Refractory Cardiac Arrest Patients Research Articles

Machine Learning Identifies Higher Survival Profile In Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has been shown to improve neurologically favorable survival in patients with refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) caused by shockable rhythms. Further refinement of patient selection is needed to focus this resource-intensive therapy on those patients likely to benefit. This study sought to create a selection model using machine learning (ML) tools for refractory cardiac arrest patients undergoing ECPR. Retrospective cohort study. Cardiac ICU in a Quaternary Care Center. Adults 18-75 years old with refractory OHCA caused by a shockable rhythm. Three hundred seventy-six consecutive patients with refractory OHCA and a shockable presenting rhythm were analyzed, of which 301 underwent ECPR and cannulation for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Clinical variables that were widely available at the time of cannulation were analyzed and ranked on their ability to predict neurologically favorable survival. ML was used to train supervised models and predict favorable neurologic outcomes of ECPR. The best-performing models were internally validated using a holdout test set. Neurologically favorable survival occurred in 119 of 301 patients (40%) receiving ECPR. Rhythm at the time of cannulation, intermittent or sustained return of spontaneous circulation, arrest to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation perfusion time, and lactic acid levels were the most predictive of the 11 variables analyzed. All variables were integrated into a training model that yielded an in-sample area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.89 and a misclassification rate of 0.19. Out-of-sample validation of the model yielded an AUC of 0.80 and a misclassification rate of 0.23, demonstrating acceptable prediction ability. ML can develop a tiered risk model to guide ECPR patient selection with tailored arrest profiles.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: Lessons learned from recent clinical trials.

Cardiac arrest is a leading contributor to morbidity and mortality in the United States. Survival has been historically dependent on high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and rapid defibrillation. However, a large percentage of patients remain in refractory cardiac arrest despite adherence to structured advanced cardiac life support algorithms in which these factors are emphasized. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is becoming an increasingly used rescue therapy for patients in refractory cardiac arrest to restore oxygen delivery by extracorporeal CPR (ECPR). Recently published clinical trials have provided new insights into ECPR for patients who sustain an outside hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). In this narrative review, we summarize the rationale for, results of, and remaining questions from these recently published clinical trials. The existing observational data combined with the latest clinical trials suggest ECPR improves mortality in patients in refractory arrest. However, a mixed methodstrial is essential to understand the complexity, context, and effectiveness of implementing an ECPR program.

Impact of clinical variables on outcomes in refractory cardiac arrest patients undergoing extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

In the past two decades, extracorporeal resuscitation (ECPR) has been increasingly used in the management of refractory cardiac arrest (CA) patients. Decision algorithms have been used to guide the care such patients, but the effectiveness of such decision-making tools is not well described. The aim of this study was to compare the rate of survival with a good neurologic outcome of patients treated with ECPR meeting all criteria of a clinical decision-making tool for the initiation of ECPR to those for whom ECPR was implemented outside of the algorithm. All patients who underwent E-CPR between January 2014 and December 2021 at the Montreal Heart Institute were included in this retrospective analysis. We dichotomized the cohort according to adherence or non-adherence with the ECPR decision-making tool, which included the following criteria: age ≤65 years, initial shockable rhythm, no-flow time <5 min, serum lactate <13 mmol/L. Patients were included in the "IN" group when they met all criteria of the decision-making tool and in the "OUT" group when at least one criterion was not met. The primary outcome was survival with intact neurological status at 30 days, defined by a Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) Scale 1 and 2. A total of 41 patients (IN group, n = 11; OUT group, n = 30) were included. A total of 4 (36%) patients met the primary outcome in the IN group and 7 (23%) in the OUT group [odds ratio (OR): 1.88 (95% CI, 0.42-8.34); P = 0.45]. However, survival with a favorable outcome decreased steadily with 2 or more deviations from the decision-making tool [2 deviations: 1 (11%); 3 deviations: 0 (0%)]. Most patients supported with ECPR fell outside of the criteria encompassed in a clinical decision-making tool, which highlights the challenge of optimal selection of ECPR candidates. Survival rate with a good neurologic outcome did not differ between the IN and OUT groups. However, survival with favorable outcome decreased steadily after one deviation from the decision-making tool. More studies are needed to help select proper candidates with refractory CA patients for ECPR.

