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Variability in cardiac arrest survival: The NHS Ambulance Service Quality Indicators
Abstract
It is estimated that approximately 60 000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) occur in the UK each year.1 2 Resuscitation is attempted by emergency medical services (EMS) in <50% of cases, with non-resuscitation decisions being undertaken according to national guidance.3 The Ambulance Service Association first noted variability in outcomes from cardiac arrest between 2004 and 2006 with return of spontaneous circulation rates ranging from 10% to 25%.1 Recent data from the Scottish and London Ambulance Service confirm similar variability in survival to discharge rates of 1%4 and 8% respectively.5
As part of the focus on improving quality of care, the Department of Health for England introduced survival from cardiac arrest as part of the Ambulance Service National Quality Indicator set in April 2011. Return of spontaneous circulation and survival to hospital discharge rates are reported for all patients who have resuscitation (advanced or basic life support) started/continued by an NHS ambulance service after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.6 The first results were published in September 2011 and are summarised in figure 1. Incidence data are not reported, however, as a surrogate measure comparing the number of cardiac arrests with total number of category A 999 calls shows more than threefold differences between services (range 5.2–17.6 per 1000 category A 999 calls). Survival rates similarly show 3–5 fold variability (13.3–26.7% for return of spontaneous circulation upon arrival at the emergency department and 2.2–12% for survival to discharge). This variability …
... However, an increasing body of evidence indicates a significant variability in survival rates for conventional and standard CPR approach, especially in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) (1)(2)(3)(4). ...
... A better strategy includes a real-time monitoring system of chest compression quality during CPR to maximize the hemodynamic effect of compression according to the patient's response, for a strategy of a personalized CPR (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). ...
... Many authors have suggested that CPR should be moved from a conventional standardized approach to a personalized one to improve hemodynamic efficacy of CPR, ROSC rate, and survival (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). This is the first point that comes out of our study: we can personalize cardiac massage, thus improving the compression of the left ventricle. ...
Background:
There is a significant variability in survival rates for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in out of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), and some data indicate that ultrasound improves CPR.
Objectives:
We evaluated the feasibility of ultrasound for monitoring chest compressions in OHCA.
Methods:
We planned a prospective study in patients with an ultrasound-integrated CPR for OHCA. Chest compressions were performed on the intermammillary line (IML), but the position was changed according to the quality of the heart squeezing, evaluated by ultrasound. End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) was used as the control parameter. Then we compared the area with the highest squeezing with the position of the heart in the chest computed tomography (CT) scans of 20 hospitalized patients.
Results:
Chest compressions were good, partial, and inadequate on the IML in 58.4%, 48.9%, and 2.8% of cases, respectively. These percentages were 75%, 25%, and 0% after these modifications: none (47.2%), increased depth (8.3%), hands moved on the lower third of the sternum (27.8%), on left parasternal line of the lower part of the sternum (13.9%), and on the center of the sternum (1 case). Accordingly, ETCO2 improved significantly (20.37 vs. 37.10, p < 0.0001). The CT scans showed that the larger biventricular area (BVA) was under the parasternal line of the lower third of the sternum, and the mean distance IML-BVA was 5.7 cm.
Conclusions:
Our study has demonstrated that CPR in OHCA can be improved using ultrasound and changing the position of the hands. This finding was connected with the ETCO2 and confirmed by chest CT scans.
https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1cDE22dT1CnqAp
... In the UK, there is evidence, as shown in Figure 2, of wide variability in ROSC and survival-to-discharge rates across ambulance services. 3 In 2011, the survival-to-discharge rate following OHCA by ambulance service ranged from 2.5% to 12%. 3 Although the number of cases was small, the variation was not reduced through standardisation using the Utstein patient subgroup (witnessed arrest in a shockable rhythm with bystander CPR), and neither was the variation in outcome associated with ambulance response times. 11,12 Such variation in outcome following OHCA across emergency medical service (EMS) systems has also been observed in other countries. ...
... 3 In 2011, the survival-to-discharge rate following OHCA by ambulance service ranged from 2.5% to 12%. 3 Although the number of cases was small, the variation was not reduced through standardisation using the Utstein patient subgroup (witnessed arrest in a shockable rhythm with bystander CPR), and neither was the variation in outcome associated with ambulance response times. 11,12 Such variation in outcome following OHCA across emergency medical service (EMS) systems has also been observed in other countries. ...
... compare Great Western with Yorkshire and East of England Ambulance Services in Figure 2). 3 In the UK, conventional management for OHCA is that the patient will be transferred to the nearest appropriate emergency department (ED) according to locally agreed protocols. ...
Background
Each year, approximately 30,000 people have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) that is treated by UK ambulance services. Across all cases of OHCA, survival to hospital discharge is less than 10%. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a common cause of OHCA.
Objectives
To explore factors that influence survival in patients who initially survive an OHCA attributable to ACS.
Data source
Data collected by the Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project (MINAP) between 2003 and 2015.
Participants
Adult patients who had a first OHCA attributable to ACS and who were successfully resuscitated and admitted to hospital.
Main outcome measures
Hospital mortality, neurological outcome at hospital discharge, and time to all-cause mortality.
Methods
We undertook a cohort study using data from the MINAP registry. MINAP is a national audit that collects data on patients admitted to English, Welsh and Northern Irish hospitals with myocardial ischaemia. From the data set, we identified patients who had an OHCA. We used imputation to address data missingness across the data set. We analysed data using multilevel logistic regression to identify modifiable and non-modifiable factors that affect outcome.
Results
Between 2003 and 2015, 1,127,140 patient cases were included in the MINAP data set. Of these, 17,604 OHCA cases met the study inclusion criteria. Overall hospital survival was 71.3%. Across hospitals with at least 60 cases, hospital survival ranged from 34% to 89% (median 71.4%, interquartile range 60.7–76.9%). Modelling, which adjusted for patient and treatment characteristics, could account for only 36.1% of this variability. For the primary outcome, the key modifiable factors associated with reduced mortality were reperfusion treatment [primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) or thrombolysis] and admission under a cardiologist. Admission to a high-volume cardiac arrest hospital did not influence survival. Sensitivity analyses showed that reperfusion was associated with reduced mortality among patients with a ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but there was no evidence of a reduction in mortality in patients who did not present with a STEMI.
Limitations
This was an observational study, such that unmeasured confounders may have influenced study findings. Differences in case identification processes at hospitals may contribute to an ascertainment bias.
Conclusions
In OHCA patients who have had a cardiac arrest attributable to ACS, there is evidence of variability in survival between hospitals, which cannot be fully explained by variables captured in the MINAP data set. Our findings provide some support for the current practice of transferring resuscitated patients with a STEMI to a hospital that can deliver pPCI. In contrast, it may be reasonable to transfer patients without a STEMI to the nearest appropriate hospital.
Future work
There is a need for clinical trials to examine the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of invasive reperfusion strategies in resuscitated OHCA patients of cardiac cause who have not had a STEMI.
Funding
The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.
... A UK-based consensus study highlighted clinical patient outcomes, for example, discharged alive from the hospital, reduction in pain after administered analgesia and re-contacting the AS within 24 h, as well as response time and correctly performed assessments/triage as potential quality measurements in an AS setting [20]. There are also examples in specific areas within the AS context, such as effectiveness of chest compressions [21] and cardiac arrest survival [22]. ...
... Furthermore, as lights and sirens have unfavourable effects on patient safety, ACs and the general public, it is recommended that a protocol should be developed to minimize their usage [50]. Another quality indicator related to response time is cardiac arrest survival [22] In the present study, following guidelines was shown to be important, which is supported by national and international studies [51][52][53] and recognized as a means of improving quality [54]. However, the participants experienced that guidelines and protocols mainly had a medical focus, making them potential obstacles to being open to patient needs [55]. ...
Quality within all areas of healthcare should be systemically monitored and ensured. However, the definition of quality is complex and diverse. In the ambulance service (AS), quality has traditionally been defined as response time, but this measurement eliminates the possibility of addressing other characteristics of quality, such as the care provided. This study aimed to explore what constitutes quality in the context of the ambulance service as experienced by ambulance clinicians, physicians, and managers. A focus group study was conducted with 18 participants. The three focus groups were analyzed with the focus group method developed by Kreuger and Casey. The participants highlighted patient involvement, information and care, as well as adherence to policies, regulations, and their own standards as representing quality in the AS. This study demonstrates that quality is in the eye of the beholder. As quality seems to be viewed similarly by patients and ambulance clinicians, physicians, and managers, stakeholders should aim for a paradigm shift where patients' experience of the care is just as important as various time measures.
... Ambulance services in England respond to over 60,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA), each year [1]. Resuscitation is attempted in around half of cases and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), at time of hospital transfer, is achieved in only 25.8% [2]. ...
... Applying the findings of this study gives an overall transport rate with ongoing CPR of 28% of resuscitation attempts. If these figures are scaled up across the UK (where there are approximately 30,000 OHCAs with attempted resuscitation, each year [1]), it indicates that there are approximately 8400 emergency transports with ongoing CPR, from which our results indicate there may be as little as 110 survivors. Application of the universal TOR clinical prediction rule could identify 3290 cases that were transported to hospital, in spite of there being no realistic chance of survival. ...
Introduction:
Termination of resuscitation guidelines for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest can identify patients in whom continuing resuscitation has little chance of success. This study examined the outcomes of patients transferred to hospital with ongoing CPR. It assessed outcomes for those who would have met the universal prehospital termination of resuscitation criteria (no shocks administered, unwitnessed by emergency medical services, no return of spontaneous circulation).
Methods:
A retrospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients who were transported to hospital with ongoing CPR was conducted at three hospitals in the West Midlands, UK between September 2016 and November 2017. Patient characteristics, interventions and response to treatment (ROSC, survival to discharge) were identified.
Results:
227 (median age 69 years, 67.8% male) patients were identified. 89 (39.2%) met the universal prehospital termination of resuscitation criteria. Seven (3.1%) were identified with a potentially reversible cause of cardiac arrest. After hospital arrival, patients received few specialist interventions that were not available in the prehospital setting. Most (n = 210, 92.5%) died in the emergency department. 17 were admitted (14 to intensive care), of which 3 (1.3%) survived to hospital discharge. There were no survivors (0%) in those who met the criteria for universal prehospital termination of resuscitation.
Conclusion:
Overall survival amongst patients transported to hospital with ongoing CPR was very poor. Application of the universal prehospital termination of resuscitation rule, in patients without obvious reversible causes of cardiac arrest, would have allowed resuscitation to have been discontinued at the scene for 39.2% of patients who did not survive.
... In the UK, there is wide variability in outcomes following OHCA with rates of survival between 2-12%. 25 Whilst the results of this study demonstrate a survival benefit for patients conveyed directly to a CAC, this finding was not unanimously observed in all centres, with a difference in survival between the CACs. As with all observational data, there is a risk of selection bias. ...
... It has been shown that outcomes after cardiac arrest improve significantly when cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed promptly at a high-quality level [4]. Interestingly, remarkable regional and interindividual differences exist in the survival rates of cardiac arrest incidence and outcomes [5,6]. However, the incidence of SCD depends on its definition [7]. ...
The post-resuscitation period is recognized as the main predictor of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) outcomes. The first description of post-resuscitation syndrome and stony heart was published over 50 years ago. Major manifestations may include but are not limited to, persistent precipitating pathology, systemic ischemia/reperfusion response, post-cardiac arrest brain injury, and finally, post-cardiac arrest myocardial dysfunction (PAMD) after successful resuscitation. Why do some patients initially survive successful resuscitation, and others do not? Also, why does the myocardium response vary after resuscitation? These questions have kept scientists busy for several decades since the first successful resuscitation was described. By modifying the conventional modalities of resuscitation together with new promising agents, rescuers will be able to salvage the jeopardized post-resuscitation myocardium and prevent its progression to a dismal, stony heart. Community awareness and staff education are crucial for shortening the resuscitation time and improving short- and long-term outcomes. Awareness of these components before and early after the restoration of circulation will enhance the resuscitation outcomes. This review extensively addresses the underlying pathophysiology, management, and outcomes of post-resuscitation syndrome. The pattern, management, and outcome of PAMD and post-cardiac arrest shock are different based on many factors, including in-hospital cardiac arrest vs out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), witnessed vs unwitnessed cardiac arrest, the underlying cause of arrest, the duration, and protocol used for CPR. Although restoring spontaneous circulation is a vital sign, it should not be the end of the game or lone primary outcome; it calls for better understanding and aggressive multi-disciplinary interventions and care. The development of stony heart post-CPR and OHCA remain the main challenges in emergency and critical care medicine.
... Die Begriffe im Prozess variieren in der Sozial-und Gesundheitswirtschaft zwischen Input, Output, Outcome und Impact (Bernet & Gmür, 2015). Bisherige Ansätze der Qualität im Rettungsdienst fokussierten sich (lediglich) auf den Punkt des Qualitätsmanagements und einer damit verbundenen Zertifizierung (Lohs et al., 2018 (Fischer et al., 2016;Funada et al., 2019;Oostema et al., 2014;Perkins & Cooke, 2012). Ferner hat auch die personelle Besetzung eines Rettungsmittels Einfluss auf die Überlebensrate von schwer verletzten PatientInnen, z. ...
