Emotional distress, social support, and functional dependence predict readiness for hospital discharge in a prospective sample of cognitively intact cardiac arrest survivors.

AIM: To inform screening, referral and treatment initiatives, we tested the hypothesis that emotional distress, social support, functional dependence, and cognitive impairment within 72 hours prior to discharge predict readiness for discharge in awake and alert cardiac arrest (CA) survivors. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a prospective single-center cohort of CA survivors enrolled between 4/2021 and 9/2022. We quantified emotional distress using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5 and PROMIS Emotional Distress - Anxiety and Depression Short Forms 4a; perceived social support using the ENRICHD Social Support Inventory; functional dependence using the modified Rankin Scale; and cognitive impairment using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status. Our primary outcome was readiness for discharge, measured using the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale. We used multivariable linear regression to test the independent association of each survivorship factor and readiness for discharge. RESULTS: We included 110 patients (64% male, 88% white, mean age 59 [standard deviation ± 13.1 years]). Emotional distress, functional dependence, and social support were independently associated with readiness for discharge (adjusted ß's [absolute value]: 0.25-0.30, all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hospital systems should consider implementing routine in-hospital screening for emotional distress, social support, and functional dependence for CA survivors who are awake, alert and approaching hospital discharge, and prioritize brief in hospital treatment or post-discharge referrals.

Examining the Impact of Layperson Rescuer Gender on the Receipt of Bystander CPR for Women in Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: Women who suffer a witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest receive bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) less often than men. To understand this phenomenon, we queried whether there are differences in deterrents to providing CPR based on the rescuer's gender. METHODS: Participants were surveyed using a national crowdsourcing platform. Participants ranked the following 5 previously identified themes as reasons: rescuers are afraid to injure or hurt women; rescuers might have a misconception that women do not suffer cardiac arrest; rescuers are afraid to be accused of sexual assault or sexual harassment; rescuers have a fear of touching women or that their touch might be inappropriate; and rescuers think that women are faking it or being overdramatic. Participants were adult US residents able to correctly define CPR. Participants ranked the themes if the rescuer was gender unidentified, a man, and a woman, in variable order. RESULTS: In November 2018, 520 surveys were completed. The respondents identified as 42.3% women, 74.2% White, 10.4% Black, and 6.7% Hispanic. Approximately half (48.1%) of the cohort knew how to perform CPR, but only 7.9% had ever performed CPR. When the rescuer was identified as a man, survey participants ranked fear of sexual assault or sexual harassment and fear of touching women or that the touch might be inappropriate as the top reasons (36.2% and 34.0% of responses, respectively). Conversely, when the rescuer was identified as a woman, survey respondents reported fear of hurting or injuring as the top reason (41.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Public perceptions as to why women receive less bystander CPR than men were different based on the gender of the rescuer. Participants reported that men rescuers would potentially be hindered by fears of accusations of sexual assault/harassment or inappropriate touch, while women rescuers would be deterred due to fears of causing physical injury.

2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association.

BACKGROUND: The American Heart Association (AHA), in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and obesity) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose control, and metabolic syndrome) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The AHA Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, brain health, complications of pregnancy, kidney disease, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, sudden cardiac arrest, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, valvular disease, venous thromboembolism, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs). METHODS: The AHA, through its Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States and globally to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update with review of published literature through the year before writing. The 2024 AHA Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort in 2023 by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and AHA staff members. The AHA strives to further understand and help heal health problems inflicted by structural racism, a public health crisis that can significantly damage physical and mental health and perpetuate disparities in access to health care, education, income, housing, and several other factors vital to healthy lives. This year's edition includes additional global data, as well as data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, with an enhanced focus on health equity across several key domains. RESULTS: Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics. CONCLUSIONS: The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

2023 American Heart Association Focused Update on Adult Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support: An Update to the American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.

