Higher Return Of Spontaneous Circulation Research Articles

Abstract 220: Association Between Initial Defibrillator Pad Position And Outcomes For Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients Presenting With Shockable Rhythms

Background: Ventricular fibrillation (VF) or ventricular tachycardia (VT) are the most treatable causes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Yet, it remains unknown if defibrillator pad position, placement in the anterior-posterior (AP) or anterior-lateral (AL) positions, impacts patient outcomes in VF/VT OHCA. Aim: Evaluate the association between initial defibrillator pad placement (AP vs. AL) and OHCA outcomes for patients presenting with VF/VT. Methods: This was a prospective observational study of non-traumatic OHCA patients with initial VF/VT on EMS rhythm analysis treated by a single EMS agency in the Portland Cardiac Arrest Epidemiologic Registry (PDX Epistry) from July 1st, 2019 through October 15th, 2022. Our primary outcome was return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) at any time and secondary outcomes were ROSC at emergency department (ED) arrival, survival to admission, survival to discharge, and functional survival (cerebral perfusion category score of ≤2). We performed t-tests, chi-squared tests, and multivariable logistic regressions adjusting for age, sex, witness status, bystander interventions, arrest location, 911 call to EMS arrival time, and year of arrest. Results: A total of 243 OHCA patients met inclusion criteria and 232 (95.5%) had initial pad positioning documented (133 AP and 99 AL). Patients with AP placement had higher rates of ROSC at any time (72.2% vs. 47.5%, p<0.001), survival to admission (56.4% vs. 41.4%, p=0.024), survival to discharge (36.1% vs. 24.2%, p=0.050), and functional survival (36.1% vs. 21.2%, p=0.012) compared to AL, with no difference for ROSC at ED arrival (52.6% vs. 40.4%, p=0.065). AP versus AL placement showed higher adjusted odds (aOR [95% CI]) for ROSC at any time (2.76 [1.55-4.93]) and functional survival (2.06 [1.05-4.05]), but not ROSC at ED arrival (1.50, [0.85-2.64]), survival to admission (1.69 [0.96-2.96]) or survival to discharge (1.68 [0.86-3.27]). Among patients with ROSC at ED arrival, patients with AP placement, had shorter times from 911 call to sustained ROSC (21.0 vs. 28.4 min, p=0.013). Conclusions: Initial AP pad placement, compared to AL, was associated with higher ROSC, a reduction in time to sustained ROSC, and higher functional survival for patients with VF/VT OHCA.

Impact of post-dispatch advice on bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Hong Kong

Background: In Hong Kong, the post-dispatch advice on cardiopulmonary resuscitation has been implemented since October 2018. Our study aimed to (1) evaluate the impact of post-dispatch advice on the bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation rate and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival and (2) characterise the reasons for not providing dispatch-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which have important implications in public cardiopulmonary resuscitation education. Method: We retrospectively analysed the records of 749 adult patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest between 1 September 2021 and 31 October 2021. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. The secondary outcomes included return of spontaneous circulation and survival to hospital admission. Results: The overall dispatch-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation rate was 49.6%. Patients who received dispatch-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation had a higher proportion of witnessed cardiac arrest (37.7% vs 24.7%, p < 0.001) and a shorter time interval from recognition of cardiac arrest to chest compression (median 3.0 min vs 13.0 min, p < 0.001) compared with patients without dispatch-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 16.8% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims had return of spontaneous circulation before or upon arrival at the hospital. Patients who received dispatch-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation had a higher return of spontaneous circulation (18.3% vs 15.4%), survival to hospital admission (15.9% vs 13.3%) and survival to hospital discharge (2.7% vs 1.3%) rates compared with those who did not. However, the differences did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: Post-dispatch advice improved the overall bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation rate in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and shortened the time from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest recognition to chest compression, but the improvement in survival did not reach statistical significance. Further public education on cardiac arrest recognition and dispatch-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation is necessary.

Outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in immigrants vs natives in Denmark

AimsEthnic disparities subsist in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) outcomes in the US, yet it is unresolved whether similar inequalities exist in European countries. This study compared survival after OHCA and its determinants in immigrants and non-immigrants in Denmark. MethodsUsing the nationwide Danish Cardiac Arrest Register, 37,622 OHCAs of presumed cardiac cause between 2001 and 2019 were included, 95% in non-immigrants and 5% in immigrants. Univariate and multiple logistic regression was used to assess disparities in treatments, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) at hospital arrival, and 30-day survival. ResultsImmigrants were younger at OHCA (median 64 [IQR 53–72] vs 68 [59–74] years; p < 0.05), had more prior myocardial infarction (15% vs 12%, p < 0.05), more diabetes (27% vs 19%, p < 0.05), and were more often witnessed (56% vs 53%; p < 0.05). Immigrants received similar bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation rates to non-immigrants, but more coronary angiographies (15% vs 13%; p < 0.05) and percutaneous coronary interventions (10% vs 8%, p < 0.05), although this was insignificant after age-adjustment. Immigrants had higher ROSC at hospital arrival (28% vs 26%; p < 0.05) and 30-day survival (18% vs 16%; p < 0.05) compared to non-immigrants, but adjusting for age, sex, witness status, first observed rhythm, diabetes, and heart failure rendered the difference non-significant (odds ratios (OR) 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92–1.16 and OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.91–1.20, respectively). ConclusionsOHCA management was similar between immigrants and non-immigrants, resulting in similar ROSC at hospital arrival and 30-day survival after adjustments.

Prognostic Impact of In-Hospital Use of Mechanical Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Devices Compared with Manual Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Nationwide Population-Based Observational Study in South Korea.

Background and Objectives: This study analyzed the prognostic impact of mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) devices in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients, in comparison to manual CPR. Materials and Methods: This study was a nationwide population-based observational study in South Korea. Data were retrospectively collected from 142,905 OHCA patients using the South Korean Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Surveillance database. We included adult OHCA patients who received manual or mechanical CPR in the emergency room. The primary outcome was survival at discharge and the secondary outcome was sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Statistical analysis included propensity score matching and multivariate logistic regression. Results: A total of 19,045 manual CPR and 1125 mechanical CPR cases (671 AutoPulseTM vs. 305 ThumperTM vs. 149 LUCASTM) were included. In the matched multivariate analyses, all mechanical CPR devices were associated with a lower ROSC than that of manual CPR. AutoPulseTM was associated with lower survival in the multivariate analysis after matching (aOR with 95% CI: 0.57 (0.33–0.96)), but the other mechanical CPR devices were associated with similar survival to discharge as that of manual CPR. Witnessed arrest was commonly associated with high ROSC, but the use of mechanical CPR devices and cardiac origin arrest were associated with low ROSC. Only target temperature management was the common predictor for high survival. Conclusions: The mechanical CPR devices largely led to similar survival to discharge as that of manual CPR in OHCA patients; however, the in-hospital use of the AutoPulseTM device for mechanical CPR may significantly lower survival compared to manual CPR.

Effect of Advanced Airway Management by Paramedics During Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest on Chest Compression Fraction and Return of Spontaneous Circulation.

PurposeTo obtain effective systemic blood flow and coronary perfusion by chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, it is recommended that the interruption time of chest compressions be kept to a minimum, and that the chest compression fraction (CCF) should be kept high. In this study, we examined the effects of advanced airway management by paramedics in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) cases on CCF and on return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) before arrival at the hospital.Participants and MethodsA total of 283 adult, non-traumatic OHCA cases who were in cardiopulmonary arrest at the time of EMS contact between April 2015 and March 2017 were registered for this study. We retrospectively investigated the presence or absence of advanced airway clearance, CCF and ROSC during CPR. CCF was calculated by measuring the chest compression interruption time from the ECG waveform recorded on a semiautomatic defibrillator (Philips HeartStart MRX). The data obtained were recorded on a computer, and comparisons between groups were examined using an untested t-test and χ2- test.ResultsOf the 283 patients with OHCA, 159 were included in the analysis. The CCF of the AAM group was 89.4%, which was significantly higher than that in the BMV group (84.3%) (P<0.01). Forty-one patients had ROSC at the time of arrival at the hospital, and the CCF of ROSC patients was 89.7%, which was significantly higher than that of non-ROSC patients (87.2%) (P<0.01). ROSC was also obtained in 31.8% of the patients in the AAM group, which was significantly higher than that in the BMV group (12.2%).ConclusionIn this study, we found that advanced airway management during prehospital emergency transport by paramedics showed high CCF and ROSC rates and contributed to improving the prognosis of OHCA patients through high-quality resuscitation.