... Each year in the United Kingdom (UK), the National Health Service treats over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) with about 8% of patients surviving to hospital discharge. [1][2][3][4][5] Prompt bystander-initiated defibrillation using public access defibrillators (PADs) can be an effective intervention for OHCA patients. [6][7][8][9][10][11] Bystander defibrillation before the arrival of emergency medical services can increase survival by up to sevenfold. ...
Aim
This study aimed to understand current community PAD placement strategies and identify factors which influence PAD placement decision-making in the United Kingdom (UK).
Methods
Individuals, groups and organisations involved in PAD placement in the UK were invited to participate in an online survey collecting demographic information, facilitators and barriers to community PAD placement and information used to decide where a PAD is installed in their experiences. Survey responses were analysed through descriptive statistical analysis and thematic analysis.
Results
There were 106 included responses. Distance from another PAD (66%) and availability of a power source (63%) were most frequently used when respondents are deciding where best to install a PAD and historical occurrence of cardiac arrest (29%) was used the least. Three main themes were identified influencing PAD placement: (i) the relationship between the community and PADs emphasising community engagement to create buy-in; (ii) practical barriers and facilitators to PAD placement including securing consent, powering the cabinet, accessibility, security, funding, and guardianship; and (iii) ‘risk assessment’ methods to estimate the need for PADs including areas of high footfall, population density and type, areas experiencing health inequalities, areas with delayed ambulance response and current PAD provision.
Conclusion
Decision-makers want to install PADs in locations that maximise impact and benefit to the community, but this can be constrained by numerous social and infrastructural factors. The best location to install a PAD depends on local context; work is required to determine how to overcome barriers to optimal community PAD placement.
... 6,7 Chances of survival after cardiac arrest decrease by 10% with every minute of delay in basic life support and public access to an automated external defibrillator (AED), hence only a small fraction of patients can be saved undergoing Outof-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA). 4,8 According to the American Heart Association (AHA), "cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. Immediate CPR after cardiac arrest can double or triple chances of survival". ...
... Around 1 in 10 people who sustain an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and receive resuscitation attempts survive to hospital discharge, though rates as high as 25% have been reported. [1][2][3][4] Survivors of OHCA are at high risk of longstanding neurological impairment. 5 The focus of outcome measures in OHCA research to date has been survival and neurological outcome according to scales, such as the modified Rankin. ...
... Dramatic variation in cardiac arrest survival across comparable geographic and institutional populations 4,5 suggests that there are modifiable risk factors that may improve survival, including quality of resuscitative care delivered. For example, the implementation of rapid response teams comprising healthcare providers with advanced resuscitation skills is associated with a reduction in the incidence of cardiopulmonary arrests and improved survival rates. ...
... [1][2][3][4] Despite constantly improving resuscitation practices, including programs to optimize the delays before the initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation, only 10% of treated patients survive to hospital discharge. 1,[5][6][7][8] Patients whose initial electrical rhythm is ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (shockable rhythm) have better prognosis than those with other rhythms. [9][10][11][12][13] This is partly explained by the effectiveness of defibrillation, the single best available therapy for OHCA patients. ...
Aims
For out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients, the influence of the delay before the initiation of resuscitation, termed the no-flow time (NFT), and duration of bystander-only resuscitation low-flow time (BLFT) on the type of electrical rhythm observed has not been well described. The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between NFT, BLFT and the likelihood of a shockable rhythm over time.
Methods
Using a North American prospective registry (2005-2015; mostly urban settings), we selected adult (18 years and over) patients who experienced a witnessed OHCA from a suspected cardiac etiology. Patients with an emergency medical services witnessed OHCA were only included in sensitivity analyses. The association between the NFT, BLFT and the presence of a shockable rhythm was evaluated using a multivariable logistic regression adjusting for the registry version, age, sex, and public location.
Results
A total of 229,632 patients were logged in the registry, 50,957 of whom were included. Of these, 17,704 (34.7%) had an initial shockable rhythm. After the first minute, a significant decrease over time in the occurrence of shockable rhythm is observed but is slower when bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is provided (each supplemental minute of BLFT: adjusted odds ratio=0.95, 95%CI=0.94-0.95; each supplemental minute of NFT: adjusted odds ratio=0.91, 95%CI=0.90-0.91]).
Conclusions
In this large observational study, we were able to demonstrate that longer NFT were associated with lower odds of shockable presenting rhythms. Bystander CPR significantly mitigates the degradation of shockable rhythms over time, strengthening the need to improve bystander CPR rates around the world.
... In the United Kingdom there are 60,000 cases of out of hospital cardiac arrest each year, with resuscitation attempts by emergency medical services made in around 30,000. 5 At the arrival of the emergency services 20% of these patients are in a heart rhythm which can be treated by defibrillation, but United Kingdom survival estimates range from just 2-12%. 6,7 The key to survival is high quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation and early defibrillation. Every minute without defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 7-10%. ...
Ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTA) are rapid abnormal heart rhythms which can result in haemodynamic compromise, collapse and sudden cardiac death (SCD). The annual global mortality burden attributed to VTA is approximately 6 million. Fortunately, in populations at high risk of arrhythmic death, the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) significantly reduces mortality and is superior to medical therapy in both the primary and secondary prevention of SCD.
The subcutaneous ICD (S‐ICD) represents a new approach in defibrillator therapy. Utilising an entirely avascular location, the S‐ICD can diagnose and treat VTA, whilst avoiding the significant complications that have traditionally been associated with transvenous defibrillator leads. Accurate rhythm detection remains vital and increasingly sophisticated diagnostic algorithms are utilised. Life‐saving therapy must never be incorrectly withheld, but inappropriate shocks, which are themselves associated with increased mortality and psychological morbidity, must also be minimised.
The S‐ICD senses electrocardiogram (ECG) signals from a standardised subcutaneous location at which effective defibrillation has been consistently demonstrated. Three different sensing vectors are available of which one is selected for clinical use. Rhythm detection requires certain morphological ECG characteristics to be present in the selected vector and pre‐implant ECG screening is therefore a mandatory requirement.
The commonest cause for vector screening failure is the presence of a low R:T ratio, as this prevents the S‐ICD from easily distinguishing R wave signal (ventricular depolarisation) from T wave signal (ventricular repolarisation). The overall axes of ventricular depolarisation and repolarisation are unique to an individual. R and T wave amplitudes are therefore determined, in part, by the angle from which they are observed.
Mathematical vector rotation is a novel strategy which can manipulate the angle of observation of an individual’s ECG, using data recorded from the current S‐ICD location.
This can produce personalised vectors; unique individualised vectors with a recipient’s maximal R:T ratio.
In this thesis, I will describe how personalised vector generation can be achieved, before applying the technique to a cohort of S‐ICD ineligible patients. Significant improvements in R:T ratio and device eligibility will be demonstrated. I will then explore the broader impact of vector rotation on the current rhythm discrimination properties of the S‐ICD system. I will demonstrate that both ventricular fibrillation detection and supraventricular
tachycardia discrimination are not impaired by vector rotation. These are key principles of S‐ICD sensing which must be maintained by any future sensing strategy.
Finally, I shall consider the phenomena of T wave over‐sensing (TWOS), which despite the current screening process, remains the commonest cause of inappropriate shock therapy in the S‐ICD population. I will describe a new concept, ‘eligible vector time’, and demonstrate experimentally that patients experience chronological fluctuations in their device eligibility. This preliminary work will redefine our current understanding of device eligibility and justify future research into the role of vector rotation in reducing inappropriate shock therapies.
In summary, I believe that clinicians and patients should not be restricted by the inherent limitations of standardised vector selection. Personalised vector generation can be achieved from the current S‐ICD location, whilst maintaining the excellent rhythm detection qualities of the S‐ICD system. Increased S‐ICD eligibility can be achieved and the potential to reduce TWOS in the future cannot be ignored.
... From national data for England, overall survival to hospital discharge of patients for whom resuscitation is attempted is 7%. 89 However, this will include a small number of patients who achieve ROSC immediately and would not receive adrenaline, and hence would not be recruited to the trial. As these patients have much better outcomes, we expected that the survival among the trial population would be slightly lower. ...
Background
Adrenaline has been used as a treatment for cardiac arrest for many years, despite uncertainty about its effects on long-term outcomes and concerns that it may cause worse neurological outcomes.
Objectives
The objectives were to evaluate the effects of adrenaline on survival and neurological outcomes, and to assess the cost-effectiveness of adrenaline use.
Design
This was a pragmatic, randomised, allocation-concealed, placebo-controlled, parallel-group superiority trial and economic evaluation. Costs are expressed in Great British pounds and reported in 2016/17 prices.
Setting
This trial was set in five NHS ambulance services in England and Wales.
Participants
Adults treated for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were included. Patients were ineligible if they were pregnant, if they were aged < 16 years, if the cardiac arrest had been caused by anaphylaxis or life-threatening asthma, or if adrenaline had already been given.
Interventions
Participants were randomised to either adrenaline (1 mg) or placebo in a 1 : 1 allocation ratio by the opening of allocation-concealed treatment packs.
Main outcome measures
The primary outcome was survival to 30 days. The secondary outcomes were survival to hospital admission, survival to hospital discharge, survival at 3, 6 and 12 months, neurological outcomes and health-related quality of life through to 6 months. The economic evaluation assessed the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained from the perspective of the NHS and Personal Social Services. Participants, clinical teams and those assessing patient outcomes were masked to the treatment allocation.
Results
From December 2014 to October 2017, 8014 participants were assigned to the adrenaline ( n = 4015) or to the placebo ( n = 3999) arm. At 30 days, 130 out of 4012 participants (3.2%) in the adrenaline arm and 94 out of 3995 (2.4%) in the placebo arm were alive (adjusted odds ratio for survival 1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.09 to 1.97). For secondary outcomes, survival to hospital admission was higher for those receiving adrenaline than for those receiving placebo (23.6% vs. 8.0%; adjusted odds ratio 3.83, 95% confidence interval 3.30 to 4.43). The rate of favourable neurological outcome at hospital discharge was not significantly different between the arms (2.2% vs. 1.9%; adjusted odds ratio 1.19, 95% confidence interval 0.85 to 1.68). The pattern of improved survival but no significant improvement in neurological outcomes continued through to 6 months. By 12 months, survival in the adrenaline arm was 2.7%, compared with 2.0% in the placebo arm (adjusted odds ratio 1.38, 95% confidence interval 1.00 to 1.92). An adjusted subgroup analysis did not identify significant interactions. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for adrenaline was estimated at £1,693,003 per quality-adjusted life-year gained over the first 6 months after the cardiac arrest event and £81,070 per quality-adjusted life-year gained over the lifetime of survivors. Additional economic analyses estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for adrenaline at £982,880 per percentage point increase in overall survival and £377,232 per percentage point increase in neurological outcomes over the first 6 months after the cardiac arrest.
Limitations
The estimate for survival with a favourable neurological outcome is imprecise because of the small numbers of patients surviving with a good outcome.
Conclusions
Adrenaline improved long-term survival, but there was no evidence that it significantly improved neurological outcomes. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per quality-adjusted life-year exceeds the threshold of £20,000–30,000 per quality-adjusted life-year usually supported by the NHS.
Future work
Further research is required to better understand patients’ preferences in relation to survival and neurological outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and to aid interpretation of the trial findings from a patient and public perspective.
Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN73485024 and EudraCT 2014-000792-11.
Funding
This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment ; Vol. 25, No. 25. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
... In fact, the human thorax has a thick cushion that dissipates some of the energy applied during massage, so the rescuer must provide energy continuously (Wik et al., 2005;Idris et al., 2015). Over time, fatigue sets in and reduces the effectiveness of the massage (Riley et al., 2011;Perkins et al., 2012;Brooks et al., 2014). As a result, rescuers must change frequently, which interrupts the massage and further reduces the effectiveness of resuscitation (Hewitt et al., 2006). ...
... Survival to hospital discharge from OHCA in England is 8.6% (range 2.2-12.0%) [14,15], while survival rates of up to 25% have been reported in some other countries, albeit for selected patient cohorts [16]. A study in Northern Ireland demonstrated that a contributing factor to low survival rates was poor call handler sensitivity (< 70%) to identification of OHCA [17]. ...
