Electrical storm treatment by percutaneous stellate ganglion block: the STAR study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: An electrical storm (ES) is a clinical emergency with a paucity of established treatment options. Despite initial encouraging reports about the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous stellate ganglion block (PSGB), many questions remained unsettled and evidence from a prospective multicentre study was still lacking. For these purposes, the STAR study was designed. METHODS: This is a multicentre observational study enrolling patients suffering from an ES refractory to standard treatment from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2023. The primary outcome was the reduction of treated arrhythmic events by at least 50% comparing the 12 h following PSGB with the 12 h before the procedure. STAR operators were specifically trained to both the anterior anatomical and the lateral ultrasound-guided approach. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients from 19 centres were enrolled and underwent 184 PSGBs. Patients were mainly male (83.2%) with a median age of 68 (63.8-69.2) years and a depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (25.0 ± 12.3%). The primary outcome was reached in 92% of patients, and the median reduction of arrhythmic episodes between 12 h before and after PSGB was 100% (interquartile range -100% to -92.3%). Arrhythmic episodes requiring treatment were significantly reduced comparing 12 h before the first PSGB with 12 h after the last procedure [six (3-15.8) vs. 0 (0-1), P < .0001] and comparing 1 h before with 1 h after each procedure [2 (0-6) vs. 0 (0-0), P < .001]. One major complication occurred (0.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this large, prospective, multicentre study provide evidence in favour of the effectiveness and safety of PSGB for the treatment of refractory ES.

Continuous stellate ganglion block for ventricular arrhythmias: case series, systematic review, and differences from thoracic epidural anaesthesia.

AIMS: Percutaneous stellate ganglion block (PSGB) through single-bolus injection and thoracic epidural anaesthesia (TEA) have been proposed for the acute management of refractory ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). However, data on continuous PSGB (C-PSGB) are scant. The aim of this study is to report our dual-centre experience with C-PSGB and to perform a systematic review on C-PSGB and TEA. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients receiving C-PSGB at two centres were enrolled. The systematic literature review follows the latest Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. Our case series (26 patients, 88% male, 60 ± 16 years, all with advanced structural heart disease, left ventricular ejection fraction 23 ± 11%, 32 C-PSGBs performed, with a median duration of 3 days) shows that C-PSGB is feasible and safe and leads to complete VAs suppression in 59% and to overall clinical benefit in 94% of cases. Overall, 61 patients received 68 C-PSGBs and 22 TEA, with complete VA suppression in 63% of C-PSGBs (61% of patients). Most TEA procedures (55%) were performed on intubated patients, as opposed to 28% of C-PSGBs (P = 0.02); 63% of cases were on full anticoagulation at C-PSGB, none at TEA (P < 0.001). Ropivacaine and lidocaine were the most used drugs for C-PSGB, and the available data support a starting dose of 12 and 100 mg/h, respectively. No major complications occurred, yet TEA discontinuation rate due to side effects was higher than C-PSGB (18 vs. 1%, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Continuous PSGB seems feasible, safe, and effective for the acute management of refractory VAs. The antiarrhythmic effect may be accomplished with less concerns for concomitant anticoagulation compared with TEA and with a lower side-effect related discontinuation rate.

Statin and Postcardiac Surgery Atrial Fibrillation Prevention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a frequently reported postcardiac surgery complication leading to increased in-hospital and long-term mortality rates. Many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have recently suggested using statins to protect against POAF. Therefore, we performed a systematic literature search and meta-analysis in electronic databases for eligible studies published between January 2006 and January 2022. The principal inclusion criteria were as follows: RCTs' study design, statin-naive patients, total study participants ≥50 units, and statin pretreatment started no more than 21 days before cardiac surgery. In the primary analysis, statin pretreatment reduced the incidence of POAF compared with placebo. Analyzing different molecules, atorvastatin was associated with lower incidence of POAF but rosuvastatin was not. We therefore performed a sensitivity analysis excluding RCTs affected by important risk of biases. Thus, studies whose participants were ≥199 were those eligible for the secondary analysis. No statistically significant difference between statin pretreatment and placebo (OR 0.87; 95% CI: 0.71-1.07, P = 0.18) as well as for atorvastatin (OR 0.88; 95% CI: 0.61-1.28; P = 0.48; I 2 = 84%) and rosuvastatin (OR 0.87; 95% CI: 0.68-1.12, P = 0.29) was observed. To conclude, statin pretreatment before cardiac surgery is not associated with a significant reduction in POAF occurrence.

