Traumatic cardiac arrest is associated with lower survival rate vs. medical cardiac arrest - Results from the French national registry

Neurological outcome of cardiac arrest patients in mountain areas: An analysis of the Northern French Alps Emergency Network

BACKGROUND

Mountainous areas pose a challenge for the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) chain of survival. Survival rates for OHCAs in mountainous areas may differ depending on the location. Increased survival has been observed compared to standard location when OHCA occurred on ski slopes. Limited data is available about OHCA in other mountainous areas. The objective was to compare the survival rates with a good neurological outcome of OHCAs occurring on ski slopes (On-S) and off the ski slopes (OffS) compared to other locations (OL).

METHODS

Analysis of prospectively collected data from the cardiac arrest registry of the Northern French Alps Emergency Network (RENAU) from 2015 to 2021. The RENAU corresponding to an Emergency Medicine Network between all Emergency Medical Services and hospitals of 3 counties (Isère, Savoie, Haute-Savoie). The primary outcome was survival at 30 days with a Cerebral Performance Category scale (CPC) of 1 or 2 (1: Good Cerebral Performance, 2: Moderate Cerebral Disability).

RESULTS

A total of 9589 OHCAs were included: 213 in the On-S group, 141 in the Off-S group, and 9235 in the OL group. Cardiac etiology was more common in On-S conditions (On-S: 68.9% vs OffS: 51.1% vs OL: 66.7%, p < 0.001), while Off-S cardiac arrests were more often due to traumatic circumstances (OffS: 39.7% vs On-S: 21.7% vs OL: 7.7%, p < 0.001). Automated external defibrillator (AED) use before rescuers' arrival was lower in the Off-S group than in the other two groups (On-S: 15.2% vs OL: 4.5% vs OffS: 3.7%; p < 0.002). The first AED shock was longer in the Off-S group (median time in minutes: OffS: 22.0 (9.5-35.5) vs On-S: 10.0 (3.0-19.5) vs OL: 16.0 (11.0-27.0), p = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, on-slope OHCA remained a positive factor for 30-day survival with a CPC score of 1 or 2 with a 1.96 adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-3.75, p = 0.04), whereas off-slope OHCA had an 0.88 adjusted odds ratio (95% CI, 0.28-2.72, p = 0.82).

CONCLUSIONS

OHCAs in ski-slopes conditions were associated with an improvement in neurological outcomes at 30 days, whereas off-slopes OHCAs were not. Ski-slopes rescue patrols are efficient in improving outcomes.

Prediction Models for Return of Spontaneous Circulation in Patients with Cardiac Arrest: A Systematic Review and Critical Appraisal

Objectives

Prediction models for the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in patients with cardiac arrest play an important role in helping physicians evaluate the survival probability and providing medical decision-making reference. Although relevant models have been developed, their methodological rigor and model applicability are still unclear. Therefore, this study aims to summarize the evidence for ROSC prediction models and provide a reference for the development, validation, and application of ROSC prediction models.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Elsevier, Web of Science, SpringerLink, Ovid, CNKI, Wanfang, and SinoMed were systematically searched for studies on ROSC prediction models. The search time limit was from the establishment of the database to August 30, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the literature and extracted the data. The PROBAST was used to evaluate the quality of the included literature.

Results

A total of 8 relevant prediction models were included, and 6 models reported the AUC of 0.662-0.830 in the modeling population, which showed good overall applicability but high risk of bias. The main reasons were improper handling of missing values and variable screening, lack of external validation of the model, and insufficient information of overfitting. Age, gender, etiology, initial heart rhythm, EMS arrival time/BLS intervention time, location, bystander CPR, witnessed during sudden arrest, and ACLS duration/compression duration were the most commonly included predictors. Obvious chest injury, body temperature below 33°C, and possible etiologies were predictive factors for ROSC failure in patients with TOHCA. Age, gender, initial heart rhythm, reason for the hospital visit, length of hospital stay, and the location of occurrence in hospital were the predictors of ROSC in IHCA patients.

Conclusion

The performance of current ROSC prediction models varies greatly and has a high risk of bias, which should be selected with caution. Future studies can further optimize and externally validate the existing models.

Traumatic cardiac arrest - a nationwide Danish study

BACKGROUND

Cardiac arrest following trauma is a leading cause of death, mandating urgent treatment. This study aimed to investigate and compare the incidence, prognostic factors, and survival between patients suffering from traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) and non-traumatic cardiac arrest (non-TCA).

METHODS

This cohort study included all patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Denmark between 2016 and 2021. TCAs were identified in the prehospital medical record and linked to the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest registry. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were performed with 30-day survival as the primary outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 30,215 patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrests were included. Among those, 984 (3.3%) were TCA. TCA patients were younger and predominantly male (77.5% vs 63.6%, p =  < 0.01) compared to non-TCA patients. Return of spontaneous circulation occurred in 27.3% of cases vs 32.3% in non-TCA patients, p < 0.01, and 30-day survival was 7.3% vs 14.2%, p < 0.01. An initial shockable rhythm was associated with increased survival (aOR = 11.45, 95% CI [6.24 - 21.24] in TCA patients. When comparing TCA with non-TCA other trauma and penetrating trauma were associated with lower survival (aOR: 0.2, 95% CI [0.02-0.54] and aOR: 0.1, 95% CI [0.03 - 0.31], respectively. Non-TCA was associated with an aOR: 3.47, 95% CI [2.53 - 4,91].