Clinical evaluation of intravenous alone versus intravenous or intraosseous access for treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

ObjectiveObtaining vascular access during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is challenging. The aim of this study was to determine if using intraosseous (IO) access when intravenous (IV) access fails improves outcomes. MethodsThis was a prospective, parallel-group, cluster-randomised study that compared ‘IV only’ against ‘IV + IO’ in OHCA patients, where if 2 IV attempts failed or took more than 90 s, paramedics had 2 further attempts of IO. Primary outcome was any return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Secondary outcomes were insertion success rate, adrenaline administration, time to adrenaline and survival outcome. ResultsA total of 1007 patients were included in the analysis. An Intention To Treat analysis showed a significant difference in success rates of obtaining vascular access in the IV + IO arm compared to the IV arm (76.6% vs 61.1% p = 0.001). There were significantly more patients in the IV + IO arm than the IV arm being administered prehospital adrenaline (71.3% vs 55.4% p = 0.001). The IV + IO arm also received adrenaline faster compared to the IV arm in terms of median time from emergency call to adrenaline (23 min vs 25 min p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in ROSC (adjusted OR 0.99 95%CI: 0.75−1.29), survival to discharge or survival with CPC 2 or better in both groups. A Per Protocol analysis also showed there was higher success in obtaining vascular access in the IV + IO arm, but ROSC and survival outcomes were not statistically different. ConclusionUsing IO when IV failed led to a higher rate of vascular access, prehospital adrenaline administration and faster adrenaline administration. However, it was not associated with higher ROSC, survival to discharge, or good neurological outcome.

Prospective Evaluation of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Performed in Dogs and Cats According to the RECOVER Guidelines. Part 2: Patient Outcomes and CPR Practice Since Guideline Implementation.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) outcomes have not been prospectively described since implementation of the Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) guidelines. This study aimed to prospectively describe CPR outcomes and document arrest variables in dogs and cats at a U.S. veterinary teaching hospital since implementation of the RECOVER guidelines using the 2016 veterinary Utstein-style CPR reporting guidelines. One-hundred and seventy-two dogs and 47 cats that experienced cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) underwent CPR following implementation of the RECOVER guidelines and were prospectively included. Supervising clinicians completed a data form for CPR events immediately following completion of CPR from December 2013 to June 2018. Seventy-five (44%) dogs and 26 (55%) cats attained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), 45 dogs (26%) and 16 cats (34%) had ROSC ≥ 20 min, 13 dogs (8%) and 10 cats (21%) were alive 24 h after CPR, and 12 dogs (7%) and 9 cats (19%) survived to hospital discharge. The most common cause of death in animals with ROSC ≥ 20 min was euthanasia. Patient outcomes were not significantly different since publication of the RECOVER guidelines except for a higher feline survival to hospital discharge rate. Dogs (p = 0.02) but not cats with initial shockable rhythms had increased rates of ROSC while the development of a shockable rhythm during CPR efforts was not associated with ROSC (p = 0.30). In closed chest CPR an end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) value of >16.5 mmHg was associated with a 75% sensitivity and 64% specificity for achieving ROSC. Since publication of the RECOVER guidelines, CPR practice did not clinically significantly change at our institution and no improvement of already high ROSC rates was noted. The percentage of cats surviving to hospital discharge was higher than previously reported and the reason for this improvement is not evident with these results. Euthanasia remains a major confounding factor in assessing intermediate and long-term CPR outcomes in dogs and cats.

Abstract 253: The Efficacy of Left Ventricular versus Traditional Chest Compressions During Selective Aortic Arch Perfusion to Treat Traumatic Cardiopulmonary Arrest in a Swine Model

