Sudden Electrocardiogram Rhythm Changes after Return of Spontaneous Circulation in Porcine Models of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Phenomenological Report.

BACKGROUND: Observation of the electrocardiogram (ECG) immediately following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in resuscitated swine has revealed the interesting phenomenon of sudden ECG rhythm changes (SERC) that occur in the absence of pharmacological, surgical, or other medical interventions. OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify, quantify, and characterize post-ROSC SERC in successfully resuscitated swine. METHODS: We reviewed all LabChart data from resuscitated approximately 4- to 6-month-old swine used for various experimental protocols from 2006 to 2019. We identified those that achieved sustained ROSC and analyzed their entire post-ROSC periods for evidence of SERC in the ECG, and arterial and venous pressure tracings. Presence or absence of SERC was confirmed independently by two reviewers (ACK, DDS). We measured the interval from ROSC to first SERC, analyzed the following metrics, and calculated the change from 60 sec pre-SERC (or from ROSC if less than 60 sec) to 60 sec post-SERC: heart rate, central arterial pressure (CAP), and central venous pressure (CVP). RESULTS: A total of 52 pigs achieved and sustained ROSC. Of these, we confirmed at least one SERC in 25 (48.1%). Two pigs (8%) each had two unique SERC events. Median interval from ROSC to first SERC was 3.8 min (inter-quartile range 1.0-6.9 min; range 16 sec to 67.5 min). We observed two distinct types of SERC: type 1) the post-SERC heart rate and arterial pressure increased (72% of cases); and type 2) the post-SERC heart rate and arterial pressure decreased (28% of cases). For type 1 cases, the mean (standard deviation [SD]) heart rate increased by 33.6 (45.7) beats per minute (bpm). The mean (SD) CAP increased by 20.6 (19.2) mmHg. For type 2 cases, the mean (SD) heart rate decreased by 39.7 (62.3) bpm. The mean (SD) CAP decreased by 21.9 (15.6) mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: SERC occurred in nearly half of all cases with sustained ROSC and can occur multiple times per case. First SERC most often occurred within the first 4 minutes following ROSC. Heart rate, CAP, and CVP changed at the moment of SERC. We are proceeding to examine whether this phenomenon occurs in humans post-cardiac arrest and ROSC.

Injury characteristics and hemodynamics associated with guideline-compliant CPR in a pediatric porcine cardiac arrest model.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for depth of chest compressions in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are based on sparse evidence. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the performance of the two most widely recommended chest compression depth levels for pediatric CPR (1.5 in. and 1/3 the anterior-posterior diameter- APd) in a controlled swine model of asphyxial cardiac arrest. METHODS: We executed a 2-group, randomized laboratory study with an adaptive design allowing early termination for overwhelming injury or benefit. Forty mixed-breed domestic swine (mean weight = 26 kg) were sedated, anesthetized and paralyzed along with endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Asphyxial cardiac arrest was induced with fentanyl overdose. Animals were untreated for 9 min followed by mechanical CPR with a target depth of 1.5 in. or 1/3 the APd. Advanced life support drugs were administered IV after 4 min of basic resuscitation followed by defibrillation at 14 min. The primary outcomes were return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), hemodynamics and CPR-related injury severity. RESULTS: Enrollment in the 1/3 APd group was stopped early due to overwhelming differences in injury. Twenty-three animals were assigned to the 1.5 in. group and 15 assigned to the 1/3 APd group, per an adaptive group design. The 1/3 APd group had increased frequency of rib fracture (6.7 vs 1.7, p < 0.001) and higher proportions of several anatomic injury markers than the 1.5 in. group, including sternal fracture, hemothorax and blood in the endotracheal tube (p < 0.001). ROSC and hemodynamic measures were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: In this pediatric model of cardiac arrest, chest compressions to 1/3APd were more harmful without a concurrent benefit for resuscitation outcomes compared to the 1.5 in. compression group.