Cardiac arrest is common and deadly, affecting up to 700 000 people in the United States annually. Advanced cardiac life support measures are commonly used to improve outcomes. This "2023 American Heart Association Focused Update on Adult Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support" summarizes the most recent published evidence for and recommendations on the use of medications, temperature management, percutaneous coronary angiography, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and seizure management in this population. We discuss the lack of data in recent cardiac arrest literature that limits our ability to evaluate diversity, equity, and inclusion in this population. Last, we consider how the cardiac arrest population may make up an important pool of organ donors for those awaiting organ transplantation.

The Latest in Resuscitation Research: Highlights From the 2022 American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium.

BACKGROUND: Every year the American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium (ReSS) brings together a community of international resuscitation science researchers focused on advancing cardiac arrest care. METHODS AND RESULTS: The American Heart Association's ReSS was held in Chicago, Illinois from November 4th to 6th, 2022. This annual narrative review summarizes ReSS programming, including awards, special sessions and scientific content organized by theme and plenary session. CONCLUSIONS: By exploring both the science of resuscitation and important related topics including survivorship, disparities, and community-focused programs, this meeting provided important resuscitation updates.

An investigation of temperature and fever burdens in patients with sepsis admitted from the emergency department to the hospital.

Aim: We sought to collect granular data on temperature burden to further explore existing conflicting information on the relationship between temperature alterations and outcomes in patients with sepsis requiring hospital admission. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study that enrolled a convenience sample of patients with sepsis or septic shock admitted to the hospital from the emergency department (ED). A "unit of temperature burden (UTB)" was defined as >1°C (1.8°F) above or below 37°C (98.6°F) for 1 min. Fever burden was defined as the number of UTBs >38°C (100.4°F). The primary objective was to calculate the fever burden in patients with sepsis during their ED stay. This was analyzed for patients who present to triage febrile or hypothermic and also for those who developed temperature abnormalities during their ED stay. The secondary objectives were correlating fever and hypothermia burden with in-hospital mortality, Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) criteria, and the quick Sequential (Sepsis-Associated) Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score and identification of patients who may benefit from early implementation of targeted temperature management. Results: A total of 256 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of patients was 60.1 ± 18.4 years; 46% were female and 29.6% were black. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) fever burden for the fever in triage cohort (n = 99) was 364.6 (174.3-716.8) UTB and for the no fever in triage cohort (n = 157) was 179.3 (80.9-374.0) UTB (p = 0.005). The two groups had similar in-hospital mortality (6.1 vs 8.3%; p = 0.5). The median fever burden for the fever anytime cohort was 303.8 (IQR 138.8-607.9) UTB and they had lower mortality than the no fever anytime cohort (4.7% vs 11.2%; p = 0.052). Patients with fever at triage had higher mean SIRS criteria than those without (2.8 vs 2.0; p < 0.001) while qSOFA points were similar (p = 0.199). A total of 27 patients had hypothermia during their ED stay and these patients were older with higher mean SIRS criteria. Conclusions: Patients with sepsis and septic shock have a significant temperature burden in the ED. When comparing patients who had fever at any time during their ED stay with those who never had a fever, a trend toward an inverse relationship between fever burden and mortality was found.

Temperature Management for Comatose Adult Survivors of Cardiac Arrest: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association.

Targeted temperature management has been a cornerstone of post-cardiac arrest care for patients remaining unresponsive after return of spontaneous circulation since the initial trials in 2002 found that mild therapeutic hypothermia improves neurological outcome. The suggested temperature range expanded in 2015 in response to a large trial finding that outcomes were not better with treatment at 33° C compared with 36° C. In 2021, another large trial was published in which outcomes with temperature control at 33° C were not better than those of patients treated with a strategy of strict normothermia. On the basis of these new data, the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation and other organizations have altered their treatment recommendations for temperature management after cardiac arrest. The new American Heart Association guidelines on this topic will be introduced in a 2023 focused update. To provide guidance to clinicians while this focused update is forthcoming, the American Heart Association's Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee convened a writing group to review the TTM2 trial (Hypothermia Versus Normothermia After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest) in the context of other recent evidence and to present an opinion on how this trial may influence clinical practice. This science advisory was informed by review of the TTM2 trial, consideration of other recent influential studies, and discussion between cardiac arrest experts in the fields of cardiology, critical care, emergency medicine, and neurology. Conclusions presented in this advisory statement do not replace current guidelines but are intended to provide an expert opinion on novel literature that will be incorporated into future guidelines and suggest the opportunity for reassessment of current clinical practice.

