Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the emergency department: A retrospective patient selection evaluation.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing use of extracorporeal life support in refractory cardiac arrest. Recent studies highlighted the importance of an early and accurate patient selection for this invasive procedure. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to retrospectively validate a six-criteria-screening-checklist (witnessed collapse, bystander-cardiopulmonary resuscitation/first medical contact <5 min, shockable, age <70 years, end tidal carbon dioxide >14 mmHg and pupils not anisocoric/distorted/mydriatic) as an early screening tool in patients treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) at the emergency department. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING/PATIENTS: All patients at least 18 years of age with nontraumatic cardiac arrest and without return of spontaneous circulation before eCPR treatment at our department between January 2013 and December 2018 were included in this retrospective observational study. INTERVENTION: No specific intervention was set in this observational study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was the rate of patients who fulfilled all criteria, secondary outcome was 30-day and 6-month survival in accordance with the criteria. RESULTS: Overall, data from a total of 92 patients were eligible for analyses. Out of these, 27 patients (29%) met all criteria. Patients, who fulfilled all criteria, showed significantly higher odds for 30-day survival [OR 6.0 (95% CI 1.78 to 20.19)] P = 0.004. Patients, who did not fulfil all criteria, showed significantly higher rates of early mortality after eCPR initiation [OR 4.57 (95% CI 1.69 to 12.37)] P = 0.003. CONCLUSION: Patients fulfilling all inclusion criteria showed higher rates of survival after eCPR. Our results affirm that there is a possibility and even an obvious necessity for early patient selection based on standardised criteria before eCPR treatment. Large randomised trials are urgently needed to answer this question accurately.

Vernakalant is superior to ibutilide for achieving sinus rhythm in patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation: a randomized controlled trial at the emergency department.

Aims: Ibutilide is a rapid-acting antiarrhythmic drug with worldwide use for conversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation. Vernakalant, approved in the EU in 2010, is likewise used intravenously, with proven efficacy and safety compared with placebo and amiodarone in randomized clinical trials. The aim of our study was to compare the time to conversion and the conversion rate within 90 min in patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation treated with vernakalant or ibutilide. Methods and Results: A randomized controlled trial registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01447862) was performed in 100 patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation treated at the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital. Patients received up to two short infusions of vernakalant (n = 49; 3 mg/kg followed by 2 mg/kg if necessary) or ibutilide (n = 51; 1 mg followed by another 1 mg if necessary) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Clinical and laboratory variables, adverse events, conversion rates, and time to conversion were recorded. Time to conversion of AF to sinus rhythm was significantly shorter in the vernakalant group compared with the ibutilide group (median time: 10 vs. 26 min, P = 0.01), and likewise the conversion success within 90 min was significantly higher in the vernakalant group (69 vs. 43%, log-rank P = 0.002). No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusion: Vernakalant was superior to ibutilide in converting recent-onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm in the emergency department setting.

Neurologic causes of cardiac arrest and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Sudden cardiac arrest as a complication of neurologic disorders is rare, occasionally acute neurologic events present with cardiac arrest as initial manifestation. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to describe neurologic disorders as a cause of cardiac arrest in order to enable better recognition. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected resuscitation data of all patients treated between 1991 and 2011 at the emergency department after cardiac arrest caused by a neurologic event, including diagnosis, therapy, and outcomes. RESULTS: Over 20 years, 154 patients suffered cardiac arrest as a result of a neurologic event. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest occurred in 126 (82%) patients, 78 (51%) were male, median age was 51 years (interquartile range 17 to 89 years). As initial electrocardiogram rhythm, pulseless electrical activity was found in 77 (50%) cases, asystole in 61 (40%), and ventricular fibrillation in 16 (10%) cases. The most common cause was subarachnoid hemorrhage in 74 (48%) patients, 33 (21%) patients had intracerebral hemorrhage, 23 (15%) had epileptic seizure, 11 (7%) had ischemic stroke, and 13 (8%) had other neurologic diseases. Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved in 139 (90%) patients. Of these, 22 (14%) were alive at follow-up after 6 months, 14 (9%) with favorable neurologic outcome, 8 of these with epileptic seizure, and most of them with history of epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: Subarachnoidal hemorrhage is the leading neurologic cause of cardiac arrest. Most of the patients with cardiac arrest caused by neurologic disorder have a very poor prognosis.