Abstract 13900: Combined Use of Venoarterial Extracorporeal Menbrane Oxygenation and Impella Improves the Outcome in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock

Introduction: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) provides benefit to patients in refractory cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock. However, VA-ECMO elevates LV afterload and causes pulmonary edema and LV distension. Additional IABP support has been recommended in Japan to reduce LV afterload. Alternatively, transcatheter left ventricular assist device, Impella has been recently introduced. However, it remains to be evaluated if there is clinical benefit of concomitant use of VA-ECMO and Impella (ECPELLA). Methods: Aim of this single-site cohort study is to assess the effects of ECPELLA as compared with ECMO with IABP in patients who were managed with VA-ECMO due to refractory cardiogenic shock including cardiac arrest. Results: We retrospectively reviewed 253 consecutive patients, who received VA-ECMO from January 2012 to May 2022 in our institute. Among them, 67 patients who were managed with VA-ECMO alone were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups, ECEPLLA (n=68) and ECMO with IABP (n=118). We applied propensity score analysis with 1:1 score matching using dependent variables of age, the rate of sex, acute coronary syndrome, out-of-hospital and in-hospital cardiac arrest, and extracorporeal cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. We assessed 30-day survival rate, hemodynamic data, and safety profiles including acute kidney injury, blood transfusion and embolic cerebral infarction. Results: Following propensity score matching, 60 ECPELLA and 60 ECMO with IABP patients were included for analysis. The 30-day survival was significantly higher with ECPELLA group compared with ECMO with IABP group (ECPELLA: 48% vs. ECMO with IABP: 28%, p= 0.01, log-rank test). There were no statistical differences in ECMO weaning rate and safety profiles between treatment groups. Conclusions: ECPELLA may be associated with improved 30-day survival in patients with refractory cardiac shock including cardiac arrest.

Abstract 271: The Time Dependence Of The Effect Of Extracorporeal Cpr For Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients

Background: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has been considered as a rescue therapy for refractory cardiac arrest patients. However, little is known about who is refractory to conventional CPR and when to judge the initiation of ECPR. Method: We performed a secondary analysis of the nationwide hospital-based prospective observational study (The JAAM-OHCA registry) in Japan. This study included adult OHCA patients aged ≥18 years who had an initial shockable rhythm between June, 2014 and December, 2019. We classified the included patients into the ECPR group or the conventional CPR group based on whether to receive ECPR or not. Low flow duration (LFD) was defined as the time from call to the initiation of ECPR or to the time of return of spontaneous circulation or termination of resuscitation. The primary outcome was 1-month survival with favorable neurological outcomes defined by cerebral performance category 1 or 2. We visually described the nonlinear relationship between LFD and the predictive probability of favorable neurological outcome using a restricted cubic spline by each group. Results: Of 57,754 patients registered in the JAAM-OHCA registry, 3807 patients were included in analyses (ECPR group, n = 865 and Conventional CPR group, n = 2942). In both groups, shorter LFD was associated with favorable neurological outcome. For first 30 minutes, the overall proportion of favorable neurological was higher in the Conventional CPR group, but due to the rapid decrease in Conventional CPR, it dropped down to almost the same probability before 20 min as that of shortest LFD around 25 min in the ECPR group. After that, the probability of favorable neurological outcome was constantly higher in the ECPR group. Conclusion: The judgement of refractory cardiac arrests and decision for ECPR should be delivered before 20 min from call to maximize the probability of favorable neurological outcome for those with an initial shockable rhythm.