Protective positive psychology factors and emotional distress after cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: There is a critical need to identify factors that can prevent emotional distress post-cardiac arrest (CA). CA survivors have previously described benefitting from utilizing positive psychology constructs (mindfulness, existential well-being, resilient coping, social support) to cope with distress. Here, we explored associations between positive psychology factors and emotional distress post-CA. METHODS: We recruited CA survivors treated from 4/2021-9/2022 at a single academic medical center. We assessed positive psychology factors (mindfulness [Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised], existential well-being [Meaning in Life Questionnaire Presence of Meaning subscale], resilient coping [Brief Resilient Coping Scale], perceived social support [ENRICHD Social Support Inventory]) and emotional distress (posttraumatic stress [Posttraumatic Stress Checklist-5], anxiety and depression symptoms [PROMIS Emotional Distress - Anxiety and Depression Short Forms 4a]) just before discharge from the index hospitalization. We selected covariates for inclusion in our multivariable models based on an association with any emotional distress factor (p < 0.10). For our final, multivariable regression models, we individually tested the independent association of each positive psychology factor and emotional distress factor. RESULTS: We included 110 survivors (mean age 59 years, 64% male, 88% non-Hispanic White, 48% low income); 36.4% of survivors scored above the cut-off for at least one measure of emotional distress. In separate adjusted models, each positive psychology factor was independently associated with emotional distress (ß: -0.20 to -0.42, all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of mindfulness, existential well-being, resilient coping, and perceived social support were each associated with less emotional distress. Future intervention development studies should consider these factors as potential treatment targets.

The relationship between mindfulness and enduring somatic threat severity in long-term cardiac arrest survivors.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrest (CA) survivors experience continuous exposures to potential traumas though chronic cognitive, physical and emotional sequelae and enduring somatic threats (ESTs) (i.e., recurring somatic traumatic reminders of the event). Sources of ESTs can include the daily sensation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), ICD-delivered shocks, pain from rescue compressions, fatigue, weakness, and changes in physical function. Mindfulness, defined as non-judgmental present-moment awareness, is a teachable skill that might help CA survivors cope with ESTs. Here we describe the severity of ESTs in a sample of long-term CA survivors and explore the cross-sectional relationship between mindfulness and severity of ESTs. METHODS: We analyzed survey data of long-term CA survivors who were members of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation (collected 10-11/2020). We assessed ESTs using 4 cardiac threat items from the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-revised (items range from 0 "very little" to 4 "very much") which we summed to create a score reflecting total EST burden (range 0-16). We assessed mindfulness using the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised. First, we summarized the distribution of EST scores. Second, we used linear regression to describe the relationship between mindfulness and EST severity adjusting for age, gender, time since arrest, COVID-19-related stress, and loss of income due to COVID. RESULTS: We included 145 CA survivors (mean age: 51 years, 52% male, 93.8% white, mean time since arrest: 6 years, 24.1% scored in the upper quarter of EST severity). Greater mindfulness (ß: -30, p = 0.002), older age (ß: -0.30, p = 0.01) and longer time since CA (ß: -0.23, p = 0.005) were associated with lower EST severity. Male sex was also associated with greater EST severity (ß: 0.21, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: ESTs are common among CA survivors. Mindfulness may be a protective skill that CA survivors use to cope with ESTs. Future psychosocial interventions for the CA population should consider using mindfulness as a core skill to reduce ESTs.

Advanced Triage Protocol: The Role of an Automated Lactate Order in Expediting Rapid Identification of Patients at Risk of Sepsis in the Emergency Department.