CONCLUSION

Survival from TCA is lower than in non-TCA. TCA has different predictors of outcome compared to non-TCA, illustrating the differences regarding the aetiologies of cardiac arrest. Presenting with an initial shockable cardiac rhythm might be associated with a favourable outcome in TCA.

Association between out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and survival in paediatric traumatic population: results from the French national registry

Trauma is an important cause of paediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with a high mortality rate. The first aim of this study was to compare the survival rate at day 30 and at hospital discharge following paediatric traumatic and medical OHCA. The second aim was to compare the rates of return of spontaneous circulation and survival rates at hospital admission (Day 0). This multicentre comparative post-hoc study was conducted between July 2011 and February 2022 based on the French National Cardiac Arrest Registry data. All patients aged <18 years with OHCA were included in the study. Patients with traumatic aetiology were matched with those with medical aetiology using propensity score matching. Endpoint was the survival rate at day 30. There were 398 traumatic and 1061 medical OHCAs. Matching yielded 227 pairs. In non-adjusted comparisons, days 0 and 30 survival rates were lower in the traumatic aetiology group than in the medical aetiology group [19.1% vs. 24.0%, odds ratio (OR) 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56-0.99, and 2.0% vs. 4.5%, OR 0.43, 95% CI, 0.20-0.92, respectively]. In adjusted comparisons, day 30 survival rate was lower in the traumatic aetiology group than in the medical aetiology group (2.2% vs. 6.2%, OR 0.36, 95% CI, 0.13-0.99). In this post-hoc analysis, paediatric traumatic OHCA was associated with a lower survival rate than medical cardiac arrest.

Outcomes in traumatic cardiac arrest patients who underwent advanced life support

OBJECTIVE

Survival following a traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) remains poor despite research focused on specific management and guideline adaptation. Previous research has identified factors including age, arresting rhythm, injury severity and distance from hospital to be associated with prehospital TCA outcomes. The present study aimed to review the local incidence of TCA to inform local practice within a mature trauma system.

METHODS

A retrospective trauma database review from 2008 to 2021 was conducted at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. Patients were categorised by prehospital and in-hospital arrest, prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and year in relation to TCA management protocol changes. Descriptive comparative analysis was performed with the primary outcome of interest being survival to hospital discharge.

RESULTS

Survival to hospital discharge was similar in patients in whom TCA occurred in the prehospital environment and hospital (24 vs 29%). Mechanism of injury, response to intervention and location of cardiac arrest were important outcome associations. Patients with a positive focused assessment with sonography in trauma scan were less likely to achieve ROSC but more likely to survive to discharge. The frequency of prehospital interventions remained similar after the guideline changes; with more patients arriving to the hospital with improved haemodynamic parameters and increased survival.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the identification and immediate management of TCA. No patients survived if they did not achieve ROSC by hospital arrival, questioning the role for aggressive management beyond the ED in this cohort. Future research will focus on the identification of patients with potentially positive survival outcomes and further define futile intervention factors.

Delayed Presentation of Spontaneous Shockable Rhythm After Death: Another Subtype of Lazarus Phenomenon?

Lazarus phenomenon was defined as spontaneous circulatory restoration after death. It is important because survival discharge is possible. A 44-year-old woman developed traumatic cardiac arrest. She was declared dead after 30 minutes of resuscitation. Suddenly, pulseless ventricular tachycardia was shown after 6 minutes of death declaration. Resuscitation with epinephrine injection was resumed but was terminated after 7 minutes, and she was declared dead once more. A case where an electrocardiography appears spontaneously should be classified as a subtype of the Lazarus phenomenon. If the transition from asystole to spontaneous shockable rhythm follows a mechanism similar to that of the Lazarus phenomenon, active resuscitation and monitoring for a period of time following death declaration should be considered.

Comparison of in-hospital and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of trauma patients in Qatar

Background

Cardiac arrests in admitted hospital patients with trauma have not been described in the literature. We defined “in-hospital cardiac arrest of a trauma” (IHCAT) patient as “cessation of circulatory activity in a trauma patient confirmed by the absence of signs of circulation or abnormal cardiac arrest rhythm inside a hospital setting, which was not cardiac re-arrest.” This study aimed to compare epidemiology, clinical presentation, and outcomes between in- and out-of-hospital arrest resuscitations in trauma patients in Qatar. It was conducted as a retrospective cohort study including IHCAT and out-of-hospital trauma cardiac arrest (OHTCA) patients from January 2010 to December 2015 utilizing data from the national trauma registry, the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest registry, and the national ambulance service database.

