Performance of the ERC/ESICM-recommendations for neuroprognostication after cardiac arrest: insights from a prospective multicenter cohort.

Brief abstract: In a multicentre network of 28 ICUs in France and Belgium, all comatose patients who fulfilled the 2021 ERC-ESICM criteria for poor outcome after cardiac arrest died or survived with severe neurological disability, even after excluding patients with active WLST to limit self-fulfilling prophecy bias. However, in almost half of the patients, these criteria were not fulfilled, resulting in an indeterminate outcome; in these patients, normal NSE levels and benign EEG predicted neurological recovery, helping reduce prognostic uncertainty. AIM: To investigate the performance of the 2021 ERC/ESICM-recommended algorithm for predicting poor outcome after cardiac arrest (CA) and potential tools for predicting neurological recovery in patients with indeterminate outcome. METHODS: Prospective, multicenter study on out-of-hospital CA survivors from 28 ICUs of the AfterROSC network. In patients comatose with a Glasgow Coma Scale motor score ≤3 at ≥72 hours after resuscitation, we measured: 1) the accuracy of neurological examination, biomarkers (neuron-specific enolase, NSE), electrophysiology (EEG and SSEP) and neuroimaging (brain CT and MRI) for predicting poor outcome (modified Rankin scale score≥4 at 90 days), and 2) the ability of low or decreasing NSE levels and benign EEG to predict good outcome in patients whose prognosis remained indeterminate. RESULTS: Among 337 included patients, the ERC-ESICM algorithm predicted poor neurological outcome in 175 patients, of whom 106 (60%) had withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment (WLST). Among the 69 patients without active WLST, the positive predictive value for an unfavourable outcome was 100% [95-100]%. The specificity of individual predictors ranged from 90% for EEG to 100% for clinical examination and SSEP. Among the remaining 162 patients with indeterminate outcome, a combination of 2 favourable signs predicted good outcome with 99[96-100]% specificity and 23[11-38%]% sensitivity. Conclusion All comatose resuscitated patients not undergoing WLST who fulfilled the ERC-ESICM criteria for poor outcome after CA had poor outcome at three months, even if a self-fulfilling prophecy cannot be completely excluded. In patients with indeterminate outcome (half of the population), favourable signs predicted neurological recovery, reducing prognostic uncertainty.

Impact of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation on neurological prognosis and survival in adult patients after cardiac arrest: an individual pooled patient data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to estimate the effect of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) on neurological outcome and mortality, when compared to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CCPR), using an individual patient data meta-analysis (IPDMA). METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed up to the 20th of October 2022 in the PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases. For observational studies with unmatched populations, a propensity score including age, location of arrest and initial rhythm was used to match ECPR and CCPR patients in a 1:1 ratio. The primary and secondary outcomes were unfavorable neurological outcome (Cerebral Performance Category of 3-5) and mortality, respectively, which were both collected at different time-points. RESULTS: Data from 17 studies, including 2064 matched cardiac arrest (CA) patients (1031 ECPR and 1033 CCPR cases) were included. In comparison to CCPR, ECPR was associated with a decreased odds of unfavorable neurological outcome (847, 82.2% vs. 897, 86.8% - OR 0.68 [95%CI 0.53-0.87]; p=0.002) and death (803, 77.9% vs. 860, 83.3% - OR 0.68 [95%CI 0.54-0.86]; p=0.001). These results were consistent across most of the prespecified subgroups. Moreover, the odds of both unfavorable neurological outcome and mortality were significantly influenced by initial rhythm, cause of arrest and combinations of lactate levels on admission and duration of resuscitation. CONCLUSIONS: This IPDMA showed that ECPR was associated with significantly lower rates of unfavorable neurological outcome and mortality in refractory CA. The overall effect could be influenced by CA characteristics and the severity of the initial injury.

Sudden cardiac arrest in patients with cancer in the general population: insights from the Paris-SDEC registry.