Abstract 282: Extracorporeal Resuscitation For Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients: Analysis By Time-Dependent Propensity Score Matching Using Nationwide Database In Japan

Background: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has been focused as a rescue therapy for the refractory cardiac arrest patients; however, little is known about the effect of ECPR on survival. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between ECPR and the survival among the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. Method: This was the secondary analysis of JAAM-OHCA registry which is a nationwide multicenter prospective study collecting the data of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients from July 2012 to December 2019. The study participant were adult (≥18 years) cardiac arrest patients due to internal medical cause. Initial cardiac rhythm was stratified as initial shockable and non-shockable rhythm. Patients received ECPR were sequentially matched with the patients who had not yet received within the same minutes (control) based on the time-dependent propensity scores calculated from the patient characteristics to eliminate the resuscitation time bias. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) of ECPR for the 30-day survival were calculated by conditional logistic model. Results: Of 57,754 patients in the JAAM-OHCA registry, 1,826 matched cohort with initial shockable rhythm (913 treated with ECPR and 913 control) and 740 matched cohort with initial non-shockable rhythm (370 treated with ECPR and 370 control) were eligible for analysis. Their characteristics between with ECPR and control were well balanced. In the matched cohort with initial shockable rhythm, 30-day survival was 24.6% (225/913) in the patients with ECPR and 16.3% (149/913) in the control. In the matched cohort with initial non-shockable rhythm, 30-day survival was 11.9% (44/370) in the patients with ECPR and 2.4% (9/370) in the control. Odds ratio of with ECPR for 30-day survival was 1.76 [95%CI: 1.38-2.25] in shockable rhythm and 5.37 [95%CI: 2.53- 11.43] in non-shockable rhythm, referred to the control. Conclusion: This time-dependent propensity score sequential matching analysis suggested that ECPR was associated with the 30-day survival outcomes among the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with both initial shockable and non-shockable rhythms.

Role of the emergency department in implementing an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital has introduced an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) service with collaboration between ED and ICU teams for refractory cardiac arrest patients. E-CPR is potentially beneficial to patients who do not gain return of spontaneous circulation after conventional advanced cardiac life support treatments, provided specific demographic and biochemical inclusion criteria are met. A joint ICU and ED decision is reached to commence ECMO flow. We discuss our rationale to use the ED and the emergency physician role in leading the multidisciplinary team, with ICU leading the cannulation team. The development of ED processes and the increased availability of this intervention can significantly impact the survivability of refractory cardiac arrest with good neurological outcomes.

Impact of extracorporeal CPR with transcatheter heart pump support (ECPELLA) on improvement of short-term survival and neurological outcome in patients with refractory cardiac arrest – A single-site retrospective cohort study

AimExtracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) using veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a novel lifesaving method for refractory cardiac arrest. Although VA-ECMO preserves end-organ perfusion, it may affect left ventricular (LV) recovery due to increased LV load. An emerging treatment modality, ECPELLA, which combines VA-ECMO and a transcatheter heart pump, Impella, can simultaneously provide circulatory support and LV unloading. In this single-site cohort study, we assessed impact of ECPELLA support on clinical outcomes of refractory cardiac arrest patients. MethodWe retrospectively reviewed 165 consecutive cardiac arrest patients, who underwent E-CPR by VA-ECMO with or without intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) or ECPELLA from January 2012 to September 2021. We assessed 30-day survival rate, neurological outcome, hemodynamic data, and safety profiles including hemolysis, acute kidney injury, blood transfusion and embolic cerebral infarction. ResultsAmong 165 E-CPR patients, 35 patients were supported by ECPELLA, and 130 patients were supported by conventional VA-ECMO with or without IABP. Following propensity score matching of 30 ECPELLA and 30 VA-ECMO patients, the 30-day survival (ECPELLA: 53%, VA-ECMO: 20%, p < 0.01) and favorable neurological outcome determined by the Cerebral Performance Category score 1 or 2 (ECPELLA: 33%, VA-ECMO: 7%, p < 0.01) were significantly higher with ECPELLA. Patients receiving ECPELLA also showed significantly higher total mechanical circulatory support flow and lower arterial pulse pressure for the first 3 days (p < 0.01) of treatment. There were no statistical differences in safety profiles between treatment groups. ConclusionECPELLA may be associated with improved 30-day survival and neurological outcome in patients with refractory cardiac arrest.