Results

There were 716 traumatic cardiac arrest patients in Qatar from 2010 to 2015. A total of 410 OHTCA and 199 IHCAT patients were included for analysis. The mean annual crude incidence of IHCAT was 2.0 per 100,000 population compared to 4.0 per 100,000 population for OHTCA. The univariate comparative analysis between IHCAT and OHTCA patients showed a significant difference between ethnicities (p=0.04). With the exception of head injury, IHCAT had a significantly higher proportion of localization of injuries to anatomical regions compared to OHTCA; spinal injury (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.5–8.3, p<0.004); chest injury (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.62–4.19, p<0.00), and abdominal injury (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0–3.8, p<0.037). IHCAT patients had significantly higher hypovolemia (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.18–2.35, p=0.004), higher mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.3–1.6, p<0.00), and a greater proportion of initial shockable rhythm (OR 3.51, 95% CI 1.6–7.7, p=0.002) and cardiac re-arrest (OR 6.0, 95% CI 3.3–10.8, p=<0.00) compared to OHTCA patients. Survival to hospital discharge was greater for IHCAT patients compared to OHTCA patients (OR 6.3, 95% CI 1.3–31.2, p=0.005).

Multivariable analysis for comparison after adjustment for age and gender showed that IHCAT was associated with higher odds of spinal injury, abdominal injury, higher pre-hospital GCS, higher occurrence of cardiac re-arrest, and better survival than for OHTCA patients.

IHCAT patients had a greater proportion of anatomically localized injuries indicating solitary injuries compared to greater polytrauma in OHTCA. In contrast, OHTCA patients had a higher proportion of diffuse blunt non-localizable polytrauma injuries that were severe enough to cause immediate or earlier onset of cardiac arrest.

Conclusion

In traumatic cardiac arrest patients, IHCAT was less common than OHTCA and might be related to a greater proportion of solitary localized anatomical blunt injuries (head/abdomen/chest/spine). In contrast, OHTCA patients were associated with diffuse blunt non-localizable polytrauma injuries with increased severity leading to immediate cardiac arrest. IHCAT was associated with a higher mean GCS score and a higher rate of initial shockable rhythm and cardiac re-arrest, and improved survival rates.

Factors Associated With In-Hospital Post-Cardiac Arrest Survival in a Referral Level Hospital in Uganda

BACKGROUND

Cardiac arrest (CA) is still associated with high mortality and morbidity across all practice settings despite resuscitation attempts and advancements in its management. Patient outcomes vary and are affected by multiple factors. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of information on survival after CA and associated factors in low-resource settings such as East Africa where Uganda is located. This study set out to describe post-CA survival, associated factors, and neurological outcome at a hospital in Southwestern Uganda.

METHODS

This was a descriptive study in which we followed up with resuscitated CA patients from any of the selected hospital locations at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in Southwestern Uganda. We included all patients who were resuscitated after an index CA in the operating room (OR), intensive care unit (ICU), the pediatric ward, or accident and emergency (A&E) wards. Details of resuscitation were obtained from resuscitation team leader interviews and patient medical records. We followed up with patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) for up to 7 days after CA when neurological outcomes were measured using the age-appropriate Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) score. Factors affecting survival were then determined.

RESULTS

A total of 74 participants were enrolled over 8 months. Seven-day survival was 14.86%. Eight of the 11 survivors had a CPC score of 1 seven days after CA. Admission with trauma was associated with increased mortality with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 4.06; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19-13.82. Compared to the A&E ward, HR for index CA in OR, ICU, and pediatric ward was 0.15; 95% CI, 0.05-0.45; 0.67; 95% CI, 0.32-1.40, and 0.65; 95% CI, 0.25-1.69, respectively. Compared to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) <10 minutes, the HR for CPR duration between 10 and 20 minutes was 2.26; 95% CI, 0.78-3.24 and for >20 minutes was 2.26; 95% CI, 1.12-4.56. Prevention of hypotension after ROSC was associated with decreased mortality with an HR of 0.23; 95% CI, 0.08-0.58.

CONCLUSIONS

Whereas 7-day survival of resuscitated CA patients at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) was low, survivors had a good neurologic outcome. CA in the OR, CPR <20 minutes, and prevention of hypotension postarrest seemed to be associated with survival.

Survival after traumatic cardiac arrest is possible—a comparison of German patient-registries

Background

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) due to trauma is rare, and survival in this group is infrequent. Over the last decades, several new procedures have been implemented to increase survival, and a “Special circumstances chapter” was included in the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines in 2015. This article analysed outcomes after traumatic cardiac arrest in Germany using data from the German Resuscitation Registry (GRR) and the TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU) of the German Trauma Society. 

Methods

In this study, data from patients with OHCA between 01.01.2014 and 31.12.2019 secondary to major trauma and where cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was started were eligible for inclusion. Endpoints were return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), hospital admission with ROSC and survival to hospital discharge.

Results

1.049 patients were eligible for inclusion. ROSC was achieved in 28.7% of the patients, 240 patients (22.9%) were admitted to hospital with ROSC and 147 (14.0%) with ongoing CPR. 643 (67.8%) patients were declared dead on scene. Of all patients resuscitated after traumatic OHCA, 27.3% (259) died in hospital. The overall mortality was 95.0% and 5.0% survived to hospital discharge (47). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis; age, sex, injury severity score (ISS), head injury, found in cardiac arrest, shock on admission, blood transfusion, CPR in emergency room (ER), emergency surgery and initial electrocardiogram (ECG), were independent predictors of mortality.