Anatomical-based percutaneous left stellate ganglion block in patients with drug-refractory electrical storm and structural heart disease: a single-centre case series.

AIMS: The adoption of percutaneous stellate ganglion blockade for the treatment of drug-refractory electrical storm (ES) has been increasingly reported; however, the time of onset of the anti-arrhythmic effects, the safety of a purely anatomical approach in conscious patients and the additional benefit of repeated procedures remain unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study included consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous left stellate ganglion blockade (PLSGB) in our centre for drug-refractory ES. Lidocaine, bupivacaine, or a combination of both were injected in the vicinity of the left stellate ganglion. Overall, 18 PLSGBs were performed in 11 patients (age 69 ± 13 years; 63.6% men, left ventricular ejection fraction 31.6 ± 16%). Seven patients received only one PLSGB; three underwent two procedures and one required three PLSGB and two continuous infusions to control ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). All PLSGBs were performed with an anatomical approach; lidocaine, alone, or in combination was used in 77.7% of the procedures. The median burden of VAs 1 h after each block was zero compared with five in the hour before (P < 0.001); 83% of the patients were free from VAs; the efficacy at 24 h increased with repeated blocks. The anti-arrhythmic efficacy of PLSGB was not related to anisocoria. No procedure-related complications were reported. CONCLUSION: Anatomical-based PLSGB is a safe and rapidly effective treatment for refractory ES; repeated blocks provide additional benefits. Percutaneous left stellate ganglion blockade should be considered for stabilizing patients to allow further ES management.

Validation of Utstein-Based score to predict return of spontaneous circulation (UB-ROSC) in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Utstein Based-ROSC (UB-ROSC) score has been developed to predict ROSC in OHCA victims. Aim of the study was to validate the UB-ROSC score using two Utstein-based OHCA registries: the SWiss REgistry of Cardiac Arrest (SWISSRECA) and the Lombardia Cardiac Arrest Registry (Lombardia CARe), northern Italy. METHODS: Consecutive patients with OHCA of any etiology occurring between January 1st, 2019 and December 31st 2021 were included in this retrospective validation study. UB-ROSC score was computed for each patient and categorized in one of three subgroups: low, medium or high likelihood of ROSC according to the UB-ROSC cut-offs (≤-19; -18 to 12; ≥13). To assess the performance of the UB-ROSC score in this new cohort, we assessed both discrimination and calibration. The score was plotted against the survival to hospital admission. RESULTS: A total of 12.577 patients were included in the study. A sustained ROSC was obtained in 2.719 patients (22%). The UB-ROSC model resulted well calibrated and showed a good discrimination (AUC 0.71, 95% CI 0.70-0.72). In the low likelihood subgroup of UB-ROSC, only 10% of patients achieved ROSC, whereas the proportion raised to 36% for a score between -18 and 12 (OR 5.0, 95% CI 2.9-8.6, p < 0.001) and to 85% for a score ≥13 (OR 49.4, 95% CI 14.3-170.6, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: UB-ROSC score represents a reliable tool to predict ROSC probability in OHCA patients. Its application may help the medical decision-making process, providing a realistic stratification of the probability for ROSC.