Increase in regional cerebral saturation after elective electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation is only transient and without beneficial effects on neuropsychological functioning: cerebral saturation during electrical cardioversion.

We aimed to confirm the positive association between a successful electrical cardioversion (ECV) and increase in SctO2 and investigated whether this increase is persisting or not. Secondary, the influence of a successful ECV on the neuropsychological function and the association with SctO2 was assessed as well. SctO2 was measured continuously during elective ECV using near-infrared spectroscopy. Measurements started before induction of sedation and ended 15 min after awakening. A second measurement took place 4 to 6 weeks after ECV. To assess neuropsychological functioning, patients performed standardized neuropsychological tests before ECV and at follow-up and were compared to healthy volunteers as control group. SctO2 was measured in 60 patients during elective ECV. ECV was successful in 50 AF patients, while in ten patients sinus rhythm was not obtained. SctO2 increased immediately after successful ECV in 50 patients (1% (- 5 to 4); p = 0.031), but not after unsuccessful ECV in 10 patients (- 1% (- 5;3); p = 0.481). This SctO2 change was positively correlated with the instant change in blood pressure (R2 = 0.391; p = 0.004). At follow-up, SctO2 values were no longer increased. Nevertheless, successful ECV improved the patient's quality of life but did not influence neuropsychological functioning at follow-up. A transient, instant SctO2 increase was observed after successful ECV. This temporary increase in SctO2 did not influence the neuropsychological functioning of the patients. Though, the quality of life of patients with a successful ECV improved.

Monitor the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in 2020.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The current review will give an overview of different possibilities to monitor quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from a physiologic and a process point of view and how these two approaches can/should overlap. RECENT FINDINGS: Technology is evolving fast with a lot of opportunities to improve the CPR quality. The role of smartphones and wearables are step-by-step identified as also the possibilities to perform patient tailored CPR based on physiologic parameters. The first steps have been taken, but more are to be expected. In this context, the limits of what is possible with human providers will become more and more clear. SUMMARY: To perform high-quality CPR, at first, one should optimize rate, depth and pause duration supported by process monitoring tools. Second, the evolving technological evolution gives opportunities to measure physiologic parameters in real-time which will open the way for patient-tailored CPR. The role of ultrasound, cerebral saturation and end-tidal CO2 in measuring the quality of CPR needs to be further investigated as well as the possible ways of influencing these measured parameters to improve neurological outcome and survival.

Association between postoperative delirium and postoperative cerebral oxygen desaturation in older patients after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Near-infrared spectroscopy non-invasively measures regional cerebral oxygen saturation. Intraoperative cerebral desaturations have been associated with worse neurological outcomes. We investigated whether perioperative cerebral desaturations are associated with postoperative delirium in older patients after cardiac surgery. METHODS: Patients aged 70 yr and older scheduled for on-pump cardiac surgery were included between 2015 and 2017 in a single-centre, prospective, observational study. Baseline cerebral oxygen saturation was measured 1 day before surgery. Throughout surgery and after ICU admission, cerebral oxygen saturation was monitored continuously up to 72 h after operation. The presence of delirium was assessed using the confusion assessment method for the ICU. Association with delirium was evaluated with unadjusted analyses and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Ninety-six of 103 patients were included, and 29 (30%) became delirious. Intraoperative cerebral oxygen saturation was not significantly associated with postoperative delirium. The lowest postoperative cerebral oxygen saturation was lower in patients who became delirious (P=0.001). The absolute and relative postoperative cerebral oxygen saturation decreases were more marked in patients with delirium (13 [6]% and 19 [9]%, respectively) compared with patients without delirium (9 [4]% and 14 [5]%; P=0.002 and P=0.001, respectively). These differences in cerebral oxygen saturation were no longer present after excluding cerebral oxygen saturation values after patients became delirious. Older age, previous stroke, higher EuroSCORE II, lower preoperative Mini-Mental Status Examination, and more substantial absolute postoperative cerebral oxygen saturation decreases were independently associated with postoperative delirium incidence. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative delirium in older patients undergoing cardiac surgery is associated with absolute decreases in postoperative cerebral oxygen saturation. These differences appear most detectable after the onset of delirium. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02532530.