We undertook a process improvement initiative to expedite rapid identification of potential sepsis patients based on triage chief complaint, vital signs, and initial lactate level. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Seven hundred-bed tertiary care hospital with ≅65,000 patient visits/yr. PATIENTS: Patients presenting to emergency department (ED) triage who met the following criteria: greater than or equal to two of the three systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria assessable in triage, a chief complaint suggestive of infection, emergency severity index 2 or 3, and ambulatory to ED. INTERVENTIONS: A computer-generated lactate order was created, staff education and resources increased, and point-of-care lactate testing was introduced. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Primary endpoints include the following: percent of patients having a lactate level drawn, percent of lactate samples resulting before room placement, and time intervals from triage to lactate blood draw and to lactate result. Secondary endpoints were percentage of patients admitted to the hospital, percentage admitted to the ICU, and in-hospital mortality. Six thousand nine hundred six patients were included: 226 historic controls (HCs) and 6,680 intervention group patients. The mean serum lactate level was 1.77 ± 1.18 mmol/L. The percentage of patients having a lactate resulted increased from 27.4% in the HC period to 79.6%. The percentage of these lactate results available while the patient was still in the waiting room increased from 0.4% during the HC period to 33.7% during Phase 5 (p < 0.0001). In the intervention period, time from triage to lactate result decreased (78.1-63.4 min; p < 0.0001) and time to treatment room decreased (59.3-39.6 min; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a computerized lactate order using readily available data obtained during ED triage, combined with point-of-care lactate testing, improves time to lactate blood draw and lactate result in patients at risk for severe sepsis. Initial lactate levels correlated with admission to the hospital, admission to the ICU, and in-hospital mortality.

Qualitative Study of Long-Term Cardiac Arrest Survivors' Challenges and Recommendations for Improving Survivorship.

Background Cardiac arrest survivorship refers to the lived experience of long-term survivors of cardiac arrest and the many postdischarge challenges they experience. We aimed to gather a nuanced understanding of these challenges and of survivors' perceptions of ways to improve the recovery process. Methods and Results We conducted 15 semistructured, one-on-one interviews with cardiac arrest survivor members of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation; the interviews were conducted by telephone and recorded and transcribed verbatim. We used thematic analysis, informed by the Framework Method, to identify underlying themes regarding cardiac arrest survivorship challenges and recommendations to improve cardiac arrest survivorship. Regarding challenges, the overarching theme was a feeling of unpreparedness to confront postarrest challenges because of lack of resources, education, and appropriate expectations for recovery. Regarding recommendations, we uncovered 3 overarching themes including systemic recommendations (eg, providing appropriate resources and expectations, educating providers about survivorship, following up with survivors, including caregivers in treatment planning), social recommendations (eg, attending peer support groups, spending time with loved ones, providing support resources for family members), and individual coping recommendations (eg, acceptance, resilience, regaining control, seeking treatment, focusing on meaning and purpose). Conclusions We described common challenges that survivors of cardiac arrest face, such as lacking resources, education, and appropriate expectations for recovery. Additionally, we identified promising pathways that may improve cardiac arrest survivorship at systemic, social, and individual coping levels. Future studies could use our findings as targets for interventions to support and improve survivorship.

Targeted temperature management after out of hospital cardiac arrest: quo vadis?

Targeted temperature management (TTM) has become a cornerstone in the treatment of comatose post-cardiac arrest patients over the last two decades. Belief in the efficacy of this intervention for improving neurologically intact survival was based on two trials from 2002, one truly randomized-controlled and one small quasi-randomized trial, without clear confirmation of that finding. Subsequent large randomized trials reported no difference in outcomes between TTM at 33 vs. 36°C and no benefit of TTM at 33°C as compared with fever control alone. Given that these results may help shape post-cardiac arrest patient care, we sought to review the history and rationale as well as trial evidence for TTM, critically review the TTM2 trial, and highlight gaps in knowledge and research needs for the future. Finally, we provide contemporary guidance for the use of TTM in daily clinical practice.