Abstract Background The aim of this study was to identify key indicator symptoms and patient factors associated with correct out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) dispatch allocation. In previous studies, from 3% to 62% of OHCAs are not recognised by Emergency Medical Service call handlers, resulting in delayed arrival at scene. Methods Retrospective, mixed methods study including all suspected or confirmed OHCA patients transferred to one acute hospital from its associated regional Emergency Medical Service in England from 1/7/2013 to 30/6/2014. Emergency Medical Service and hospital data, including voice recordings of EMS calls, were analysed to identify predictors of recognition of OHCA by call handlers. Logistic regression was used to explore the role of the most frequently occurring (key) indicator symptoms and characteristics in predicting a correct dispatch for patients with OHCA. Results A total of 39,136 dispatches were made which resulted in transfer to the hospital within the study period, including 184 patients with OHCA. The use of the term ‘Unconscious’ plus one or more of symptoms ‘Not breathing/Ineffective breathing/Noisy breathing’ occurred in 79.8% of all OHCAs, but only 72.8% of OHCAs were correctly dispatched as such. ‘Not breathing’ was associated with recognition of OHCA by call handlers (Odds Ratio (OR) 3.76). The presence of key indicator symptoms ‘Breathing’ (OR 0.29), ‘Reduced or fluctuating level of consciousness’ (OR 0.24), abnormal pulse/heart rate (OR 0.26) and the characteristic ‘Female patient’ (OR 0.40) were associated with lack of recognition of OHCA by call handlers (p-values
... 6,7 Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is also associated with high mortality; data suggest that patient survival to hospital discharge ranges from 2% to 12% across UK ambulance services. 8 A number of HEMS services respond to out-of-hospital medical cardiac arrests, and there is some evidence that physician-delivered prehospital critical care has a positive impact on patient outcomes. 5 The suggested mechanisms underlying this beneficial impact include more efficient performance of advanced life support interventions; enhanced experience and clinician judgment; and advanced postarrest treatment, including conveying patients to the most suitable specialist hospitals. ...
Objective
Helicopter emergency medical services play an important role in the prehospital care of critically ill and injured patients, providing enhanced interventions and direct transfer to specialist centers. Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) delivers prehospital critical care to patients in Essex, Hertfordshire, and the surrounding areas. Historically, EHAAT's resources have not operated during the night. This study aimed to ascertain demand for prehospital critical care in Essex and Hertfordshire during night hours.
Methods
A prospective observational design was used. Data were collected by 11 critical care paramedics during night shifts on a critical care desk using an online survey. Details were recorded for incidents in Essex and Hertfordshire between 21:00 and 07:00 deemed appropriate for a prehospital critical care response.
Results
A total of 108 incidents were recorded across 52 nights, equating to an average of 2.08 incidents per night. For 52 incidents, there was no critical care resource available to attend. The majority of incidents fell in closer proximity to EHAAT's North Weald base than its Earls Colne base.
Conclusion
The findings suggest a potential need for prehospital critical care during night hours in Essex and Hertfordshire and support the operation of a resource from EHAAT's North Weald base.
... 6,7 Chances of survival after cardiac arrest decrease by 10% with every minute of delay in basic life support and public access to an automated external defibrillator (AED), hence only a small fraction of patients can be saved undergoing Outof-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA). 4,8 According to the American Heart Association (AHA), "cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. Immediate CPR after cardiac arrest can double or triple chances of survival". ...
Background: Every medical student in India have to undergo a compulsory rotatory internship for completion of their course where they encounter various medical emergencies and apply their medical knowledge. An early encounter to a basic life support course and training will increase the efficacy of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and thus the outcome of the patient. This study was designed to test knowledge of MBBS students in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: This observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Uttar Pradesh and used a preformed validated questionnaire to test awareness and knowledge of basic life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a sample of 500 MBBS students. Descriptive analysis was performed on the questionnaire responses. All data obtained from the questionnaire was evaluated and statistically analysed using software IBM SPSS Statistics software version 24 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) for MS windows.Results: With a response rate of 47% among 500 MBBS students, the mean score obtained was 2.34±1.066 out of a maximum score of five. A maximum score of 2.804±1.055 obtained by 5th-year students. Surprisingly, first-year students achieved an average score of 2.66±0.97, which was higher than that of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year students. 87% of students were like-minded to participate in the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) awareness program. Only 45% of students correctly answered the order of CPR as C-A-B (chest compression-airway-breathing).Conclusions: The study showed that though the awareness and importance of basic life support (BLS) are high among the medical students, the accurate knowledge required in performing BLS is inadequate. This study also showed that the National medical commission has taken a positive step in the incorporation of BLS in the curriculum.
... UK ambulance services attend roughly 60,000 out-ofhospital-cardiac-arrest (OHCA) cases every year, with resuscitation attempted in approximately 50%. In the UK, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to discharge rates have ranged, respectively, from 10-25% and 1-8% between regions (Perkins & Cooke, 2012). Improving outcomes from cardiac arrest has been a priority both nationally and internationally for a number of years, with the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) first developing the chain of survival in 2005 (Deakin et al., 2018). ...
Background:
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with pulseless electrical activity are treated by paramedics using basic and advanced life support resuscitation. When resuscitation fails to achieve return of spontaneous circulation, there are limited evidence and national guidelines on when to continue or stop resuscitation. This has led to ambulance services in the United Kingdom developing local guidelines to support paramedics in the resuscitative management of pulseless electrical activity. The content of each guideline is unknown, as is any association between guideline implementation and patient survival. We aim to identify and synthesise local ambulance service guidelines to help improve the consistency of paramedic-led decision-making for the resuscitation of pulseless electrical activity in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Methods:
A systematic review of text and opinion will be conducted on ambulance service guidelines for resuscitating adult cardiac arrest patients with pulseless electrical activity. Data will be gathered direct from the ambulance service website. The review will be guided by the methods of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). The search strategy will be conducted in three stages: 1) a website search of the 14 ambulance services; 2) a search of the evidence listed in support of the guideline; and 3) an examination of the reference list of documents found in the first and second stages and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. Each document will be assessed against the inclusion criteria, and quality of evidence will be assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Text and Opinion. Data will be extracted using the JBI methods of textual data extraction and a three-stage data synthesis process: 1) extraction of opinion statements; 2) categorisation of statements according to similarity of meaning; and 3) meta-synthesis of statements to create a new collection of findings. Confidence of findings will be assessed using the graded ConQual approach.
... 6 However, survival outcomes have shown limited improvement, with data from English ambulance services indicating one in four patients have return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) sustained to hospital handover, while the survival to hospital discharge rate is still around 10%, 6,7 with regional variation reported between 2% and 12%. 8 A validated risk adjustment model would aid understanding of regional variations, enabling unbiased comparisons between ambulance services for survival outcomes. 9 Risk adjustment models are an important element to support healthcare quality improvement e.g. for in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). ...
Introduction:
The Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) Outcomes project is a national research registry. One of its aims is to explore sources of variation in OHCA survival outcomes. This study reports the development and validation of risk prediction models for return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) at hospital handover and survival to hospital discharge.
Methods and results:
The study included OHCA patients who were treated during 2014 and 2015 by emergency medical services (EMS) from 7 English National Health Service ambulance services. The 2014 data were used to identify important variables and to develop the risk prediction models, which were validated using the 2015 data. Model prediction was measured by area under the curve (AUC), Hosmer-Lemeshow test, Cox calibration regression and Brier score. All analyses were conducted using mixed effects logistic regression models. Important factors included age, gender, witness/bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combined, aetiology and initial rhythm. Interaction effects between witness/bystander CPR with gender, aetiology and initial rhythm and between aetiology and initial rhythm were significant in both models. The survival model achieved better discrimination and overall accuracy compared with the ROSC model (AUC=0.86 vs 0.67, Brier score=0.072 vs 0.194, respectively). Calibration tests showed over- and under-estimation for the ROSC and survival models, respectively. A sensitivity analysis individually assessing Index of Multiple Deprivation scores and location in the final models substantially improved overall accuracy with inconsistent impact on discrimination.
Conclusion:
Our risk prediction models identified and quantified important pre-EMS intervention factors determining survival outcomes in England. The survival model had excellent discrimination.
... Although the reported survival rate is consistently low, previous studies have found significant variations in survival outcomes across countries and regions [1,8,9]. Such variations reflect differences in regional circumstances, patient characteristics, and clinical practices [10]. ...
Background:
Substantial variations exist in relation to the characteristics and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). As such, an understanding of region-specific factors is essential for informing strategies to improve OHCA survival.
Methods:
Analysis of a large state-wide OHCA database of the Queensland Ambulance Service, Australia. Adult patients, attended by paramedics between January 2000 and December 2018 for OHCA of medical origin, where the arrest was not witnessed by paramedics, and resuscitation was attempted, were included. Factors associated with survival were investigated. The number needed to treat (NNT) for bystander interventions was estimated.
Results:
Across a total of 23,510 patients, event survival, survival to discharge and 30-day survival was 22.6%, 11.9% and 11.5%, respectively. The corresponding figures for the Utstein patient group (initial shockable rhythm, bystander-witnessed) were 38.9%, 27.2% and 26.3%, respectively. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation substantially improved the likelihood of survival. The NNT for bystander CPR was 41, 63 and 64 for event survival, survival to discharge, and 30-day survival, respectively. The NNT for bystander defibrillation for these survival outcomes was 10, 14 and 14, respectively.
Conclusions:
Bystander interventions are critical for OHCA survival. Effort should be invested in strategies to improve the uptake of these interventions.
... There remains significant regional and temporal variation in outcomes after OHCA, and a combination of resources, centre experience and personnel could account for these disparities. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] This indicates that, as with other acute conditions, regionalisation of specialist services has the potential to improve short-and long-term clinical outcomes after OHCA. 20,21 The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), American Heart Association and NHS England now recommend that all patients with OHCA should be transferred directly to specialist centres, known as cardiac arrest centres, for provision of emergency specialist cardiac services (including interventional cardiology) and experienced critical care services with access to targeted temperature management (TTM). ...
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in developed countries and remains an important public health burden. A primary cardiac aetiology is common in OHCA patients, and so patients are increasingly brought to specialist cardiac centres for consideration of coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention and mechanical circulatory support. This article focuses on the management of OHCA in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory. In particular, it addresses conveyance of the OHCA patient direct to a specialist centre, the role of targeted temperature management, pharmacological considerations, provision of early coronary angiography and mechanical circulatory support.
... 1 The median survival rate of in-hospital cardiac arrest is higher than out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. 4 However, the in-hospital survival varies in different areas, and all areas do not contribute to this better survival rate in equal measure. 5 Although most cardiac arrests will predictably occur in emergency centres (ECs) and high dependency or intensive care units, some do occur in other parts of the hospital. ...
Background: The immediate response to cardiac arrest is regarded as the most time-critical intervention. First responders for cardiac arrests in imaging departments are often radiology staff. The study aim was to determine radiology staff members’ confidence in initiating basic life support.
Objectives: The objectives of this study included determining the general confidence levels regarding identifying cardiac arrest and initiation of basic life support (BLS) amongst Radiology staff within the studied sites, as well as to identify potential areas of uncertainty. Another objective included identifying what would contribute to increasing levels of confidence and competence in identifying cardiac arrest and initiating BLS.
Method: A multi-centre cross-sectional survey was conducted using peer-validated, anonymous questionnaires. Questionnaires were distributed to radiology staff working in public sector hospitals within the Cape Town Metropole West. Due to the limited subject pool, a convenience sample was collected. Data were therefore statistically analysed using only summary statistics (mean, standard deviation, proportions, and so on), and detailed comparisons were not made.
Results: We disseminated 200 questionnaires, and 74 were completed (37%). There were no incomplete questionnaires or exclusions from the final sample. Using a 10-point Likert scale, the mean ability to recognise cardiac arrest was 6.45 (SD ± 2.7), securing an airway 4.86 (SD ± 2.9), and providing rescue breaths and initiating cardiac compressions 6.14 (SD ± 2.9). Only two (2.7%) of the participants had completed a basic life support course in the past year; 11 (14.8%) had never completed any basic life support course and 28 (37.8%) had never completed any life support or critical care course. Radiologists, radiology trainees and nurses had the greatest confidence in providing rescue breaths and initiating cardiac compressions from all the groups.
Conclusion: The study demonstrated a substantial lack of confidence in providing basic life support in the participating hospital imaging departments’ staff. The participants indicated that regular training and improved support systems would increase confidence levels and improve skills.
... The implementation also requires refreshing at regular intervals for finest results. [8,9] Evolving new training strategies such as simulation practice, constructive debriefing, adequately trained rapid response teams, and crisis team training can also improve the quality of interventions, thereby improving the outcomes. [10] For improvement in resuscitation performance and patient outcomes, evidence-based instructional design is essential, tailored for the provider groups on basis of their cognitive, behavioral, and psychomotor skills, and retraining interval should be suitable to prevent decay of the skills. ...
... 6,7 Patients with in-hospital cardiac arrests generally have a poor prognosis, with a survival to hospital discharge rate less than 20%. 8,9 Beyond, many survivors have substantial neurologic deficits, limiting the potential to live an independent life. 10 However, physicians often omit code status discussions or do not describe resuscitation measures, such as chest compressions or mechanical ventilation. ...
Importance:
Whether specific communication interventions to discuss code status alter patient decisions regarding do-not-resuscitate code status and knowledge about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) remains unclear.
Objective:
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis regarding the association of communication interventions with patient decisions and knowledge about CPR.
Data sources:
PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were systematically searched from the inception of each database to November 19, 2018.
Study selection:
Randomized clinical trials focusing on interventions to facilitate code status discussions. Two independent reviewers performed the data extraction and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Data were pooled using a fixed-effects model, and risk ratios (RRs) with corresponding 95% CIs are reported.
Data extraction and synthesis:
The study was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines.
Main outcomes and measures:
The primary outcome was patient preference for CPR, and the key secondary outcome was patient knowledge regarding life-sustaining treatment.