BACKGROUND: Data on the management of patients with cancer presenting with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) are scarce. We aimed to assess the characteristics and outcomes of SCA according to cancer history. METHODS: Prospective, population-based registry including every out-of-hospital SCA in adults in Paris and its suburbs, between 2011 and 2019, with a specific focus on patients with cancer. RESULTS: Out of 4069 patients who had SCA admitted alive in hospital, 207 (5.1%) had current or past medical history of cancer. Patients with cancer were older (69.2 vs 59.3 years old, p<0.001), more often women (37.2% vs 28.0%, p=0.006) with more frequent underlying cardiovascular disease (41.1% vs 32.5%, p=0.01). SCA happened more often with a non-shockable rhythm (62.6% vs 43.1%, p<0.001) with no significant difference regarding witness presence and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed. Cardiac causes were less frequent among patients with cancer (mostly acute coronary syndromes, 25.5% vs 46.8%, p<0.001) and had more respiratory causes (pulmonary embolism and hypoxaemia in 34.2% vs 10.8%, p<0.001). Still, no difference regarding in-hospital survival was found after SCA in patients with cancer versus other patients (26.2% vs 29.8%, respectively, p=0.27). Public location, CPR by witness and shockable rhythm were independent predictors of in-hospital survival after SCA in the cancer group. CONCLUSIONS: One in 20 SCA occurs in patients with a history of cancer, yet with fewer cardiac causes than in patients who are cancer-free. Still, in-hospital outcomes remain similar even in patients with known cancer. Cancer history should therefore not compromise the initiation of resuscitation in the context of SCA.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support.

INTRODUCTION: Patients on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) support are at a high risk of hemorrhagic complications, including upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence and impact of this complication in V-A ECMO patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective single-center study (2013-2017) was conducted on V-A ECMO patients, excluding those who died within 24 h. All patients with suspected UGIB underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and were analyzed and compared to the remainder of the cohort, from the initiation of ECMO until 5 days after explantation. RESULTS: A total of 150 V-A ECMO cases (65 after cardiac surgery and 85 due to medical etiology) were included. 90% of the patients received prophylactic proton pump inhibitor therapy and enteral nutrition. Thirty-one patients underwent EGD for suspected UGIB, with 16 confirmed cases of UGIB. The incidence was 10.7%, with a median occurrence at 10 [7-17] days. There were no significant differences in clinical or biological characteristics on the day of EGD. However, patients with UGIB had significant increases in packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma needs, mechanical ventilation duration and V-A ECMO duration, as well as in length of intensive care unit and hospital stays. There was no significant difference in mortality. The only independent risk factor of UGIB was a history of peptic ulcer (OR = 7.32; 95% CI [1.07-50.01], p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: UGIB occurred in at least 1 out of 10 cases of V-A ECMO patients, with significant consequences on healthcare resources. Enteral nutrition and proton pump inhibitor prophylaxis did not appear to protect V-A ECMO patients. Further studies should assess their real benefits in these patients with high risk of hemorrhage.

Inadequate intensive care physician supply in France: a point-prevalence prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of intensive care units (ICUs) and their organization in healthcare systems. However, ICU capacity and availability are ongoing concerns beyond the pandemic, particularly due to an aging population and increasing complexity of care. This study aimed to assess the current and future shortage of ICU physicians in France, ten years after a previous evaluation. A national e-survey was conducted among French ICUs in January 2022 to collect data on ICU characteristics, medical staffing, individual physician characteristics, and education and training capacities. RESULTS: Among 290 ICUs contacted, 242 responded (response rate: 83%), representing 4943 ICU beds. The survey revealed an overall of 300 full time equivalent (FTE) ICU physician vacancies in the country. Nearly two-thirds of the participating ICUs reported at least one physician vacancy and 35% relied on traveling physicians to cover shifts. The ICUs most affected by physician vacancies were the ICUs of non-university affiliated public hospitals. The retirements expected in the next five years represented around 10% of the workforce. The median number of physicians per ICU was 7.0, corresponding to a ratio of 0.36 physician (FTE) per ICU bed. In addition, 27% of ICUs were at risk of critical dysfunction or closure due to vacancies and impending retirements. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the urgent need to address the shortage of ICU physicians in France. Compared to a similar study conducted in 2012, the inadequacy between ICU physician supply and demand has increased, resulting in a higher number of vacancies. Our study suggests that, among others, increasing the number of ICM residents trained each year could be a crucial step in addressing this issue. Failure to take appropriate measures may lead to further closures of ICUs and increased risks to patients in this healthcare system.

HIV status and lay bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation initiation for witnessed cardiac arrest.