The Prognostic Value of Simplified EEG in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients.

BACKGROUND: We previously validated simplified electroencephalogram (EEG) tracings obtained by a bispectral index (BIS) device against standard EEG. This retrospective study now investigated whether BIS EEG tracings can predict neurological outcome after cardiac arrest (CA). METHODS: Bilateral BIS monitoring (BIS VISTA™, Aspect Medical Systems, Inc. Norwood, USA) was started following intensive care unit admission. Six, 12, 18, 24, 36 and 48 h after targeted temperature management (TTM) at 33 °C was started, BIS EEG tracings were extracted and reviewed by two neurophysiologists for the presence of slow diffuse rhythm, burst suppression, cerebral inactivity and epileptic activity (defined as continuous, monomorphic, > 2 Hz generalized sharp activity or continuous, monomorphic, < 2 Hz generalized blunt activity). At 180 days post-CA, neurological outcome was determined using cerebral performance category (CPC) classification (CPC1-2: good and CPC3-5: poor neurological outcome). RESULTS: Sixty-three out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients were enrolled for data analysis of whom 32 had a good and 31 a poor neurological outcome. Epileptic activity within 6-12 h predicted CPC3-5 with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100%. Epileptic activity within time frames 18-24 and 36-48 h showed a PPV for CPC3-5 of 90 and 93%, respectively. Cerebral inactivity within 6-12 h predicted CPC3-5 with a PPV of 57%. In contrast, cerebral inactivity between 36 and 48 h predicted CPC3-5 with a PPV of 100%. The pattern with the worst predictive power at any time point was burst suppression with PPV of 44, 57 and 40% at 6-12 h, at 18-24 h and at 36-48 h, respectively. Slow diffuse rhythms at 6-12 h, at 18-24 h and at 36-48 h predicted CPC1-2 with PPV of 74, 76 and 80%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on simplified BIS EEG, the presence of epileptic activity at any time and cerebral inactivity after the end of TTM may assist poor outcome prognostication in successfully resuscitated CA patients. A slow diffuse rhythm at any time after CA was indicative for a good neurological outcome.

Recorded time periods of bispectral index values equal to zero predict neurological outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: Prognostication in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors is often difficult. Recent studies have shown the predictive ability of bispectral index (BIS) monitoring to assist with early neuroprognostication. The aim of this study was to investigate whether characteristics of BIS values equal to zero (BIS 0) (i.e. duration and/or uni- versus bilateral presence) instead of simply their occurrence are better indicators for poor neurological outcome after OHCA by aiming at a specificity of 100%. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2015, all successfully resuscitated OHCA patients were treated with targeted temperature management (TTM) at 33 °C for 24 hours followed by rewarming over 12 hours (0.3 °C/h). In total, BIS values were registered in 77 OHCA patients. The occurrence of unilateral (BIS 0 at one hemisphere) and bilateral (BIS 0 at both hemispheres) BIS 0 values as well as their total duration were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed using the total duration with BIS 0 values calculated from the initiation of TTM onwards to determine poor neurological outcome. RESULTS: In 30 of 77 OHCA patients (39%), at least one BIS 0 value occurred during the first 48 hours after admission. Of these 30 patients, six (20%) had a good (cerebral performance category (CPC) 1-2) and 24 (80%) a poor neurological outcome (CPC3-5) at 180 days post-CA. Within these 30 patients, the incidence of bilateral BIS 0 values was higher in patients with poor neurological outcome (CPC1-2: 2 (33%) vs. CPC3-5: 19 (79%); p = 0.028). The presence of a BIS 0 value predicted poor neurological outcome with a sensitivity of 62% and specificity of 84% (AUC: 0.729; p = 0.001). With a ROC analysis, a total duration of 30,3 minutes with BIS 0 values calculated over the first 48 hours predicted poor neurological outcome with a sensitivity of 63% and specificity of 100% (AUC: 0.861; p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that a prolonged duration with (bilateral) BIS 0 values serves as a better outcome predictor after OHCA as compared to a single observation.