Amplitude spectral area of ventricular fibrillation can discriminate survival of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Background: Evidence of the association between AMplitude Spectral Area (AMSA) of ventricular fibrillation and outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is limited to short-term follow-up. In this study, we assess whether AMSA can stratify the risk of death or poor neurological outcome at 30 days and 1 year after OHCA in patients with an initial shockable rhythm or with an initial non-shockable rhythm converted to a shockable one. Methods: This is a multicentre retrospective study of prospectively collected data in two European Utstein-based OHCA registries. We included all cases of OHCAs with at least one manual defibrillation. AMSA values were calculated after data extraction from the monitors/defibrillators used in the field by using a 2-s pre-shock electrocardiogram interval. The first detected AMSA value, the maximum value, the average value, and the minimum value were computed, and their outcome prediction accuracy was compared. Multivariable Cox regression models were run for both 30-day and 1-year deaths or poor neurological outcomes. Neurological cerebral performance category 1-2 was considered a good neurological outcome. Results: Out of the 578 patients included, 494 (85%) died and 10 (2%) had a poor neurological outcome at 30 days. All the AMSA values considered (first value, maximum, average, and minimum) were significantly higher in survivors with good neurological outcome at 30 days. The average AMSA showed the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.778, 95% CI: 0.7-0.8, p < 0.001). After correction for confounders, the highest tertiles of average AMSA (T3 and T2) were significantly associated with a lower risk of death or poor neurological outcome compared with T1 both at 30 days (T2: HR 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9, p = 0.01; T3: HR 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9, p = 0.02) and at 1 year (T2: HR 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9, p = 0.01; T3: HR 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9, p = 0.01). Among survivors at 30 days, a higher AMSA was associated with a lower risk of mortality or poor neurological outcome at 1 year (T3: HR 0.03, 95% CI: 0-0.3, p = 0.02). Discussion: Lower AMSA values were significantly and independently associated with the risk of death or poor neurological outcome at 30 days and at 1 year in OHCA patients with either an initial shockable rhythm or a conversion rhythm from non-shockable to shockable. The average AMSA value had the strongest association with prognosis.

Impact of sex and role of coronary artery disease in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest presenting with refractory ventricular arrhythmias.

Introduction: There are limited data on sex-related differences in out-of hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) with refractory ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and, in particular, about their relationship with cardiovascular risk profile and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Purpose: Aim of this study was to characterize sex-related differences in clinical presentation, cardiovascular risk profile, CAD prevalence, and outcome in OHCA victims presenting with refractory VA. Methods: All OHCAs with shockable rhythm that occurred between 2015 and 2019 in the province of Pavia (Italy) and in the Canton Ticino (Switzerland) were included. Results: Out of 680 OHCAs with first shockable rhythm, 216 (33%) had a refractory VA. OHCA patients with refractory VA were younger and more often male. Males with refractory VA had more often a history of CAD (37% vs. 21%, p 0.03). In females, refractory VA were less frequent (M : F ratio 5 : 1) and no significant differences in cardiovascular risk factor prevalence or clinical presentation were observed. Male patients with refractory VA had a significantly lower survival at hospital admission and at 30 days as compared to males without refractory VA (45% vs. 64%, p < 0.001 and 24% vs. 49%, p < 0.001, respectively). Whereas in females, no significant survival difference was observed. Conclusions: In OHCA patients presenting with refractory VA the prognosis was significantly poorer for male patients. The refractoriness of arrhythmic events in the male population was probably due to a more complex cardiovascular profile and in particular due to a pre-existing CAD. In females, OHCA with refractory VA were less frequent and no correlation with a specific cardiovascular risk profile was observed.

aMplitude spectral area of ventricular fibrillation and amiOdarone Study in patients with out-of-hospital cArdIaC arrest. The MOSAIC study.

Objective: Antiarrhythmic drugs are recommended for out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with shock-refractory ventricular fibrillation (VF). Amplitude Spectral Area (AMSA) of VF is a quantitative waveform measure that describes the amplitude-weighted mean frequency of VF, it correlates with intramyocardial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration, it is a predictor of shock efficacy and an emerging indicator to guide defibrillation and resuscitation efforts. How AMSA might be influenced by amiodarone administration is unknown. Methods: In this international multicentre observational study, all OHCAs receiving at least one shock were included. AMSA values were calculated by retrospectively analysing the pre-shock ECG interval of 2 s. Multivariable models were run and a propensity score based on the probability of receiving amiodarone was created to compare two randomly matched samples. Results: 2,077 shocks were included: 1,407 in the amiodarone group and 670 in the non-amiodarone group. AMSA values were lower in the amiodarone group [8.8 (6-12.7) mV·Hz vs. 9.8 (6-14) mV·Hz, p = 0.035]. In two randomly matched propensity score-based groups of 261 shocks, AMSA was lower in the amiodarone group [8.2 (5.8-13.5) mV·Hz vs. 9.6 (5.6-11.6), p = 0.042]. AMSA was a predictor of shock success in both groups but the predictive power was lower in the amiodarone group [Area Under the Curve (AUC) non-amiodarone group 0.812, 95%CI: 0.78-0.841 vs. AUC amiodarone group 0.706, 95%CI: 0.68-0.73; p < 0.001]. Conclusions: Amiodarone administration was independently associated with the probability of recording lower values of AMSA. In patients who have received amiodarone during cardiac arrest the predictive value of AMSA for shock success is significantly lower, but still statistically significant.

