Non-perfusing cardiac rhythms in asphyxiated newborn piglets

Does ECG monitoring affect resuscitation for neonates with pulseless electrical activity in the delivery room? A simulated, pilot, crossover randomised trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether ECG monitoring impacts resuscitative steps during simulated neonatal resuscitation in the setting of pulseless electrical activity (PEA) in the delivery room.

DESIGN

This pilot, crossover randomised controlled trial recruited providers in teams of three who participated in two simulation scenarios (PEA with and without ECG monitoring). Teams were randomised to one scenario and then crossed over. All sessions were video-recorded. The primary outcome was time to pulse check once the manikin was programmed to become pulseless. The secondary outcomes were total pulse checks, time to positive pressure ventilation, intubation, chest compressions and administration of epinephrine, and teams' quotes and behaviours during resuscitation. The primary outcome was analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival curve. The secondary outcomes were compared with Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The quotes were analysed using content analysis with pattern coding.

RESULTS

Eighty-two healthcare providers were approached and 30 consented (10 teams). The mean time to check the pulse once the manikin was pulseless was 38.5 s (SD 30.1) without ECG vs 88.1 s (SD 46.1) with ECG (p<0.01). There was a significantly decreased number of pulse checks with the ECG compared with without (p<0.01). Time to intubation, chest compressions, start of positive pressure ventilation and epinephrine administration was not different between the groups. Quotes/behaviours revealed false reassurance and over-reliance on ECG monitoring, repeated pulse check errors and troubleshooting behaviours.

CONCLUSIONS

ECG monitoring in simulated neonatal resuscitation results in delayed recognition of a pulseless state, decreased number of pulse checks and a possible false sense of security. Simulated resuscitation clinical endpoints are unaffected.

2024 RECOVER Guidelines: Monitoring. Evidence and knowledge gap analysis with treatment recommendations for small animal CPR

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review evidence on and devise treatment recommendations for patient monitoring before, during, and following CPR in dogs and cats, and to identify critical knowledge gaps.

DESIGN

Standardized, systematic evaluation of literature pertinent to peri-CPR monitoring following Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Prioritized questions were each reviewed by Evidence Evaluators, and findings were reconciled by Monitoring Domain Chairs and Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) Co-Chairs to arrive at treatment recommendations commensurate to quality of evidence, risk:benefit relationship, and clinical feasibility. This process was implemented using an Evidence Profile Worksheet for each question that included an introduction, consensus on science, treatment recommendations, justification for these recommendations, and important knowledge gaps. A draft of these worksheets was distributed to veterinary professionals for comment for 4 weeks prior to finalization.

SETTING

Transdisciplinary, international collaboration in university, specialty, and emergency practice.

RESULTS

Thirteen questions pertaining to hemodynamic, respiratory, and metabolic monitoring practices for identification of cardiopulmonary arrest, quality of CPR, and postcardiac arrest care were examined, and 24 treatment recommendations were formulated. Of these, 5 recommendations pertained to aspects of end-tidal CO2 (ETco2) measurement. The recommendations were founded predominantly on very low quality of evidence, with some based on expert opinion.

CONCLUSIONS

The Monitoring Domain authors continue to support initiation of chest compressions without pulse palpation. We recommend multimodal monitoring of patients at risk of cardiopulmonary arrest, at risk of re-arrest, or under general anesthesia. This report highlights the utility of ETco2 monitoring to verify correct intubation, identify return of spontaneous circulation, evaluate quality of CPR, and guide basic life support measures. Treatment recommendations further suggest intra-arrest evaluation of electrolytes (ie, potassium and calcium), as these may inform outcome-relevant interventions.