Abstract 13434: Chronic Total Occlusions in Refractory Cardiac Arrest Patients

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most frequent cause of cardiac arrest (CA) in adults. Coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs) are associated with an increased risk CA and predict future malignant arrhythmias in CA survivors. Nevertheless, the prevalence of CTOs in patients with CA and especially refractory CA is poorly characterized. We sought to evaluate the frequency and characteristics of CTOs in refractory CA patients included in the Prague-OHCA study. Methods: From 256 patients with refractory CA randomized in the Prague-OHCA study, coronary angiography (CAG) was performed in 181 subjects. Of the 128 patients with significant CAD (defined as more than 50% diameter stenosis in at least one major coronary vessel), 14 had a different primary cause of CA, leading to a study cohort of 114 patients with CAD as the primary cause of CA. 41 patients had at least one coronary CTO, whereas 73 patients had significant CAD without CTOs. Clinical, angiographic parameters, initial management and outcome was compared between the CTO and non-CTO groups. Results: Patients in the CTO cohort were older (59 ±12 versus 54 ±11 years, p = 0.015) and had shorter CA durations (45 ± 25 versus 55 ± 24 minutes, p = 0.03) as compared to patients in the non-CTO cohort. The CTO cohort presented less frequently with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (51 versus 89%, p &lt; 0.0001) and had a higher prevalence of multi-vessel disease (89 versus 51%, p &lt; 0.0001), as compared to the non-CTO cohort. Acute index PCI was performed less frequently in the CTO group (61 versus 86%, p = 0.002). Patients in the CTO group experienced more frequent neurologic recovery (51 versus 32%, p = 0.04), whereas cardiac recovery (63 versus 51%, p = 0.19) and six month mortality (51 versus 59%, p = 0.43) did not differ between the CTO and non-CTO group. Conclusions: CTOs represent a frequent cause of refractory CA. Patients with refractory CA due to CTOs were older with a high prevalence of multi-vessel disease and presented less frequently with an ACS, as compared to patients with significant CAD without CTOs. The observed more frequent neurologic recovery in the CTO cohort is presumably due to shorter CA durations in these patients. Mid- and long-term prognosis did not differ between the CTO and non-CTO cohort.

Outcomes associated with delayed enteral feeding after cardiac arrest treated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and targeted temperature management

IntroductionWhile early enteral nutrition is generally preferred in critically ill patients, the optimal timing of feeding among refractory cardiac arrest patients is unknown. We examined the association between timing of enteral nutrition and patient survival and safety outcomes in patients with refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) who were treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 142 consecutive patients presenting with OHCA due to ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia treated with ECPR and targeted temperature management (TTM). Neurologically favorable survival and clinical outcomes were compared between patients who received early enteral nutrition (<48 h after admission to the intensive care unit) and patients receiving delayed enteral nutrition (initiated >48 h after admission). ResultsEnteral nutrition was initiated in 90/142 (63%) patients. Early enteral nutrition was provided in 34/90 (38%) while delayed nutrition occurred in 56/90 (62%). In adjusted analysis including patients who received nutrition, delayed enteral feeding was associated with increased odds of neurologically favorable survival (29 vs 54%, CI 1.04−7.25, p = 0.04). There were no significant differences in the incidence of pneumonia (18 vs 27%, p = 0.16), gastrointestinal bleeding (5.9 vs 3.6%, p = 0.42), intestinal ischemia (5.9 vs 5.4%, p = 0.90), ileus (12 vs 11%, p = 0.98), or need for tracheostomy (15 vs 20%, p = 0.81) between early and late feeding groups. ConclusionIn patients with refractory OHCA treated with ECPR and TTM, delayed enteral nutrition was associated with improved neurologically favorable survival. Adverse events related to enteral feeding were not associated with timing of feeding initiation.

Impact of door-to-deployment time of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for out-of-hospital refractory cardiac arrest patients secondary to cardiovascular causes