Conclusion

Traumatic cardiac arrest was an infrequent event with low overall survival. The mortality has remained unchanged over the last decades in Germany. Additional efforts are necessary to identify reversible cardiac arrest causes and provide targeted trauma resuscitation on scene.

Trial registration

DRKS, DRKS-ID DRKS00027944. Retrospectively registered 03/02/2022.

A novel scoring system using easily assessible predictors of return of spontaneous circulation and mortality in traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

An accident event may necessitate triage of multiple cases of traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (TOHCA). However, factors for prioritizing treatment among multiple TOHCA patients have not been established. This study aims to use easily assessible predictors of TOHCA outcomes to develop a triage scoring system.

METHODS

Patients with TOHCA brought to our hospital by emergency medical services (EMS) were included for analysis to identify independent risk factors for poor outcomes. A scoring system was developed and validated internally and externally.

RESULTS

Of the 401 included patients, 86 (21.4%) had return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for 30 min (81 patients, 94.2%) or 45 min (86 patients, 100%). The emergency department (ED) mortality rate was 89.3% and overall in-hospital mortality rate was 99%. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified body temperature <33 °C (OR, 4.65; 95% CI, 1.37-15.86), obvious chest injury (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.03-4.34), and presumable etiology of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.01-2.98) as significant independent risk factors for non-ROSC. The TOHCA score, calculated as 1 point per risk factor, correlated significantly with the rate of non-ROSC and ED mortality (TOHCA score 0, 1, 2, 3: non-ROSC rate, 63.0%, 80.4%, 90.8%, 100%, respectively; ED mortality rate, 79.5%, 91.5%, 96.1%, and 100% respectively). The results of internal and external validations show a similar trend in both non-ROSC and mortality in the ED with increasing score.

CONCLUSIONS

Termination of CPR for TOHCA after 45 min is reasonable; a 30-minute resuscitation is acceptable in case of insufficient medical staff or resources. The TOHCA score may be able to be used with caution for triage.

Prehospital traumatic cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Circulatory arrest after trauma is a life-threatening situation that mandates urgent action. The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis on prehospital traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) were to provide an updated pooled mortality rate for prehospital TCA, to investigate the impact of the time of patient inclusion and the type of prehospital trauma system on TCA mortality rates and neurological outcome, and to investigate which pre- and intra-arrest factors are prognostic for prehospital TCA mortality.

METHODS

This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA and CHARMS guidelines. Databases were searched for primary studies published about prehospital TCA patients (1995-2020). Studies were divided into various EMS-system categories. Data were analyzed using MedCalc, Review Manager, Microsoft Excel, and Shinyapps Meta Power Calculator software.

RESULTS

Thirty-six studies involving 51.722 patients were included. Overall mortality for TCA was 96.2% and a favorable neurological outcome was seen in 43.5% of the survivors. Mortality rates were 97.2% in studies including prehospital deaths and 92.3% in studies excluding prehospital deaths. Favorable neurological outcome rates were 35.8% in studies including prehospital deaths and 49.5% in studies excluding prehospital deaths. Mortality rates were 97.6% if no physician was available at the prehospital scene and 93.9% if a physician was available. Favorable neurological outcome rates were 57.0% if no physician was available at the prehospital scene and 38.0% if a physician was available. Only non-shockable rhythm was associated with a higher mortality (RR 1.12, p = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

Approximately 1 in 20 patients with prehospital TCA will survive; about 40% of survivors have favorable neurological outcome.

Survival factors in patients of high fall - A 10-year level-I multi-trauma center study

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the characteristics of patients after free falls at the Level-I trauma centers. The factors associated with survival were differentiated.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted at the National Taiwan University Hospital, the Hsin-Chu branch, and the Yun-Lin branch, all accredited as Level-I trauma centers between January 2010 and September 2020. Adult patients with falls from height of more than one story (i.e. 3.6 m) were included. Clinical data were obtained from electronic medical records. Odds ratios (OR) were computed with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for significant parameters for survival.

RESULTS

A total of 371 patients were included. Only 2 survived to discharge with poor neurologic outcomes in 101 patients with OHCA. The overall mortality rate was 98% and 11% in patients with and without OHCA. A higher falling height with a one-meter increase (OR, 1.14, 95% CI, 1.10-1.19) was significantly related to OHCA, especially the height over 6 m (OR, 3.07, 95% CI, 1.19-7.94). A higher trauma injury severity score (TRISS) was significantly related to survival among patients without OHCA (OR, 1.07, 95% CI, 1.04-1.11), especially TRISS≧0.945 (OR, 5.21, 95% CI, 1.28-21.24). Patients without severe head/neck injury of Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS)≧3 (OR, 0.17, 95% CI, 0.07-0.42) were positively associated with survivors among patients without OHCA.

CONCLUSION

Patients with traumatic OHCA following falls had a high mortality rate of 98% and dismal outcomes, compared with non-traumatic OHCA. Falling heights, especially over 6 m was associated with OHCA. Patients without OHCA had a mortality rate of 11%. Patients with a higher TRISS, especially more than 0.945, or without severe head injury had more chances to survive in the non-OHCA group. The study provided the evidence to guide termination of high futility resuscitation for traumatic OHCA secondary to falls to conserve the clinical resources.