Influence of continuously evolving transcatheter aortic valve implantation technology on cerebral oxygenation.

This study assessed the influence of the evolution in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation technology on cerebral oxygenation. Cerebral oxygenation was measured continuously with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and compared retrospectively between balloon-expandable, self-expandable and differential deployment valves which were implanted in 12 (34%), 17 (49%) and 6 patients (17%), respectively. Left and right SctO2 values were averaged at four time points and used for analysis (i.e. at baseline, balloon-aortic valvuloplasty, valve deployment, and at the end of the procedure). During balloon-aortic valvuloplasty and valve deployment, cerebral oxygenation decreased in patients treated with balloon or self-expandable valves (balloon-expandable: p = 0.003 and p = 0.002; self-expandable: p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). The incidence of cerebral desaturations below 80% of baseline was significantly larger in patients treated with balloon-expandable valves (p = 0.001). In contrast, patients who received differential deployment valves never experienced a cerebral desaturation below 80% of baseline. Furthermore, both the incidence and duration below a cerebral oxygenation of 55% was significantly different between balloon and self-expandable valves (p = 0.038 and p = 0.018, respectively). This study demonstrated that Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation procedures are associated with significant cerebral desaturations, especially during balloon-aortic valvuloplasty and valve deployment. Moreover, our results showed that latest innovations in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation technology beneficially influenced the adequacy of cerebral perfusion.

Is venous congestion associated with reduced cerebral oxygenation and worse neurological outcome after cardiac arrest?

BACKGROUND: Post-cardiac arrest (CA) patients are at risk of secondary ischemic damage in the case of suboptimal brain oxygenation during an ICU stay. We hypothesized that elevated central venous pressures (CVP) would impair cerebral perfusion and oxygenation (venous cerebral congestion). The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between CVP, cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (SctO2) as assessed with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and outcome in post-CA patients. METHODS: This was an observational study in 48 post-CA patients with continuous CVP and SctO2 monitoring during therapeutic hypothermia. RESULTS: The relationship between CVP and mean SctO2 was best described by an S-shaped, third-degree polynomial regression curve (SctO2 = -0.002 × CVP(3) + 0.08 × CVP(2) - 1.07 × CVP + 69.78 %, R (2) 0.89, n = 1,949,108 data points) with high CVP (>20 mmHg) being associated with cerebral desaturation. Multivariate linear regression revealed CVP to be a more important determinant of SctO2 than mean arterial pressure (MAP) without important interaction between both (SctO2 = 0.01 × MAP - 0.20 × CVP + 0.001 × MAP × CVP + 65.55 %). CVP and cardiac output were independent determinants of SctO2 with some interaction between both (SctO2 = 1.86 × CO - 0.09 × CVP - 0.05 × CO × CVP + 60.04 %). Logistic regression revealed that a higher percentage of time with CVP above 5 mmHg was associated with lower chance of survival with a good neurological outcome (cerebral performance category (CPC) 1-2) at 180 days (OR 0.96, 95 % CI 0.92-1.00, p = 0.04). In a multivariate model, the negative association between CVP and outcome persisted after correction for hemodynamic variables, including ejection fraction and MAP. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated CVP results in lower brain saturation and is associated with worse outcome in post-CA patients. This pilot study provides support that venous cerebral congestion as indicated by high CVP may be detrimental for post-CA patients.