Association Between Postresuscitation 12-Lead ECG Features and Early Mortality After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Post Hoc Subanalysis of the PEACE Study.

Background Once the return of spontaneous circulation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is achieved, a 12-lead ECG is strongly recommended to identify candidates for urgent coronary angiography. ECG has no apparent role in mortality risk stratification. We aimed to assess whether ECG features could be associated with 30-day survival in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods and Results All the post-return of spontaneous circulation ECGs from January 2015 to December 2018 in 3 European centers (Pavia, Lugano, and Vienna) were collected. Prehospital data were collected according to the Utstein style. A total of 370 ECGs were collected: 287 men (77.6%) with a median age of 62 years (interquartile range, 53-70 years). After correction for the return of spontaneous circulation-to-ECG time, age >62 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.78 [95% CI, 1.21-2.61]; P=0.003), female sex (HR, 1.5 [95% CI, 1.05-2.13]; P=0.025), QRS wider than 120 ms (HR, 1.64 [95% CI, 1.43-1.87]; P<0.001), the presence of a Brugada pattern (HR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.39-1.59]; P<0.001), and the presence of ST-segment elevation in >1 segment (HR, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.59-1.93]; P<0.001) were independently associated with 30-day mortality. A score ranging from 0 to 26 was created, and by dividing the population into 3 tertiles, 3 classes of risk were found with significantly different survival rate at 30 days (score 0-4, 73%; score 5-7, 66%; score 8-26, 45%). Conclusions The post-return of spontaneous circulation ECG can identify patients who are at high risk of mortality after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest earlier than other forms of prognostication. This provides important risk stratification possibilities in postcardiac arrest care that could help to direct treatments and improve outcomes in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Amplitude spectral area of ventricular fibrillation and defibrillation success at low energy in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

The optimal energy for defibrillation has not yet been identified and very often the maximum energy is delivered. We sought to assess whether amplitude spectral area (AMSA) of ventricular fibrillation (VF) could predict low energy level defibrillation success in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. This is a multicentre international study based on retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. We included all OHCAs with at least one manual defibrillation. AMSA values were calculated by analyzing the data collected by the monitors/defibrillators used in the field (Corpuls 3 and Lifepak 12/15) and using a 2-s-pre-shock electrocardiogram interval. We run two different analyses dividing the shocks into three tertiles (T1, T2, T3) based on AMSA values. 629 OHCAs were included and 2095 shocks delivered (energy ranging from 100 to 360 J; median 200 J). Both in the "extremes analysis" and in the "by site analysis", the AMSA values of the effective shocks at low energy were significantly higher than those at high energy (p = 0.01). The likelihood of shock success increased significantly from the lowest to the highest tertile. After correction for age, call to shock time, use of mechanical CPR, presence of bystander CPR, sex and energy level, high AMSA value was directly associated with the probability of shock success [T2 vs T1 OR 3.8 (95% CI 2.5-6) p < 0.001; T3 vs T1 OR 12.7 (95% CI 8.2-19.2), p < 0.001]. AMSA values are associated with the probability of low-energy shock success so that they could guide energy optimization in shockable cardiac arrest patients.