The Experiences and Needs of Families of Comatose Patients After Cardiac Arrest and Severe Neurotrauma: The Perspectives of National Key Stakeholders During a National Institutes of Health-Funded Workshop.

OBJECTIVES: Severe acute brain injury (SABI) from cardiac arrest and traumatic brain injury happens suddenly and unexpectedly, carrying high potential for lifelong disability with substantial prognostic uncertainty. Comprehensive assessments of family experiences and support needs after SABI are lacking. Our objective is to elicit "on-the-ground" perspectives about the experiences and needs of families of patients with SABI. DESIGN: Two-phase qualitative study of families and multidisciplinary U.S. healthcare professionals (mHCPs) with expertise in SABI: Phase 1 included semistructured interviews to generate formative findings; phase 2 entailed facilitated discussions to confirm and expand initial findings. SETTING: Phase 1: academic medical center; phase 2: virtual workshop. SUBJECTS: Phase 1 included seven family members and 12 mHCPs. Phase 2 included nationally recruited stakeholders (17 family members and 12 mHCPs). INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: We explored: 1) what are families' needs in the first 48 hours? 2) How are these needs addressed? and 3) How can hospitals better meet these needs? Qualitative analysis included inductive and deductive approaches guided by a conceptual ecological model. Four major needs were identified: 1) challenges in coping with uncertainty in early prognostication, 2) inattention to physical needs of family, 3) deficits in compassionate and consistent communication, and 4) need for engagement with families as stakeholders in improving future practices. Participants' recommendations included: 1) ways to communicate more clearly and consistently, 2) better assistance with navigating resources and access to places for families to care for themselves, and 3) opportunities for families to remain connected with their loved ones, social support networks, and the clinical team. CONCLUSIONS: Stakeholders identified novel insights regarding families' experiences during the hospitalization of comatose SABI patients and factors that can contribute to improved decision-making and physical/emotional outcomes. Interventions to address these unmet needs are promising targets to improve outcomes.

Mode of transportation of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients, the role of community actions and interventions.

The Emergency Medical Services constitutes a critical component in treating patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Activating the EMS system is the first important step in deploying resources, but community involvement in the care of emergent patients is multifaceted and complex. How does the public access EMS services versus other modes of transport remains under investigated; and if the public opts for a different mode of transport to the hospital, how does this affect outcomes?

Does Physician Gender and Gender Composition of Clinical Teams Affect Guideline Concordance and Patient Outcomes in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest?

Objective: Prior literature has shown improved outcomes in morbidity and mortality for admitted patients cared for by female physicians. One theory is that female physicians adhere closely to guideline recommendations. We sought to determine whether patients who have out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) experience more guideline-concordant postcardiac arrest care and potentially better outcomes based on the gender of their treating physician and gender distribution of the treatment teams. Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort study from the Colorado Cardiac Arrest Registry, local registry of OHCA patients treated at one academic urban tertiary care hospital. We analyzed adult OHCA patients who survived to hospital admission but were comatose. Patient demographic data and arrest characteristics were abstracted for subjects, and the gender of the provider was abstracted from the medical record. Results: Patients were admitted by a female attending in 28.5% of the cohort. The difference in guideline-concordant care between male and female providers was not significant. No statistical difference was found between all-male or mixed gender teams in adherence to guideline-concordant care. No patient was cared for by an all-female team. Neither gender of the admitting physician nor gender of the physician who led the family meeting to discuss prognosis was associated with a survival difference. Conclusions: Prior literature has described differences in outcome based on gender of the treating physician. Our analysis targeted a similar question in a cohort of OHCA patients with survival to hospital admission. We determined that there was no difference in postcardiac arrest guideline concordance and survival to hospital discharge based on treating physician gender. This finding differs from the prior literature and supports the importance of diverse clinical teams in medicine.