Results:
Fifteen randomized clinical trials (2405 patients) were included in the qualitative synthesis, 11 trials (1463 patients) were included for the quantitative synthesis of the primary end point, and 5 trials (652 patients) were included for the secondary end point. Communication interventions were significantly associated with a lower preference for CPR (390 of 727 [53.6%] vs 284 of 736 [38.6%]; RR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.63-0.78). In a preplanned subgroup analysis, studies using resuscitation videos as decision aids compared with other interventions showed a stronger decrease in preference for life-sustaining treatment (RR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.48-0.64 vs 1.03; 95% CI, 0.87-1.22; between-group heterogeneity P < .001). Also, a significant association was found between communication interventions and better patient knowledge (standardized mean difference, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.39-0.71).
Conclusions and relevance:
Communication interventions are associated with patient decisions regarding do-not-resuscitate code status and better patient knowledge and may thus improve code status discussions.
... Prehospital data included age, sex, presence of a witness, bystander-provided CPR before EMS arrival, first recordable cardiac rhythm, arrest location, total initial epinephrine dose use, and response time for EMS ambulances from call to arrival on site, using Utstein templates. 23 Two independent investigators reviewed each record for data completion and validity. ...
Background
In out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), geographic disparities in outcomes may reflect baseline variations in patients’ characteristics but may also result from differences in the number of ambulances providing basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS). We aimed at assessing the association between allocated ambulance resources and outcomes in OHCA patients in a large urban community.
Methods
From May 2011 to January 2016, we analyzed a prospectively collected Utstein database for all OHCA adults. Cases were geocoded according to 19 neighborhoods and the number of BLS (firefighters performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and applying automated external defibrillator) and ALS ambulances (medicalized team providing advanced care such as drugs and endotracheal intubation) was collected. We assessed the respective associations of Utstein parameters, socioeconomic characteristics, and ambulance resources of these neighborhoods using a mixed-effect model with successful return of spontaneous circulation as the primary end point and survival at hospital discharge as a secondary end point.
Results
During the study period, 8754 nontraumatic OHCA occurred in the Greater Paris area. Overall return of spontaneous circulation rate was 3675 of 8754 (41.9%) and survival rate at hospital discharge was 788 of 8754 (9%), ranging from 33% to 51.1% and from 4.4% to 14.5% respectively, according to neighborhoods ( P <0.001). Patient and socio-demographic characteristics significantly differed between neighborhoods ( P for trend <0.001). After adjustment, a higher density of ambulances was associated with successful return of spontaneous circulation (respectively adjusted odds-ratio [aOR], 1.31 [1.14–1.51]; P <0.001 for ALS ambulances >1.5 per neighborhood and aOR, 1.21 [1.04–1.41]; P =0.01 for BLS ambulances >4 per neighborhood). Regarding survival at discharge, only the number of ALS ambulances >1.5 per neighborhood was significant (aOR, 1.30 [1.06–1.59] P =0.01).
Conclusions
In this large urban population-based study of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests patients, we observed that allocated resources of emergency medical service are associated with outcome, suggesting that improving healthcare organization may attenuate disparities in prognosis.
... Dramatic variation in cardiac arrest survival across comparable geographic and institutional populations 4,5 suggests that there are modifiable risk factors that may improve survival, including quality of resuscitative care delivered. For example, the implementation of rapid response teams comprising healthcare providers with advanced resuscitation skills is associated with a reduction in the incidence of cardiopulmonary arrests and improved survival rates. ...
The formula for survival in resuscitation describes educational efficiency and local implementation as key determinants in survival after cardiac arrest. Current educational offerings in the form of standardized online and face-to-face courses are falling short, with providers demonstrating a decay of skills over time. This translates to suboptimal clinical care and poor survival outcomes from cardiac arrest. In many institutions, guidelines taught in courses are not thoughtfully implemented in the clinical environment. A current synthesis of the evidence supporting best educational and knowledge translation strategies in resuscitation is lacking. In this American Heart Association scientific statement, we provide a review of the literature describing key elements of educational efficiency and local implementation, including mastery learning and deliberate practice, spaced practice, contextual learning, feedback and debriefing, assessment, innovative educational strategies, faculty development, and knowledge translation and implementation. For each topic, we provide suggestions for improving provider performance that may ultimately optimize patient outcomes from cardiac arrest.
... [5][6] Considering a decreasing chance of survival of 10% per minute delay of basic life support (BLS) and public access automated external defibrillation (AED), only a small fraction of patients suffering OHCA remains potentially salvageable. [7] Recent studies were able to demonstrate that the use of public AED devices in addition to bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was able to double survival rates in patients presenting with an initially shockable ECG rhythm. [8] However, of alarming interest, Nürnberger and co-workers revealed that a public AED was only administered to 4% of all OHCA victims, reflecting a dramatic underuse in the Viennese community. ...
Background
The ‘chain of survival’—including early call for help, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation—represents the most beneficial approach for favourable patient outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Despite increasing numbers of publicly accessible automated external defibrillators (AED) and interventions to increase public awareness for basic life support (BLS), the number of their use in real-life emergency situations remains low.
Methods
In this prospective population-based cross-sectional study, a total of 501 registered inhabitants of Vienna (Austria) were randomly approached via telephone calls between 08/2014 and 09/2014 and invited to answer a standardized questionnaire in order to identify public knowledge and awareness of BLS and AED-use.
Results
We found that more than 52 percent of participants would presume OHCA correctly and would properly initiate BLS attempts. Of alarming importance, only 33 percent reported that they would be willing to perform CPR and 50 percent would use an AED device. There was a significantly lower willingness to initiate BLS attempts (male: 40% vs. female: 25%; OR: 2.03 [95%CI: 1.39–2.98]; p<0.001) and to use an AED device (male: 58% vs. female: 44%; OR: 1.76 [95%CI: 1.26–2.53]; p = 0.002) in questioned female individuals compared to their male counterparts. Interestingly, we observed a strongly decreasing level of knowledge and willingness for BLS attempts (-14%; OR: 0.72 [95%CI: 0.57–0.92]; p = 0.027) and AED-use (-19%; OR: 0.68 [95%CI: 0.54–0.85]; p = 0.001) with increasing age.
Conclusion
We found an overall poor knowledge and awareness concerning BLS and the use of AEDs among the Viennese population. Both female and elderly participants reported the lowest willingness to perform BLS and use an AED in case of OHCA. Specially tailored programs to increase awareness and willingness among both the female and elderly community need to be considered for future educational interventions.
... This provides data from 2011 to 2013, on the number of patients surviving to the hospital with return of spontaneous circulation (5910 in 2011, 7662 in 2012, and A comparison of the baseline characteristics of all patients selected to undergo a coronary procedure with those who were not, from the 5-year cohort of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients presenting with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA; 9421). This is subdivided into groups (1) 11 Comparison of these data with MINAP data would suggest that MINAP captures approximately one-third of resuscitated cardiac arrest patients and admitted to hospital. Interestingly, the number of resuscitated cardiac arrests admitted to hospital increased yearly according to Ambulance Service data. ...
Background:
There is wide variation in survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and overall survival remains poor. There is an expert consensus that early reperfusion therapy in ST-elevation reduces mortality. The management of patients without ST-elevation, however, is controversial.
Methods and results:
The Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project database is a national registry of all hospital admissions in England and Wales treated as an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We examined temporal trends, over a 5-year period, of OHCAs identified by Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project, admitted to hospital and treated as ACS, the interventional management of these patients and clinical outcomes. Four hundred ten thousand four hundred sixty-two patients were admitted to hospital in England and Wales with ACS. Of these, 9421 presented with OHCA (2.30%). There was an increase in OHCA cases as a proportion of ACS between 2009 and 2013 (1.79% in 2009 versus 2.74% in 2013; Ptrend<0.001). The rate of coronary angiography+percutaneous coronary intervention increased in ACS patients presenting with OHCA (54.9% in 2009 [876/1595] versus 66.3% in 2013 [884/1334]; Ptrend<0.001). Cox proportional hazards model with time-varying exposure to coronary angiography demonstrated a significant reduction in mortality in both the ST-elevation (hazard ratio, 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.32; P<0.05) and non-ST-elevation cohort (hazard ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-0.46; P<0.001). Predictors of favorable outcome were synonymous with the selection criteria for patients undergoing coronary angiography±percutaneous coronary intervention.
Conclusions:
This observational study showed that selection for coronary angiography±percutaneous coronary intervention was associated with reduced mortality in OHCA patients diagnosed with ACS. These data support the need for a randomized controlled trial.
... SCA usually causes death if not treated within minutes. 1 SCA represents a very prominent public health threat. Using conservative estimates, cardiac arrest is the third leading cause of death in the United States, after cancer and heart disease. 2 Global incidence of out-of-hospital SCA ranges from 20-140 in 100 000 people, and national survival rates range from 2-11%. 3 There is a large variation in the reported incidences and outcomes from SCA. 4,5 A systematic review by Berdowski et al. in 2010 of global incidence and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest identified 67 studies, and found there was more than a 10-fold variation in incidences and outcomes of out-of hospital cardiac arrest, with an average survival to discharge of 7%. 3 It is estimated that 60 000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the UK each year. 6 Approximately 80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home and 20% in public places. ...
Introduction: Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) causes up to 5000 deaths each year in Ireland. 70% of cardiac arrests in Ireland occur out of hospital. Global incidence of out-of-hospital SCA ranges from 20-140/100000 people, and survival ranges from 2%-11%. The large increase in Automated External Defibrillator (AED) distribution and availability has led to an increasing interest into layperson recognition of and response to SCA.
Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to systematically review previously conducted studies relating to knowledge, understanding and attitudes among laypersons in relation to the use of an AED in the event of a SCA. This review aims to assess and critically appraise the existing literature relating to this topic on a global level in order to identify future research directions with an aim to improving layperson recognition of and response to SCA.
Methods: Studies were identified through an electronic database search in combination with expert recommendation. A three-step selection process was applied to determine applicability to this review.
Results: Ten studies were reviewed and critiqued. Three themes emerged:
• Knowledge and understanding of the concept of an AED.
• Willingness to use an AED in the event of a SCA.
• Reasons for unwillingness to use an AED in the event of a SCA.
Results were compiled and discussed.
Conclusion: There is a paucity of literature relating to layperson understanding of AED function and use. The evidence suggests only a minority of laypersons would be confident or willing to use an AED in the event of a nearby SCA. The extent to which an educational intervention could impact upon layperson understanding and confidence in use of an AED is poorly understood at present.
Keywords: AED; layperson; public; understanding; attitudes; knowledge; awareness.
Background
Simulation-based medical education has been used in medical training for decades. Rapid cycle deliberate practice (RCDP) is a novel simulation strategy that uses iterative practice and feedback to achieve skill mastery. To date, there has been minimal evaluation of RCDP vs standard immersive simulation (IS) for the teaching of cardiopulmonary resuscitation to graduate medical education (GME) learners. Our primary objective was to compare the time to performance of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) actions between trainees who completed RCDP vs IS.
Methods
This study was a prospective, randomized, controlled curriculum evaluation. A total of 55 postgraduate year-1 internal medicine and emergency medicine residents participated in the study. Residents were randomized to instruction by RCDP (28) or IS (27). Stress and ability were self-assessed before and after training using an anonymous survey that incorporated five-point Likert-type questions. We measured and compared times to initiate critical ACLS actions between the two groups during a subsequent IS.
Results
Prior learner experience between RCDP and IS groups was similar. Times to completion of the first pulse check, chest compression initiation, backboard placement, pad placement, initial rhythm analysis, first defibrillation, epinephrine administration, and antiarrhythmic administration were similar between RCDP and IS groups. However, RCDP groups took less time to complete the pulse check between compression cycles (6.2 vs 14.2 seconds, P = 0.01). Following training, learners in the RCDP and IS groups scored their ability to lead and their levels of anticipated stress similarly (3.43 vs 3.30, (P = 0.77), 2.43 vs. 2.41, P = 0.98, respectively). However, RCDP groups rated their ability to participate in resuscitation more highly (4.50 vs 3.96, P = 0.01). The RCDP groups also reported their realized stress of participating in the event as lower than that of the IS groups (2.36 vs 2.85, P = 0.01).
Conclusion
Rapid cycle deliberate practice learners demonstrated a shorter pulse check duration, reported lower stress levels associated with their experience, and rated their ability to participate in ACLS care more highly than their IS-trained peers. Our results support further investigation of RCDP in other simulation settings.
Background:
The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation has called for a randomised trial of delivery to a cardiac arrest centre. We aimed to assess whether expedited delivery to a cardiac arrest centre compared with current standard of care following resuscitated cardiac arrest reduces deaths.
Methods:
ARREST is a prospective, parallel, multicentre, open-label, randomised superiority trial. Patients (aged ≥18 years) with return of spontaneous circulation following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest without ST elevation were randomly assigned (1:1) at the scene of their cardiac arrest by London Ambulance Service staff using a secure online randomisation system to expedited delivery to the cardiac catheter laboratory at one of seven cardiac arrest centres or standard of care with delivery to the geographically closest emergency department at one of 32 hospitals in London, UK. Masking of the ambulance staff who delivered the interventions and those reporting treatment outcomes in hospital was not possible. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 30 days, analysed in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population excluding those with unknown mortality status. Safety outcomes were analysed in the ITT population. The trial was prospectively registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Registry, 96585404.
