR 0.55 [0.51-0.59]; P<0.01). Among survivors, later timing of IHCA was associated with longer subsequent LOS ([reference: <3days]; for 3-7days: 2.7 additional days [2.2-3.2]; for >7days: 6.8 additional days [6.3-7.3]; P<0.001). ConclusionMost IHCA occur after 3 hospitalization days. Patients with IHCA after 3 hospital days had lower rates of survival to discharge, and, among survivors, lower rates of favorable neurological survival and longer duration of hospitalization from the time of cardiac arrest.

The Effect of Successful Intubation on Patient Outcomes After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Taipei

The effect of out-of-hospital intubation in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest remains controversial. The Taipei City paramedics are the earliest authorized to perform out-of-hospital intubation among Asian areas. This study evaluates the association between successful intubation and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival in Taipei. We analyzed 6 years of Utstein-based registry data from nontrauma adult patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest who underwent out-of-hospital airway management including intubation, laryngeal mask airway, or bag-valve-mask ventilation. The primary analysis was intubation success on patient outcomes. The primary outcome was survival to discharge and the secondary outcomes included sustained return of spontaneous circulation and favorable neurologic survival. Sensitivity analysis was performed with intubation attempts rather than intubation success. Subgroup analysis of advanced life support-serviced districts was also performed. A total of 10,853 cases from 2008 to 2013 were analyzed. Among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients receiving airway management, successful intubation, laryngeal mask airway, and bag-valve-mask ventilation was reported in 1,541, 3,099, and 6,213 cases, respectively. Compared with bag-valve-mask device use, successful out-of-hospital intubation was associated with improved chances of sustained return of spontaneous circulation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.66 to 2.19), survival to discharge (aOR 1.98; 95% CI 1.57 to 2.49), and favorable neurologic outcome (aOR 1.44; 95% CI 1.03 to 2.03). The results were comparable in sensitivity and subgroup analyses. In nontrauma adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Taipei, successful out-of-hospital intubation was associated with improved odds of sustained return of spontaneous circulation, survival to discharge, and favorable neurologic outcome.

Association between hospital rates of early Do-Not-Resuscitate orders and favorable neurological survival among survivors of inhospital cardiac arrest

Current guidelines recommend deferring prognostication for 48 to 72 hours after resuscitation from inhospital cardiac arrest. It is unknown whether hospitals vary in making patients who survive an arrest Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) early after resuscitation and whether a hospital's rate of early DNR is associated with its rate of favorable neurological survival. Within Get With the Guidelines-Resuscitation, we identified 24,899 patients from 236 hospitals who achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after inhospital cardiac arrest between 2006 and 2012. Hierarchical models were constructed to derive risk-adjusted hospital rates of DNR status adoption ≤12 hours after ROSC and risk-standardized rates of favorable neurological survival (without severe disability; Cerebral Performance Category ≤2). The association between hospitals' rates of early DNR and favorable neurological survival was evaluated using correlation statistics. Of 236 hospitals, 61.7% were academic, 83% had ≥200 beds, and 94% were urban. Overall, 5577 (22.4%) patients were made DNR ≤12 hours after ROSC. Risk-adjusted hospital rates of early DNR varied widely (7.1%-40.5%, median: 22.7% [IQR: 19.3%-26.1%]; median OR of 1.48). Significant hospital variation existed in risk-standardized rates of favorable neurological survival (3.5%-44.8%, median: 25.3% [IQR: 20.2%-29.4%]; median OR 1.72). Hospitals' risk-adjusted rates of early DNR were inversely correlated with their risk-standardized rates of favorable neurological survival (r=-0.179, P=.006). Despite current guideline recommendations, many patients with inhospital cardiac arrest are made DNR within 12 hours after ROSC, and hospitals vary widely in rates of early DNR. Higher hospital rates of early DNR were associated with worse meaningful survival outcomes.

The future is now: neuroprotection during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Survival with favorable neurological function after cardiac arrest remains low. The purpose of this review is to identify recent advances that focus on neuroprotection during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Multiple strategies have been shown to enhance neuroprotection during CPR. Brain perfusion during CPR is increased with therapies such as active compression decompression CPR and intrathoracic pressure regulation that improve cardiac preload and decrease intracranial pressure. Head Up CPR has been shown to decrease intracranial pressure thereby increasing cerebral perfusion pressure and cerebral blood flow. Sodium nitroprusside enhanced CPR increases cerebral perfusion, facilitates heat exchange, and improves neurologic survival in swine after cardiac arrest. Postconditioning has been administered during CPR in laboratory settings. Poloxamer 188, a membrane stabilizer, and ischemic postconditioning have been shown to improve cardiac and neural function after cardiac arrest in animal models. Postconditioning with inhaled gases protects the myocardium, with more evidence mounting for the potential for neural protection. Multiple promising neuroprotective therapies are being developed in animal models of cardiac arrest, and are in early stages of human trials. These therapies have the potential to be bundled together to improve rates of favorable neurological survival after cardiac arrest.

LO70: Do automatic external defibrillators improve rates of return of spontaneous circulation, survival to hospital discharge and favourable neurological survival in Canada?

