Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Counterpulsation in the Post-Resuscitation Period is Associated with Improved Functional Outcomes in Patients Surviving an Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Insights from a Dedicated Heart Attack Centre.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, functional survival remains low after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA). Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) therapy has recently been shown to augment cerebral blood flow. Whether IABP therapy in the post-resuscitation period improves functional outcomes is unknown. METHODS: We analysed 174 consecutive patients who were successfully resuscitated from an OOHCA between 2011-2013 at Harefield Hospital, London. We analysed functional status at discharge and mortality up to one year. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients (32.1%) received IABP therapy. Comparing those receiving IABP with those not receiving IABP, there was no difference in favourable functional status at discharge (49.1% vs. 57.1%, p=0.321); and mortality at one year (45.5% vs. 35.5%, p=0.164). Multivariable analyses identified IABP therapy as a strong independent predictor for favourable functional status at discharge (OR=7.51, 95% CI: 2.15-26.14, p=0.002) and this association was maintained in propensity-score adjusted analyses (OR=9.90, 95% CI: 2.11-46.33, p=0.004) and inverse probability treatment weighted analyses (OR=10.84, 95% CI: 2.75-42.69, p<0.001). However, IABP therapy was not an independent predictor for mortality at one year (HR=0.93, 95% CI: 0.52-1.65, p=0.810) and this was confirmed in both propensity-score adjusted and inverse probability treatment weighted analyses. CONCLUSIONS: In this observational analysis of patients surviving an OOHCA, the use of IABP therapy in the post-resuscitation period was associated with improved functional outcomes. This warrants further evaluation in larger prospective studies.

Predictors of survival and favorable functional outcomes after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in patients systematically brought to a dedicated heart attack center (from the Harefield Cardiac Arrest Study).

Despite advances in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), survival remains low after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA). Acute coronary ischemia is the predominating precipitant, and prompt delivery of patients to dedicated facilities may improve outcomes. Since 2011, all patients experiencing OOHCA in London, where a cardiac etiology is suspected, are systematically brought to heart attack centers (HACs). We determined the predictors for survival and favorable functional outcomes in this setting. We analyzed 174 consecutive patients experiencing OOHCA from 2011 to 2013 brought to Harefield Hospital-a designated HAC in London. We analyzed (1) all-cause mortality and (2) functional status using a modified Rankin scale (mRS 0 to 6, where mRS0-3(+) = favorable functional status). The overall survival rates were 66.7% (30 days) and 62.1% (1 year); and 54.5% had mRS0-3(+) at discharge. Patients with mRS0-3(+) had reduced mortality compared to mRS0-3(-): 30 days (1.2% vs 72.2%, p <0.001) and 1 year (5.3% vs 77.2%, p <0.001). Multivariate analyses identified lower patient comorbidity, absence of cardiogenic shock, bystander CPR, ventricular tachycardia/ventricullar fibrillation as initial rhythm, shorter duration of resuscitation, prehospital advanced airway, absence of adrenaline and inotrope use, and intra-aortic balloon pump use as predictors of mRS0-3(+). Consistent predictors of increased mortality were the presence of cardiogenic shock, advanced airway use, increased duration of resuscitation, and absence of therapeutic hypothermia. A streamlined delivery of patients experiencing OOHCA to dedicated facilities is associated with improved functional status and survival. Our study supports the standardization of care for such patients with the widespread adoption of HACs.

Cardiac tumour masquerades as mid-life (menopause) event.

Atrial myxomas are the most common primary cardiac tumours encountered. Their detection may be incidental, owing to embolic events, intracardiac obstructive features or in some cases, non-specific constitutional symptoms. We describe a middle-aged woman attributing constitutional symptoms to menopause, but later determined to be due to an atrial myxoma.

Massive calcium channel blocker overdose: intravenous insulin and glucose as a therapy.

We describe a case of massive overdosage with cardiac medications that proved resistant to conventional support, including fluid replacement, inotropes, mechanical ventilation, cardiac pacing and haemofiltration. The use of a high-dose insulin and glucose infusion proved to be beneficial in the acute management although the patient has been left with significant impairment of cardiac function.

An unusual cause of a pulmonary opacity in a visitor to the UK.

A 64-year-old man, resident in Arizona for 3 years, presented with a week-long history of a dry cough and 'flu-like symptoms'. He had recently been renovating his house. A chest radiograph showed a left mid-zone opacity. Investigations for lung cancer were performed and he underwent CT-guided biopsy of the lesion. A coccidioidal fungus known to cause 'Valley Fever' was isolated. Treatment with fluconazole led to a complete recovery. This fungal infection is endemic in parts of the USA and Mexico and usually presents with respiratory symptoms. Additional complications include disseminated disease and meningitis.

Successful stabilisation of nephropathy in a patient with POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-band, skin changes) syndrome on treatment with mycophenolate and steroids: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Renal involvement in POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-band, skin changes) syndrome is considered to be an under-diagnosed phenomenon with no clear treatment path. The limited literature suggests steroids to be the drug of choice, although improvements are limited and usually reverse on withdrawal of the drug. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old Caucasian woman presenting with features consistent with POEMS syndrome developed progressive renal impairment with proteinuria. Renal biopsy revealed a membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. She was treated with relatively low dose oral mycophenolate mofetil and prednisolone which stabilised her nephropathy and neuropathy. CONCLUSION: We describe an alternative therapeutic option in patients with this serious but poorly understood condition.