Early goal-directed hemodynamic optimization combined with therapeutic hypothermia in comatose survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

David F. Gaieski, Roger A. Band, Benjamin S. Abella, Robert W. Neumar, Barry D. Fuchs, Daniel M. Kolansky, Raina M. Merchant, Brendan G. Carr, Lance B. Becker, Cheryl Maguire, Amandeep Klair, Julie Hylton, Munish Goyal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

238 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Comatose survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have high in-hospital mortality due to a complex pathophysiology that includes cardiovascular dysfunction, inflammation, coagulopathy, brain injury and persistence of the precipitating pathology. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the only intervention that has been shown to improve outcomes in this patient population. Due to the similarities between the post-cardiac arrest state and severe sepsis, it has been postulated that early goal-directed hemodyamic optimization (EGDHO) combined with TH would improve outcome of comatose cardiac arrest survivors. Objective: We examined the feasibility of establishing an integrated post-cardiac arrest resuscitation (PCAR) algorithm combining TH and EGDHO within 6 h of emergency department (ED) presentation. Methods: In May, 2005 we began prospectively identifying comatose (Glasgow Motor Score < 6) survivors of OHCA treated with our PCAR protocol. The PCAR patients were compared to matched historic controls from a cardiac arrest database maintained at our institution. Results: Between May, 2005 and January, 2008, 18/20 (90%) eligible patients were enrolled in the PCAR protocol. They were compared to historic controls from 2001 to 2005, during which time 18 patients met inclusion criteria for the PCAR protocol. Mean time from initiation of TH to target temperature (33 °C) was 2.8 h (range 0.8-23.2; SD = h); 78% (14/18) had interventions based upon EGDHO parameters; 72% (13/18) of patients achieved their EGDHO goals within 6 h of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Mortality for historic controls who qualified for the PCAR protocol was 78% (14/18); mortality for those treated with the PCAR protocol was 50% (9/18) (p = 0.15). Conclusions: In patients with ROSC after OHCA, EGDHO and TH can be implemented simultaneously.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)418-424
Number of pages7
JournalResuscitation
Volume80
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cardiac arrest
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  • Goal-directed resuscitation
  • Hemodynamic optimization
  • Hypothermia
  • Neurologic outcome
  • Post-cardiac arrest care

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