What is the value of regional cerebral saturation in post-cardiac arrest patients? A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to elucidate the possible role of cerebral saturation monitoring in the post-cardiac arrest setting. METHODS: Cerebral tissue saturation (SctO2) was measured in 107 successfully resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients for 48 hours between 2011 and 2015. All patients were treated with targeted temperature management, 24 hours at 33 °C and rewarming at 0.3 °C per hour. A threshold analysis was performed as well as a linear mixed models analysis for continuous SctO2 data to compare the relation between SctO2 and favorable (cerebral performance category (CPC) 1-2) and unfavorable outcome (CPC 3-4-5) at 180 days post-cardiac arrest in OHCA patients. RESULTS: Of the 107 patients, 50 (47 %) had a favorable neurological outcome at 180 days post-cardiac arrest. Mean SctO2 over 48 hours was 68 % ± 4 in patients with a favorable outcome compared to 66 % ± 5 for patients with an unfavorable outcome (p = 0.035). No reliable SctO2 threshold was able to predict favorable neurological outcome. A significant different course of SctO2 was observed, represented by a logarithmic and linear course of SctO2 in patients with favorable outcome and unfavorable outcome, respectively (p < 0.001). During the rewarming phase, significant higher SctO2 values were observed in patients with a favorable neurological outcome (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the largest post-resuscitation cohort evaluated using NIRS technology, including a sizeable cohort of balloon-assisted patients. Although a significant difference was observed in the overall course of SctO2 between OHCA patients with a favorable and unfavorable outcome, the margin was too small to likely represent functional outcome differentiation based on SctO2 alone. As such, these results given such methodology as performed in this study suggest that NIRS is insufficient by itself to serve in outcome prognostication, but there may remain benefit when incorporated into a multi-neuromonitoring bedside assessment algorithm.

Regional Cerebral Oximetry During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Useful or Useless?

BACKGROUND: Approximately 375,000 people annually experience sudden cardiac arrest (CA) in Europe. Most patients who survive the initial hours and days after CA die of postanoxic brain damage. Current monitors, such as electrocardiography and end-tidal capnography, provide only indirect information about the condition of the brain during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In contrast, cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy provides continuous, noninvasive, real-time information about brain oxygenation without the need for a pulsatile blood flow. It measures transcutaneous cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (rSO2). This information could supplement currently used monitors. Moreover, an evolution in rSO2 monitoring technology has made it easier to assess rSO2 in CA conditions. OBJECTIVE: We give an overview of the literature regarding rSO2 measurements during CPR and the current commercially available devices. We highlight the feasibility of cerebral saturation measurement during CPR, its role as a quality parameter of CPR, predictor of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and neurologic outcome, and its monitoring function during transport. DISCUSSION: rSO2 is feasible in the setting of CA and has the potential to measure the quality of CPR, predict ROSC and neurologic outcome, and monitor post-CA patients during transport. CONCLUSION: The literature shows that rSO2 has the potential to serve multiple roles as a neuromonitoring tool during CPR and also to guide neuroprotective therapeutic strategies.

Increase in cerebral oxygenation during advanced life support in out-of-hospital patients is associated with return of spontaneous circulation.

INTRODUCTION: By maintaining sufficient cerebral blood flow and oxygenation, the goal of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is to preserve the pre-arrest neurological state. To date, cerebral monitoring abilities during CPR have been limited. Therefore, we investigated the time-course of cerebral oxygen saturation values (rSO2) during advanced life support in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Our primary aim was to compare rSO2 values during advanced life support from patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) to patients who did not achieve ROSC. METHODS: We performed an observational study to measure rSO2 using Equanox (Nonin, Plymouth, MI) from the start of advanced life support in the pre-hospital setting. RESULTS: rSO2 of 49 consecutive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients were analyzed. The total increase from initial rSO2 value until two minutes before ROSC or end of advanced life support efforts was significantly larger in the group with ROSC 16% (9 to 36) compared to the patients without ROSC 10% (4 to 15) (P = 0.02). Mean rSO2 from the start of measurement until two minutes before ROSC or until termination of advanced life support was higher in patients with ROSC than in those without, namely 39% ± 7 and 31% ± 4 (P = 0.05) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: During pre-hospital advanced life support, higher increases in rSO2 are observed in patients attaining ROSC, even before ROSC was clinically determined. Our findings suggest that rSO2 could be used in the future to guide patient tailored treatment during cardiac arrest and could therefore be a surrogate marker of the systemic oxygenation state of the patient.