Introduction: Recent evidence has demonstrated that closed chest compressions (CC) directly over the left ventricle (LV) during traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest (TCPA) improve hemodynamics and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) when compared to traditional chest compressions. Selective Aortic Arch Perfusion (SAAP) is also able to improve hemodynamics as well as control hemorrhage during TCPA. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that LV compressions would increase ROSC when compared to traditional compressions in an animal model of TCPA where SAAP was being used. We also compared LV and Traditional compressions with SAAP to historical controls that received compressions without SAAP. Methods: Transthoracic echo was used to mark the location of the aortic root and the center of the left ventricle on animals (n=24, 12 in each arm) which were randomized to receive chest compressions in one of the two locations. One third of each animal’s blood volume was removed and ventricular fibrillation (VF) was induced to simulate traumatic cardiac arrest. After a period of ten minutes of VF, basic life support (BLS) with mechanical CPR was initiated and performed for ten minutes followed by advanced life support (ALS) and blood transfusion for an additional ten minutes. The SAAP balloon was inflated at minute 6 of BLS. Hemodynamic variables were averaged every two minutes. The same model was used for historical controls (n=26, 13 in each arm) without the use of SAAP, so comparisons were treated as a single study with a factorial design. Results: There were no differences in hemodynamic variables, ROSC (p=0.67) or survival (p=0.64) between SAAP groups. However, when the LV animals were compared to historic controls without SAAP, LV animals had higher ROSC (p=0.02) and survival rates (p=0.04) than Traditional animals. Conclusions: SAAP does not appear to show a synergistic effect with LV compressions, however, SAAP combined with LV compressions improves ROSC and survival when compared to Traditional compressions in our swine model of TCPA. More investigation into SAAP and compression position should be studied to improve treatment of TCPA.

Abstract 29: Comparison of Amiodarone versus Lidocaine for Treatment of In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Introduction: Over 200,000 patients are treated annually in the United States for in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). Patients with an initial rhythm of ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VF/pVT) have a survival rate of less than 50%. The current American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support guidelines suggest amiodarone or lidocaine as first-line agents for shock-refractory VF/pVT based on randomized clinical trials in adults with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Based on these results, we hypothesized that amiodarone and lidocaine have equivalent efficacy in treating hospitalized patients with VF/pVT. Methods: This is a retrospective risk-adjusted cohort study using the AHA Get with the Guidelines-Resuscitation® (GWTG-R) registry. The study included adult patients between January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2014 with IHCA due to VF/pVT that received either amiodarone or lidocaine. The primary outcome was return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Secondary outcomes were 24-hour survival, survival to hospital discharge, and survival with favorable neurologic outcome based on Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) 1 or 2. Results: A total of 14,630 events were included in the analysis. Among patients who met inclusion criteria, 68.7% (n=10,058) were treated with amiodarone and 31.3% (n=4,572) were treated with lidocaine. Results from multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that, controlling for 19 covariates, ROSC rates were not statistically different with lidocaine treatment vs. amiodarone (AOR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.94, 1.11). However, lidocaine treatment was associated with higher odds of a) 24-hour survival, AOR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.06, 1.23; b) survival to discharge, AOR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.06, 1.24; and c) favorable neurologic outcome at hospital discharge, AOR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.11, 1.31. Conclusion: In adult IHCA patients with VF/pVT, treatment with lidocaine compared to amiodarone was not associated with higher ROSC rates, but was associated with higher rates of survival and favorable neurological outcomes. Additional research is needed to determine the optimal antiarrhythmic therapy for VF/pVT in IHCA.

Duration of cardiac arrest requires different ventilation volumes during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a pig model.

There are few studies examining the ventilation strategies recommended by current CPR guidelines. We investigated the influence of different minute volume applying to untreated cardiac arrest with different duration, on resuscitation effects in a pig model. 32 Landrace pigs with 4 or 8min (16 pigs each) ventricular fibrillation (VF) randomly received two ventilation strategies during CPR. "Guideline" groups received mechanical ventilation with a tidal volume of 7ml/kg and a frequency of 10/min, while "Baseline" groups received a tidal volume (10ml/kg) and a frequency used at baseline to maintain an end-tidal PCO2 (PETCO2) between 35 and 40mmHg before VF. Mean airway pressures and intrathoracic pressures (PIT) in the Baseline-4min group were significantly higher than those in the Guideline-4min group (all P < 0.05). Similar results were observed in the 8min pigs, except for no significant difference in minimal PIT and PETCO2 during 10min of CPR. Venous pH and venous oxygen saturation were significantly higher in the Baseline-8min group compared to the Guideline-8min group (all P < 0.05). Aortic pressure in the Baseline-8min group was higher than in the Guideline-8min group. Seven pigs in each subgroup of 4min VF models achieved the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Higher ROSC was observed in the Baseline-8min group than in the Guideline-8min group (87.5% vs. 37.5%, P = 0.039). For 4min VF but not 8min VF, a guideline-recommended ventilation strategy had satisfactory results during CPR. A higher minute ventilation resulted in better outcomes for subjects with 8min of untreated VF through thoracic pump.