Findings:
Between Jan 15, 2018, and Dec 1, 2022, 862 patients were enrolled, of whom 431 (50%) were randomly assigned to a cardiac arrest centre and 431 (50%) to standard care. 20 participants withdrew from the cardiac arrest centre group and 19 from the standard care group, due to lack of consent or unknown mortality status, leaving 411 participants in the cardiac arrest centre group and 412 in the standard care group for the primary analysis. Of 822 participants for whom data were available, 560 (68%) were male and 262 (32%) were female. The primary endpoint of 30-day mortality occurred in 258 (63%) of 411 participants in the cardiac arrest centre group and in 258 (63%) of 412 in the standard care group (unadjusted risk ratio for survival 1·00, 95% CI 0·90-1·11; p=0·96). Eight (2%) of 414 patients in the cardiac arrest centre group and three (1%) of 413 in the standard care group had serious adverse events, none of which were deemed related to the trial intervention.
Interpretation:
In adult patients without ST elevation, transfer to a cardiac arrest centre following resuscitated cardiac arrest in the community did not reduce deaths.
Funding:
British Heart Foundation.
There are wide regional variations in outcome following resuscitated out of hospital cardiac arrest. These geographical differences appear to be due to hospital infrastructure and provider experience rather than baseline characteristics. It is proposed that post-arrest care be delivered in a systematic fashion by concentrating services in Cardiac Arrest Centres, with greater provider experience, 24-hour access to diagnostics, and specialist treatment to minimise the impact of ischaemia-reperfusion injury and treat the causative pathology. These cardiac arrest centres would provide access to targeted critical care, acute cardiac care, radiology services and appropriate neuro-prognostication. However implementation of cardiac arrest networks with specialist receiving hospitals is complex and requires alignment of pre-hospital care services with those delivered in hospital. Furthermore there are no randomised trial data currently supporting pre-hospital delivery to a Cardiac Arrest Centre and definitions are heterogeneous. In this review article, we propose a universal definition of a Cardiac Arrest Centre and review the current observational data evidence and the potential impact of the ARREST trial.
Background: Palliative family conference (PFC) was included in the reimbursement of National Health Insurance to promote palliative care in Taiwan in 2012. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of PFC on death in intensive care unit (ICU) and receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) within three days before death. Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Subjects: All patients who died in a public hospital and were admitted to ICU within 30 days before death, from 2013 to 2018, were included. Measurements: The medical records were analyzed to identify information on causes of death, receiving PFC, receiving palliative care consultation, death in ICU, and receiving CPR within three days before death. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the independent effects of receiving PFC on the risk of death in ICU and receiving CPR within three days before death. Results: For patients who died and those who did not die in ICU, the proportion of receiving PFC was 45.8% (1818/3973) and 55.0% (808/1468), respectively. For patients who received and those who did not receive CPR within three days before death, the proportion of receiving PFC was 23.9% (140/585) and 51.2% (2486/4856), respectively. PFC was associated with a reduced risk of death in ICU (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.842; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.717-0.988) and a reduced risk of receiving CPR within three days before death (AOR: 0.361; 95% CI: 0.286-0.456). Conclusion: PFC reduces the risk of receiving nonbeneficial aggressive intervention and may improve the quality of end-of-life care.
The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death reviewed the organisation of services and the quality of clinical care provided to patients who were admitted to hospital following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The report looked at all four links in the ‘chain of survival’, covering the last link, in-hospital advanced life support and post-resuscitation care, in most detail.
Background
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or Code status discussion usually happen late in the hospital admission. Lack of clear communication, various level of training of providers and discrepancy in health literacy among patient act as barrier in proper understanding of code status understanding. In this study we utilized brief video and validated survey to determine if viewing a short, educational video could improve patient understanding of CPR and code status at Robert Packer Hospital.
Method
This study was conducted as single center randomized study at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital. Total number of participants was 150. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to Intervention group where they viewed brief educational video. The primary end point was the composite score ranging from 0 to 15 generated based on correct responses to the questionnaire (supplemental file).
Result
There was statistically significant high understanding of code status among intervention group with mean composite score of 8.6 with a significant difference between the video group (10.3) and control group (6.9) with a p-value < 0.001. The multivariate linear model had a significant F-statistic with a p-value of < 0.001. We found age and randomization group significantly changes the composite scores. On average, the composite score of the intervention group was 3.36 points higher than the control group with 95% confidence interval of 2.36 – 4.35, p<0.001, when adjusted for age and gender of the patient.
Conclusion
Understanding of cardiopulmonary resuscitation status holds important place in guiding management of a patient. Use of short video explaining CPR and code status was found to be effective in improving patient understanding of these issues. It has the potential to save time and improve patient’s understanding if incorporated into code status discussions with hospitalized patients.
Aim
Care by emergency medical service (EMS) agencies is critical for optimizing prehospital outcomes following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We explored whether substantial differences exist in prehospital outcomes across EMS agencies in Michigan—specifically focusing on rates of sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) upon emergency department (ED) arrival.
Methods
Using data from Michigan Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (MI-CARES) for years 2014-2017, we calculated rates of sustained ROSC upon ED arrival across EMS agencies in Michigan. We used hierarchical logistic regression models that accounted for patient, arrest-, community-, and response-level characteristics to determine adjusted rates of sustained ROSC among EMS agencies.
Results
A total of 103 EMS agencies and 20,897 OHCA cases were included. Average age of the cohort was 62.5 years (SD = 19.6), 39.7% were female, and 17.9% had an initial shockable rhythm due to ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. The adjusted rate of sustained ROSC upon ED arrival across all EMS agencies was 23.8% with notable variation across EMS agencies (interquartile range [IQR], 20.5 to 29.2%). The top five EMS agencies had mean adjusted rates of sustained ROSC upon ED arrival of 42.7% (95% CI: 34.6 to 51.1%) while the bottom five had mean adjusted rates of 9.8% (95% CI: 7.6 to 12.7%).
Conclusions
Substantial variation in sustained ROSC upon ED arrival exists across EMS agencies in Michigan after adjusting for patient-, arrest, community-, and response-level features. Such differences suggest opportunities to identify and improve best practices in EMS agencies to advance OHCA care.
Objectives
This study aimed to evaluate the trends of utilization of palliative care and aggressive end-of-life care for patients who died of cancers and those who died of non-cancer diseases in hospitals.
Methods
The medical records of patients who died in a public hospital due to cancer or other diseases were reviewed. The proportion of those who received palliative care, admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) within 30 days of death, died in ICU, and received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) within 3 days of death in 2013–2014, 2015–2016, and 2017–2018, respectively, was investigated. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to evaluate the independent effects of various factors on the risk of receiving aggressive end-of-life care.
Results
Significant trends of increase in receiving palliative care were found. The proportion of patients who died of non-cancer diseases and received palliative care was lower than that of those who died of cancers. Palliative care was associated with a reduced risk of ICU admission within 30 days of death (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.361), death in ICU (AOR: 0.208), and receiving CPR within 3 days of death (AOR: 0.057). Patients who died of non-cancer diseases had a higher risk of ICU admission within 30 days of death (AOR: 5.016), death in ICU (AOR: 5.086), and receiving CPR within 3 days of death (AOR: 3.274).
Conclusion
Utilization of palliative care is increasing. Patients who died of non-cancer diseases received less palliative care but more aggressive end-of-life care than those who died of cancers.
Background:
In the UK, there are approximately 60,000 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) each year. There is mounting evidence that post-resuscitation care should include early angiography and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in cases of OHCA where a cardiac cause is suspected. Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) staff can transport patients with a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) directly to a pPCI unit if their post-ROSC ECG shows evidence of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This service evaluation aimed to determine the factors that affect the transport destination, hospital characteristics and 30-day survival rates of post-ROSC patients with presumed cardiac aetiology.
Methods:
All patient care records (PCRs) previously identified for the AIRWAYS-2 trial between January and July 2017 were reviewed. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they were an adult non-traumatic OHCA, achieved ROSC on scene and were treated and transported by (YAS). Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data.
Results:
478 patients met the inclusion criteria. 361/478 (75.6%) patients had a post-ROSC ECG recorded, with 149/361 (41.3%) documented cases of STEMI and 88/149 (59.1%) referred to a pPCI unit by the attending clinicians. 40/88 (45.5%) of referrals made were accepted by the pPCI units. Patients taken directly to pPCI were most likely to survive to 30 days (25/39, 53.8%), compared to patients taken to an emergency department (ED) at a pPCI-capable hospital (34/126, 27.0%), or an ED at a non-pPCI-capable hospital (50/310, 16.1%).
Conclusion:
Staff should be encouraged to record a 12-lead ECG on all post-ROSC patients, and make a referral to the regional pPCI-capable centre if there is evidence of a STEMI, or a cardiac cause is likely, since 30-day survival is highest for patients who are taken directly for pPCI. Ambulance services should continue to work with regional pPCI-capable centres to ensure that suitable patients are accepted to maximise potential for survival.
Purpose of review:
The current review will give an overview of different possibilities to monitor quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from a physiologic and a process point of view and how these two approaches can/should overlap.
Recent findings:
Technology is evolving fast with a lot of opportunities to improve the CPR quality. The role of smartphones and wearables are step-by-step identified as also the possibilities to perform patient tailored CPR based on physiologic parameters. The first steps have been taken, but more are to be expected. In this context, the limits of what is possible with human providers will become more and more clear.
Summary:
To perform high-quality CPR, at first, one should optimize rate, depth and pause duration supported by process monitoring tools. Second, the evolving technological evolution gives opportunities to measure physiologic parameters in real-time which will open the way for patient-tailored CPR. The role of ultrasound, cerebral saturation and end-tidal CO2 in measuring the quality of CPR needs to be further investigated as well as the possible ways of influencing these measured parameters to improve neurological outcome and survival.
Introduction
Television medical dramas (TVMDs) use cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as a mean of achieving higher viewing rates. TVMDs portrayal of CPR can be used to teach laypersons attempting to perform CPR and to form a shared professional and layperson mental model for CPR decisions. We studied the portrayal of CPR across a wide range of TVMDs to see whether newer series fulfill this promise.
Materials and methods
Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certified healthcare providers underwent training in the use of a unique instrument based on the AHA (American Heart Association) guidelines to assess TVMD CPR scenarios. Components of the assessment included the adequacy of CPR techniques, gender distribution in CPR scenes, performance quality by different healthcare providers, and CPR outcomes. Thirty-one TVMDs created between 2010 and 2018 underwent review.
Results
Among 836 TVMD episodes reviewed, we identified 216 CPR attempts. CPR techniques were mostly portrayed inaccurately. The recommended compressions depth was shown in only 32.0% of the attempts (n = 62). The recommended rate was shown in only 44.3% of the attempts (n = 86). Survival to hospital discharge was portrayed as twice higher in male patients (67.6%, n = 71) than in female patients (32.4%, n = 29) (p < 0.05). Paramedics were portrayed as having better performance than physicians or nurses; compression rates were shown to be within the recommendations in only 42% (n = 73) of the CPR attempts performed by physicians, 44% (n = 8) of those performed by nurses, and 64% (n = 9) of those performed by paramedics. Complete chest recoil after compression was shown in only 34% (n = 58) of the CPR attempts performed by physicians, 38% (n = 7) of those performed by nurses, and 64% (n = 9) of those performed by paramedics. Outcomes were better on the screen than in real life; among the episodes showing outcome (n = 202), the overall rate of survival from CPR was 61.9% (n = 125).
Conclusion
Portrayal of CPR in TVMDs remains a missed opportunity for improving performance and communication on CPR.
Aim:
Coagulation and platelet function following out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) at admission to a UK cardiology centre were investigated prospectively in this observational feasibility study, and compared to that of patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
Method:
Blood samples taken immediately at emergency department admission from patients after OHCA of probable cardiac origin were analysed using near-patient thromboelastometry and a platelet function analyser. Physiological parameters, demographic information, bleeding rates and 30-day survival were recorded, and compared to that of patients undergoing PCI for STEMI.
Results:
Thirty patients were enrolled into each group. Platelet activation with thrombin receptor stimulation was reduced in OHCA patients compared to STEMI patients; mean TRAP AUC OHCA 79.3 (95% CI 63.7-94.9) vs STEMI 101.6 (95% CI 87.4-115.8), p = 0.03. The maximum clot firmness time was prolonged in the OHCA group compared to the STEMI group; 1718s (1545s-1906s) vs 1544s (1387s-1709s), p = 0.01. Other measures of clot formation and strength were comparable between groups. Hyperfibrinolysis (maximum lysis > = 15%) was common in both groups (57% in STEMI; 50% in OHCA) but did not increase 30-day bleeding risk.
Conclusion:
OHCA patients demonstrated reduced thrombin receptor function at hospital admission but overall clot formation dynamics comparable to STEMI patients, indicating no gross coagulopathy post OHCA in our cohort. Hyperfibrinolysis was common both post OHCA and after STEMI. The results of this small feasibility study cannot draw clinical conclusions but will inform power calculations for future studies.
Background
Patients suffering from an out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest are often transported to the closest hospital. Although it has been suggested that these patients be transported to cardiac resuscitation centers, few jurisdictions have acted on this recommendation. To better evaluate the evidence on this subject, a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the currently available literature evaluating the association between the destination hospital's capability (cardiac resuscitation center or not) and resuscitation outcomes for adult patients suffering from an out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest was performed.