Introduction: Survival for victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is typically 8-12%. Recent evidence has shown that public access automatic external defibrillators (AED) may improve survival. The objectives of this study were to determine whether AEDs improve rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), overall survival, and favourable neurological survival (FNS) in Canada. Methods: The BC Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium prospectively collected detailed prehospital and hospital data on consecutive non-traumatic OHCAs from 2011-2015 within BC’s four metropolitan areas. We included all EMS-treated adult patients. Data were collected in accordance with recognized Utstein criteria. We described frequencies with counts, means and medians where appropriate, and the Z-test was used to compare population proportions. Results: We examined 7577 OHCAs from 2011-2015. AEDs were deployed on 223 patients in this period (mean age 60.4 yrs [95% CI 45.7-75.1] and 83.9% male; non-AED OHCAs mean age 66.2 yrs [48.4-83.8] and 67.3% male). Seventy seven percent of AED deployments occurred in public locations, 69.1% were witnessed by bystanders and CPR was initiated in 98.7% of these cases. Fifteen percent of non-AED OHCAs occurred in public locations, 38.3% were bystander witnessed, and 45.4% received bystander CPR. AEDs delivered shocks to 61.4% of patients, and EMS crews found an initial shockable rhythm upon scene arrival in 60.5% of AED deployments (22.9% for non-AED cases). AED OHCA patients had higher rates of ROSC at any time (67.2% vs 47.6%; difference of 19.6% [12.9-26.2 p&amp;lt;0.01]), and ROSC at ED arrival (61% vs 35.4%; difference of 25.6% [19.2-32.0 p&amp;lt;0.01]). AED OHCA patients had higher rates of survival to hospital discharge (23.8% vs 8.5%; difference 15.3% [11.5-19.1 p&amp;lt;0.01]). Detailed neurologic outcome data was not available for all patients, yet for those which it was available AED OHCA patients had improved outcomes (modified Rankin score&amp;lt;2) compared to non-AED OHCA patients (9.0% vs 5.4%; difference 3.6% [0.6-6.6 p&amp;lt;0.02]. Conclusion: Automatic external defibrillators markedly improve rates of ROSC at any time, sustained ROSC at ED arrival, survival to hospital discharge, and FNS in Canada. Continued support for public access AED programs is essential to improve patient outcomes.

Bystander CPR is associated with improved neurologically favourable survival in cardiac arrest following drowning

BackgroundCardiac arrest associated with drowning is a major public health concern with limited research available on outcome. This investigation aims to define the population at risk, and identify factors associated with neurologically favourable survival. MethodsThe Cardiac Arrest Registry for Enhanced Survival (CARES) database was queried for patients who had suffered cardiac arrest following drowning between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2015. The primary outcomes of interest were for favourable or unfavourable neurological outcome at hospital discharge, as defined by Cerebral Performance Category (CPC). ResultsA total of 919 drowning patients were identified. Neurological outcome data was available in 908 patients. Neurologically favourable survival was significantly associated with bystander CPR (Odds Ratio (OR)=2.94; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.86–4.64; p<0.001), witnessed drowning (OR=2.6; 95% CI 1.69–4.01; p<0.001) and younger age (OR=0.97, 95% CI 0.96–0.98; p<0.001).Public location of drowning (OR=1.17; 95% CI 0.77–1.79; p=0.47), male gender (OR=0.9, 95% CI 0.57–1.43; p=0.66), and shockable rhythm (OR=1.54; 95% CI 0.76–3.12; p=0.23), were not associated with favourable neurological survival. AED application prior to EMS was associated with a decreased likelihood of favourable neurological outcome (OR=0.38; 95% CI 0.28–0.66; p<0.001).In multivariate analysis, bystander CPR (adjusted OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.85–4.92, p<0.001), witnessed drowning (adjusted OR 3.27, 95% CI 2.0–5.36, p<0.001) and younger age (adjusted OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96–0.98, p<0.001) remained associated with neurologically favourable survival. ConclusionsNeurologically favourable survival after drowning remains low but is improved by bystander CPR. Shockable rhythms were uncommon and not associated with improved outcomes.

Therapeutic Hypothermia Doesn't Improve Survival or Neurologic Outcomes After In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

According to this study:Patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest who undergo therapeutic hypothermia are less likely than those who receive usual care to survive to hospital discharge and to have favorable neurologic survival.

Early-Stage Hyperoxia Is Associated with Favorable Neurological Outcomes and Survival after Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Post-Hoc Analysis of the Brain Hypothermia Study.

