Might rapid implementation of cardiopulmonary bypass in patients who are failing to recover after a cardiac arrest potentially save lives?

Effect of Mean Blood Pressure During Extracorporeal Life Support on Outcome After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Objective

Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) can help to improve the outcome of refractory cardiac arrest (CA). ECLS allows to maintain blood pressure and tissue perfusion until the cause of CA is treated. The aim of the present study was to describe the mean blood pressure (MBP) during the first 24 h of ECLS for out-of-hospital CA (OHCA).

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive refractory OHCA requiring ECLS admitted to the intensive care unit. MBP was examined after starting ECLS (H0) and every 6 h during the first 24 h (H6, H12, H18 and H24).

Results

Forty patients were analysed. MBP significantly differs between survivors and non-survivors since 6 h: 77 vs 44 mm Hg (p=0.002), 51 vs 87 mm Hg at H12 (p=0.008), 57 vs 75 mm Hg at H18 (p=0.015) and 79 vs 53 mm Hg at H24 (p=0.004), whereas no difference was observed at H0: 69 vs 55 mm Hg (p=0.06). An MBP lower than 65 mm Hg since 6 h is associated with a poor outcome (sensitivity and specificity of death of 87% and 66% at H6, 80% and 75% at H12, 100% and 75% at H18 and 70% and 80% at H24, respectively).

Conclusion

Despite high levels of catecholamine, the inability to maintain MBP higher than 60 mm Hg after starting ECLS for OHCA is associated with a poor outcome.

Epinephrine administration in non-shockable out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

BACKGROUND

Epinephrine is recommended for the treatment of non-shockable out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) to obtain return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Epinephrine efficiency and safety remain under debate.

OBJECTIVE

We propose to describe the association between the cumulative dose of epinephrine and the failure of ROSC during the first 30 min of advanced life support (ALS).

METHODOLOGY

A retrospective observational cohort study using the Paris SAMU 75 registry including all non-traumatic OHCA. All OHCA receiving epinephrine during the first 30 min of ALS were enrolled. Cumulative epinephrine dose given during ALS to ROSC was retrieved from medical reports.

RESULTS

Among 1532 patients with OHCA, 776 (51%) had initial non-shockable rhythm. Fifty-four patients were excluded for missing data. The mean value of cumulative dose of epinephrine was 10 ± 4 mg in patients who failed to achieve ROSC (ROSC-) and 4 ± 3 mg (p = 0.04) for those who achieved ROSC. ROC curve analysis indicated a cut-off point of 7 mg total cumulative epinephrine associated with ROSC- (AUC = 0.89 [0.86-0.92]). Using propensity score analysis including age, sex and no-flow duration, association with ROSC- only remained significant for epinephrine > 7 mg (p ≤10-3, OR [CI95] = 1.53 [1.42-1.65]).

CONCLUSION

An association between total cumulative epinephrine dose administered during OHCA resuscitation and ROSC- was reported with a threshold of 7 mg, best identifying patients with refractory OHCA. We suggest using this threshold in this context to guide the termination of ALS and early decide on the implementation of extracorporeal life support or organ harvesting in the first 30 min of ALS.

Reduction of Serious Adverse Events Demanding Study Exclusion in Model Development: Extracorporeal Life Support Resuscitation of Ventricular Fibrillation Cardiac Arrest in Rats

Extracorporeal life support is a promising concept for selected patients in refractory cardiogenic shock and for advanced life support of persistent ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. Animal models of ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest could help to investigate new treatment strategies for successful resuscitation. Associated procedural pitfalls in establishing a rat model of extracorporeal life support resuscitation need to be replaced, refined, reduced, and reported.Anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats (350-600 g) (n = 126) underwent cardiac arrest induced with a pacing catheter placed into the right ventricle via a jugular cannula. Rats were resuscitated with extracorporeal life support, mechanical ventilation, defibrillation, and medication. Catheter and cannula explantation was performed if restoration of spontaneous circulation was achieved. All observed serious adverse events (SAEs) occurring in each of the experimental phases were analyzed.Restoration of spontaneous circulation could be achieved in 68 of 126 rats (54%); SAEs were observed in 76 (60%) experiments. Experimental procedures related SAEs were 62 (82%) and avoidable human errors were 14 (18%). The most common serious adverse events were caused by insertion or explantation of the venous bypass cannula and resulted in lethal bleeding, cannula dislocation, or air embolism.Establishing an extracorporeal life support model in rats has confronted us with technical challenges. Even advancements in small animal critical care management over the years delivered by an experienced team and technical modifications were not able to totally avoid such serious adverse events. Replacement, refinement, and reduction reports of serious adverse events demanding study exclusions to avoid animal resources are missing and are presented hereby.

Successful extracorporeal life support in sudden cardiac arrest due to coronary anomaly

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has recently been reported to have a survival benefit in patients with cardiac arrest. It is now used widely as a lifesaving modality. Here, we describe a case of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in a young athlete with an anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the left coronary sinus. Resuscitation was successful using ECLS before curative bypass surgery. We highlight the efficacy of ECLS for a patient with SCA caused by a rare, unexpected aetiology. In conclusion, ECLS was a lifesaving modality for SCA due to an anomalous coronary artery in this young patient.