Abstract Background Door-to-balloon time in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction is reported to be an independent predictor of the prognostic implication. However, the effect of door-to-deployment time (DTDT) of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) on patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is unclear. Purpose This single-center, retrospective, observational study aimed to evaluate the effect of DTDT of VA-ECMO for mortality or neurological outcome of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) in patients with cardiogenic OHCA. Method This single-center, retrospective, observational study was conducted from January 2008 to April 2019. The primary endpoint was 1-month overall survival measured after ECMO initiation. Moreover, the secondary endpoint was 1-month survival with favorable neurological functions defined as having a cerebral performance category score of 1 or 2. Result A total of 3082 patients with OHCA were brought to our institution and 84 received ECPR. Of these, 51 consecutive adult patients with cardiogenic OHCA without sustained return of spontaneous circulation during transport were included in this analysis. Approximately 18 patients (18/51, 35.3%) survived after 1 month and were discharged. Among the survivors, 15 (15/18, 83.3%) were discharged with a favorable neurological outcome. The baseline characteristics between the survivors and non-survivors were not significantly different, except for the initial shockable rhythm [18/18 (100%) versus 28/33 (84.9%), P=0.03]. There were no significant differences between the median time from collapse to hospital arrival [31.0 min (IQR 25.0–31.0) versus 29.0 min (IQR 25.0–39.5), P=0.53] and from call to hospital arrival [28.0 min (IQR 22.0–32.5) versus 27.0 min (IQR 23.3–34.5), P=0.56]. The median DTDT of VA-ECMO was significantly shorter in survivors [13.0 min (IQR 11.5–18.3) versus 21.0 minutes (IQR 15.5–32.0), P=0.01]. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that the group with a DTDT ≤20 min had a significantly higher 1-month overall survival rate (P&amp;lt;0.01) and survival rate with a favorable neurological outcome (P=0.01) than that with a DTDT &amp;gt;20 minutes. Using the Cox proportional hazards analysis, DTDT ≤20 minutes and bystander-witnessed significantly affected the overall survival rate at 1 month [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.20–0.95; P=0.03 and adjusted HR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.13–0.74; P&amp;lt;0.01, respectively]. Regarding survival rate with a favorable neurological outcome, the result was relatively similar [adjusted HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.22–0.96; P=0.04 and adjusted HR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.16–0.85; P=0.02, respectively]. Conclusion This study revealed that the DTDT of VA-ECMO is significantly associated with the 1-month mortality and neurological prognosis of patients with cardiogenic OHCA. However, further studies will be required to confirm these findings. Kaplan-Meier survival curve Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Multidisciplinary shock team is associated with improved outcomes in patients undergoing ECPR

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) has been increasingly used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) in select patients. Few centers have published their experience or outcomes with ECPR. The aim of our study was to evaluate outcomes of adult patients in cardiac arrest placed on VA ECMO in the catheterization laboratory. We performed a retrospective analysis of adult patients in refractory cardiac arrest who underwent ECPR at the Minneapolis Heart Institute (MHI) at Abbott Northwestern Hospital from January 2012 to December 2017. Relevant data were obtained from electronic medical records, including arrest to ECMO flow time, total ECMO support time, and outcomes. Twenty-six adult patients underwent ECPR at the study site during the defined time period. Seven patients (27%) sustained cardiac arrest out of hospital, 19 patients arrested in-hospital with eight of those occurring in the catheterization laboratory. Seventeen (65%) patients had initial rhythm of ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia (VF/VT). All patients underwent mechanical CPR with LUCAS device. Overall 30 day and 6 month survival was 69%. Median time from arrest to ECMO flow was 46 mins (21,68) vs 61 mins (36,71) in survivors and non-survivors, respectively. Sixteen of 18 survivors discharged with a CPC score of 1 or 2. We demonstrate that adult patients in cardiac arrest initiated on VA ECMO in the cardiac catheterization laboratory and cared for by a multidisciplinary shock team in the critical care unit have superior long-term survival and functionally favorable neurologic recovery when compared to current literature.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) for Refractory Cardiac Arrest.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) for Refractory Cardiac Arrest.