Cardiac arrest caused by acute intoxication-insight from a registry.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to evaluate the epidemiology and outcome after cardiac arrest caused by intoxication. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1991 to 2010 medical record of patients experiencing cardiac arrest caused by self-inflicted, intentional intoxication was performed. The setting was an emergency department of a tertiary care university hospital. The primary end point was the presentation of epidemiologic data in relation to favorable neurologic outcome, defined as cerebral performance categories 1 or 2 and 180-day survival. Furthermore, the patients were subdivided into a single-substance and polysubstance group, depending on the substances causing the intoxication. RESULTS: Of 3644 patients admitted to our department, 99 (2.7%) with a median age of 26 (interquartile range, 19-42) years (37% female) were included. Cardiac arrest was witnessed in 62 cases (63%). Eleven patients (11%) received basic life support by bystanders, and 11 (11%) had a shockable rhythm in the initial electrocardiogram. The combined end point "good survival" was achieved by 34 patients (34%). Cardiac arrest occurred out of hospital in 73 patients (74%) and in-hospital in 26 patients (26%). A single substance causing the intoxication was found in 56 patients (56%). Opiates were the leading substance, with 25 patients (25%) using them. CONCLUSION: Cardiac arrest caused by intoxication is found predominately in young patients. Overall, favorable neurologic survival was achieved in 34%. Opiate-related cardiac arrest was associated with poor survival and a high incidence of neurologic deficits.

Mild therapeutic hypothermia improves outcomes compared with normothermia in cardiac-arrest patients--a retrospective chart review.

OBJECTIVE: Studies showing the effectiveness of therapeutic hypothermia (32-34°C) in postcardiac arrest patients have been criticized because of patients with elevated body temperature (>37.5°C) in the noncooled control group. Thus, the effects of spontaneous normothermia (<37.5°C) compared with mild therapeutic hypothermia were studied. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review from 1991 to 2010. PATIENTS: Witnessed out-of-hospital arrest, presumed to be of cardiac origin, aged 18 to 80 yrs and with a Glassgow Coma Scale score of <8 at admission. INTERVENTIONS: Patients with sustained restoration of spontaneous circulation who did not receive therapeutic hypothermia and never exceeded 37.5°C during the 36 hrs postcardiac arrest were compared with patients who received mild therapeutic hypothermia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary end point was a favorable neurological outcome, defined as Cerebral Performance Categories 1 or 2; the secondary end point was overall survival to 180 days. Significantly more patients in the hypothermia group had Cerebral Performance Categories 1 or 2 (hypothermia: 256 of 467 [55%] vs. normothermia: 69 of 165 [42%]) and survived for >180 days (hypothermia: 315 of 467 [67%] vs. normothermia: 79 of 165 [48%]). The propensity score adjusted risk ratio for good neurological outcome of patients undergoing hypothermia treatment was 1.37 (confidence interval 1.09-1.72, p≤.01) and for dying within 180 days was 0.57 (confidence interval 0.44-0.73, p≤.01) compared to normothermia. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic hypothermia is associated with significantly improved neurological outcome and 180-day survival compared to spontaneous normothermia in cardiac-arrest patients.

An electrocardiogram technician improves in-hospital first medical contact-to-electrocardiogram times: a cluster randomized controlled interventional trial.