INTRODUCTION: Early initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by bystanders of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) significantly improves survival and neurological outcomes. However, misconceptions about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission risk during CPR can deter lay bystanders from performing resuscitation. The aim of this study was to compare the rate of CPR initiation by lay bystanders who witnessed OHCA in subjects with and without HIV infection. METHODS: We analysed data from the two French cardiac arrest registries (SDEC and RéAC) from 2012 to 2020. We identified HIV-positive individuals from the French National Health Insurance database for the SDEC registry, and directly from the RéAC registry data. We used logistic regression models to assess the association between CPR initiation by lay bystanders and the victim's HIV status. RESULTS: Of 58,177 witnessed OHCA cases, 192 (0.3%) occurred in HIV-positive subjects. These individuals were younger, more often male, and presented more shockable initial rhythms compared with subjects without HIV. Overall, there was no difference in the CPR initiation rate according to the HIV status (57.3% vs 47.6%, adjusted odds ratio 1.11, 95% confidence interval 0.83-1.48). The CPR initiation rate also did not differ by location between victims with or without HIV (home: 57.7% vs 45.4%; public places: 56.0% vs 53.6%; p for interaction = 0.46). Survival and neurological outcomes at hospital discharge did not differ based on the HIV status. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that the rate of CPR initiation by lay bystanders did not differ between HIV and non-HIV subjects during OHCA.

Controlled donation after circulatory death in post-cardiac arrest patients: Estimates from a large registry.

BACKGROUND: Controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) in post-anoxic brain injury is a valuable source of organs that is still underused in some countries. We assessed the number of potential cDCD donors after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Paris and its suburbs and extrapolated the results to the French population. METHODS: Using the large regional registry of the Great Paris area, we prospectively included all consecutive adults with OHCA with a stable return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) who ultimately died in the intensive care unit (ICU) after withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments (WLST) due to post anoxic brain injury. The primary endpoint was potential for organ donation by cDCD in this population. The number of potential cDCD donors was calculated and extrapolated to the entire French population. RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2018, 4638 patients with stable ROSC were admitted to ICUs after OHCA, and 3170 died in ICU, of which 1034 died after WLST due to post-anoxic brain injury. When considering French criteria, 421/1034 patients (41%) would have been potential cDCD donors (55 patients per year in a 4.67 million population). After standardization for age and sex, the potential for cDCD was 515 (95% CI 471-560) patients per year in France corresponding to an annual incidence of 1.18 per 100 000 inhabitants per year. CONCLUSIONS: Organ donation by cDCD after cardiac arrest could provide a large pool of donors in France.

Return to work after out of hospital cardiac arrest, insights from a prospective multicentric French cohort.

RATIONALE: About 60 to 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors who worked before cardiac arrest return to work within one year but the precise conditions for this resumption of professional activity remain little known. The objective of this study was to assess components of return to work among OHCA survivors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used the French national multicentric cohort AfterRosc to include OHCA survivors admitted between April 1st 2021 and March 31st 2022, discharged alive from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and who were less than 65 years old. A phone-call interview was performed one year after OHCA to assess return to work, level of education, former level of occupation as well as neurological recovery. Geographic and socio-economic data from the patient's residential neighborhoods were also collected. Comparisons were performed between patients who returned to work and those who did not, using non-parametric tests. RESULTS: Of the 251 patients included in the registry, 86 were alive at ICU discharge and 31 patients that worked prior to the OHCA were included for analysis. Seventeen survivors returned to work after a median delay of 112 days [92-157] Among them, nine (53%) had required initial work adjustments. Overall, only 6 patients (19%) had returned to work ad integrum. Higher educational level, work which required higher competence-level, higher income, living in a better socio-economical neighborhood, as well as better scores on all three standardized MPAI-4 score components (abilities, adjustment and participation) were significantly associated with return to work. Participants that had not returned to work had a significant drop of income (p = 0.0025). CONCLUSION: In this prospective study regarding French OHCA survivors, return to work is associated with better socio-economical individual and environmental status, as well as better scores on all MPAI-4 components.

Cumulative dose of epinephrine and mode of death after non-shockable out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a registry-based study.

