Time to intra-arrest therapeutic hypothermia in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients and its association with neurologic outcome: a propensity matched sub-analysis of the PRINCESS trial

© 2020, The Author(s). Purpose: To study the association between early initiation of intra-arrest therapeutic hypothermia and neurologic outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods: A prespecified sub-analysis of the PRINCESS trial (NCT01400373) that randomized 677 bystander-witnessed cardiac arrests to transnasal evaporative intra-arrest cooling initiated by emergency medical services or cooling started after hospital arrival. Early cooling (intervention) was defined as intra-arrest cooling initiated \u3c 20 min from collapse (i.e., ≤ median time to cooling in PRINCESS). Propensity score matching established comparable control patients. Primary outcome was favorable neurologic outcome, Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) 1–2 at 90 days. Complete recovery (CPC 1) was among secondary outcomes. Results: In total, 300 patients were analyzed and the proportion with CPC 1–2 at 90 days was 35/150 (23.3%) in the intervention group versus 24/150 (16%) in the control group, odds ratio (OR) 1.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.95–3.85, p =.07. In patients with shockable rhythm, CPC 1–2 was 29/57 (50.9%) versus 17/57 (29.8%), OR 3.25, 95%, CI 1.06–9.97, p =.04. The proportion with CPC 1 at 90 days was 31/150 (20.7%) in the intervention group and 17/150 (11.3%) in controls, OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.12–4.62, p =.02. In patients with shockable rhythms, the proportion with CPC 1 was 27/57 (47.4%) versus 12/57 (21.1%), OR 5.33, 95% CI 1.55–18.3, p =.008. Conclusions: In the whole study population, intra-arrest cooling initiated \u3c 20 min from collapse compared to cooling initiated at hospital was not associated with improved favorable neurologic outcome. In the subgroup with shockable rhythms, early cooling was associated with improved favorable outcome and complete recovery

Time delays to reach dispatch centres in different regions in Europe. Are we losing the window of opportunity? - The EUROCALL study

Aim: In out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) the start of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) by a single rescuer may be delayed considerably if the total time (TT) to connect the telephone call to the Emergency Medical Communication Centre (EMCC) is prolonged. EUROCALL investigated the TT-EMCC and its components using different calling procedures. Methods: This prospective, multicentre, randomised study was performed in April 2013. Telephone calls were randomly allocated to time of call, and to those connecting directly to the EMCC (1-step procedure) and those diverted before connecting to the EMCC (2-step procedure). Results: Twenty-one EMCCs from 11 countries participated in the study. Time to first ringtone was similar between 1-step 3.7 s (IQR 1.0-5.2) and 2-step calls 4.0 s (IQR 2.4-5.2). For the 1878 1-step calls, the median TT-EMCC was 11.7 s (IQR 8.7-18.5). For the 1550 2-step calls, the median time from first ringtone to first call-taker was 7 s (IQR 4.6-11.9) and from first call-taker to EMCC was 18.7 s (IQR 13.4-29.9). Median TT-EMCC was 33.2 s (IQR 24.7-46.1) and was significantly longer than the TT-EMCC observed with the 1-step procedure (P <0.0001). Significant differences existed among participating regions between and within different countries both for 1-step and 2-step procedures. Conclusion: TT-EMCC was significantly shorter in a 1-step procedure compared to a 2-step procedure. Regional differences existed between countries but also within countries. This may be relevant in cases of OHCA and other situations where patient outcome is critically time-dependent. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

First-response treatment after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest:a survey of current practices across 29 countries in Europe

Background: In Europe, survival rates after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) vary widely. Presence/absence and differences in implementation of systems dispatching First Responders (FR) in order to arrive before Emergency Medical Services (EMS) may contribute to this variation. A comprehensive overview of the different types of FR-systems used across Europe is lacking. Methods: A mixed-method survey and information retrieved from national resuscitation councils and national EMS services were used as a basis for an inventory. The survey was sent to 51 OHCA experts across 29 European countries. Results: Forty-seven (92%) OHCA experts from 29 countries responded to the survey. More than half of European countries had at least one region with a FR-system. Four categories of FR types were identified: (1) firefighters (professional/voluntary); (2) police officers; (3) citizen-responders; (4) others including off-duty EMS personnel (nurses, medical doctors), taxi drivers. Three main roles for FRs were identified: (a) complementary to EMS; (b) part of EMS; (c) instead of EMS. A wide variation in FR-systems was observed, both between and within countries. Conclusions: Policies relating to FRs are commonly implemented on a regional level, leading to a wide variation in FR-systems between and within countries. Future research should focus on identifying the FR-systems that most strongly influence survival. The large variation in local circumstances across regions suggests that it is unlikely that there will be a 'one-size fits all' FR-system for Europe, but examining the role of FRs in the Chain of Survival is likely to become an increasingly important aspect of OHCA research