BACKGROUND: In the case of chest pain, the current guidelines require electrocardiogram (ECG) recording and patient assessment within 10 minutes upon arrival in the emergency department. METHODS: We investigated the effect of an ECG technician (ECG-T) on in-hospital first medical contact-to-ECG times (iFMC-to-ECG) investigated in a cluster randomized, controlled trial. Allocation of intervention was concealed. Staff satisfaction and feasibility was defined as a secondary outcome. Delays between ECG and the availability of an emergency physician and the assessment of ECG were additionally evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 163 (44 clusters) and 191 (47 clusters) patients were allocated to control and intervention, respectively. Twenty-seven (17%) of 163 patients in the control group vs 110 (58%) of 191 patients in the intervention group received ECG registration within 10 minutes (risk ratio, 3.40 [2.24-5.15]; P < .001). The iFMC-to-ECG time was 23 (95% confidence interval [CI], 20-27) minutes for the control group vs 9 (95% CI, 8-11) minutes for the intervention group (P < .001). Nursing staff judged the feasibility of intervention with a median of 1 (interquartile range [IQR], 1-1 (on a scale of 1 [best] to 5 [worst]), perceived workload alleviation with a median of 1 (IQR, 1-1), and improvement of quality of care with a median of 1 (IQR, 1-2). The ECG-to-EP time was 78 (95% CI, 64-92) seconds, and diagnosis was made within 17 (95% CI, 16-18) seconds. CONCLUSIONS: Delays of iFMC-to-ECG can be effectively addressed by implementation of an ECG-T. The service of an ECG-T is feasible and improves staff satisfaction. Both ECG-to-EP time and ECG assessment constitute no relevant delay.

Targeted temperature management after cardiac arrest is associated with reduced metabolism of pantoprazole - A probe drug of CYP2C19 metabolism.

OBJECTIVE: Targeted temperature management (TTM) is part of standard post-resuscitation care. TTM may downregulate cytochrome enzyme activity and thus impact drug metabolism. This study compared the pharmacokinetics (PK) of pantoprazole, a probe drug of CYP2C19-dependent metabolism, at different stages of TTM following cardiac arrest. METHODS: This prospective controlled study was performed at the Medical University of Vienna and enrolled 16 patients following cardiac arrest. The patients completed up to three study periods (each lasting 24 h) in which plasma concentrations of pantoprazole were quantified: (P1) hypothermia (33 °C) after admission, (P2) normothermia after rewarming (36 °C, intensive care), and (P3) normothermia during recovery (normal ward, control group). PK was analysed using non-compartmental analysis and nonlinear mixed-effects modelling. RESULTS: 16 patients completed periods P1 and P2; ten completed P3. The median half-life of pantoprazole was 2.4 h (quartiles: 1.8-4.8 h) in P1, 2.8 h (2.1-6.8 h, p = 0.046 vs. P1, p = 0.005 vs. P3) in P2 and 1.2 h (0.9 - 2.3 h, p = 0.007 vs. P1) in P3. A two-compartment model described the PK data best. Typical values for clearance were estimated separately for each study period, indicating 40% and 29% reductions during P1 and P2, respectively, compared to P3. The central volume of distribution was estimated separately for P2, indicating a 64% increase compared to P1 and P3. CONCLUSION: CYP2C19-dependent drug metabolism is downregulated during TTM following cardiac arrest. These results may influence drug choice and dosing of similarly metabolized drugs and may be helpful for designing studies in similar clinical situations.