Evaluating the potential impact of an emergency department extracorporeal resuscitation (ECPR) program: a health records review.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in refractory cardiac arrest (ECPR) is an emerging resuscitative therapy that has shown promising results for selected patients who may not otherwise survive. We sought to identify the characteristics of cardiac arrest patients presenting to our institution to begin assessing the feasibility of an ECPR program. This retrospective health records review included patients aged 18-75 years old presenting to our academic teaching hospital campuses with refractory nontraumatic out-of-hospital or in-emergency department (ED) cardiac arrest over a 2-year period. Based on a scoping review of the literature, both "liberal" and "restrictive" ECPR criteria were defined and applied to our cohort. A total of 179 patients met inclusion criteria. Median age was 60 years, and patients were predominantly male (72.6%). The initial rhythm was ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation in 49.2%. The majority of arrests were witnessed (69.3%), with immediate bystander CPR performed on 53.1% and an additional 12% receiving CPR within 10 minutes of collapse. Median prehospital time was 40 minutes (interquartile range, 31-53.3). Two-thirds of patients (65.9%) were identified as having a reversible cause of arrest and favorable premorbid status was identified in nearly three quarters (74.3%). Our two sets of ECPR inclusion criteria revealed that 33 and 5 patients (liberal and restrictive criteria, respectively), would have been candidates for ECPR. At our institution, we estimate between 6% and 40% of ED refractory cardiac arrest patients would be candidates for ECPR. These findings suggest that the implementation of an ECPR program should be explored.

Abstract 171: Developing an ECPR Program for Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Introduction: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has emerged as a novel treatment for cardiac arrest that is refractory to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). As part of a quality improvement initiative we sought to develop a program at our institution. Hypothesis: ECPR is a feasible and effective alternative means of resuscitation for patients in refractory cardiac arrest. Methods: We developed a multidisciplinary ECPR team consisting of staff from Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Emergency Department, Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery and Critical Care Medicine. Patients with an out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) refractory to medical treatment were identified by EMS and brought to our institution if they met our program selection criteria. The patient was cannulated in the Emergency Department or Catheterization Laboratory, then underwent coronary angiogram with intervention if applicable and was transferred to cardiothoracic intensive care unit (ICU) for further care. Results: From October 1 st 2015 to March 31 st 2018, a total of 1165 out of hospital cardiac arrests occurred, of which five met criteria for our study. Median age was 47 [IQR 32-53] and four were men. Most common arrest rhythm was VF (80%), one patient had ST elevation on EKG. Time from arrest to initiation of ECMO was 63 [IQR 59-69] min with 5 [IQR 3-6] defibrillations and 6 [IQR 6-7] doses of epinephrine administered. Four patients were successfully cannulated (80%). Cannulation time was 21 [IQR 16-33] min, with one patient achieving ROSC during cannulation. All patients underwent angiography, with two patients receiving coronary intervention (40%). ECMO duration was 48 [IQR 38-68] hours and length of stay was 2 [IQR 2-8] days. All patients had an initial Pittsburgh Cardiac Arrest Category of 4. Two patients (40%) survived to hospital discharge with good neurologic function. Conclusions: ECPR is a potentially life-saving alternative treatment to conventional CPR that is feasible in our patient population.

Refractory Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Refractory out of hospital cardiac arrest is a common problem that is associated with poor overall survival rates and neurological outcomes. There are various definitions that have been used but the most accepted one is cardiac arrest that requires more than 10 minutes of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) efforts or more than 3 defibrillation attempts. There have been different pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies that were studied in these patients. None of the antiarrhythmic or vasopressor medications have been consistently shown to improve survival or neurological outcomes in this subset of patients. This has led to the introduction of various devices aimed at improving outcomes such as mechanical CPR devices, Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (ECPR), targeted temperature management and early invasive approach. There is accumulating evidence that there seems to be an improvement in outcomes when these devices are used in refractory cardiac arrest patients. But none of these devices have been shown to improve outcomes when used in isolation. This underscores the importance of systematic approach to these complex patients and using these therapies in combination. There has been a paradigm shift in the approach to these patients. Instead of repeated and prolonged CPR attempts in the field, it is suggested that these patients need to be moved to cardiac arrest centers with a mechanical CPR device in place, so a percutaneous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator (ECMO) can be placed to “buy” time for other therapies such as therapeutic hypothermia and early coronary angiography followed by intervention as indicated. Careful selection of patients who might potentially benefit from this approach is critical to the success of these programs.