BACKGROUND: Epinephrine increases the chances of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), especially when the initial rhythm is non-shockable. However, this drug could also worsen the post-resuscitation syndrome (PRS). We assessed the association between epinephrine use during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and subsequent intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in patients with ROSC after non-shockable OHCA. METHODS: We used data prospectively collected in the Sudden Death Expertise Center (SDEC) registry (capturing OHCA data located in the Greater Paris area, France) between May 2011 and December 2021. All adults with ROSC after medical, cardiac and non-cardiac causes, non-shockable OHCA admitted to an ICU were included. The mode of death in the ICU was categorized as cardiocirculatory, neurological, or other. RESULTS: Of the 2,792 patients analyzed, there were 242 (8.7%) survivors at hospital discharge, 1,004 (35.9%) deaths from cardiocirculatory causes, 1,233 (44.2%) deaths from neurological causes, and 313 (11.2%) deaths from other etiologies. The cardiocirculatory death group received more epinephrine (4.6 ± 3.8 mg versus 1.7 ± 2.8 mg, 3.2 ± 2.6 mg, and 3.5 ± 3.6 mg for survivors, neurological deaths, and other deaths, respectively; p < 0.001). The proportion of cardiocirculatory death increased linearly (R2 = 0.92, p < 0.001) with cumulative epinephrine doses during CPR (17.7% in subjects who did not receive epinephrine and 62.5% in those who received > 10 mg). In multivariable analysis, a cumulative dose of epinephrine was strongly associated with cardiocirculatory death (adjusted odds ratio of 3.45, 95% CI [2.01-5.92] for 1 mg of epinephrine; 12.28, 95% CI [7.52-20.06] for 2-5 mg; and 23.71, 95% CI [11.02-50.97] for > 5 mg; reference 0 mg; population reference: alive at hospital discharge), even after adjustment on duration of resuscitation. The other modes of death (neurological and other causes) were also associated with epinephrine use, but to a lesser extent. CONCLUSIONS: In non-shockable OHCA with ROSC, the dose of epinephrine used during CPR is strongly associated with early cardiocirculatory death. Further clinical studies aimed at limiting the dose of epinephrine during CPR seem warranted. Moreover, strategies for the prevention and management of PRS should take this dose of epinephrine into consideration for future trials.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for hypothermic refractory cardiac arrests in urban areas with temperate climates.

BACKGROUND: Accidental hypothermia designates an unintentional drop in body temperature below 35 °C. There is a major risk of ventricular fibrillation below 28 °C and cardiac arrest is almost inevitable below 24 °C. In such cases, conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation is often inefficient. In urban areas with temperate climates, characterized by mild year-round temperatures, the outcome of patients with refractory hypothermic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) remains uncertain. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective monocentric observational study involving patients admitted to a university hospital in Paris, France. We reviewed patients admitted between January 1, 2011 and April 30, 2022. The primary outcome was survival at 28 days with good neurological outcomes, defined as Cerebral Performance Category 1 or 2. We performed a subgroup analysis distinguishing hypothermic refractory OHCA as either asphyxic or non-asphyxic. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients were analysed, 15 of whom (42%) survived at 28 days, including 13 (36%) with good neurological outcomes. Within the asphyxic subgroup, only 1 (10%) patient survived at 28 days, with poor neurological outcomes. A low-flow time of less than 60 min was not significantly associated with good neurological outcomes (P = 0.25). Prehospital ECPR demonstrated no statistically significant difference in terms of survival with good neurological outcomes compared with inhospital ECPR (P = 0.55). Among patients treated with inhospital ECPR, the HOPE score predicted a 30% survival rate and the observed survival was 6/19 (32%). CONCLUSION: Hypothermic refractory OHCA occurred even in urban areas with temperate climates, and survival with good neurological outcomes at 28 days stood at 36% for all patients treated with ECPR. We found no survivors with good neurological outcomes at 28 days in submersed patients.

Long-term heart function in cardiac-arrest survivors.

Purpose: To assess outcomes and predictors of long-term myocardial dysfunction after cardiac arrest (CA) of cardiac origin. Methods: We retrospectively included consecutive, single-center, prospective-registry patients who survived to hospital discharge for adult out-of-hospital and in-hospital CA of cardiac origin in 2005-2019. The primary objective was to collect the 1-year New York Heart Association Functional Class (NYHA-FC) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Results: Of 135 patients, 94 (72%) had their NYHA-FC determined after 1 year, including 75 (75/94, 80%) who were I, 17 (17/94, 18%) II, 2 (2/94, 2%) III, and none IV. The echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction was abnormal in 87/130 (67%) patients on day 1, 52/123 (42%) at hospital discharge, and 17/52 (33%) at 6 months. During the median follow-up of 796 [283-1975] days, 38/119 (32%) patients experienced a MACE. These events were predominantly related to acute heart failure (13/38) or ischemic cardiovascular events (16/38), with acute coronary syndrome being the most prevalent among them (8/16). Pre-CA cardiovascular disease was a risk factor for 1-year NYHA-FC > I (P = 0.01), absence of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation was significantly associated with NYHA-FC > I at 1 year. Conclusion: Most patients had no heart-failure symptoms a year after adult out-of hospital or in-hospital CA of cardiac origin, and absence of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation was the only treatment component significantly associated with NYHA-FC > I at 1 year. Nearly a third experienced MACE and the most common types of MACE were ischemic cardiovascular events and acute heart failure. Early left ventricular dysfunction recovered within 6 months in half the patients with available values.