Coronary angiography in patients after cardiac arrest without ST-elevation myocardial infarction : A retrospective cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Although coronary angiography (CAG) should be performed also in the absence of ST-elevation (STE) after sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), this recommendation is not well implemented in daily routine. METHODS: A retrospective database analysis was conducted in a tertiary care center between January 2005 and December 2014. We included all SCA patients aged ≥ 18 years with presumed cardiac cause and sustained ROSC in the absence of STE at hospital admission. The rate and timing of CAG were defined as the primary endpoints. As secondary endpoints, the reasons pro and contra CAG were analyzed. Furthermore, we observed if the signs and symptoms used for decision making occurred more often in patients with treatable CAD. RESULTS: We included 645 (53.6%) of the 1203 screened patients, CAG was performed in 343 (53.2%) patients with a diagnosis of occlusive CAD in 214 (62.4%) patients. Of these, 151 (71.0%) patients had occlusive CAD treated with coronary intervention, thrombus aspiration, or coronary artery bypass grafting. In an adjusted binomial logistic regression analysis, age ≥ 70 years, female sex, non-shockable rhythms, and cardiomyopathy were associated with withholding of CAG. In patients diagnosed and treated with occlusive CAD, initially shockable rhythms, previously diagnosed CAD, hypertension, and smoking were found more often. CONCLUSION: Although selection bias is unavoidable due to the retrospective design of this study, a high proportion of the examined patients had occlusive CAD. The criteria used for patient selection may be suboptimal.

Copeptin Levels Are Independent from Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia but Do Not Predict Infarct Size in Patients Presenting with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) is a treatment adjunct in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) that deserves investigation. Copeptin-a surrogate marker for vasopressin-is an early biomarker in STEMI. Data from cardiac arrest patients suggest a reduction of copeptin levels through MTH; however, copeptin levels have not been investigated in MTH during STEMI. METHODS: We analyzed patients treated with MTH during STEMI in a sub-study of the STATIM trial (Testori, Heart 2019). Patients were randomized to normothermia or MTH with out-of-hospital initiation. Seven copeptin samples were collected from each patient. Primary endpoint was the difference in copeptin levels between the groups. As secondary endpoints, we defined differences in the kinetics between the sampling timepoints and the correlation between copeptin and the infarct size in relation to left ventricular myocardium. RESULTS: We included 99 patients (MTH n = 47, control n = 52) in our intention to treat analysis. No differences in copeptin values at first medical contact between the MTH and normothermia groups were found. MTH showed no effect on copeptin levels, neither during cooling phase nor through the course. Copeptin peaked at first medical contact and hospital admission in both groups. No differences in kinetics between the timepoints were found. Copeptin showed no correlation with infarct size, neither at first medical contact nor hospital admission. CONCLUSIONS: Copeptin levels were not influenced by MTH in STEMI, suggesting the use of this biomarker also during temperature management. Furthermore, copeptin levels were not usable as a surrogate marker for infarct size at any timepoint.

Management of EMS on-scene time during advanced life support in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a retrospective observational trial.

OBJECTIVE: Most western emergency medical services provide advanced life support in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest aiming for a return of spontaneous circulation at the scene. Little attention is given to prehospital time management in the case of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with regard to early coronary angiography or to the start of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation treatment within 60 minutes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest onset. We investigated the emergency medical services on-scene time, defined as emergency medical services arrival at the scene until departure to the hospital, and its association with 30-day survival with favourable neurological outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS: All patients of over 18 years of age with non-traumatic, non-emergency medical services witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest between July 2013 and August 2015 from the Vienna Cardiac Arrest Registry were included in this retrospective observational study. RESULTS: Out of 2149 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients, a total of 1687 (79%) patients were eligible for analyses. These patients were stratified into groups according to the on-scene time (<35 minutes, 35-45 minutes, 45-60 minutes, >60 minutes). Within short on-scene time groups, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest occurred more often in public and bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation was more common (both P<0.001). Patients who did not achieve return of spontaneous circulation at the scene showed higher rates of 30-day survival with favourable neurological outcome with an on-scene time of less than 35 minutes (adjusted odds ratio 5.00, 95% confidence interval 1.39-17.96). CONCLUSION: An emergency medical services on-scene time of less than 35 minutes was associated with higher rates of survival and favourable outcomes. It seems to be reasonable to develop time optimised advance life support protocols to minimise the on-scene time in view of further treatments such as early coronary angiography as part of post-resuscitation care or extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Out-of-hospital initiation of hypothermia in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a randomised trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of prereperfusion hypothermia initiated in the out-of-hospital setting in awake patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) on myocardial salvage measured by cardiac MRI (CMR). METHODS: Hypothermia was initiated within 6 hours of symptom onset by the emergency medical service with surface cooling pads and cold saline, and continued in the cath lab with endovascular cooling (target temperature: ≤35°C at time of reperfusion). Myocardial salvage index (using CMR) was compared in a randomised, controlled, open-label, endpoint blinded trial to a not-cooled group of patients at day 4±2 after the event. RESULTS: After postrandomisation exclusion of 19 patients a total of 101 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis (control group: n=54; hypothermia group: n=47). Target temperature was reached in 38/47 patients (81%) in the intervention group. Study-related interventions resulted in a delay in time from first medical contact to reperfusion of 14 min (control group 89±24 min; hypothermia group 103±21 min; p<0.01). Myocardial salvage index was 0.37 (±0.26) in the control group and 0.43 (±0.27) in the hypothermia group (p=0.27). No differences in cardiac biomarkers or clinical outcomes were found. In a CMR follow-up 6 months after the initial event no significant differences were detected. CONCLUSION: Out-of-hospital induced therapeutic hypothermia as an adjunct to primary percutaneous coronary intervention did not improve myocardial salvage in patients with STEMI. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01777750.