Prehospital predictors for return of spontaneous circulation in traumatic cardiac arrest

BACKGROUND

Traumatic cardiac arrests (TCAs) are associated with high mortality and the majority of deaths occur at the prehospital scene. The aim of the present study was to assess, in a prehospital physician-led emergency medical system, the factors associated with sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in TCA, including advanced life procedures. The secondary objectives were to assess factors associated with 30-day survival in TCA, evaluate neurological recovery in survivors, and describe the frequency of organ donation among patients experiencing a TCA.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of all TCA patients included in the French nationwide cardiac arrest registry from July 2011 to November 2020. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors independently associated with ROSC.

RESULTS

A total of 120,045 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests were included in the registry, among which 4,922 TCA were eligible for analysis. Return of spontaneous circulation was sustained on-scene in 21.1% (n = 1,037) patients. Factors significantly associated with sustained ROSC were not-asystolic initial rhythms (pulseless electric activity (odds ratio [OR], 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40-2.35; p < 0.001), shockable rhythm (OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.12-2.98; p = 0.016), spontaneous activity (OR, 3.66; 95% CI, 2.70-4.96; p < 0.001), and gasping at the mobile medical team (MMT) arrival (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.02-1.94; p = 0.042). The MMT interventions significantly associated with ROSC were as follows: intravenous fluid resuscitation (OR, 3.19; 95% CI, 2.69-3.78; p < 0.001), packed red cells transfusion (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.84-3.51; p < 0.001), and external hemorrhage control (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.31-2.30; p < 0.001). Among patients who survived (n = 67), neurological outcome at Day 30 was favorable (cerebral performance categories 1-2) in 72.2% cases (n = 39/54) and 1.4% (n = 67/4,855) of deceased patients donated one or more organ.

CONCLUSION

Sustained ROSC was frequently achieved in patients not in asystole at MMT arrival, and higher ROSC rates were achieved in patients benefiting from specific advanced life support interventions. Organ donation was somewhat possible in TCA patients undergoing on-scene resuscitation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic and epidemiologic, Level III.

Survival after traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Vietnam: a multicenter prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Pre-hospital services are not well developed in Vietnam, especially the lack of a trauma system of care. Thus, the prognosis of traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) might differ from that of other countries. Although the outcome in cardiac arrest following trauma is dismal, pre-hospital resuscitation efforts are not futile and seem worthwhile. Understanding the country-specific causes, risk, and prognosis of traumatic OHCA is important to reduce mortality in Vietnam. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the survival rate from traumatic OHCA and to measure the critical components of the chain of survival following a traumatic OHCA in the country.

METHODS

We performed a multicenter prospective observational study of patients (> 16 years) presenting with traumatic OHCA to three central hospitals throughout Vietnam from February 2014 to December 2018. We collected data on characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients, and compared these data between patients who died before hospital discharge and patients who survived to discharge from the hospital.

RESULTS

Of 111 eligible patients with traumatic OHCA, 92 (82.9%) were male and the mean age was 39.27 years (standard deviation: 16.38). Only 5.4% (6/111) survived to discharge from the hospital. Most cardiac arrests (62.2%; 69/111) occurred on the street or highway, 31.2% (29/93) were witnessed by bystanders, and 33.7% (32/95) were given cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by a bystander. Only 29 of 111 patients (26.1%) were taken by the emergency medical services (EMS), 27 of 30 patients (90%) received pre-hospital advanced airway management, and 29 of 53 patients (54.7%) were given resuscitation attempts by EMS or private ambulance. No significant difference between patients who died before hospital discharge and patients who survived to discharge from the hospital was found for bystander CPR (33.7%, 30/89 and 33.3%, 2/6, P > 0.999; respectively) and resuscitation attempts (56.3%, 27/48, and 40.0%, 2/5, P = 0.649; respectively).

CONCLUSION

In this study, patients with traumatic OHCA presented to the ED with a low rate of EMS utilization and low survival rates. The poor outcomes emphasize the need for increasing bystander first-aid, developing an organized trauma system of care, and developing a standard emergency first-aid program for both healthcare personnel and the community.

Endotracheal intubation versus supraglottic procedure in paediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a registry-based study

BACKGROUND

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in children is associated with a low survival rate. Conclusions in the literature are conflicting regarding the best way to handle ventilation. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of two airway management strategies, endotracheal intubation (ETI) vs. supraglottic procedure, during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on 30-day survival in paediatric OHCA.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, observational, multicentre, registry-based study conducted from July 2011 to March 2018. All paediatric OHCA patients under 18 years of age and managed by a mobile intensive care unit were included. The primary endpoint was 30-day survival in a weighted population (based on propensity scores).