Methods and Results
PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases were first searched using a specifically designed search strategy. Both original randomized controlled trials and observational studies were considered for inclusion. Cardiac resuscitation centers were defined as having on‐site percutaneous coronary intervention and targeted temperature management capability at all times. The primary outcome measure was survival. Twelve nonrandomized observational studies were retained in this review. A total of 61 240 patients were included in the 10 studies that could be included in the meta‐analysis regarding the survival outcome. Being transported to a cardiac resuscitation center was associated with an increase in survival (odds ratio=1.95 [95% confidence interval 1.47‐2.59], P<0.001).
Conclusions
Adult patients suffering from an out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest transported to cardiac resuscitation centers have better outcomes than their counterparts. When possible, it is reasonable to transport these patients directly to cardiac resuscitation centers (class IIa, level of evidence B, nonrandomized).
Clinical Trial Registration
URL: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/. Unique identifier: CRD42018086608.
Mortality from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) remains exceptionally high, in spite of advances in prehospital and hospital care. All-comer survival in patients actively resuscitated is approximately 10%, with significant regional variability worldwide driven by geography, public health measures (e.g., basic life support education and use of automated cardiac defibrillators in public areas), and expertise of both “first responders” and receiving hospital centers. Those individuals presenting with so-called “Utstein” criteria are thought to have the best prognosis, and are defined as: patients with a witnessed cardiac arrest; patients suffering an arrest due to presumed underlying heart disease, and those with a presenting ventricular fibrillation rhythm. Indeed, advances in survival and prognosis over the past 15 years have almost exclusively been in this select group of patients with presenting shockable rhythms. Where patients are successfully admitted to hospital with return of spontaneous circulation, survival to discharge increases to approximately 25%. The likelihood of survival appears to correlate with the number of OOHCA cases treated by any individual institute. This is driven in part by multidisciplinary goal-directed therapies as part of a “Bundle of Care” approach, which includes more aggressive post-resuscitation care, mild therapeutic hypothermia, access to early coronary angiography, and revascularization of culprit coronary disease where appropriate. Effective post-resuscitation pathways also impact on rates of complications from multi-organ failure and brain injury with subsequent favorable neurological outcomes.
Much of the current evidence and many of the recent treatment recommendations for increasing survival from cardiac arrest revolve around improving the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation during resuscitation. A focus on providing treatments proved beneficial and providing these treatments reliably, using measurement, monitoring, and implementation of quality-improvement strategies, will help eliminate variation in outcomes and provide a foundation from which future improvements in resuscitation care can be developed. Using the knowledge and tools available today will help reduce the ambiguity and variability that exists in resuscitation today and provide the ability to save more lives in communities.
Objectives:
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest has poor prognosis and patients rarely survive unless they receive immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation from bystanders. In 2012, the British Heart Foundation launched its PocketCPR training application to simplify bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and overcome barriers to resuscitation. This study investigates whether the British Heart Foundation PocketCPR training application improves the confidence of bystanders who perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation during simulated resuscitation attempts.
Methods:
This is a mixed method study using a randomised crossover trial with questionnaire analysis. One hundred and twenty participants were randomised to either perform two minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a resuscitation manikin using the British Heart Foundation PocketCPR application or perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation without instruction. Participants completed a questionnaire to capture their confidence before completing the opposite arm of the study. Each participant then completed a second questionnaire to allow for comparison of levels of confidence.
Results:
Participants in this study were more confident in their overall performance of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation using the British Heart Foundation PocketCPR training application compared to performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation without instruction (mean confidence score (0-100): 50.41 with PocketCPR and 43.92 without (p = 0.026)). They were also more confident that the number of chest compressions in this study was correct (mean: 60.39 with PocketCPR vs. 46.10 without (p < 0.001)), and in the delivery of cardiopulmonary resuscitation without having recent cardiopulmonary resuscitation training (mean: 48.67 with PocketCPR vs. 39.79 without (p < 0.002)).
Conclusion:
The British Heart Foundation PocketCPR training application improved the confidence of bystanders performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation during simulated resuscitation attempts.
Cardiac arrest effectiveness trials have traditionally reported outcomes that focus on survival. A lack of consistency in outcome reporting between trials limits the opportunities to pool results for meta-analysis. The COSCA initiative (Core Outcome Set for Cardiac Arrest), a partnership between patients, their partners, clinicians, research scientists, and the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, sought to develop a consensus core outcome set for cardiac arrest for effectiveness trials. Core outcome sets are primarily intended for large, randomized clinical effectiveness trials (sometimes referred to as pragmatic trials or phase III/IV trials) rather than for pilot or efficacy studies. A systematic review of the literature combined with qualitative interviews among cardiac arrest survivors was used to generate a list of potential outcome domains. This list was prioritized through a Delphi process, which involved clinicians, patients, and their relatives/partners. An international advisory panel narrowed these down to 3 core domains by debate that led to consensus. The writing group refined recommendations for when these outcomes should be measured and further characterized relevant measurement tools. Consensus emerged that a core outcome set for reporting on effectiveness studies of cardiac arrest (COSCA) in adults should include survival, neurological function, and health-related quality of life. This should be reported as survival status and modified Rankin scale score at hospital discharge, at 30 days, or both. Health-related quality of life should be measured with ≥1 tools from Health Utilities Index version 3, Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey, and EuroQol 5D-5L at 90 days and at periodic intervals up to 1 year after cardiac arrest, if resources allow.
Cardiac arrest effectiveness trials have traditionally reported outcomes that focus on survival. A lack of consistency in outcome reporting between trials limits the opportunities to pool results for meta-analysis. The COSCA initiative (Core Outcome Set for Cardiac Arrest), a partnership between patients, their partners, clinicians, research scientists, and the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, sought to develop a consensus core outcome set for cardiac arrest for effectiveness trials. Core outcome sets are primarily intended for large, randomised clinical effectiveness trials (sometimes referred to as pragmatic trials or phase III/IV trials) rather than for pilot or efficacy studies. A systematic review of the literature combined with qualitative interviews among cardiac arrest survivors was used to generate a list of potential outcome domains. This list was prioritised through a Delphi process, which involved clinicians, patients, and their relatives/partners. An international advisory panel narrowed these down to 3 core domains by debate that led to consensus. The writing group refined recommendations for when these outcomes should be measured and further characterised relevant measurement tools. Consensus emerged that a core outcome set for reporting on effectiveness studies of cardiac arrest (COSCA) in adults should include survival, neurological function, and health-related quality of life. This should be reported as survival status and modified Rankin scale score at hospital discharge, at 30 days, or both. Health-related quality of life should be measured with ≥1 tools from Health Utilities Index version 3, Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey, and EuroQol 5D-5L at 90 days and at periodic intervals up to 1 year after cardiac arrest, if resources allow. © 2018 European Resuscitation Council and American Heart Association, Inc. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Background:
Among primary coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors, certain socioeconomic characteristics of individuals and living environments appear to play a central role. The objective of this study was to assess the burden of neighbourhood deprivation-associated excess in mortality and hospital admission from CHD in Plymouth.
Methods:
A small area ecological study using indices of neighbourhood deprivation and coronary heart disease mortality and hospital admission data aggregated for 1991-2003 for CHD mortality and for 1997-2004 for CHD hospital admission. Locally defined community areas (n = 43) were classified according to the Townsend index, measuring material deprivation.
Results:
CHD mortality and hospital admission increased with Townsend deprivation score in all ages and gender groups. The age-adjusted deprivation-associated excess CHD hospital admission was 15.4% in men and 27.9% in women higher for most compared to the least deprived group. The age-adjusted deprivation-associated excess CHD mortality was 31.5% and 18.9% for men and women, respectively. Excess mortality in the 13-year period studied accounted for more than 1380 and 670 deaths for men and women. Excess hospital admissions in the 7-year period studied accounted for more than 966 and 769 hospital admissions for men and women. A larger proportion of excess CHD deaths were found among men while excess CHD hospital admissions were found among women. The most deprived areas showed the highest mortality and hospital admission risk.
Conclusion:
Despite the existence of a system of universal health care, inequalities in CHD mortality and hospital admission persist and need to be taken into account when implementing intervention programmes.
Little is known about the effects of geographic variation on outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The present study investigated the relationship between population density, time between emergency call and ambulance arrival, and survival of OHCA, using the All-Japan Utstein-style registry database, coupled with geographic information system (GIS) data.
We examined data from 101,287 bystander-witnessed OHCA patients who received emergency medical services (EMS) through 4,729 ambulatory centers in Japan between 2005 and 2007. Latitudes and longitudes of each center were determined with address-match geocoding, and linked with the Population Census data using GIS. The endpoints were 1-month survival and neurologically favorable 1-month survival defined as Glasgow-Pittsburgh cerebral performance categories 1 or 2.
Overall 1-month survival was 7.8%. Neurologically favorable 1-month survival was 3.6%. In very low-density (<250/km(2)) and very high-density (≥10,000/km(2)) areas, the mean call-response intervals were 9.3 and 6.2 minutes, 1-month survival rates were 5.4% and 9.1%, and neurologically favorable 1-month survival rates were 2.7% and 4.3%, respectively. After adjustment for age, sex, cause of arrest, first aid by bystander and the proportion of neighborhood elderly people ≥65 yrs, patients in very high-density areas had a significantly higher survival rate (odds ratio (OR), 1.64; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.44 - 1.87; p < 0.001) and neurologically favorable 1-month survival rate (OR, 1.47; 95%CI, 1.22 - 1.77; p < 0.001) compared with those in very low-density areas.
Living in a low-density area was associated with an independent risk of delay in ambulance response, and a low survival rate in cases of OHCA. Distribution of EMS centers according to population size may lead to inequality in health outcomes between urban and rural areas.
Survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is closely linked to the quality of CPR, but in real life, resuscitation during prehospital care and ambulance transport is often suboptimal. Mechanical chest compression devices deliver consistent chest compressions, are not prone to fatigue and could potentially overcome some of the limitations of manual chest compression. However, there is no high-quality evidence that they improve clinical outcomes, or that they are cost effective. The Prehospital Randomised Assessment of a Mechanical Compression Device In Cardiac Arrest (PARAMEDIC) trial is a pragmatic cluster randomised study of the LUCAS-2 device in adult patients with non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
The primary objective of this trial is to evaluate the effect of chest compression using LUCAS-2 on mortality at 30 days post out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, compared with manual chest compression. Secondary objectives of the study are to evaluate the effects of LUCAS-2 on survival to 12 months, cognitive and quality of life outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Methods: Ambulance service vehicles will be randomised to either manual compression (control) or LUCAS arms. Adult patients in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, attended by a trial vehicle will be eligible for inclusion. Patients with traumatic cardiac arrest or who are pregnant will be excluded. The trial will recruit approximately 4000 patients from England, Wales and Scotland. A waiver of initial consent has been approved by the Research Ethics Committees. Consent will be sought from survivors for participation in the follow-up phase.
The trial will assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of the LUCAS-2 mechanical chest compression device.
The trial is registered on the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Registry (ISRCTN08233942).
There is a compelling need to develop clinical performance indicators for ambulance services in order to move from indicators based primarily on response times and in light of the changing clinical demands on services. We report on progress on the national pilot of clinical performance indicators for English ambulance services.
Clinical performance indicators were developed in five clinical areas: acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, stroke (including transient ischaemic attack), asthma and hypoglycaemia. These were determined on the basis of common acute conditions presenting to ambulance services and in line with a previously published framework. Indicators were piloted by ambulance services in England and results were presented in tables and graphically using funnel (statistical process control) plots.
Progress for developing, agreeing and piloting of indicators has been rapid, from initial agreement in May 2007 to completion of the pilot phase by the end of March 2008. The results of benchmarking of indicators are shown. The pilot has informed services in deciding the focus of their improvement programme in 2008-2009 and indicators have been adopted for national performance assessment of standards of prehospital care.
The pilot will provide the basis for further development of clinical indicators, benchmarking of performance and implementation of specific evidence-based interventions to improve care in areas identified for improvement. A national performance improvement registry will enable evaluation and sharing of effective improvement methods as well as increasing stakeholder and public access to information on the quality of care provided by ambulance services.
To compare out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) characteristics in white and South Asian populations within Greater London.
Data for OOHCAs were extracted from 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2007. Primary study variables included age, gender, ethnicity, response times from 999 call to ambulance arrival, initial cardiac rhythm, whether bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation was provided before arrival of the London Ambulance Service (LAS) NHS Trust crew, whether the arrest was witnessed (bystander or LAS crew) and hospital outcome, including survival to hospital admission and discharge.
Of 13 013 OOHCAs of presumed cardiac cause, 3161 (24.3%) had ethnicity codes assigned. These comprised 63.1% (n = 1995) white and 5.8% (n = 183) South Asian people, with the remainder from other backgrounds. White patients were on average 5 years older than South Asians (69.5 vs 64.6, p<0.005). Response time (7.48 min vs 7.46 min), bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (34.4% vs 29.7%), initial cardiac rhythm (29.5% vs 30.4%) and survival to admission (22.2% vs 22.5%) and discharge (8.7% vs 8.9%) were comparable between the two ethnic groups. South Asians were slightly more likely to have a witnessed an OOHCA than their white counterparts (OR = 1.1, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.2).