Increased Citrullinated Histone H3 Levels in the Early Post-Resuscitative Period Are Associated with Poor Neurologic Function in Cardiac Arrest Survivors-A Prospective Observational Study.

The exact contribution of neutrophils to post-resuscitative brain damage is unknown. We aimed to investigate whether neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation in the early phase after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) may be associated with poor 30 day neurologic function in cardiac arrest survivors. This study prospectively included adult (≥18 years) out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors with cardiac origin, who were subjected to targeted temperature management. Plasma levels of specific (citrullinated histone H3, H3Cit) and putative (cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and nucleosomes) biomarkers of NET formation were assessed at 0 and 12 h after admission. The primary outcome was neurologic function on day 30 after admission, which was assessed using the five-point cerebral performance category (CPC) score, classifying patients into good (CPC 1-2) or poor (CPC 3-5) neurologic function. The main variable of interest was the effect of H3Cit level quintiles at 12 h on 30 day neurologic function, assessed by logistic regression. The first quintile was used as a baseline reference. Results are given as crude odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Sixty-two patients (79% male, median age: 57 years) were enrolled. The odds of poor neurologic function increased linearly, with 0 h levels of cfNDA (crude OR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2-2.7, p = 0.007) and nucleosomes (crude OR 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0-2.2, p = 0.049), as well as with 12 h levels of cfDNA (crude OR 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.4, p = 0.024), nucleosomes (crude OR 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.5, p = 0.020), and H3Cit (crude OR 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3, p = 0.029). Patients in the fourth (7.9, 95% CI: 1.1-56, p = 0.039) and fifth (9.0, 95% CI: 1.3-63, p = 0.027) H3Cit quintile had significantly higher odds of poor 30 day neurologic function compared to patients in the first quintile. Increased plasma levels of H3Cit, 12 h after admission, are associated with poor 30 day neurologic function in adult OHCA survivors, which may suggest a contribution of NET formation to post-resuscitative brain damage and therefore provide a therapeutic target in the future.

Initial electrical frequency predicts survival and neurological outcome in out of hospital cardiac arrest patients with pulseless electrical activity.