Improving EMS response times for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in urban areas using drone-like vertical take-off and landing air ambulances: An international, simulation-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Advances in vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technologies may enable drone-like crewed air ambulances to rapidly respond to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in urban areas. We estimated the impact of incorporating VTOL air ambulances on OHCA response intervals in two large urban centres in France and Canada. METHODS: We included adult OHCAs occurring between Jan. 2017-Dec. 2018 within Greater Paris in France and Metro Vancouver in Canada. Both regions utilize tiered OHCA response with basic (BLS)- and advanced life support (ALS)-capable units. We simulated incorporating 1-2 ALS-capable VTOL air ambulances dedicated to OHCA response in each study region, and computed time intervals from call reception by emergency medical services (EMS) to arrival of the: (1) first ALS unit ("call-to-ALS arrival interval"); and (2) first EMS unit ("call-to-first EMS arrival interval"). RESULTS: There were 6,217 OHCAs included during the study period (3,760 in Greater Paris and 2,457 in Metro Vancouver). Historical median call-to-ALS arrival intervals were 21 min [IQR 16-29] in Greater Paris and 12 min [IQR 9-17] in Metro Vancouver, while median call-to-first EMS arrival intervals were 11 min [IQR 8-14] and 7 min [IQR 5-8] respectively. Incorporating 1-2 VTOL air ambulances improved median call-to-ALS arrival intervals to 7-9 min and call-to-first EMS arrival intervals to 6-8 min in both study regions (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: VTOL air ambulances dedicated to OHCA response may improve EMS response intervals, with substantial improvements in ALS response metrics.

Prospective comparison of prognostic scores for prediction of outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: results of the AfterROSC1 multicentric study.

BACKGROUND: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a heterogeneous entity with multiple origins and prognoses. An early, reliable assessment of the prognosis is useful to adapt therapeutic strategy, tailor intensity of care, and inform relatives. We aimed primarily to undertake a prospective multicentric study to evaluate predictive performance of the Cardiac Arrest Prognosis (CAHP) Score as compare to historical dataset systematically collected after OHCA (Utstein style criteria). Our secondary aim was to evaluate other dedicated scores for predicting outcome after OHCA and to compare them to Utstein style criteria. METHODS: We prospectively collected data from 24 French and Belgium Intensive Care Units (ICUs) between August 2020 and June 2022. All cases of non-traumatic OHCA (cardiac and non-cardiac causes) patients with stable return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and comatose at ICU admission (defined by Glasgow coma score ≤ 8) on ICU admission were included. The primary outcome was the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at day 90 after cardiac arrest, assessed by phone interviews. A wide range of developed scores (CAHP, OHCA, CREST, C-Graph, TTM, CAST, NULL-PLEASE, and MIRACLE2) were included, and their accuracies in predicting poor outcome at 90 days after OHCA (defined as mRS ≥ 4) were determined using the area under the receiving operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and the calibration belt. RESULTS: During the study period, 907 patients were screened, and 658 were included in the study. Patients were predominantly male (72%), with a mean age of 61 ± 15, most having collapsed from a supposed cardiac cause (64%). The mortality rate at day 90 was 63% and unfavorable neurological outcomes were observed in 66%. The performance (AUROC) of Utstein criteria for poor outcome prediction was moderate at 0.79 [0.76-0.83], whereas AUROCs from other scores varied from 0.79 [0.75-0.83] to 0.88 [0.86-0.91]. For each score, the proportion of patients for whom individual values could not be calculated varied from 1.4% to 17.4%. CONCLUSIONS: In patients admitted to ICUs after a successfully resuscitated OHCA, most of the scores available for the evaluation of the subsequent prognosis are more efficient than the usual Utstein criteria but calibration is unacceptable for some of them. Our results show that some scores (CAHP, sCAHP, mCAHP, OHCA, rCAST) have superior performance, and that their ease and speed of determination should encourage their use. Trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04167891.