RESULTS

Of 1579 children, 1355 (85.8%) received ETI and 224 (14.2%) received supraglottic ventilation during CPR. We observe a lower 30-day survival in the ETI group compared to the supraglottic group (7.7% vs. 14.3%, absolute difference, 6.6 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3-12.0; propensity-adjusted odds ratio [paOR], 0.39; 95% CI, 0.25-0.62; p < 0.001), and also a poorer neurological outcome (paOR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.19-0.54; p < 0.001). However, we did not identify any significant association between airway management strategy and return of spontaneous circulation (paOR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.80-1.65; p = 0.46).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this large cohort study suggest that ETI in paediatric OHCA, although performed by trained physicians, is associated with a worse outcome, regardless of traumatic or non-traumatic aetiology.

[Cardiac arrest under special circumstances]

These guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) Cardiac Arrest under Special Circumstances are based on the 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Science with Treatment Recommendations. This section provides guidelines on the modifications required for basic and advanced life support for the prevention and treatment of cardiac arrest under special circumstances; in particular, specific causes (hypoxia, trauma, anaphylaxis, sepsis, hypo-/hyperkalaemia and other electrolyte disorders, hypothermia, avalanche, hyperthermia and malignant hyperthermia, pulmonary embolism, coronary thrombosis, cardiac tamponade, tension pneumothorax, toxic agents), specific settings (operating room, cardiac surgery, cardiac catheterization laboratory, dialysis unit, dental clinics, transportation [in-flight, cruise ships], sport, drowning, mass casualty incidents), and specific patient groups (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, neurological disease, morbid obesity, pregnancy).

European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021: Cardiac arrest in special circumstances

These European Resuscitation Council (ERC) Cardiac Arrest in Special Circumstances guidelines are based on the 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Science with Treatment Recommendations. This section provides guidelines on the modifications required to basic and advanced life support for the prevention and treatment of cardiac arrest in special circumstances; specifically special causes (hypoxia, trauma, anaphylaxis, sepsis, hypo/hyperkalaemia and other electrolyte disorders, hypothermia, avalanche, hyperthermia and malignant hyperthermia, pulmonary embolism, coronary thrombosis, cardiac tamponade, tension pneumothorax, toxic agents), special settings (operating room, cardiac surgery, catheter laboratory, dialysis unit, dental clinics, transportation (in-flight, cruise ships), sport, drowning, mass casualty incidents), and special patient groups (asthma and COPD, neurological disease, obesity, pregnancy).

Survival Following Lay Resuscitation

BACKGROUND

Resuscitation by laypersons is important in bridging the time between the occurrence of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and the arrival of emergency rescue service personnel. Depending on the reason for the cardiac arrest, however, the effectiveness of chest compressions is uncertain. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of lay resuscitation on survival following OHCA of different causes.

METHODS

The data set for analysis comprised all cases of cardiac arrest before the arrival of emergency rescue service personnel that were fully documented in the German Resuscitation Registry in the period 2007-2019. The following endpoints related to resuscitation by bystanders were evaluated-separately for each cause-descriptively and by means of multivariate logistic regression analysis: return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), 30 days' survival/discharged alive from the hospital, and good neurological function at discharge.

RESULTS

Altogether, 40 604 cases of cardiac arrest were included. Resuscitation by laypersons was carried out in 35.1% of these cases. The rate of ROSC was statistically significantly higher after lay resuscitation for OHCA caused by cardiac events, drowning, intoxication, or central nervous system disorders (overall 48.1% versus 41.0%). For all causes-with the exception of trauma/bleeding to death and sepsis- the endpoint 30 days' survival/discharged alive was better with lay resuscitation (overall 17.0% versus 9.5%). In multivariate regression analysis, lay resuscitation was associated with improvement of the endpoint 30 days' survival/discharged alive only for OHCA caused by cardiac events (odds ratio [OR] 1.16) or intoxication (OR 1.81). For all other causes-except hypoxia-lay resuscitation tended to yield better results. Neurological function at discharge was also significantly better (overall 11.5% versus 6.1%) after lay resuscitation for OHCA of all causes except trauma/ bleeding to death, hypoxia, and sepsis.

CONCLUSION

Resuscitation by laypersons is associated with an improved result regarding the endpoint 30 days' survival/discharged alive in cases of OHCA caused by cardiac events and intoxication. These two groups account for 81% of the resuscitation patients in the study. Because there was also a tendency towards higher survival rates following OHCA of other causes (except hypoxia), laypersons should continue to be encouraged to attempt resuscitation in all cases of OHCA, whatever the cause.

Impacts of chest compression cycle length and real-time feedback with a CPRmeter® on chest compression quality in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled factorial plan trial

Background

With a survival rate of 6 to 11%, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a healthcare challenge with room for improvement in morbidity and mortality. The guidelines emphasize the highest possible quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and chest compressions (CC). It is essential to minimize CC interruptions, and therefore increase the chest compression fraction (CCF), as this is an independent factor for survival. Survival is significantly and positively correlated with the suitability of CCF targets, CC frequency, CC depth, and brief predefibrillation pause. CC guidance improves adherence to recommendations and allows closer alignment with the CC objectives. The possibility of improving CCF by lengthening the time between two CC relays and the effect of real-time feedback on the quality of the CC must be investigated.