Use of Mechanical Chest Compression for Resuscitation in Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest-Device Matters: A Propensity-Score-Based Match Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Devices for mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are recommended when high quality CPR cannot be provided. Different devices are available, but the literature is poor in direct comparison studies. Our aim was to assess whether the type of mechanical chest compressor could affect the probability of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and 30-day survival in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) patients as compared to manual standard CPR. METHODS: We considered all OHCAs that occurred from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2022 in seven provinces of the Lombardy region equipped with three different types of mechanical compressor: Autopulse®(ZOLL Medical, MA), LUCAS® (Stryker, MI), and Easy Pulse® (Schiller, Switzerland). RESULTS: Two groups, 2146 patients each (manual and mechanical CPR), were identified by propensity-score-based random matching. The rates of ROSC (15% vs. 23%, p < 0.001) and 30-day survival (6% vs. 14%, p < 0.001) were lower in the mechanical CPR group. After correction for confounders, Autopulse® [OR 2.1, 95%CI (1.6-2.8), p < 0.001] and LUCAS® [OR 2.5, 95%CI (1.7-3.6), p < 0.001] significantly increased the probability of ROSC, and Autopulse® significantly increased the probability of 30-day survival compared to manual CPR [HR 0.9, 95%CI (0.8-0.9), p = 0.005]. CONCLUSION: Mechanical chest compressors could increase the rate of ROSC, especially in case of prolonged resuscitation. The devices were dissimilar, and their different performances could significantly influence patient outcomes. The load-distributing-band device was the only mechanical chest able to favorably affect 30-day survival.

Direct oral anticoagulants or vitamin K antagonists after TAVR: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Several patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) also require oral anticoagulation (OAC) for atrial fibrillation (AF) or deep vein thromboembolism. However, the optimal type of OAC strategy (direct oral anticoagulants, DOACs, or vitamin K antagonists, VKA) is still unclear in this setting. METHOD: We performed systematic literature research and meta-analysis in PubMed, Medline, and EMBASE databases for studies reporting either all-cause mortality, major/life-threatening bleeding or stroke events. RESULTS: Ten observational studies and two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including a total of 29,485 patients were eligible for inclusion. Compared to VKA, DOACs use after TAVR was associated with a modest but significantly lower rates of all-cause mortality (RR 0.90; 95% CI: 0.81-0.99, p-value 0.04) with results mainly driven by observational studies. Cardiovascular mortality (RR 1.03; 95% CI: 0.81-1.30; p-value 0.84), total stroke events (RR 0.97; 95% CI: 0.76-1.23, p-value 0.79), major/life-threatening bleeding (RR 0.93; 95% CI: 0.72-1.21, p-value 0.61) and minor bleeding (RR 0.96; 95% CI: 0.74-1.23; p-value 0.72) were similar between VKA and DOACs. CONCLUSION: Considering the totality of available evidence, in patients who underwent TAVR with a concomitant indication for OAC, DOACs-based strategy is an effective and safe anticoagulation strategy compared to VKA.

End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) at intubation and its increase after 10 minutes resuscitation predicts survival with good neurological outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.

AIM: To evaluate whether end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) value at intubation and its early increase (10 min) after intubation predict both the survival to hospital admission and the survival at hospital discharge, including good neurological outcome (CPC 1-2), in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). METHODS: All consecutive OHCA patients of any etiology between 2015 and 2018 in Pavia Province (Italy) and Ticino Region (Switzerland) were considered. Patients died before ambulance arrival, with a "do-not-resuscitate" order, without ETCO2 value or with incomplete data were excluded. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 668 patients. An ETCO2 value at intubation > 20 mmHg and its increase 10 min after intubation were independent predictors (after correction for known predictors of OHCA outcome) of survival to hospital admission and survival at hospital discharge. Relative to hospital discharge with good neurological outcome, ETCO2 at intubation and its 10-min change were confirmed predictors both individually and in a bivariable analysis (OR 1.83, 95 %CI 1.02-3.3; p = 0.04 and OR 3.9, 95 %CI 1.97-7.74; p < 0.001, respectively). This was confirmed also when accounting for gender, age, etiology and location. After further adjustment for bystander and CPR status, presenting rhythm and EMS arrival time, the ETCO2 change remained an independent predictor. CONCLUSIONS: ETCO2 value > 20 mmHg at intubation and its increase during resuscitation improve the prediction of survival at hospital discharge with good neurological outcome of OHCA patients. ETCO2 increase during resuscitation is a more powerful predictor than ETCO2 at intubation. A larger prospective study to confirm this finding appears warranted.