Effect of Trans-Nasal Evaporative Intra-arrest Cooling on Functional Neurologic Outcome in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest : The PRINCESS Randomized Clinical Trial

© 2019 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.Importance: Therapeutic hypothermia may increase survival with good neurologic outcome after cardiac arrest. Trans-nasal evaporative cooling is a method used to induce cooling, primarily of the brain, during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ie, intra-arrest). Objective: To determine whether prehospital trans-nasal evaporative intra-arrest cooling improves survival with good neurologic outcome compared with cooling initiated after hospital arrival. Design, Setting, and Participants: The PRINCESS trial was an investigator-initiated, randomized, clinical, international multicenter study with blinded assessment of the outcome, performed by emergency medical services in 7 European countries from July 2010 to January 2018, with final follow-up on April 29, 2018. In total, 677 patients with bystander-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were enrolled. Interventions: Patients were randomly assigned to receive trans-nasal evaporative intra-arrest cooling (n = 343) or standard care (n = 334). Patients admitted to the hospital in both groups received systemic therapeutic hypothermia at 32°C to 34°C for 24 hours. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was survival with good neurologic outcome, defined as Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) 1-2, at 90 days. Secondary outcomes were survival at 90 days and time to reach core body temperature less than 34°C. Results: Among the 677 randomized patients (median age, 65 years; 172 [25%] women), 671 completed the trial. Median time to core temperature less than 34°C was 105 minutes in the intervention group vs 182 minutes in the control group (P < .001). The number of patients with CPC 1-2 at 90 days was 56 of 337 (16.6%) in the intervention cooling group vs 45 of 334 (13.5%) in the control group (difference, 3.1% [95% CI, -2.3% to 8.5%]; relative risk [RR], 1.23 [95% CI, 0.86-1.72]; P = .25). In the intervention group, 60 of 337 patients (17.8%) were alive at 90 days vs 52 of 334 (15.6%) in the control group (difference, 2.2% [95% CI, -3.4% to 7.9%]; RR, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.81-1.57]; P = .44). Minor nosebleed was the most common device-related adverse event, reported in 45 of 337 patients (13%) in the intervention group. The adverse event rate within 7 days was similar between groups. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, trans-nasal evaporative intra-arrest cooling compared with usual care did not result in a statistically significant improvement in survival with good neurologic outcome at 90 days. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01400373.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Perception of inappropriate cardiopulmonary resuscitation by clinicians working in emergency departments and ambulance services : The REAPPROPRIATE international, multi-centre, cross sectional survey

Introduction: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is often started irrespective of comorbidity or cause of arrest. We aimed to determine the prevalence of perception of inappropriate CPR of the last cardiac arrest encountered by clinicians working in emergency departments and out-of-hospital, factors associated with perception, and its relation to patient outcome. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 288 centres in 24 countries. Factors associated with perception of CPR and outcome were analyzed by Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests and conditional logistic models. Results: Of the 4018 participating clinicians, 3150 (78.4%) perceived their last CPR attempt as appropriate, 548 (13.6%) were uncertain about its appropriateness and 320 (8.0%) perceived inappropriateness; survival to hospital discharge was 370/2412 (15.3%), 8/481 (1.7%) and 8/294 (2.7%) respectively. After adjusting for country, team and clinician's characteristics, the prevalence of perception of inappropriate CPR was higher for a non-shockable initial rhythm (OR 3.76 [2.13-6.64]; P 79 years) and in case of a "poor" first physical impression of the patient (3.45 [2.36-5.05]; P 79 years) and a "poor" first physical impression (0.26 [0.19-0.35]; P <0.0001). Conclusions: The perception of inappropriate CPR increased when objective indicators of poor prognosis were present and was associated with a low survival to hospital discharge. Factoring clinical judgment into the decision to (not) attempt CPR may reduce harm inflicted by excessive resuscitation attempts.Peer reviewe

Reply to: Suggestions to improve the traumatic cardiac arrest guidelines based on practical prehospital experience

Lott C, Thies K-C, Truhlar A. Reply to: Suggestions to improve the traumatic cardiac arrest guidelines based on practical prehospital experience. Resuscitation. 2021;164: 161

Terlipressin/adrenaline is better than adrenaline alone in a porcine model of prolonged ventricular fibrillation A randomized controlled study