Vasopressin versus epinephrine during cardiopulmonary resuscitation of asphyxiated newborns: A study protocol for a prospective, cluster, open label, single-center, randomized controlled phase 2 trial - The VERSE-Trial

Introduction

Current neonatal resuscitation guidelines recommend the use of epinephrine during neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, newborns receiving epinephrine continue to have high rates of mortality and neurodevelopmental disability. The infrequent need for neonatal CPR, coupled with an inability to consistently anticipate which newborn infants are at risk of requiring CPR, explains the lack of high-quality evidence (i.e., large randomized clinical trials) to better guide healthcare providers in their resuscitative effort. Therefore, we need neonatal data to determine the optimal vasopressor therapy during neonatal CPR. The current pilot trial will examine the efficacy of vasopressin versus epinephrine during CPR of asphyxiated newborn infants.

Methods and analysis

The trial will be a prospective, cluster, open label, single-center, randomized controlled trial on two alternative cardiovascular supportive medications. This study will assess the primary outcome of time to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in newborns requiring CPR in the delivery room who were treated with either vasopressin (intervention) or epinephrine (control). Secondary outcomes such as infant mortality and other clinical outcome measures will also be collected. An estimated 20 newborns will be recruited, and comparisons will be made between asphyxiated infants treated with either drugs.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Board at the University of Alberta (June 16, 2023). Study findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences, and communicated to relevant participants and stakeholders.Trial registration: ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: NCT05738148. Registered February 21, 2023.

Pathophysiology of Perinatal Asphyxia in Humans and Animal Models

Perinatal asphyxia is caused by lack of oxygen delivery (hypoxia) to end organs due to an hypoxemic or ischemic insult occurring in temporal proximity to labor (peripartum) or delivery (intrapartum). Hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy is the clinical manifestation of hypoxic injury to the brain and is usually graded as mild, moderate, or severe. The search for useful biomarkers to precisely predict the severity of lesions in perinatal asphyxia and hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a field of increasing interest. As pathophysiology is not fully comprehended, the gold standard for treatment remains an active area of research. Hypothermia has proven to be an effective neuroprotective strategy and has been implemented in clinical routine. Current studies are exploring various add-on therapies, including erythropoietin, xenon, topiramate, melatonin, and stem cells. This review aims to perform an updated integration of the pathophysiological processes after perinatal asphyxia in humans and animal models to allow us to answer some questions and provide an interim update on progress in this field.

Is Chest Compression Superimposed with Sustained Inflation during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation an Alternative to 3:1 Compression to Ventilation Ratio in Newborn Infants?

Approximately 0.1% for term and 10-15% of preterm infants receive chest compression (CC) in the delivery room, with high incidence of mortality and neurologic impairment. The poor prognosis associated with receiving CC in the delivery room has raised concerns as to whether specifically-tailored cardiopulmonary resuscitation methods are needed. The current neonatal resuscitation guidelines recommend a 3:1 compression:ventilation ratio; however, the most effective approach to deliver chest compression is unknown. We recently demonstrated that providing continuous chest compression superimposed with a high distending pressure or sustained inflation significantly reduced time to return of spontaneous circulation and mortality while improving respiratory and cardiovascular parameters in asphyxiated piglet and newborn infants. This review summarizes the current available evidence of continuous chest compression superimposed with a sustained inflation.

Delivery Room Management of Asphyxiated Term and Near-Term Infants

Approximately 800,000 newborns die annually due to birth asphyxia. The resuscitation of asphyxiated term newly born infants often occurs unexpected and is challenging for healthcare providers as it demands experience and knowledge in neonatal resuscitation. Current neonatal resuscitation guidelines often focus on resuscitation of extremely and/or very preterm infants; however, the recommendations for asphyxiated term newborn infants differ in some aspects to those for preterm infants (i.e., respiratory support, supplemental oxygen, and temperature management). Since the update of the neonatal resuscitation guidelines in 2015, several studies examining various resuscitation approaches to improve the outcome of asphyxiated infants have been published. In this review, we discuss current recommendations and recent findings and provide an overview of delivery room management of asphyxiated term newborn infants.

Bradycardia at the onset of pulseless electrical activity arrests in hospitalized patients is associated with improved survival to discharge

Background

Recent studies have suggested that the incidence of in-hospital pulseless electrical activity (PEA) arrests is increasing. Bradycardia in patients with in-hospital PEA is common but it is unknown if it is associated with respiratory arrest or patient outcomes.