Abstract P-018: ANALYSIS OF CHEST COMPRESSIONS QUALITY DURING RESUSCITATION IN A PEDIATRIC ANIMAL MODEL AFTER ASPHYXIAL CARDIAC ARREST

Aims & Objectives: To analyze quality of chest compressions (CC) during resuscitation and its impact on the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in a pediatric animal model of cardiac arrest (CA) using a real-time feedback-device. Methods Depth and rate of CC were measured with an accelerometer (ZOLL®) during resuscitation in an experimental model of asphyxial CA in piglets. Compression depth between 3.8 and 5 cm and a rate between 100 and 120 compressions per minute were considered optimal. Results CC quality was recorded in 19 piglets. Twelve of them (63.2%) achieved ROSC. Only 41.3% of CC were optimal regarding rate and depth. Compression depth was optimal in 48.9%, too deep in 43.2% and too shallow in 7.9%. CC rate was optimal in 80.3%, too fast in 4.6% and slow in 15.1%. Compressions were more shallow and faster in piglets who recovered spontaneous circulation than in those who didn´t (table 1). Optimal compressions (rate and depth) (52.7 ± 25% vs 21.7 ± 16.2% p=0.010) and optimal depth (61.9 ± 28.2% vs 26.5 ± 17% p=0.008) were associated with higher ROSC. Animals who suffered airway bleeding or thoracic injuries had received deeper CC after 3 minutes of CPR, p=0.006. There was a correlation between mean arterial pressure and quality of CC (table 2).Conclusions In this pediatric CA model, only 41.3% of chest compressions were optimal. Optimal quality of CPR was associated with higher survival. Excessive CC depth was associated with airway bleeding or thoracic injuries and increased mortality.

367 Post Resuscitative Factors Influencing Survival after In-Hospital Pediatric Cardiac Arrest

Background and AimsIn-hospital pediatric cardiac arrest (CA) achieves high return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) rates but survival to hospital discharge is low. The aim of this study was to determine...

Clinical and cardiac features of patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage presenting with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Background Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is known as one of the aetiologies of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, the mechanisms of circulatory collapse in these patients have remained unclear. Methods and results We examined 244 consecutive OHCA patients transferred to our emergency department. Head computed tomography was performed on all patients and revealed the existence of SAH in 14 patients (5.9%, 10 females). Among these, sudden collapse was witnessed in 7 patients (50%). On their initial cardiac rhythm, all 14 patients showed asystole or pulseless electrical activity, but no ventricular fibrillation (VF). Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was obtained in 10 of the 14 patients (14.9% of all ROSC patients) although all resuscitated patients died later. The ROSC rate in patients with SAH (71%) was significantly higher than that of patients with either other types of intracranial haemorrhage (25%, n = 2/8) or presumed cardiovascular aetiologies (22%, n = 23/101) ( p < 0.01). On electrocardiograms, ST-T abnormalities and/or QT prolongation were found in all 10 resuscitated patients. Despite their electrocardiographic abnormalities, only 3 patients showed echocardiographic abnormalities. Conclusions The frequency of SAH in patients with all causes of OHCA was about 6%, and in resuscitated patients was about 15%. The initial cardiac rhythm revealed no VF even though half had a witnessed arrest. A high ROSC rate was observed in patients with SAH, although none survived to hospital discharge.

Atropine Sulfate for Patients With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest due to Asystole and Pulseless Electrical Activity

The 2005 guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) have recommended that administration of atropine can be considered for non-shockable rhythm, but there are insufficient data in humans. The effects of atropine were assessed in 7,448 adults with non-shockable rhythm from the SOS-KANTO study. The primary endpoint was a 30-day favorable neurological outcome after cardiac arrest. In the 6,419 adults with asystole, the epinephrine with atropine group (n=1,378) had a significantly higher return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) rate than the epinephrine alone group (n=5,048) with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-1.7, P<0.0001), but the 2 groups had similar 30-day favorable neurological outcome with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.6 (95%CI 0.2-1.7; P=0.37). In the 1,029 adults with pulseless electrical activity (PEA), the 2 groups had similar rates of ROSC and 30-day favorable neurological outcome, and the epinephrine with atropine group had a significantly lower 30-day survival rate than the epinephrine alone group with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.4 (95%CI 0.2-0.9, P=0.016). Administration of atropine had no long-term neurological benefit in adults with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to non-shockable rhythm. Atropine is not useful for adults with PEA.