Cerebral tissue oxygen saturation during arthroscopic shoulder surgery in the beach chair and lateral decubitus position.

Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is a common procedure and can be performed with the patient in the lateral decubitus position (LDP) or beach chair position (BCP). Although the BCP is associated with better visualization and less bleeding, it has also been associated with hemodynamic changes and consequently cerebral hypoperfusion. Devastating events reported after surgery in the BCP were attributed to a combination of the upright position and hypotension. Besides position and blood pressure, ventilator management and type of anesthesia should be taken into account. Near infrared spectroscopy might be able to provide an early warning sign of cerebral hypoperfusion during shoulder surgery in the BCP. It was therefore recommended to continuously monitor cerebral oxygenation in patients undergoing shoulder surgery in the BCP, to potentially prevent devastating outcomes. However, more clinical research on the safe lower limits of cerebral tissue oxygen saturation is needed for this recommendation to gain broad acceptance.

ERC-ESICM guidelines on temperature control after cardiac arrest in adults.

The aim of these guidelines is to provide evidence­based guidance for temperature control in adults who are comatose after resuscitation from either in-hospital or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, regardless of the underlying cardiac rhythm. These guidelines replace the recommendations on temperature management after cardiac arrest included in the 2021 post-resuscitation care guidelines co-issued by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM). The guideline panel included thirteen international clinical experts who authored the 2021 ERC-ESICM guidelines and two methodologists who participated in the evidence review completed on behalf of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) of whom ERC is a member society. We followed the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to assess the certainty of evidence and grade recommendations. The panel provided suggestions on guideline implementation and identified priorities for future research. The certainty of evidence ranged from moderate to low. In patients who remain comatose after cardiac arrest, we recommend continuous monitoring of core temperature and actively preventing fever (defined as a temperature > 37.7 °C) for at least 72 hours. There was insufficient evidence to recommend for or against temperature control at 32-36 °C or early cooling after cardiac arrest. We recommend not actively rewarming comatose patients with mild hypothermia after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) to achieve normothermia. We recommend not using prehospital cooling with rapid infusion of large volumes of cold intravenous fluids immediately after ROSC.

ERC-ESICM guidelines on temperature control after cardiac arrest in adults.

The aim of these guidelines is to provide evidence­based guidance for temperature control in adults who are comatose after resuscitation from either in-hospital or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, regardless of the underlying cardiac rhythm. These guidelines replace the recommendations on temperature management after cardiac arrest included in the 2021 post-resuscitation care guidelines co-issued by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM). The guideline panel included thirteen international clinical experts who authored the 2021 ERC-ESICM guidelines and two methodologists who participated in the evidence review completed on behalf of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) of whom ERC is a member society. We followed the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to assess the certainty of evidence and grade recommendations. The panel provided suggestions on guideline implementation and identified priorities for future research. The certainty of evidence ranged from moderate to low. In patients who remain comatose after cardiac arrest, we recommend continuous monitoring of core temperature and actively preventing fever (defined as a temperature > 37.7 °C) for at least 72 h. There was insufficient evidence to recommend for or against temperature control at 32-36 °C or early cooling after cardiac arrest. We recommend not actively rewarming comatose patients with mild hypothermia after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) to achieve normothermia. We recommend not using prehospital cooling with rapid infusion of large volumes of cold intravenous fluids immediately after ROSC.

European Resuscitation Council and European Society of Intensive Care Medicine guidelines 2021: post-resuscitation care.

The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) have collaborated to produce these post-resuscitation care guidelines for adults, which are based on the 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Science with Treatment Recommendations. The topics covered include the post-cardiac arrest syndrome, diagnosis of cause of cardiac arrest, control of oxygenation and ventilation, coronary reperfusion, haemodynamic monitoring and management, control of seizures, temperature control, general intensive care management, prognostication, long-term outcome, rehabilitation and organ donation.