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) for emergency cardiac support

PurposeVeno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) may provide benefit to patients in refractory cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock. We aim to summarize our center's 6-year experience with resuscitative VA-ECMO. Materials and methodsA retrospective medical record review (April 2009 to 2015) was performed on consecutive non-cardiotomy patients who were managed with VA-ECMO due to refractory in- or out-of-hospital cardiac (IHCA/OHCA) arrest (E-CPR) or refractory cardiogenic shock (E-CS) with or without preceding cardiac arrest. Our primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge and good neurological status (Cerebral Performance Category 1–2). ResultsThere were a total of 22 patients who met inclusion criteria of whom 9 received E-CPR (8 IHCA, 1 OHCA) and 13 received E-CS. The median age for E-CPR patients was 52 [IQR 45, 58] years, and 54 [IQR 38, 64] years for E-CS patients. Cardiac arrest duration was 70.33 (SD 39.56) min for the E-CPR patients, and 24.67 (SD 26.73) min for the 9 patients treated with E-CS who had previously arrested. Initial cardiac arrest rhythms were pulseless electrical activity (39%), ventricular fibrillation (33%), or ventricular tachycardia (28%). A total of 18/22 patients were successfully weaned from VA-ECMO (78%); 16 patients survived to hospital discharge (73%) with 15 in good neurological condition. ConclusionThe initiation of VA-ECMO at our center for treatment of refractory cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock yielded a high proportion of survivors and favorable neurological outcomes.

Early detection of brain death using the Bispectral Index (BIS) in patients treated by extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) for refractory cardiac arrest

BackgroundDespite increasing use of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) for treatment of refractory cardiac arrest patients, prognosis remains dismal, often resulting in brain-death. However, clinical assessment of brain-death occurence is difficult in post-cardiac arrest patients, sedated, paralyzed, under mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH). Our objective was to assess the usefulness of Bispectral-Index (BIS) monitoring at bedside for an early detection of brain-death occurrence in refractory cardiac arrest patients treated by E-CPR. MethodsThis prospective study was performed in an intensive care unit of an university hospital. Forty-six patients suffering from refractory cardiac arrest treated by E-CPR were included. BIS was continuously recorded during ICU hospitalization. Clinical brain-death was confirmed when appropriate by EEG and/or cerebral CT angiography. ResultsTwenty-nine patients evolved into brain-death and had average BIS values under MTH and after rewarming (temperature ≥35°C) of 4 (0–47) and 0 (0–82), respectively. Among these, 11 (38%) entered into a procedure of organs donation. Among the 17 non-brain-dead patients, the average BIS values at admission and after rewarming were 39 (0–65) and 59 (22–82), respectively. Two patients had on admission a BIS value equal to zero and evolved to a poor prognostic (CPC 4) and died after care limitations. BIS values were significantly different between patients who developed brain death and those who did not. In both groups, no differences were observed between the AUCs of ROC curves for BIS values under MTH and after rewarming (respectively 0.86 vs 0.83, NS). ConclusionsInitial values of BIS could be used as an assessment tool for early detection of brain-death in refractory cardiac arrest patients treated by mild therapeutic hypothermia and E-CPR.

Emergency extracorporeal life support and ongoing resuscitation: a retrospective comparison for refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

BackgroundIn refractory cardiac arrest, with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for more than 30 min, chances of survival are small. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is an option for certain patients with cardiac...

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory cardiac arrest.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is the use of rapid deployment venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to support systemic circulation and vital organ perfusion in patients in refractory cardiac arrest not responding to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Although prospective controlled studies are lacking, observational studies suggest improved outcomes compared with conventional CPR when ECPR is instituted within 30–60 min following cardiac arrest. Adult and pediatric patients with witnessed in-hospital and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and good quality CPR, failure of at least 15 min of conventional resuscitation, and a potentially reversible cause for arrest are candidates. Percutaneous cannulation where feasible is rapid and can be performed by nonsurgeons (emergency physicians, intensivists, cardiologists, and interventional radiologists). Modern extracorporeal systems are easy to prime and manage and are technically easy to manage with proper training and experience. ECPR can be deployed in the emergency department for out-of-hospital arrest or in various inpatient units for in-hospital arrest. ECPR should be considered for patients with refractory cardiac arrest in hospitals with an existing extracorporeal life support program, able to provide rapid deployment of support, and with resources to provide postresuscitation evaluation and management.