BACKGROUND: Outcome is generally poor in out of hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) with initial non-shockable rhythms. Termination of resuscitation rules facilitate early prognostication at the scene to cease resuscitation attempts in futile situations and to proceed advanced life support in promising conditions. As pulseless electrical activity (PEA) is present as first rhythm in every 4th OHCA we were interested if the initial electrical frequency in PEA predicts survival. METHODS: All patients >18 years of age with non-traumatic OHCA and PEA as first rhythm between August 2013 and August 2015 from the Vienna Cardiac Arrest Registry were included in this retrospective observational study. Defibrillator and epidemiological data from the emergency medical system as survival data were processed considering the initial electrical activity in PEA and 30 days survival. RESULTS: Out of 2149 OHCA patients, a total of 504 PEA patients were eligible for analyses. These patients were stratified into 4 groups according the initial electrical frequency in PEA: 10-24/min, 25-39/min, 40-59/min, >60/min. Compared to a frequency >60/min all other subgroups were associated with higher mortality especially those with an initial electrical frequency 10-24 (adjusted OR 0.56 (0.39-0.79) p = .001 for each category chance). QRS duration in PEA did not influence outcome. Patients in the >60/min group showed a 30-days-survival rate of 22% and a good neurological outcome in 15% of all patients - comparable to shockable cardiac arrest rhythms. CONCLUSION: Regardless of other resuscitation factors, higher initial electrical frequency in PEA is associated with increased odds of survival and good neurological outcome.

The impact of airway strategy on the patient outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A propensity score matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: While guidelines mentioned supraglottic airway management in the case of out-of- hospital cardiac arrest, robust data of their impact on the patient outcome remain scare and results are inconclusive. METHODS: To assess the impact of the airway strategy on the patient outcome we prospectively enrolled 2224 individuals suffering cardiac arrest who were treated by the Viennese municipal emergency medical service. To control for potential confounders, propensity score matching was performed. Patients were matched in four groups with a 1:1:1:1 ratio ( n=210/group) according to bag-mask-valve, laryngeal tube, endotracheal intubation and secondary endotracheal intubation after primary laryngeal tube ventilation. RESULTS: The laryngeal tube subgroup showed the lowest 30-day survival rate among all tested devices ( p<0.001). However, in the case of endotracheal intubation after primary laryngeal tube ventilation, survival rates were comparable to the primary endotracheal tube subgroup. The use of a laryngeal tube was independently and directly associated with mortality with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.97 (confidence interval: 1.14-3.39; p=0.015). Additionally, patients receiving laryngeal tube ventilation showed the lowest rate of good neurological performance (6.7%; p<0.001) among subgroups. However, if patients received endotracheal intubation after initial laryngeal tube ventilation, the outcome proved to be significantly better (9.5%; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We found that the use of a laryngeal tube for airway management in cardiac arrest was significantly associated with poor 30-day survival rates and unfavourable neurological outcome. A primary endotracheal airway management needs to be considered at the scene, or an earliest possible secondary endotracheal intubation during both pre-hospital and in-hospital post-return of spontaneous circulation critical care seems crucial and most beneficial for the patient outcome.

Mortality in patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest based on automated blood cell count and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio at admission.

INTRODUCTION: The neutrophil lymphocyte ratio(NLR) is a marker of systemic inflammation. We hypothesized that admission NLR is related to mortality and that epinephrine application during resuscitation influences NLR in patients after successful resuscitation from out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study is based on a registry including all OHCA patients who had a presumed cardiac cause of cardiac arrest and achieved sustained ROSC prior to admission between 2005 and 2014. Patients were categorized into three groups according to the calculated NLR at admission (NLR <6, ≥6, and 'abnormal differential' indicating no differential blood cell count on patients report due to exceedance of machine predefined parameter limits). The primary outcome measure was long-term mortality after OHCA. Cox proportional hazards models were used for multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Out of 2273 OHCA patients during the study period a total of 1188(52%) patients were eligible for analysis, of those 274(23%) were female and mean age was 64 (25-75 IQR:52-72). Compared to a NLR<6 (n=442), adjusted hazard ratio for long-term mortality was significantly higher in patients with a NLR≥6 (n=447; 1.52 (95%CI 1.03-2.24)) and in patients with abnormal differential (n=299; 3.16 (95%CI 2.02-4.97)). Epinephrine application during resuscitation did not explain the effect of NLR on mortality. CONCLUSION: In this large retrospective cohort study of altogether >1000 OHCA patients, hospital admission NLR<6 compared to abnormal differential or NLR≥6 was associated with mortality independently from epinephrine application.