Trends in survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm and its association with bystander resuscitation: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Over 300 000 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) occur each year in the USA and Europe. Despite decades of investment and research, survival remains disappointingly low. We report the trends in survival after a ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia OHCA, over a 13-year period, in a French urban region, and describe the simultaneous evolution of the rescue system. METHODS: We investigated four 18-month periods between 2005 and 2018. The first period was considered baseline and included patients from the randomised controlled trial 'DEFI 2005'. The three following periods were based on the Paris Sudden Death Expertise Center Registry (France). Inclusion criteria were non-traumatic cardiac arrests treated with at least one external electric shock with an automated external defibrillator from the basic life support team and resuscitated by a physician-staffed ALS team. Primary outcome was survival at hospital discharge with a good neurological outcome. RESULTS: Of 21 781 patients under consideration, 3476 (16%) met the inclusion criteria. Over all study periods, survival at hospital discharge increased from 12% in 2005 to 25% in 2018 (p<0.001), and return of spontaneous circulation at hospital admission increased from 43% to 58% (p=0.004).Lay-rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and telephone CPR (T-CPR) rates increased significantly, but public defibrillator use remained limited. CONCLUSION: In a two-tiered rescue system, survival from OHCA at hospital discharge doubled over a 13-year study period. Concomitantly, the system implemented an OHCA patient registry and increased T-CPR frequency, despite a consistently low rate of public defibrillator use.

Kidneys recovered from brain dead cardiac arrest patients resuscitated with ECPR show similar one-year graft survival compared to other donors.

INTRODUCTION: Among patients treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) as a second line of treatment for refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), some may develop brain death and become eligible for organ donation. The objective of this study was to evaluate long-term outcomes of kidney grafts recovered from these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective monocentric observational study between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2017. We exclusively included patients eligible for planned donation after brainstem death and from whom at least one organ graft was retrieved and transplanted. We compared two groups of brain dead patients: those treated with ECPR for refractory OHCA (ECPR group) and a diverse group of patients who did not receive ECPR, from which only 5/23 (22%) had OHCA (control group). The primary outcome was one-year kidney graft survival. RESULTS: We included 45 patients, 23 in the control group and 22 in the ECPR group. Although patients in the ECPR group were younger and had a lower prevalence of chronic renal disease (p = 0.01), their kidney function was more severely impaired upon admission in the ICU. A total of 68 kidney grafts were retrieved, transplanted, and studied, 34 in each study group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of one-year kidney graft survival (p = 0.52). CONCLUSION: Organ transplantation from patients treated with ECPR after refractory OHCA showed one-year kidney graft survival rates comparable to those of patients not treated with ECPR.

Factors associated with circulatory death after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a population-based cluster analysis.

BACKGROUND: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a common cause of death. Early circulatory failure is the most common reason for death within the first 48 h. This study in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with OHCA was designed to identify and characterize clusters based on clinical features and to determine the frequency of death from refractory postresuscitation shock (RPRS) in each cluster. METHODS: We retrospectively identified adults admitted alive to ICUs after OHCA in 2011-2018 and recorded in a prospective registry for the Paris region (France). We identified patient clusters by performing an unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis (without mode of death among the variables) based on Utstein clinical and laboratory variables. For each cluster, we estimated the hazard ratio (HRs) for RPRS. RESULTS: Of the 4445 included patients, 1468 (33%) were discharged alive from the ICU and 2977 (67%) died in the ICU. We identified four clusters: initial shockable rhythm with short low-flow time (cluster 1), initial non-shockable rhythm with usual absence of ST-segment elevation (cluster 2), initial non-shockable rhythm with long no-flow time (cluster 3), and long low-flow time with high epinephrine dose (cluster 4). RPRS was significantly associated with this last cluster (HR, 5.51; 95% confidence interval 4.51-6.74). CONCLUSIONS: We identified patient clusters based on Utstein criteria, and one cluster was strongly associated with RPRS. This result may help to make decisions about using specific treatments after OHCA.