The effects of hyperoxia on the neurological outcomes of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are still controversial. We examined whether the partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) and hyperoxia were associated with neurological outcomes and survival by conducting post-hoc analyses of the Brain Hypothermia (B-HYPO) study, a multi-center randomized controlled trial of mild therapeutic hypothermia for severe TBI. The differences in PaO2 and PaO2/fraction of inspiratory oxygen (P/F) ratio on the 1st day of admission were compared between patients with favorable (n = 64) and unfavorable (n = 65) neurological outcomes and between survivors (n = 90) and deceased patients (n = 39). PaO2 and the P/F ratio were significantly greater in patients with favorable outcomes than in patients with unfavorable neurological outcomes (PaO2: 252 ± 122 vs. 202 ± 87 mm Hg, respectively, p = 0.008; P/F ratio: 455 ± 171 vs. 389 ± 155, respectively, p = 0.022) and in survivors than in deceased patients (PaO2: 242 ± 117 vs. 193 ± 75 mm Hg, respectively, p = 0.005; P/F ratio: 445 ± 171 vs. 370 ± 141, respectively, p = 0.018). Similar tendencies were observed in subgroup analyses in patients with fever control and therapeutic hypothermia, and in patients with an evacuated mass or other lesions (unevacuated lesions). PaO2 was independently associated with survival (odds ratio 1.008, p = 0.037). These results suggested that early-stage hyperoxia might be associated with favorable neurological outcomes and survival following severe TBI.

Association Between Therapeutic Hypothermia and Survival After In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Therapeutic hypothermia is used for patients following both out-of-hospital and in-hospital cardiac arrest. However, randomized trials on its efficacy for the in-hospital setting do not exist, and comparative effectiveness data are limited. To evaluate the association between therapeutic hypothermia and survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest. In this cohort study, within the national Get With the Guidelines-Resuscitation registry, 26 183 patients successfully resuscitated from an in-hospital cardiac arrest between March 1, 2002, and December 31, 2014, and either treated or not treated with hypothermia at 355 US hospitals were identified. Follow-up ended February 4, 2015. Induction of therapeutic hypothermia. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. The secondary outcome was favorable neurological survival, defined as a Cerebral Performance Category score of 1 or 2 (ie, without severe neurological disability). Comparisons were performed using a matched propensity score analysis and examined for all cardiac arrests and separately for nonshockable (asystole and pulseless electrical activity) and shockable (ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia) cardiac arrests. Overall, 1568 of 26 183 patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (6.0%) were treated with therapeutic hypothermia; 1524 of these patients (mean [SD] age, 61.6 [16.2] years; 58.5% male) were matched by propensity score to 3714 non-hypothermia-treated patients (mean [SD] age, 62.2 [17.5] years; 57.1% male). After adjustment, therapeutic hypothermia was associated with lower in-hospital survival (27.4% vs 29.2%; relative risk [RR], 0.88 [95% CI, 0.80 to 0.97]; risk difference, -3.6% [95% CI, -6.3% to -0.9%]; P = .01), and this association was similar (interaction P = .74) for nonshockable cardiac arrest rhythms (22.2% vs 24.5%; RR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.76 to 0.99]; risk difference, -3.2% [95% CI, -6.2% to -0.3%]) and shockable cardiac arrest rhythms (41.3% vs 44.1%; RR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.77 to 1.05]; risk difference, -4.6% [95% CI, -10.9% to 1.7%]). Therapeutic hypothermia was also associated with lower rates of favorable neurological survival for the overall cohort (hypothermia-treated group, 17.0% [246 of 1443 patients]; non-hypothermia-treated group, 20.5% [725 of 3529 patients]; RR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.69 to 0.90]; risk difference, -4.4% [95% CI, -6.8% to -2.0%]; P < .001) and for both rhythm types (interaction P = .88). Among patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest, use of therapeutic hypothermia compared with usual care was associated with a lower likelihood of survival to hospital discharge and a lower likelihood of favorable neurological survival. These observational findings warrant a randomized clinical trial to assess efficacy of therapeutic hypothermia for in-hospital cardiac arrest.

The association between timing of tracheal intubation and outcomes of adult in-hospital cardiac arrest: A retrospective cohort study

AimResuscitation guidelines indicate the ideal timing of tracheal intubation during in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) has not been adequately studied. MethodsA retrospective observational study in a single medical centre was conducted that evaluated patients with IHCA between 2006 and 2014. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between independent variables and outcomes. Time to intubation was defined as elapsed time from the first chest compression to the time of completion of endotracheal intubation, tracheostomy, or cricothyroidotomy. ResultsA total of 702 patients were included. The mean time to intubation was 8.8min. Ninety-five (13.5%) patients survived to hospital discharge, and 44 (6.3%) patients displayed favourable neurological status at discharge. Time to intubation was shown to be inversely associated with favourable neurological outcome (odds ratio [OR]: 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80⿿0.93; p-value <0.001). Delayed time to intubation was noted to be particularly unfavourable for survival outcome in patients with non-shockable rhythms (OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91⿿0.98; p-value=0.005). Intubation within 8.8min of arrest was demonstrated to be positively associated with both favourable neurological outcome (OR: 7.28, 95% CI: 2.98⿿20.52; p-value <0.001) and survival to hospital discharge (OR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.27⿿3.52; p-value=0.004). ConclusionEarlier tracheal intubation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation might be beneficial for clinical outcomes following IHCA. Intubation within 8.8min appears favourable for both neurological and survival outcomes. Nevertheless, this goal should be attempted by clinicians who experienced in intubation to avoid potential complications and harm.