Continuous versus intermittent neuromuscular blockade in patients during targeted temperature management after resuscitation from cardiac arrest-A randomized, double blinded, double dummy, clinical trial.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Current guidelines recommend targeted temperature management to improve neurological outcome after cardiac arrest. Evidence regarding an ideal sedative/analgesic regimen including skeletal muscle paralysis is limited. METHODS: Patients were randomized to either a continuous administration of rocuronium (continuous-NMB-group) or to a continuous administration of saline supplemented by rocuronium bolus administration if demanded (bolus-NMB-group). The primary outcome was the number of shivering episodes. Secondary outcomes included survival and neurological status one year after cardiac arrest, time to awakening, length of stay as well as required cumulative dose of rocuronium, midazolam and fentanyl. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients (32 continuous-NMB-group; 31 bolus-NMB-group) were enrolled. Differences in baseline characteristics were not significant. Shivering episodes were detected in 94% of the patients in the bolus-NMB-group compared to 25% of the patients receiving continuous rocuronium infusion (p<0.01). The continuous-NMB-group received significant lower doses of midazolam (4.3±0.8mg/kg vs. 5.1±0.9mg/kg, p<0.01) and fentanyl (62±14µg/kg vs. 71±7µg/kg, p<0.01), but higher cumulative doses of rocuronium (7.8±1.8mg/kg vs. 2.3±1.6mg/kg, p<0.01). Earlier awakening (2 [IQR 2;3] vs. 4 [IQR 2;7.5] days, p=0.04) and decreased length of stay at the ICU (6 [IQR 3;5.9] vs. 10 [IQR 5;15] days, p=0.03) were observed in the continuous-NMB-group. There were no significant differences in survival and quality of life 12 months after cardiac arrest. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous neuromuscular blockade during the first day after resuscitation reduced shivering, midazolam and fentanyl requirement, time to awakening and discharge from intensive care unit. There were no differences in overall survival, cooling rate and time to target temperature.

Feasibility of profound hypothermia as part of extracorporeal life support in a pig model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of a refined aortic flush catheter and pump system to induce emergency preservation and resuscitation before extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a normovolemic cardiac arrest swine model simulating near real size/weight conditions of adults. METHODS: In this feasibility study, 8 female Large White breed pigs weighing 70 to 80 kg underwent ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest for 15 minutes, followed by 4°C aortic flush (150 mL/kg for the brain; 50 mL/kg for the spine) via a new hardware ensued by resuscitation with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. RESULTS: Brain temperature was lowered from 39.9°C (interquartile range [IQR] 39.6-40.3) to 24.0°C (IQR 20.8-28.9) in 12 minutes (IQR 11-16) with a median cooling rate of 1.3°C (IQR 0.7-1.6) per minute. A median of 776 mL (IQR 673-840) per minute with a median pump pressure of 1487 mm Hg (IQR 1324-1545) were pumped to the brain. CONCLUSIONS: With the new hardware, we were able to cool the brain within a few minutes in a large pig cardiac arrest model. The exact position; the design, diameter, and length of the flush catheter; and the brain perfusion pressure seem to be critical to effectively reduce brain temperature. Redistribution of peripheral blood could lead to sterile inflammation again and might be avoided.