The quality of care provided was comparable between white and South Asian populations. The data support the emerging view that South Asians' high mortality from coronary heart disease reflects higher incidence rather than higher case fatality. South Asians had an OOHCA at a significantly younger age. The study demonstrates the importance of ethnic coding within the emergency services.
The health and policy implications of regional variation in incidence and outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest remain to be determined.
To evaluate whether cardiac arrest incidence and outcome differ across geographic regions.
Prospective observational study (the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium) of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in 10 North American sites (8 US and 2 Canadian) from May 1, 2006, to April 30, 2007, followed up to hospital discharge, and including data available as of June 28, 2008. Cases (aged 0-108 years) were assessed by organized emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, did not have traumatic injury, and received attempts at external defibrillation or chest compressions or resuscitation was not attempted. Census data were used to determine rates adjusted for age and sex.
Incidence rate, mortality rate, case-fatality rate, and survival to discharge for patients assessed or treated by EMS personnel or with an initial rhythm of ventricular fibrillation.
Among the 10 sites, the total catchment population was 21.4 million, and there were 20,520 cardiac arrests. A total of 11,898 (58.0%) had resuscitation attempted; 2729 (22.9% of treated) had initial rhythm of ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia or rhythms that were shockable by an automated external defibrillator; and 954 (4.6% of total) were discharged alive. The median incidence of EMS-treated cardiac arrest across sites was 52.1 (interquartile range [IQR], 48.0-70.1) per 100,000 population; survival ranged from 3.0% to 16.3%, with a median of 8.4% (IQR, 5.4%-10.4%). Median ventricular fibrillation incidence was 12.6 (IQR, 10.6-5.2) per 100,000 population; survival ranged from 7.7% to 39.9%, with a median of 22.0% (IQR, 15.0%-24.4%), with significant differences across sites for incidence and survival (P<.001).
In this study involving 10 geographic regions in North America, there were significant and important regional differences in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest incidence and outcome.
Among primary coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors, certain socioeconomic characteristics of individuals and living environments appear to play a central role. The objective of this study was to assess the burden of neighbourhood deprivation-associated excess in mortality and hospital admission from CHD in Plymouth.
A small area ecological study using indices of neighbourhood deprivation and coronary heart disease mortality and hospital admission data aggregated for 1991-2003 for CHD mortality and for 1997-2004 for CHD hospital admission. Locally defined community areas (n = 43) were classified according to the Townsend index, measuring material deprivation.
CHD mortality and hospital admission increased with Townsend deprivation score in all ages and gender groups. The age-adjusted deprivation-associated excess CHD hospital admission was 15.4% in men and 27.9% in women higher for most compared to the least deprived group. The age-adjusted deprivation-associated excess CHD mortality was 31.5% and 18.9% for men and women, respectively. Excess mortality in the 13-year period studied accounted for more than 1380 and 670 deaths for men and women. Excess hospital admissions in the 7-year period studied accounted for more than 966 and 769 hospital admissions for men and women. A larger proportion of excess CHD deaths were found among men while excess CHD hospital admissions were found among women. The most deprived areas showed the highest mortality and hospital admission risk.
Despite the existence of a system of universal health care, inequalities in CHD mortality and hospital admission persist and need to be taken into account when implementing intervention programmes.
Mortality among patients admitted to hospital after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is high. Based on recent scientific evidence with a main goal of improving survival, we introduced and implemented a standardised post resuscitation protocol focusing on vital organ function including therapeutic hypothermia, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), control of haemodynamics, blood glucose, ventilation and seizures.
All patients with OHCA of cardiac aetiology admitted to the ICU from September 2003 to May 2005 (intervention period) were included in a prospective, observational study and compared to controls from February 1996 to February 1998.
In the control period 15/58 (26%) survived to hospital discharge with a favourable neurological outcome versus 34 of 61 (56%) in the intervention period (OR 3.61, CI 1.66-7.84, p=0.001). All survivors with a favourable neurological outcome in both groups were still alive 1 year after discharge. Two patients from the control period were revascularised with thrombolytics versus 30 (49%) receiving PCI treatment in the intervention period (47 patients (77%) underwent cardiac angiography). Therapeutic hypothermia was not used in the control period, but 40 of 52 (77%) comatose patients received this treatment in the intervention period.
Discharge rate from hospital, neurological outcome and 1-year survival improved after standardisation of post resuscitation care. Based on a multivariate logistic analysis, hospital treatment in the intervention period was the most important independent predictor of survival.
Outcome after cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation is dependent on critical interventions, particularly early defibrillation, effective chest compressions, and advanced life support. Utstein-style definitions and reporting templates have been used extensively in published studies of cardiac arrest, which has led to greater understanding of the elements of resuscitation practice and progress toward international consensus on science and resuscitation guidelines. Despite the development of Utstein templates to standardize research reports of cardiac arrest, international registries have yet to be developed. In April 2002, a task force of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) met in Melbourne, Australia, to review worldwide experience with the Utstein definitions and reporting templates. The task force revised the core reporting template and definitions by consensus. Care was taken to build on previous definitions, changing data elements and operational definitions only on the basis of published data and experience derived from those registries that have used Utstein-style reporting. Attention was focused on decreasing the complexity of the existing templates and addressing logistical difficulties in collecting specific core and supplementary (ie, essential and desirable) data elements recommended by previous Utstein consensus conferences. Inconsistencies in terminology between in-hospital and out-of-hospital Utstein templates were also addressed. The task force produced a reporting tool for essential data that can be used for both quality improvement (registries) and research reports and that should be applicable to both adults and children. The revised and simplified template includes practical and succinct operational definitions. It is anticipated that the revised template will enable better and more accurate completion of all reports of cardiac arrest and resuscitation attempts. Problems with data definition, collection, linkage, confidentiality, management, and registry implementation are acknowledged and potential solutions offered. Uniform collection and tracking of registry data should enable better continuous quality improvement within every hospital, emergency medical services system, and community.
Although most cardiovascular disease occurs in low-income and middle-income countries, little is known about the use of effective secondary prevention medications in these communities. We aimed to assess use of proven effective secondary preventive drugs (antiplatelet drugs, β blockers, angiotensin-converting-enzyme [ACE] inhibitors or angiotensin-receptor blockers [ARBs], and statins) in individuals with a history of coronary heart disease or stroke.
In the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study, we recruited individuals aged 35-70 years from rural and urban communities in countries at various stages of economic development. We assessed rates of previous cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease or stroke) and use of proven effective secondary preventive drugs and blood-pressure-lowering drugs with standardised questionnaires, which were completed by telephone interviews, household visits, or on patient's presentation to clinics. We report estimates of drug use at national, community, and individual levels.
We enrolled 153,996 adults from 628 urban and rural communities in countries with incomes classified as high (three countries), upper-middle (seven), lower-middle (three), or low (four) between January, 2003, and December, 2009. 5650 participants had a self-reported coronary heart disease event (median 5·0 years previously [IQR 2·0-10·0]) and 2292 had stroke (4·0 years previously [2·0-8·0]). Overall, few individuals with cardiovascular disease took antiplatelet drugs (25·3%), β blockers (17·4%), ACE inhibitors or ARBs (19·5%), or statins (14·6%). Use was highest in high-income countries (antiplatelet drugs 62·0%, β blockers 40·0%, ACE inhibitors or ARBs 49·8%, and statins 66·5%), lowest in low-income countries (8·8%, 9·7%, 5·2%, and 3·3%, respectively), and decreased in line with reduction of country economic status (p(trend)<0·0001 for every drug type). Fewest patients received no drugs in high-income countries (11·2%), compared with 45·1% in upper middle-income countries, 69·3% in lower middle-income countries, and 80·2% in low-income countries. Drug use was higher in urban than rural areas (antiplatelet drugs 28·7% urban vs 21·3% rural, β blockers 23·5%vs 15·6%, ACE inhibitors or ARBs 22·8%vs 15·5%, and statins 19·9%vs 11·6%; all p<0·0001), with greatest variation in poorest countries (p(interaction)<0·0001 for urban vs rural differences by country economic status). Country-level factors (eg, economic status) affected rates of drug use more than did individual-level factors (eg, age, sex, education, smoking status, body-mass index, and hypertension and diabetes statuses).
Because use of secondary prevention medications is low worldwide-especially in low-income countries and rural areas-systematic approaches are needed to improve the long-term use of basic, inexpensive, and effective drugs.
Full funding sources listed at end of paper (see Acknowledgments).
Rapid defibrillation is the best method for resuscitating victims after sudden cardiac arrest. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that electrical shocks applied within 30 s of ventricular fibrillation (VF) can produce a 98% rate of resuscitation. However, when the shock is delivered after 7 min of VF, the resuscitation rate falls to 27%. This has given rise to the ‘goal’ of early defibrillation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).
Over the past 30 years or so, advances in technology have provided innovative opportunities in the area of automated external defibrillator (AED) technology. Defibrillation within 5 min is the only effective means of returning a heart in VF to its normal rhythm. The use of AEDs can help to achieve the objective of reducing mortality in OHCA.
In most cases it is all but impossible to predict who will have a sudden cardiac arrest, or where and when it will happen. What we do know is that each day more than 1000 Europeans suffer from sudden cardiac arrest, usually away from the hospital, and that the ambulance arrives too late. Of course, for some patients the chance of survival is down to luck. A patient is nine times more likely to survive if he/she is observed having the arrest. But even if witnessed, the chance of surviving mainly depends on immediate access to a defibrillator.
For almost two decades, Rochester and Seattle in the USA have reported consistent survival rates of 30–40% for witnessed VF—about three times the US and European average—utilising an organised two tiered system of early defibrillation and public access defibrillation (PAD).1 Comparatively, the survival rates from performing basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) alone are reported at between 0–6%, a rate that has not improved since the 1950s.2 Although much money and effort have been spent by scientific communities in training …
The goal of the 2009 American Heart Association (AHA) Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit was to develop consensus recommendations for implementation strategies to optimize the care of patients with out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest (OHCA). For the purposes of this conference, implementation was broadly defined as the translation of best practices into common practice. The scope was the entire system of care, including recognition and response by laypeople, emergency medical services (EMS) dispatch, EMS care, and hospital-based care. The conference planning committee included representatives from multiple disciplines involved in all stages of cardiac arrest care. Conference participants included stakeholders from the lay public, EMS systems, relevant clinical specialties, health insurance providers, and federal regulatory and funding agencies. Conference speakers were either selected by the conference planning committee on the basis of their content expertise or nominated by the organization they represented.
Before the conference, participants provided written input by responding to a preconference questionnaire. The content of this questionnaire is available in the http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/CIR.0b013e31821d79f3/DC1. The questions were developed by the conference planning committee. All responses were free text. The responses were collated and distributed to the writing group for review. Writing group members drafted preliminary recommendations based on the survey results and the existing literature. These recommendations were refined through conference calls with invited speakers and panelists before the conference. Individual sessions focused on epidemiology, incidence and outcomes monitoring, systems of care, and culture change.
The initial conference sessions consisted of invited speakers who highlighted key issues and presented evidence for best practices. These presentations were followed by panel discussions with audience participation. During the panel discussions, the preconference draft recommendations were further modified. The fourth session consisted of multiple breakout groups that addressed issues of culture change among lay providers, EMS providers, in-hospital providers, policy makers, and payers. These sessions …
Knowledge about the epidemiology of cardiac arrest in Europe is inadequate.
To describe the first attempt to build up a Common European Registry of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, called EuReCa.
After approaching key persons in participating countries of the European Resuscitation Council, five countries or areas within countries (Belgium, Germany, Andalusia, North Holland, Sweden) agreed to participate. A standardized questionnaire including 28 items, that identified various aspects of resuscitation, was developed to explore the nature of the regional/national registries. This comprises inclusion criteria, data sources, and core data, as well as technical details of the structure of the databases.
The participating registers represent a population of 35 million inhabitants in Europe. During 2008, 12,446 cardiac arrests were recorded. The structure as well as the level of complexity varied markedly between the 5 regional/national registries. The incidence of attempted resuscitation ranged between registers from 17 to 53 per 100,000 inhabitants each year whilst the number of patients admitted to hospital alive ranged from 5 to 18 per 100,000 inhabitants each year. Bystander CPR varied 3-fold from 20% to 60%.