Complete Revascularization and One-Year Survival with Good Neurological Outcome in Patients Resuscitated from an Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Background. The survival benefit of complete versus infarct-related artery (IRA)-only revascularization during the index hospitalization in patients resuscitated from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with multivessel disease is unknown. Methods. We considered all the OHCA patients prospectively enrolled in the Lombardia Cardiac Arrest Registry (Lombardia CARe) from 1 January 2015 to 1 May 2021 who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) at the Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo (Pavia). Patients' prehospital, angiographical and survival data were reviewed. Results. Out of 239 patients, 119 had a multivessel coronary disease: 69% received IRA-only revascularization, and 31% received a complete revascularization: 8 during the first procedure and 29 in a staged-procedure after a median time of 5 days [IQR 2.5−10.3]. The complete revascularization group showed significantly higher one-year survival with good neurological outcome than the IRA-only group (83.3% vs. 30.4%, p < 0.001). After correcting for cardiac arrest duration, shockable presenting rhythm, peak of Troponin-I, creatinine on admission and the need for circulatory support, complete revascularization was independently associated with the probability of death and poor neurological outcome [HR 0.3 (95%CI 0.1−0.8), p = 0.02]. Conclusions. This observation study shows that complete myocardial revascularization during the index hospitalization improves one-year survival with good neurological outcome in patients resuscitated from an OHCA with multivessel coronary disease.

Association of Timing of Electrocardiogram Acquisition After Return of Spontaneous Circulation With Coronary Angiography Findings in Patients With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Importance: Electrocardiography (ECG) is an important tool to triage patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). An immediate coronary angiography after ROSC is recommended only in patients with an ECG that is diagnostic of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). To date, the benefit of this approach has not been demonstrated in patients with a post-ROSC ECG that is not diagnostic of STEMI. Objective: To assess whether the time from ROSC to ECG acquisition is associated with the diagnostic accuracy of ECG for STEMI. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective, multicenter cohort study (the Post-ROSC Electrocardiogram After Cardiac Arrest study) analyzed consecutive patients older than 18 years who were resuscitated from OHCA between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2018, and were admitted to 1 of the 3 participating centers in Europe (Pavia, Italy; Lugano, Switzerland; and Vienna, Austria). Exposure: Only patients who underwent coronary angiography during hospitalization and who acquired a post-ROSC ECG before the angiography were enrolled. Patients with a nonmedical cause of OHCAs were excluded. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was false-positive ECG findings, defined as the percentage of patients with post-ROSC ECG findings that met STEMI criteria but who did not show obstructive coronary artery disease on angiography that was worthy of percutaneous coronary angioplasty. Results: Of 586 consecutive patients who were admitted to the 3 participating centers, 370 were included in the analysis (287 men [77.6%]; median age, 62 years [interquartile range, 53-70 years]); 121 (32.7%) were enrolled in the participating center in Pavia, Italy; 38 (10.3%) in Lugano, Switzerland; and 211 (57.0%) in Vienna, Austria. The percentage of false-positive ECG findings in the first tertile of ROSC to ECG time (≤7 minutes) was significantly higher than that in the second (8-33 minutes) and third (>33 minutes) tertiles: 18.5% in the first tertile vs 7.2% in the second (odds ratio [OR], 0.34; 95% CI, 0.13-0.87; P = .02) and 5.8% in the third (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.15-0.47; P < .001). These differences remained significant when adjusting for sex (≤7 minutes: reference; 8-33 minutes: OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.12-0.85; P = .02; >33 minutes: OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.14-0.47; P < .001), age (≤7 minutes: reference; 8-33 minutes: OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.13-0.89; P = .03; >33 minutes: OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.15-0.46; P < .001), number of segments with ST-elevation (≤7 minutes: reference; 8-33 minutes: OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.15-0.81; P = .01; >33 minutes: OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.15-0.52; P < .001), QRS duration (≤7 minutes: reference; 8-33 minutes: OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.14-0.87; P = .02; >33 minutes: OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.15-0.48; P < .001), heart rate (≤7 minutes: reference; 8-33 minutes: OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.13-0.93; P = .04; >33 minutes: OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.15-0.55; P < .001), epinephrine administered (≤7 minutes: reference; 8-33 minutes: OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.13-0.98; P = .045; >33 minutes: OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.16-0.48; P < .001), shockable initial rhythm (≤7 minutes: reference; 8-33 minutes: OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.13-0.96; P = .04; >33 minutes: OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.15-0.46; P < .001), and 3 or more shocks administered (≤7 minutes: reference; 8-33 minutes: OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.13-1.00; P = .05; >33 minutes: OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.16-0.48; P < .001) in bivariable analyses. Conclusions and Relevance: This study suggests that early ECG acquisition after ROSC in patients with OHCA is associated with a higher percentage of false-positive ECG findings for STEMI. It may be reasonable to delay post-ROSC ECG by at least 8 minutes after ROSC or repeat the acquisition if the first ECG is diagnostic of STEMI and is acquired early after ROSC.