Impact of immunosuppressive regimen on ICU acquired pneumonia in critically ill COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppressors (IS) such as Dexamethasone (DXM), Tocilizumab, and high-dose methylprednisolone boli (HDMB), are used in COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19 ARDS-related combined IS therapy was associated with an increased incidence of ICU-acquired pneumonia (IAP). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed COVID-19-ARDS admitted to ICU from March 2020 to April 2022. Patients' and IAP characteristics were analyzed according to five IS regimens: No IS, DXM alone, DXM+HDMB, DXM+tocilizumab, and DXM+tocilizumab+HDMB. To investigate the role of IS on IAP incidence, we performed a multivariate logistic regression and built a propensity score. Ultimately, we used a conditional logistic regression after pairing on the propensity score. RESULTS: The study included 496 COVID-19-ARDS. Regarding the IS therapy, 12.7% received no IS, 43% DXM alone, 21.6% DXM+HDMB, 15.5% DXM+tocilizumab and 5.4% DXM+tocilizumab+HDMB. 37% presented at least one IAP, and the IAP incidence was higher with DXM+HDMB (66.4%) compared to no IS (P<0.0001), DXM (P<0.0001) and DXM+tocilizumab (P<0.0001). HDMB and probabilistic antibiotherapy at admission were independent IAP predictors after adjustment on the propensity score (respectively OR:2.44; P<0.0001 and OR:2.85; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In critically ill COVID-19, HDMB significantly increases the risk of IAP whereas DXM alone, nor in combination with tocilizumab, did not.

Association between basic life support and survival in sports-related sudden cardiac arrest: a meta-analysis.

AIMS: To evaluate the association of basic life support with survival after sports-related sudden cardiac arrest (SR-SCA). METHODS AND RESULTS: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, a search of several databases from each database inception to 31 July 2021 without language restrictions was conducted. Studies were considered eligible if they evaluated one of three scenarios in patients with SR-SCA: (i) bystander presence, (ii) bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), or (iii) bystander automated external defibrillator (AED) use and provided information on survival. Risk of bias was evaluated using Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions. The primary outcome was survival at the longest follow up. The meta-analysis was conducted using the random-effects model. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach was used to rate certainty in the evidence. In total, 28 non-randomized studies were included. The meta-analysis showed significant benefit on survival in all three groups: bystander presence [odds ratio (OR) 2.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.48-4.37; I2 = 25%; 9 studies-988 patients], bystander CPR (OR 3.84, 95% CI 2.36-6.25; I2 = 54%; 23 studies-2523 patients), and bystander AED use (OR 5.25, 95% CI 3.58-7.70; I2 = 16%; 19 studies-1227 patients). The GRADE certainty of evidence was judged to be moderate. CONCLUSION: In patients with SR-SCA, bystander presence, bystander CPR, and bystander AED use were significantly associated with survival. These results highlight the importance of witness intervention and encourage countries to develop their first aid training policy and AED installation in sport settings.

Sports-related sudden cardiac arrest in young adults.

AIMS: Data on sports-related sudden cardiac arrest (SrSCA) among young adults in the general population are scarce. We aimed to determine the overall SrSCA incidence, characteristics, and outcomes in young adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective cohort study of all cases of SrSCA between 2012 and 2019 in Germany and Paris area, France, involving subjects aged 18-35 years. Detection of SrSCA was achieved via multiple sources, including emergency medical services (EMS) reporting and web-based screening of media releases. Cases and aetiologies were centrally adjudicated. Overall, a total of 147 SrSCA (mean age 28.1 ± 4.8 years, 95.2% males) occurred, with an overall burden of 4.77 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.85-6.68] cases per million-year, including 12 (8.2%) cases in young competitive athletes. While bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated in 114 (82.6%), automated external defibrillator (AED) use by bystanders occurred only in a minority (7.5%). Public AED use prior to EMS arrival (odds ratio 6.25, 95% CI 1.48-43.20, P = 0.02) was the strongest independent predictor of survival at hospital discharge (38.1%). Among cases that benefited from both immediate bystander CPR and AED use, survival rate was 90.9%. Coronary artery disease was the most frequent aetiology (25.8%), mainly through acute coronary syndrome (86.9%). CONCLUSION: Sports-related sudden cardiac arrest in the young occurs mainly in recreational male sports participants. Public AED use remains disappointingly low, although survival may reach 90% among those who benefit from both bystander CPR and early defibrillation. Coronary artery disease is the most prevalent cause of SrSCA in young adults.