Objective

To determine risk factors and outcomes associated with bradycardic-PEA arrests, and relationship between bradycardia and respiratory arrest.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of all inpatient cardiac arrests at an academic medical center over a four-year period. Patient demographics, comorbidities, vital signs, arrest event data, and outcomes were abstracted from the medical record. PEA arrest was defined as a non-shockable rhythm with loss of pulse requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation and having organized electrocardiographic activity. Bradycardia was classified as a HR < 60 bpm at the time of pulse loss. The primary outcomes were survival of arrest and survival to hospital discharge.

Results

Between July 2013 and August 2017, there were 176 in-hospital patients with PEA arrests. While 105 (59.7%) survived the arrest, only 38 (21.6%) survived to discharge. A total of 66 (37.5%) were bradycardic-PEA arrests. Patients with bradycardic PEA arrests were no more likely to have their arrest precipitated by respiratory failure than non-bradycardic PEA patients (36.4% vs 27.3%, P = 0.24), but patients with non-bradycardic PEA arrests were more likely to have a CIED than non-bradycardic PEA patients (14.5% vs 3.0%, P = 0.02). On multivariate analysis, bradycardic PEA was associated with improved survival to hospital discharge (OR = 3.31, 95% CI: 1.41–7.79, p = 0.006), but not survival of arrest (OR 1.45, 95% CI: 0.68–3.09, p = 0.34). Respiratory arrest was an independent predictor of survival of code (OR 2.62, 95% CI: 1.36–5.47, P = 0.01) and to hospital discharge (OR 3.47, 95% CI: 1.35–8.91, P = 0.01). Other predictors of survival to discharge include history of coronary artery disease, and non-use of epinephrine, atropine, and sodium bicarbonate.

Conclusion

In a retrospective study of hospitalized patients in the intensive care unit and non-intensive care, bradycardia at the time of PEA cardiac arrest was associated with improved survival to hospital discharge but not survival of arrest. Respiratory arrest was an independent predictor of survival, but there was no association between respiratory arrest and bradycardic PEA arrest.

Evaluation of a Tap-Based Smartphone App for Heart Rate Assessment During Asphyxia in a Porcine Model of Neonatal Resuscitation

Objectives: Heart rate (HR) is the most significant parameter to assess a newborn's clinical status at birth. Recently, novel technologies including smartphone applications have been suggested for HR assessment during neonatal resuscitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy, speed, and precision of the NeoTapLifeSupport (NeoTapLS) smartphone application using a digital stethoscope (DS) for HR assessment during neonatal resuscitation. Design: Newborn piglets (n = 20, 1-3 days, 1.7-2.4 kg) were anesthetized, intubated, mechanically ventilated, and subjected to 30 min of hypoxia, followed by asphyxia. Asphyxia was induced by clamping the endotracheal tube and disconnecting the ventilator, until asystole was confirmed by zero carotid blood flow (CBF). Setting: Experimental setting. Subjects: Asphyxia-induced newborn piglets. Interventions: During asphyxia, HR assessments were performed with a DS using the NeoTapLS smartphone application, and compared to 6-s method (6 s), and 10-s method (10 s). Measurements and Main Results: Accuracy of obtained HRs was compared to CBF and electrocardiogram and assessment time using NeoTapLS, 6 s, and 10 s were also measured. The mean(SD) HR with the NeoTapLS was 68(26), compared to CBF with 68(27) bpm, 6 s with 68(27), and 10 s with 66(26) bpm during asphyxia. Bland-Altman analysis revealed no difference between HR using the NeoTapLS, 6 s, 10 s, compared to CBF HR, with NeoTapLS showing the smallest difference between 95% limits of agreement. The median (IQR) time required to obtain a HR using the NeoTapLS was 3(2-4) s, compared to 6(6-7), and 10(10-11) s for 6 and 10 s, respectively. Conclusions: Our data suggests that the NeoTapLS is accurate, fast, and precise during neonatal asphyxia to assess heart rate.