Five countries agreed to participate in an attempt to build up a common European Registry for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. These regional/national registries show a marked difference in terms of structure and complexity. A marked variation was found between countries in the number of reported resuscitation attempts, the number of patients brought to hospital alive, and the proportion that received bystander CPR. At present, we are unable to explain the reason for the variability but our first findings could be a 'wake-up-call' for building up a high quality registry that could provide answers to this and other key questions in relation to the management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Basic life support (BLS) is the foundation for saving lives following cardiac arrest. Fundamental aspects of BLS include immediate recognition of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and activation of the emergency response system, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation ( CPR ), and rapid defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator ( AED) . Initial recognition and response to heart attack and stroke are also considered part of BLS. This section presents the 2010 adult BLS guidelines for lay rescuers and healthcare providers. Key changes and continued points of emphasis from the 2005 BLS Guidelines include the following:
Despite important advances in prevention, SCA continues to be a leading cause of death in many parts of the world.1 SCA has many etiologies (ie, cardiac or noncardiac causes), circumstances (eg, witnessed or unwitnessed), and settings (eg, out-of-hospital or in-hospital). This heterogeneity suggests that a single …
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of pre-hospital mortality. Chest compressions performed during cardiopulmonary resuscitation aim to provide adequate perfusion to the vital organs during cardiac arrest. Poor resuscitation technique and the quality of pre-hospital CPR influences outcome from OHCA. Transthoracic impedance (TTI) measurement is a useful tool in the assessment of the quality of pre-hospital resuscitation by ambulance crews but TTI telemetry has not yet been performed in the United Kingdom. We describe a pilot study to implement a data network to collect defibrillator TTI data via telemetry from ambulances.
Prospective, observational pilot study over a 5-month period. Modems were fitted to 40 defibrillators on ambulances based in Edinburgh. TTI data was sent to a receiving computer after resuscitation attempts for OHCA.
58 TTI traces were transmitted during the pilot period. Compliance with the telemetry system was high. The mean ratio of chest compressions was 73% (95% CI 69-77%), the mean chest compression rate was 128 (95% CI 122-134). The mean time interval from chest compression interruption to shock delivery was 27 s (95% CI 22-32 s).
Trans-thoracic impedance analysis is an effective means of recording important measures of resuscitation quality including the hands-on-the-chest time, compression rate and defibrillation interval time. TTI data transmission via telemetry is straightforward, efficient and allows resuscitation data to be captured and analysed from a large geographical area. Further research is warranted on the impact of post-resuscitation reporting on the quality of resuscitation delivered by ambulance crews.
The aim of this investigation was to estimate and contrast the global incidence and outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) to provide a better understanding of the variability in risk and survival of OHCA.
We conducted a review of published English-language articles about incidence of OHCA, available through MEDLINE and EmBase. For studies including adult patients and both adult and paediatric patients, we used Utstein data reporting guidelines to calculate, summarize and compare incidences per 100,000 person-years of attended OHCAs, treated OHCAs, treated OHCAs with a cardiac cause, treated OHCA with ventricular fibrillation (VF), and survival-to-hospital discharge rates following OHCA.
Sixty-seven studies from Europe, North America, Asia or Australia met inclusion criteria. The weighted incidence estimate was significantly higher in studies including adults than in those including adults and paediatrics for treated OHCAs (62.3 vs 34.7; P<0.001); and for treated OHCAs with a cardiac cause (54.6 vs 40.8; P=0.004). Neither survival to discharge rates nor VF survival to discharge rates differed statistically significant among studies. The incidence of treated OHCAs was higher in North America (54.6) than in Europe (35.0), Asia (28.3), and Australia (44.0) (P<0.001). In Asia, the percentage of VF and survival to discharge rates were lower (11% and 2%, respectively) than those in Europe (35% and 9%, respectively), North America (28% and 6%, respectively), or Australia (40% and 11%, respectively) (P<0.001, P<0.001).
OHCA incidence and outcome varies greatly around the globe. A better understanding of the variability is fundamental to improving OHCA prevention and resuscitation.
To evaluate the role of ambulance response times in improving survival for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).
OHCAs were identified by sampling consecutive life-threatening category A emergency ambulance calls on an annual basis for the 5 years 1996/7-2000/1 from four ambulance services in England. From these, all calls where an ambulance arrived at the scene and treated or transported a patient were included in the study. These cohorts of patients were followed up to discharge from hospital.
Overall, 30 (2.6%) of the 1161 patients with cardiac arrest survived to hospital discharge. If the patient arrested while the paramedics were on scene, survival to hospital discharge was 14%. The most important predictive factors for survival were response time, initial presenting heart rhythm in ventricular fibrillation and whether the arrest was witnessed. The estimated effect of a 1 min reduction in response time was to improve the odds of survival by 24% (95% CI 4% to 48%). The costs of reducing response times across the board by 1 at the time of this study were estimated at around £54 million.
The arrival of a crew prior to OHCA means that the chance of surviving the arrest increases sevenfold. Overall it is possible that rapid response to patients in immediate risk of arrest may be at least as beneficial as rapid response to those who have arrested. Concentrating resources on reducing response times across the board to improve survival for those patients already in arrest is unlikely to be a cost-effective option to the U.K. National Health Service.
The quality and effectiveness of resuscitation processes may be influenced by the patient's body mass index (BMI); however, the relationship between BMI and survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest has not been previously studied.
We evaluated 21 237 adult patients with an in-hospital cardiac arrest within the National Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (NRCPR). We examined the association between BMI (classified as underweight [<18.5 kg/m(2)], normal [18.5 to 24.9 kg/m(2)], overweight [25.0 to 29.9 kg/m(2)], obese [30.0 to 34.9 kg/m(2)], and very obese [≥35.0 kg/m(2)]) and survival to hospital discharge using multivariable logistic regression, after stratifying arrests by rhythm type and adjusting for patient characteristics. Of 4499 patients with ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia as initial rhythm, 1825 (40.6%) survived to discharge. After multivariable adjustment, compared with overweight patients, underweight (odds ratio [OR], 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41 to 0.84; P=0.003), normal weight (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.89; P<0.001), and very obese (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.96; P=0.02) had lower rates of survival, whereas obese patients had similar rates of survival (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.06; P=0.17). In contrast, of 16 738 patients with arrests caused by asystole or pulseless electric activity, only 2501 (14.9%) survived. After multivariable adjustment, all BMI groups had similar rates of survival except underweight patients (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.82; P<0.001).
For cardiac arrest caused by shockable rhythms, underweight, normal weight, and very obese patients had lower rates of survival to discharge. In contrast, for cardiac arrest caused by nonshockable rhythms, survival to discharge was similar across BMI groups except for underweight patients. Future studies are needed to clarify the extent to which BMI affects the quality and effectiveness of resuscitation measures.
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a leading cause of mortality and serious neurological disability across Europe. Without immediate bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), chances of survival are minimal. Despite community initiatives to increase the number of trained CPR providers, the effectiveness of these measures remains unknown and the proportion of OHCA patients receiving bystander CPR in the United Kingdom yet to be established. We sought to identify the change in the rate of bystander CPR in south east Scotland over a 16-year period.
Retrospective cohort study of all adult non-traumatic OHCA in south east Scotland from 1 January 1992 to 31 December 2007 using the Heartstart Scotland database.
7928 OHCA were included. The proportion of patients receiving bystander CPR increased from 34% in 1992 to 52% in 2007 (p for trend <0.0001). The rate of CPR from bystanders, spouses and from relatives increased significantly over the study period. Patients arresting at home received significantly less bystander CPR than those arresting away from home (39% vs 52%, p<0.0001) regardless of age or sex.
There has been a significant increase in bystander CPR in south east Scotland during the 16-year period. Bystander CPR is associated with an increased rate of survival and targeted CPR training for relatives of patients at risk of sudden cardiac death may be beneficial.
Prior studies have identified key predictors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), but differences exist in the magnitude of these findings. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the strength of associations between OHCA and key factors (event witnessed by a bystander or emergency medical services [EMS], provision of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR], initial cardiac rhythm, or the return of spontaneous circulation). We also examined trends in OHCA survival over time.
An electronic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane DSR, DARE, ACP Journal Club, and CCTR was conducted (January 1, 1950 to August 21, 2008) for studies reporting OHCA of presumed cardiac etiology in adults. Data were extracted from 79 studies involving 142 740 patients. The pooled survival rate to hospital admission was 23.8% (95% CI, 21.1 to 26.6) and to hospital discharge was 7.6% (95% CI, 6.7 to 8.4). Stratified by baseline rates, survival to hospital discharge was more likely among those: witnessed by a bystander (6.4% to 13.5%), witnessed by EMS (4.9% to 18.2%), who received bystander CPR (3.9% to 16.1%), were found in ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (14.8% to 23.0%), or achieved return of spontaneous circulation (15.5% to 33.6%). Although 53% (95% CI, 45.0% to 59.9%) of events were witnessed by a bystander, only 32% (95% CI, 26.7% to 37.8%) received bystander CPR. The number needed to treat to save 1 life ranged from 16 to 23 for EMS-witnessed arrests, 17 to 71 for bystander-witnessed, and 24 to 36 for those receiving bystander CPR, depending on baseline survival rates. The aggregate survival rate of OHCA (7.6%) has not significantly changed in almost 3 decades.
Overall survival from OHCA has been stable for almost 30 years, as have the strong associations between key predictors and survival. Because most OHCA events are witnessed, efforts to improve survival should focus on prompt delivery of interventions of known effectiveness by those who witness the event.
Quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation contributes to cardiac arrest survival. The proportion of time in which chest compressions are performed in each minute of cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an important modifiable aspect of quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We sought to estimate the effect of an increasing proportion of time spent performing chest compressions during cardiac arrest on survival to hospital discharge in patients with out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia.
This is a prospective observational cohort study of adult patients from the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium Cardiac Arrest Epistry with confirmed ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, no defibrillation before emergency medical services arrival, electronically recorded cardiopulmonary resuscitation before the first shock, and a confirmed outcome. Patients were followed up to discharge from the hospital or death. Of the 506 cases, the mean age was 64 years, 80% were male, 71% were witnessed by a bystander, 51% received bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 34% occurred in a public location, and 23% survived. After adjustment for age, gender, location, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, bystander witness status, and response time, the odds ratios of surviving to hospital discharge in the 2 highest categories of chest compression fraction compared with the reference category were 3.01 (95% confidence interval 1.37 to 6.58) and 2.33 (95% confidence interval 0.96 to 5.63). The estimated adjusted linear effect on odds ratio of survival for a 10% change in chest compression fraction was 1.11 (95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.21).
An increased chest compression fraction is independently predictive of better survival in patients who experience a prehospital ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia cardiac arrest.
A growing body of evidence suggests that variability in post-cardiac arrest care contributes to differential outcomes of patients with initial return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest. We examined hospital-level variation in mortality of patients admitted to United States intensive care units (ICUs) with a diagnosis of cardiac arrest.
Patients with a primary ICU admission diagnosis of cardiac arrest were identified in the 2002--2005 Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) IV dataset, a multicenter clinical registry of ICU patients.
We identified 4674 patients from 39 hospitals. The median number of annual patients was 33 per hospital (range: 12-116). Mean APACHE score was 94 (+/-38), and overall mortality was 56.8%. Age, severity of illness (acute physiology score), and admission Glasgow Coma Scale were all associated with increased mortality (p<0.001). There was no survival difference for patients admitted from the emergency department vs. the inpatient floor. Among institutions, unadjusted in-hospital mortality ranged from 41% to 81%. After adjusting for age and severity of illness, institutional mortality ranged from 46% to 68%. Patients treated at higher volume centers were significantly less likely to die in the hospital.
We demonstrate hospital-level variation in severity adjusted mortality among patients admitted to the ICU after cardiac arrest. We identify a volume-outcome relationship showing lower mortality among patients admitted to ICUs that treat a high volume of post-cardiac arrest patients. Prospective studies should identify hospital-level and patient care factors that contribute to post-cardiac arrest survival.
To identify whether the practice of the UK ambulance trusts comply with national recommendations with respect to when ambulance personnel are allowed to recognise death and/or terminate resuscitation attempts in the adult, normothermic, non-traumatic cardiac arrest.
Questionnaire study of 39 ambulance trusts.
At the time of the study (summer 2000), 23 trusts operated separate policies for recognition of death and termination of resuscitation, two had policies for recognition of death alone, two had policies for termination of resuscitation alone, five operated a policy purely for termination of resuscitation attempts after a limited period of CPR, and seven had no protocols other than "the presence of rigor mortis, postmortem staining or injuries incompatible with life". Only eight trusts conformed to the protocols for both recognition of death and termination of resuscitation attempts recommended by the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee (JRCALC).
The JRCALC has proposed guidelines for recognition of death and terminating resuscitation attempts in the adult normothermic non-traumatic cardiac arrest. Despite this, there was still considerable variance in the practice of the UK ambulance trusts.
Outcome following cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation is dependent on critical interventions, particularly early defibrillation, effective chest compressions, and advanced life support. Utstein-style definitions and reporting templates have been used extensively in published studies of cardiac arrest, which has led to greater understanding of the elements of resuscitation practice and progress toward international consensus on science and resuscitation guidelines. Despite the development of Utstein templates to standardize research reports of cardiac arrest, international registries have yet to be developed. In April 2002 a task force of ILCOR met in Melbourne. Australia, to review worldwide experience with the Utstein definitions and reporting templates. The task force revised the core reporting template and definitions by consensus. Care was taken to build on previous definitions, changing data elements and operational definitions only on the basis of published data and experience derived from those registries that have used Utstein-style reporting. Attention was focused on decreasing the complexity of the existing templates and addressing logistical difficulties in collecting specific core and supplementary (i.e., essential and desirable) data elements recommended by previous Utstein consensus conference. Inconsistencies in terminology between in-hospital and out-of-hospital Utstein templates were also addressed. The task force produced a reporting tool for essential data that can be used for both quality improvement (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.