Peripheral perfusion index and diagnostic accuracy of the post-ROSC electrocardiogram in patients with medical out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

AIM: A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is recommended to diagnose a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In the early post-ROSC phase, the ECG can show signs of ischemia not necessarily of coronary origin and post-ROSC hypoperfusion could affect ECG reliability. We sought for an association between peripheral perfusion index (PI) values after ROSC and the percentage of false-positive ECG for STEMI. METHODS: We considered all the consecutive patients with sustained ROSC after OHCA, admitted to the Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo (Pavia) between January 1st, 2015 and December 31st, 2020. ECGs were defined false-positive if meeting the STEMI criteria but without a critical obstructive coronary artery disease worthy of treatment. The mean value of PI over 30 min-monitoring (MPI30) were calculated. RESULTS: Among 351 eligible patients post-ROSC ECG, PI monitoring and an invasive coronary angiography (ICA) were available in 84 cases. The rate of false positive was 16/54 (29.6%) and it differed significantly in the three MPI30 tertiles [T1 (0.2-1): 28.6%; T2 (1.1-2.5): 24.1%; T3 (2.6-6.9): 3.7%, p = 0.04; p for trend = 0.02]. Cardiac arrest duration [OR 1.06 (95 %CI 1-1.1), p = 0.007] and MPI30 [T3 vs T1: OR 0.09 (95 %CI 0.01-0.8), p = 0.03] were significantly associated with the probability of acquiring a false-positive ECG. This association was also confirmed when MPI30 was adjusted for cardiac arrest duration [OR 0.2 (95 %CI 0.1-0.6), p=<0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of false-positive ECG for STEMI after ROSC is related with low perfusion. Our results could help to identify the adequate candidates for an immediate ICA.

End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) and ventricular fibrillation amplitude spectral area (AMSA) for shock outcome prediction in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Are they two sides of the same coin?

AIM: Ventricular fibrillation amplitude spectral area (AMSA) and end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) are predictors of shock success, understood as restoration of an organized rhythm, and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). However, little is known about their combined use. We aimed to assess the prediction accuracy when combined, and to clarify if they are correlated in out of hospital cardiac arrest' victims. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records acquired by external defibrillators in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients of the Lombardia Cardiac Arrest registry were processed. The 1-min pre-shock ETCO2 median value (METCO2) was computed from the capnogram and AMSA (2-48 mV.Hz range) computed applying the Fast Fourier Transform to a 2-second pre-shock filtered ECG interval (0.5-30 Hz). Support Vector Machine (SVM) predictive models based on METCO2, AMSA and their combination were fit; results were given as the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: We considered 112 patients with 391 shocks delivered. METCO2 and AMSA were predictors of shock success [AUC (IQR) of the ROC curve: 0.59 (0.56-0.62); 0.68 (0.65-0.72), respectively] and of ROSC [0.56 (0.53-0.59); 0.74 (0.71-0.78),]. Their combination in a SVM model increased the accuracy for predicting shock success [AUC (IQR) of the ROC curve: 0.71 (0.68-0.75)] and ROSC [0.77 (0.73-0.8)]. AMSA and METCO2 were significantly correlated only in patients who achieved ROSC (rho = 0.33 p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: AMSA and ETCO2 predict shock success and ROSC after every shock, and their predictive power increases if combined. Notably, they were correlated only in patients who achieved ROSC.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and ambient air pollution: A dose-effect relationship and an association with OHCA incidence.