Outcome of in- and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors with liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Organ failure increases mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. Data about resuscitated cardiac arrest patients with liver cirrhosis are missing. This study aims to assess aetiology, survival and functional outcome in patients after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with and without liver cirrhosis. METHODS: Analysis of prospectively collected cardiac arrest registry data of consecutively hospital-admitted patients following successful CPR was performed. Patient's characteristics, admission diagnosis, severity of disease, course of disease, short- and long-term mortality as well as functional outcome were assessed and compared between patients with and without cirrhosis. RESULTS: Out of 1068 patients with successful CPR, 47 (4%) had liver cirrhosis. Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) was present in 33 (70%) of these patients on admission, and four patients developed ACLF during follow-up. Mortality at 1 year was more than threefold increased in patients with liver cirrhosis (OR 3.25; 95% CI 1.33-7.96). Liver cirrhosis was associated with impaired neurological outcome (OR for a favourable cerebral performance category: 0.13; 95% CI 0.04-0.36). None of the patients with Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) C cirrhosis survived 28 days with good neurological outcome. Overall nine (19%) patients with cirrhosis survived 28 days with good neurological outcome. All patients with ACLF grade 3 died within 28 days. CONCLUSION: Cardiac arrest survivors with cirrhosis have worse outcome than those without. Although one quarter of patients with liver cirrhosis survived longer than 28 days after successful CPR, patients with CTP C as well as advanced ACLF did not survive 28 days with good neurological outcome.

Age-specific prognostication after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest - The ethical dilemma between 'life-sustaining treatment' and 'the right to die' in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: While prognostic values on survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest have been well investigated, less attention has been paid to their age-specific relevance. Therefore, we aimed to identify suitable age-specific early prognostication in elderly patients suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in order to reduce the burden of unnecessary treatment and harm. METHODS: In a prospective population-based observational trial on individuals suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, a total of 2223 patients receiving resuscitation attempts by the local emergency medical service in Vienna, Austria, were enrolled. Patients were stratified according to age as follows: young and middle-aged individuals (<65 years), young old individuals (65-74 years), old individuals (75-84 years) and very old individuals (>85 years). RESULTS: There was an increasing rate of 30-day mortality (+21.8%, p < 0.001) and unfavourable neurological outcome (+18.8%, p < 0.001) with increasing age among age groups. Established predictive variables lost their prognostic potential with increasing age, even after adjusting for potential confounders. Independently, an initially shockable electrocardiogram proved to be directly associated with survival, with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 2.04 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.89-2.38, p = 0.003) for >85-year-olds. Frailty was directly associated with mortality (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01-1.51, p = 0.049), showing a 30-day survival of 5.6% and a favourable neurological outcome of 1.1% among elderly individuals. CONCLUSION: An initially shockable electrocardiogram proved to be a suitable tool for risk assessment and decision making in order to predict a successful outcome in elderly victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, the outcomes of elderly patients seemed to be exceptionally poor in frail individuals and need to be considered in order to reduce unnecessary treatment decisions.

Limited effect of mild therapeutic hypothermia on outcome after prolonged resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: Mild therapeutic hypothermia interferes with multiple cascades of the ischaemia/reperfusion injury that is known as primary mechanism for brain damage after cardiac arrest. First resuscitation attempts and the duration of resuscitation efforts will initiate and aggravate this pathophysiology. Therefore we investigated the interaction between the duration of basic and advanced life support and outcome after cardiac arrest in patients treated with or without mild therapeutic hypothermia. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients 18 years of age or older suffering a witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with presumed cardiac cause, which remained comatose after restoration of spontaneous circulation. The basic and advanced life support 'low-flow' time, categorized into four quartiles (0-11, 12-17, 18-28, ≥ 29 min), was correlated with neurological outcome. RESULTS: Out of 1103 patients 613 were cooled to a target temperature of 33 ± 1 °C for 24h. In the three quartiles with 'low-flow' time up to 28 min cooling was associated with >2-fold odds of favourable neurological outcome. In the fourth quartile with 'low-flow' time of ≥ 29 min cooling had no influence on neurological outcome (OR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.38-1.4, test for interaction p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The duration of resuscitation efforts, defined as 'low-flow' time, influences the effectiveness of mild therapeutic hypothermia in terms of neurologic outcome. Patients with low to moderate 'low-flow' time benefit most from this treatment.