European Resuscitation Council and European Society of Intensive Care Medicine Guidelines 2021: Post-resuscitation care.

The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) have collaborated to produce these post-resuscitation care guidelines for adults, which are based on the 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Science with Treatment Recommendations. The topics covered include the post-cardiac arrest syndrome, diagnosis of cause of cardiac arrest, control of oxygenation and ventilation, coronary reperfusion, haemodynamic monitoring and management, control of seizures, temperature control, general intensive care management, prognostication, long-term outcome, rehabilitation, and organ donation.

A prediction model for good neurological outcome in successfully resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.

BACKGROUND: In the initial hours after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), it remains difficult to estimate whether the degree of post-ischemic brain damage will be compatible with long-term good neurological outcome. We aimed to construct prognostic models able to predict good neurological outcome of OHCA patients within 48 h after CCU admission using variables that are bedside available. METHODS: Based on prospectively gathered data, a retrospective data analysis was performed on 107 successfully resuscitated OHCA patients with a presumed cardiac cause of arrest. Targeted temperature management at 33 °C was initiated at CCU admission. Prediction models for good neurological outcome (CPC1-2) at 180 days post-CA were constructed at hour 1, 12, 24 and 48 after CCU admission. Following multiple imputation, variables were selected using the elastic-net method. Each imputed dataset was divided into training and validation sets (80% and 20% of patients, respectively). Logistic regression was fitted on training sets and prediction performance was evaluated on validation sets using misclassification rates. RESULTS: The prediction model at hour 24 predicted good neurological outcome with the lowest misclassification rate (21.5%), using a cut-off probability of 0.55 (sensitivity = 75%; specificity = 82%). This model contained sex, age, diabetes status, initial rhythm, percutaneous coronary intervention, presence of a BIS 0 value, mean BIS value and lactate as predictive variables for good neurological outcome. DISCUSSION: This study shows that good neurological outcome after OHCA can be reasonably predicted as early as 24 h following ICU admission using parameters that are bedside available. These prediction models could identify patients who would benefit the most from intensive care.

The prognostic value of bispectral index and suppression ratio monitoring after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the ability of bispectral index (BIS) monitoring to predict poor neurological outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients fully treated according to guidelines. RESULTS: In this prospective, observational study, 77 successfully resuscitated OHCA patients were enrolled in whom BIS, suppression ratio (SR) and electromyographic (EMG) values were continuously monitored during the first 36 h after the initiation of targeted temperature management at 33 °C. The Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scale was used to define patients' outcome at 180 days after OHCA (CPC 1-2: good-CPC 3-5: poor neurological outcome). Using mean BIS and SR values calculated per hour, receiver operator characteristics curves were constructed to determine the optimal time point and threshold to predict poor neurological outcome. At 180 days post-cardiac arrest, 39 patients (51%) had a poor neurological outcome. A mean BIS value ≤ 25 at hour 12 predicted poor neurological outcome with a sensitivity of 49% (95% CI 30-65%), a specificity of 97% (95% CI 85-100%) and false positive rate (FPR) of 6% (95% CI 0-29%) [AUC: 0.722 (0.570-0.875); p = 0.006]. A mean SR value ≥ 3 at hour 23 predicted poor neurological with a sensitivity of 74% (95% CI 56-87%), a specificity of 92% (95% CI 78-98%) and FPR of 11% (95% CI 3-29%) [AUC: 0.836 (0.717-0.955); p < 0.001]. No relationship was found between mean EMG and BIS < 25 (R2 = 0.004; p = 0.209). CONCLUSION: This study found that mean BIS ≤ 25 at hour 12 and mean SR ≥ 3 at hour 23 might be used to predict poor neurological outcome in an OHCA population with a presumed cardiac cause. Since no correlation was observed between EMG and BIS < 25, our calculated BIS threshold might assist with poor outcome prognostication following OHCA.