BACKGROUND: Pollution has been suggested as a precipitating factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, data about the link between air pollution and the risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) are limited and controversial. METHODS: By collecting data both in the OHCA registry and in the database of the regional agency for environmental protection (ARPA) of the Lombardy region, all medical OHCAs and the mean daily concentration of pollutants including fine particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), benzene (C6H6), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3) were considered from January 1st to December 31st, 2019 in the southern part of the Lombardy region (provinces of Pavia, Lodi, Cremona and Mantua; 7863 km2; about 1550000 inhabitants). Days were divided into high or low incidence of OHCA according to the median value. A Probit dose-response analysis and both uni- and multivariable logistic regression models were provided for each pollutant. RESULTS: The concentrations of all the pollutants were significantly higher in days with high incidence of OHCA except for O3, which showed a significant countertrend. After correcting for temperature, a significant dose-response relationship was demonstrated for all the pollutants examined. All the pollutants were also strongly associated with high incidence of OHCA in multivariable analysis with correction for temperature, humidity, and day-to-day concentration changes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results clarify the link between pollutants and the acute risk of cardiac arrest suggesting the need of both improving the air quality and integrating pollution data in future models for the organization of emergency medical services.

Post-ROSC peripheral perfusion index discriminates 30-day survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: Prognostication after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a challenge. The peripheral-derived perfusion index (PI) is a simple and non-invasive way to assess perfusion. We sought to assess whether the PI was able to discriminate the prognosis of patients resuscitated from an OHCA. METHODS: All the reports generated by the manual monitor/defibrillator (Corpuls 3 by GS Elektromedizinische Geräte G. Stemple GmbH, Germany) used for all the OHCAs who achieved ROSC treated by our Emergency Medical Service from January 2015 to December 2018 were reviewed. The mean PI value of each minute after ROSC was automatically provided by the device and the mean value of 30 min of monitoring (MPI30) was calculated. Pre-hospital data were collected according to the Utstein 2014 recommendations. RESULTS: Among 1,909 resuscitation attempts, ROSC was achieved in 346 and it was possible to calculate an MPI30 in 164. MPI30 was higher in the patients who survived at 30 days [1.6 (95% CI 1.2-2.1) vs 1 (95% CI 0.8-1.3), p = 0.0017]. At the multivariable Cox regression model, after correction for shockable rhythm, witnessed status, bystander CPR, age, and blood pressure, MPI30 was found to be an independent predictor of both 30-day mortality [RR 0.83 (95% CI 0.69-0.99), p = 0.036] and 30-day mortality or poor neurologic outcome [RR 0.85 (95% CI 0.72-0.99), p = 0.04]. Overall 30-day survival with good neurologic outcome was significantly different in the three tertiles [T1: 0.1-0.8; T2: 0.9-1.8 and T3: 1.82-7.8, log-rank p = 0.007]. CONCLUSION: The post-ROSC peripheral perfusion index was found to be an independent predictor of 30-day mortality or poor neurologic outcome. It could help prognostication in OHCA patients.

Long-Term Outcome After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: An Utstein-Based Analysis.

Background: No data are available regarding long-term survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients based on different Utstein subgroups, which are expected to significantly differ in terms of survival. We aimed to provide the first long-term survival analysis of OHCA patients divided according to Utstein categories. Methods: We analyzed all the 4,924 OHCA cases prospectively enrolled in the Lombardia Cardiac Arrest Registry (Lombardia CARe) from 2015 to 2019. Pre-hospital data, survival, and cerebral performance category score (CPC) at 1, 6, and 12 months and then every year up to 5 years after the event were analyzed for each patient. Results: A decrease in survival was observed during the follow-up in all the Utstein categories. The risk of death of the "all-EMS treated" group exceeded the general population for all the years of follow-up with standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) of 23 (95%CI, 16.8-30.2), 6.8 (95%CI, 3.8-10.7), 3.8 (95%CI, 1.7-6.7), 4.05 (95%CI, 1.9-6.9), and 2.6 (95%CI, 1.03-4.8) from the first to the fifth year of follow-up. The risk of death was higher also for the Utstein categories "shockable bystander witnessed" and "shockable bystander CPR": SMRs of 19.4 (95%CI, 11.3-29.8) and 19.4 (95%CI, 10.8-30.6) for the first year and of 6.8 (95%CI, 6.6-13) and 8.1 (95%CI, 3.1-15.3) for the second one, respectively. Similar results were observed considering the patients discharged with a CPC of 1-2. Conclusions: The mortality of OHCA patients discharged alive from the hospital is higher than the Italian standard population, also considering those with the most favorable OHCA characteristics and those discharged with good neurological outcome. Long-term follow-up should be included in the next Utstein-style revision.