Methods

Using a 2 × 2 factorial design in a multicenter randomized trial, two hypotheses will be tested simultaneously: (i) a 4-min relay rhythm improves the CCF (reducing the no-flow time) compared to the currently recommended 2-min relay rate, and (ii) a guiding tool improves the quality of CC. Primary outcomes (i) CCF and (ii) correct compression score will be recorded by a real-time feedback device. Five hundred adult nontraumatic OHCAs will be included over 2 years. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1:1:1 distribution receiving advanced CPR as follows: 2-min blind, 2 min with guidance, 4-min blind, or 4 min with guidance. Secondary outcomes are the depth, frequency, and release of CC; length (care, no-flow, and low-flow); rate of return of spontaneous circulation; characteristics of advanced CPR; survival at hospital admission; survival and neurological state on days 1 and 30 (or intensive care discharge); and dosage of neuron-specific enolase on days 1 and 3.

Discussion

This study will contribute to assessing the impact of real-time feedback on CC quality in practical conditions of OHCA resuscitation. It will also provide insight into the feasibility of extending the relay rhythm between two rescuers from the currently recommended 2 to 4 min.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03817892. Registered on 28 January 2019

Pre-arrest and intra-arrest prognostic factors associated with survival following traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest - A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To summarize the prognostic associations of pre- and intra-arrest factors with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival (in-hospital or 30 days) after traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

METHODS

We conducted this review in accordance with the PRISMA and CHARMS guidelines. We searched Medline, Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from inception through December 1st, 2019. We included English language studies evaluating pre- and intra-arrest prognostic factors following penetrating or blunt traumatic OHCA. Risk of bias was assessed using the QUIPS tool. We pooled unadjusted odds ratios using random-effects models and presented adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. We used the GRADE method to describe certainty.

RESULTS

We included 53 studies involving 37,528 patients. The most important predictors of survival were presence of cardiac motion on ultrasound (odds ratio 33.91, 1.87-613.42, low certainty) or a shockable initial cardiac rhythm (odds ratio 7.29, 5.09-10.44, moderate certainty), based on pooled unadjusted analyses. Importantly, mechanism of injury was not associated with either ROSC (odds ratio 0.97, 0.51-1.85, very low certainty) or survival (odds ratio 1.40, 0.79-2.48, very low certainty).

CONCLUSION

This review provides very low to moderate certainty evidence that pre- and intra-arrest prognostic factors following penetrating or blunt traumatic OHCA predict ROSC and survival. This evidence is primarily based on unadjusted data. Further well-designed studies with larger cohorts are warranted to test the adjusted prognostic ability of pre- and intra-arrest factors and guide therapeutic decision-making.

Should we resuscitate elderly patients with blunt traumatic cardiac arrest? Analysis of National Trauma Registry Data in Japan

OBJECTIVES

Recent studies suggest that survival after traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) has been improving. Many elderly adults enjoy active lifestyles, which occasionally result in TCA. The epidemiology and efficacy of resuscitative procedures on blunt TCA in elderly patients are largely unknown. Our primary aim was to compare the survival to discharge following blunt TCA between non-elderly adult (ages 18-59 years) and elderly patients (age ≥60 years).

METHODS

We analysed 2004-2015 observational cohort data from a nationwide trauma registry in Japan. We included all adult patients (18 years and older) who experienced blunt TCA. We excluded patients missing data for age, survival, mechanism of injury or initial vital signs. Resuscitative procedures included thoracotomy and resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta. We compared survival for elderly patients (age ≥60 years old) to younger adults.

RESULTS

Of 8347 patients with blunt TCA, 3547 (42.5%) were elderly. Survival differed significantly by age: 164/4800 (3.4%) of younger adults survived whereas 188/3547 (5.3%) of elderly patients survived (p<0.001). Survival increased but Injury Severity Scores (ISSs) declined with increasing patient age. The efficacy of resuscitative procedures did not vary by age. In logistic regression models, increasing age was independently associated with better survival.

CONCLUSION

In a cohort of patients with blunt TCA, survival increased with increasing patient age. A number of patients with low ISS in the elderly group raises the possibility that this improved survival is due to preceding or concomitant medical cardiac arrest in the older cohort. Clinicians should be cautious about applying TCA algorithms to elderly patients and should not be discouraged from resuscitating TCA because of patient age.

Pre-hospital CPR and early REBOA in trauma patients - results from the ABOTrauma Registry

Background

Severely injured trauma patients suffering from traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) and requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) rarely survive. The role of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) performed early after hospital admission in patients with TCA is not well-defined. As the use of REBOA increases, there is great interest in knowing if there is a survival benefit related to the early use of REBOA after TCA. Using data from the ABOTrauma Registry, we aimed to study the role of REBOA used early after hospital admission in trauma patients who required pre-hospital CPR.

Methods

Retrospective and prospective data on the use of REBOA were collected from the ABOTrauma Registry from 11 centers in seven countries globally between 2014 and 2019. In all patients with pre-hospital TCA, the predicted probability of survival, calculated with the Revised Injury Severity Classification II (RISC II), was compared with the observed survival rate.