Objectives. Vasopressors have been routinely used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Recent data show that terlipressin may restore blood pressure in asphyxial and prolonged arrests but its potential role in ventricular fibrillation (VF) remains unknown. The aim of this study was to compare coronary (CorPP) and cerebral (CPP) perfusion pressures achieved by terlipressin/adrenaline versus placebo/adrenaline in VF. Methods. Fourteen domestic pigs were randomly assigned into group A and B. After 5 min of untreated VF, compression-only resuscitation was applied for 10 min, followed by advanced life support. Terlipressin in a single-dose of 30 µg·kg-1 was added to the first dose of adrenaline in group A, while placebo was given in group B. CorPP and CPP were calculated from right atrial, aortic and intracerebral pressures. Data were analyzed using repeated measurements ANOVA and a Fisher´s protected LSD post hoc test. Results. Terlipressin/adrenaline maintained CorPP above 10 mmHg for 17.7 min longer than adrenaline alone (P=0.003) unable to prevent refractory hypotension. CorPP (mean±SD) measured at 35, 45, and 55 min after the onset of VF was 12 ± 4, 11 ± 6, and 10 ± 5 mmHg in the terlipressin group A; and 6 ± 4, 1 ± 5, and -1 ± 5 mmHg in placebo group B (P=0.03, <0.001, and <0.001). CPP measured at the same times was 23 ± 7, 20 ± 7, and 23 ± 7 mmHg in group A; and 13 ± 7, 6 ± 5, and 6 ± 7 mmHg in group B (P=0.01, <0.001, and <0.001). Conclusion. The study showed that a single dose of terlipressin, when added to adrenaline, was effective for achievement of higher vital organ perfusion pressures compared to adrenaline alone

Terlipressin/adrenaline is better than adrenaline alone in a porcine model of prolonged ventricular fibrillation A randomized controlled study

Objectives. Vasopressors have been routinely used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Recent data show that terlipressin may restore blood pressure in asphyxial and prolonged arrests but its potential role in ventricular fibrillation (VF) remains unknown. The aim of this study was to compare coronary (CorPP) and cerebral (CPP) perfusion pressures achieved by terlipressin/adrenaline versus placebo/adrenaline in VF. Methods. Fourteen domestic pigs were randomly assigned into group A and B. After 5 min of untreated VF, compression-only resuscitation was applied for 10 min, followed by advanced life support. Terlipressin in a single-dose of 30 µg·kg-1 was added to the first dose of adrenaline in group A, while placebo was given in group B. CorPP and CPP were calculated from right atrial, aortic and intracerebral pressures. Data were analyzed using repeated measurements ANOVA and a Fisher´s protected LSD post hoc test. Results. Terlipressin/adrenaline maintained CorPP above 10 mmHg for 17.7 min longer than adrenaline alone (P=0.003) unable to prevent refractory hypotension. CorPP (mean±SD) measured at 35, 45, and 55 min after the onset of VF was 12 ± 4, 11 ± 6, and 10 ± 5 mmHg in the terlipressin group A; and 6 ± 4, 1 ± 5, and -1 ± 5 mmHg in placebo group B (P=0.03, <0.001, and <0.001). CPP measured at the same times was 23 ± 7, 20 ± 7, and 23 ± 7 mmHg in group A; and 13 ± 7, 6 ± 5, and 6 ± 7 mmHg in group B (P=0.01, <0.001, and <0.001). Conclusion. The study showed that a single dose of terlipressin, when added to adrenaline, was effective for achievement of higher vital organ perfusion pressures compared to adrenaline alone

Pre-hospital blood transfusion - an ESA survey of European practice

Background Blood products are a lifesaving commodity in the treatment of major trauma. Although there is little evidence for use of pre-hospital blood products (PHBP) in seriously injured patients, an increasing number of emergency medical services have started using PHBP for treatment of major haemorrhage. The primary aim of this survey was to establish the degree of prehospital blood product use throughout Europe and discover main indications. The secondary aim was to evaluate opinions about PHBP and also the experience and the personal views of its users. Methods The subcommittee for Critical Emergency Medicine of the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) held an online survey of European Helicopter Emergency Services (HEMS) and all French Services d'Aide Medicale Urgente (SAMU) regions. It contained 13 questions both open and multiple-choice about the frequency transfusions are carried out, the PHBP used and the perceived benefit. The survey was distributed to the corresponding HEMS leads in 14 European countries. Results In total there were 172 valid responses; overall 48% of all respondents have prehospital access to packed red cells, 22% to fresh plasma and 14% use lyophilised plasma. Besides blood product administration, 94% of all services use tranexamic acid. Sixty five percent of all replies came from French and from German services (37 and 28% respectively). PHBP were mainly used for trauma related emergencies. France has the highest uptake of use of blood products at 89%, whereas the rate in Germany was far lower at 6%. Fifty five percent of the service leads felt that PHBP are beneficial, and even lifesaving in individual cases despite being needed infrequently. Conclusions We found remarkable dissimilarities in practice between the different European countries. Even if there is not an absolute consensus amongst providers on the benefit of PHBP, the majority feel they are beneficial. The difference in practice is possibly related to the perceived lack of evidence on prehospital blood transfusion. We suggest to include the use of PHBP in trauma registries in order to consolidate the existing evidence