Prognostic significance of acute pain preceding out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

BackgroundSudden loss of consciousness (LOC) and chest pain are common manifestations of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). History of acute pain may be helpful in estimating aetiology and prognosis of OHCA...

Cardiac arrest due to food asphyxiation in adults: Resuscitation profiles and outcomes

Aim Food asphyxiation is uncommon but unignorable cause of sudden death in the elderly. Several autopsy studies, which identified those at particular risk, have been conducted on the subject. Resuscitation profiles and outcomes of food asphyxiation victims presenting with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) to the emergency department, however, have rarely been reported. Methods Data on adults (≥20 years) presenting with OHCA after witnessed food asphyxiation were retrieved from an institutional database. Clinical variables were evaluated to identify their demographic characteristics. Their outcomes, represented by return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival rate, were also investigated. Results Sixty-nine food asphyxiation victims presenting with OHCA were identified during the 4-year period. Food asphyxiation occurred most frequently in the age group of 71–80 years, followed by that of 81–90 years. The majority of victims had medical conditions that adversely affected mastication/swallowing, such as dementia. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed only in 26%, although bystanders often attempted to clear the airway without performing CPR. Despite the high ROSC rate of 78%, only 7% survived to discharge. Asphyxiation–ROSC interval might play a crucial role in determining the outcomes: the interval was ≤10 min in all survivors, while it was longer than 10 min in all non-survivors. Conclusion Because of their advanced age and debilitating general condition, it may be difficult to substantially improve the outcomes of food asphyxiation victims. Effort should be directed to prevent food asphyxiation, and public education to perform standard CPR for food asphyxiation victims including the Heimlich manoeuvre is warranted.

Out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients without return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) – should they be transported with ongoing resuscitation to the hospital?

We have previously reported high ROSC rates and excellent survival in OHCA in our region [1,2]. Prehospital emergency physicians (anesthesiologists) take active part in most resuscitation. If ROSC is not achieved, resuscitation is terminated on the scene in most cases. We want to investigate factors linked to survival in the few patients transported with ongoing resuscitation to the hospital.

Periodic acceleration (pGz) CPR in a swine model of asphyxia induced cardiac arrest: Short-term hemodynamic comparisons

Asphyxia is one of the most common causes of pediatric cardiac arrest, and becoming a more frequently recognized cause in adults. Periodic acceleration (pGz) is a novel method of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). pGz is achieved by rapid motion of the supine body headward-footward that generates adequate perfusion and ventilation during cardiac arrest. In a swine ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest model, pGz produced a higher return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), superior neurological outcome, less echocardiography evidence of post resuscitation myocardial stunning, and decreased indices of tissue injury. In contrast to standard chest compression CPR, pGz does not produce rib fractures. We investigated the feasibility of pGz in severe asphyxia cardiac arrest and assessed whether beneficial effects seen in the VF model of cardiac arrest could be realized. Sixteen swine weight 4+/-1 kg were anesthetized, tracheally intubated, and instrumented to measure, hemodynamics and echocardiography. Asphyxia was induced by occlusion of the tracheal tube. After loss of aortic pulsations (median time 10 min) animals were observed for three additional minutes following which all were in cardiac arrest. The animals were then randomized to receive 10 min of pGz or standard chest compression ventilation performed with a commercial device (Thumper). A single dose of epinephrine (adrenaline) and sodium bicarbonate were given and defibrillation attempted if appropriate for a maximum of 10 min. Both groups received fractional inspired O2 concentration of 100% during CPR and after resuscitation. Four animals in each group (50%) had an initial ROSC, however only two of the four initial survivors remained alive 3h after ROSC. There were no significant differences in blood pressure, coronary perfusion pressure during CPR and after early ROSC between groups. pGz treated animals had significantly lower pulmonary artery pressure; 20+/-4 mmHg compared to Thumper 46+/-5 mmHg, 30 min after ROSC (p<0.01). Surviving animals in both groups had severe myocardial dysfunction at 30 min after ROSC. At necropsy, 25% of the Thumper treated animals had rib fractures, while none occurred in the pGz group. In a lethal model of asphyxia cardiac arrest, pGz is equivalent to standard CPR, with respect to acute outcomes and resuscitation survival rates but is associated with significantly lower pulmonary artery pressures and does not produce traumatic rib fractures.