Results

Of 213 patients in the ABOTrauma Registry, 26 patients (12.2%) who had received pre-hospital CPR were identified. The median (range) Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 45.5 (25–75). Fourteen patients (54%) had been admitted to the hospital with ongoing CPR. Nine patients (35%) died within the first 24 h, while seventeen patients (65%) survived post 24 h. The survival rate to hospital discharge was 27% (n = 7). The predicted mortality using the RISC II was 0.977 (25 out of 26). The observed mortality (19 out of 26) was significantly lower than the predicted mortality (p = 0.049). Patients not responding to REBOA were more likely to die. Only one (10%) out of 10 non-responders survived. The survival rate in the 16 patients responding to REBOA was 37.5% (n = 6). REBOA with a median (range) duration of 45 (8–70) minutes significantly increases blood pressure from the median (range) 56.5 (0–147) to 90 (0–200) mmHg.

Conclusions

Mortality in patients suffering from TCA and receiving REBOA early after hospital admission is significantly lower than predicted by the RISC II. REBOA may improve survival after TCA. The use of REBOA in these patients should be further investigated.

Maximum Value of End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide Concentrations during Resuscitation as an Indicator of Return of Spontaneous Circulation in out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Background: The end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO₂) concentration during resuscitation (CPR) of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has an increasingly well-known prognostic value. Nevertheless, few studies have investigated its maximum value in different etiologies. Methods: It was a retrospective, observational, multicentre study from the French OHCA Registry. All adult OHCA with a known maximum value of ETCO₂ during CPR were included. The primary end-point was to determine the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the maximum value of ETCO₂ during resuscitation for the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Results: Of the 53,048 eligible subjects from 2011 to 2018, ETCO₂ was known in 32,249 subjects (61%). Among them, there were 9.2% of traumatic OHCA, 37.7% of suspected cardiac etiology and 16.4% of suspected respiratory etiology. The AUROC of maximum value of ETCO₂ during CPR to achieve ROSC was 0.887 95CI [0.875-0.898] in traumatic OHCA, 0.772 95CI [0.765-0.780] in suspected cardiac etiology and 0.802 95CI [0.791-0.812] in suspected respiratory etiology. The threshold with no survivors at d-30 was <10 mmHg for traumatic etiologies and <6 mmHg for suspected cardiac and respiratory causes. The probability of ROSC increased with the value of ETCO₂ in the 3 etiologies studied. Conclusions: The maximum value of ETCO₂ during OHCA resuscitation was strongly associated with ROSC, especially in the case of a traumatic cause. This suggests that a single elevated ETCO₂ value, regardless of time, could help to predict the outcome.

Factors associated with the decision to terminate resuscitation early for adult in-hospital cardiac arrest: Influence of family in an East Asian society

Background

We attempted to identify factors associated with physicians’ decisions to terminate CPR and to explore the role of family in the decision-making process.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective observational study in a single center in Taiwan. Patients who experienced in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) between 2006 and 2014 were screened for study inclusion. Multivariate survival analysis was conducted to identify independent variables associated with IHCA outcomes using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

A total of 1525 patients were included in the study. Family was present at the beginning of CPR during 722 (47.3%) resuscitation events. The median CPR duration was significantly shorter for patients with family present at the beginning of CPR than for those without family present (23.5 mins vs 30 min, p = 0.01). Some factors were associated with shorter time to termination of CPR, including arrest in an intensive care unit, Charlson comorbidity index score greater than 2, age older than 79 years, baseline evidence of motor, cognitive, or functional deficits, and vasopressors in place at time of arrest. After adjusting for confounding effects, family presence was associated with shorter time to termination of CPR (hazard ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.46; p = 0.008).

Conclusion

Clinicians’ decisions concerning when to terminate CPR seemed to be based on outcome prognosticators. Family presence at the beginning of CPR was associated with shorter duration of CPR. Effective communication, along with outcome prediction tools, may avoid prolonged CPR efforts in an East Asian society.

Outcome after pre-hospital cardiac arrest in accordance with underlying cause

AIM

In terms of treatment options, the underlying cause of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has an impact on survival. This study aimed to examine the frequencies of different causes of OHCA and their outcomes using data from a national resuscitation registry.

METHODS

All pre-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitations (CPR) documented in the German Resuscitation Registry between 2007 and 2017 were retrospectively investigated with regard to cause of cardiac arrest, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and hospital discharge rate with good neurological outcome. To avoid selection bias, only rescue services with a return rate in the form 'further clinical treatment' of >30% were included, this resulted in a total return rate of 84% of the included data.

RESULTS

In total, 33,772 patients were included. The most common causes of OHCA were cardiac events (62.2%), hypoxia (11.1%) and trauma (3.2%), in 17.2% no or unknown cause were documented. Overall, 44.8% of patients achieved ROSC, 13.1% of patients were discharged alive from hospital and 68.3% of these were in good neurological condition (9.0% of all patients). ROSC rates differed between 8.9% (sudden infant death syndrome) and 64.4% (intracranial bleeding), while discharge rates with good neurological outcome ranged between 0.9% (sepsis) and 14.0% (intoxication).

CONCLUSION

The most common causes of OHCA are cardiac events and hypoxia. Depending on the underlying cause, outcome after pre-hospital CPR varies widely with a survival rate with good neurological outcome ranging from 0.9 to 14%.