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JAMA Mar 2019In-hospital cardiac arrest is common and associated with a high mortality rate. Despite this, in-hospital cardiac arrest has received little attention compared with... (Review)
Review
IMPORTANCE
In-hospital cardiac arrest is common and associated with a high mortality rate. Despite this, in-hospital cardiac arrest has received little attention compared with other high-risk cardiovascular conditions, such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
OBSERVATIONS
In-hospital cardiac arrest occurs in over 290 000 adults each year in the United States. Cohort data from the United States indicate that the mean age of patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest is 66 years, 58% are men, and the presenting rhythm is most often (81%) nonshockable (ie, asystole or pulseless electrical activity). The cause of the cardiac arrest is most often cardiac (50%-60%), followed by respiratory insufficiency (15%-40%). Efforts to prevent in-hospital cardiac arrest require both a system for identifying deteriorating patients and an appropriate interventional response (eg, rapid response teams). The key elements of treatment during cardiac arrest include chest compressions, ventilation, early defibrillation, when applicable, and immediate attention to potentially reversible causes, such as hyperkalemia or hypoxia. There is limited evidence to support more advanced treatments. Post-cardiac arrest care is focused on identification and treatment of the underlying cause, hemodynamic and respiratory support, and potentially employing neuroprotective strategies (eg, targeted temperature management). Although multiple individual factors are associated with outcomes (eg, age, initial rhythm, duration of the cardiac arrest), a multifaceted approach considering both potential for neurological recovery and ongoing multiorgan failure is warranted for prognostication and clinical decision-making in the post-cardiac arrest period. Withdrawal of care in the absence of definite prognostic signs both during and after cardiac arrest should be avoided. Hospitals are encouraged to participate in national quality-improvement initiatives.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
An estimated 290 000 in-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year in the United States. However, there is limited evidence to support clinical decision making. An increased awareness with regard to optimizing clinical care and new research might improve outcomes.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Clinical Decision-Making; Electric Countershock; Female; Heart Arrest; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Prognosis; Quality Improvement; Resuscitation; Survival Rate; United States
PubMed: 30912843
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.1696 -
Anesthesiology Sep 2023Opioids are effective analgesics, but they can have harmful adverse effects, such as addiction and potentially fatal respiratory depression. Naloxone is currently the... (Review)
Review
Opioids are effective analgesics, but they can have harmful adverse effects, such as addiction and potentially fatal respiratory depression. Naloxone is currently the only available treatment for reversing the negative effects of opioids, including respiratory depression. However, the effectiveness of naloxone, particularly after an opioid overdose, varies depending on the pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of the opioid that was overdosed. Long-acting opioids, and those with a high affinity at the µ-opioid receptor and/or slow receptor dissociation kinetics, are particularly resistant to the effects of naloxone. In this review, the authors examine the pharmacology of naloxone and its safety and limitations in reversing opioid-induced respiratory depression under different circumstances, including its ability to prevent cardiac arrest.
Topics: Humans; Naloxone; Analgesics, Opioid; Narcotic Antagonists; Opiate Overdose; Respiratory Insufficiency; Drug Overdose; Heart Arrest
PubMed: 37402248
DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000004622 -
Circulation Oct 2023In this focused update, the American Heart Association provides updated guidance for resuscitation of patients with cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, and refractory... (Review)
Review
2023 American Heart Association Focused Update on the Management of Patients With Cardiac Arrest or Life-Threatening Toxicity Due to Poisoning: An Update to the American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.
In this focused update, the American Heart Association provides updated guidance for resuscitation of patients with cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, and refractory shock due to poisoning. Based on structured evidence reviews, guidelines are provided for the treatment of critical poisoning from benzodiazepines, β-adrenergic receptor antagonists (also known as β-blockers), L-type calcium channel antagonists (commonly called calcium channel blockers), cocaine, cyanide, digoxin and related cardiac glycosides, local anesthetics, methemoglobinemia, opioids, organophosphates and carbamates, sodium channel antagonists (also called sodium channel blockers), and sympathomimetics. Recommendations are also provided for the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. These guidelines discuss the role of atropine, benzodiazepines, calcium, digoxin-specific immune antibody fragments, electrical pacing, flumazenil, glucagon, hemodialysis, hydroxocobalamin, hyperbaric oxygen, insulin, intravenous lipid emulsion, lidocaine, methylene blue, naloxone, pralidoxime, sodium bicarbonate, sodium nitrite, sodium thiosulfate, vasodilators, and vasopressors for the management of specific critical poisonings.
Topics: Humans; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; American Heart Association; Benzodiazepines; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Digoxin; Heart Arrest; United States
PubMed: 37721023
DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001161 -
Circulation. Heart Failure Sep 2018Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO)-also referred to as extracorporeal life support-is a form of temporary mechanical circulatory support and... (Review)
Review
Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO)-also referred to as extracorporeal life support-is a form of temporary mechanical circulatory support and simultaneous extracorporeal gas exchange. The initiation of VA-ECMO has emerged as a salvage intervention in patients with cardiogenic shock, even cardiac arrest refractory to standard therapies. Analogous to veno-venous ECMO for acute respiratory failure, VA-ECMO provides circulatory support and allows time for other treatments to promote recovery or may be a bridge to a more durable mechanical solution in the setting of acute or acute on chronic cardiopulmonary failure. In this review, we provide a brief overview of VA-ECMO, the attendant physiological considerations of peripheral VA-ECMO, and its complications, namely that of left ventricular distention, bleeding, heightened systemic inflammatory response syndrome, thrombosis and thromboembolism, and extremity ischemia or necrosis.
Topics: Cardiovascular System; Clinical Decision-Making; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Heart Arrest; Hemodynamics; Humans; Lung; Patient Selection; Recovery of Function; Respiration; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Shock, Cardiogenic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 30354364
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.118.004905 -
Chest Jun 2018Return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest results in a systemic inflammatory state called the post-cardiac arrest syndrome, which is characterized by... (Review)
Review
Return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest results in a systemic inflammatory state called the post-cardiac arrest syndrome, which is characterized by oxidative stress, coagulopathy, neuronal injury, and organ dysfunction. Perturbations in oxygenation and ventilation may exacerbate secondary injury after cardiac arrest and have been shown to be associated with poor outcome. Further, patients who experience cardiac arrest are at risk for a number of other pulmonary complications. Up to 70% of patients experience early infection after cardiac arrest, and the respiratory tract is the most common source. Vigilance for early-onset pneumonia, as well as aggressive diagnosis and early antimicrobial agent administration are important components of critical care in this population. Patients who experience cardiac arrest are at risk for the development of ARDS. Risk factors include aspiration, pulmonary contusions (from chest compressions), systemic inflammation, and reperfusion injury. Early evidence suggests that they may benefit from ventilation with low tidal volumes. Meticulous attention to mechanical ventilation, early assessment and optimization of respiratory gas exchange, and therapies targeted at potential pulmonary complications may improve outcomes after cardiac arrest.
Topics: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Critical Care; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Heart Arrest; Humans; Lung Injury; Respiration, Artificial
PubMed: 29175085
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2017.11.012 -
Circulation Jan 2024The critical care management of patients after cardiac arrest is burdened by a lack of high-quality clinical studies and the resultant lack of high-certainty evidence.... (Review)
Review
The critical care management of patients after cardiac arrest is burdened by a lack of high-quality clinical studies and the resultant lack of high-certainty evidence. This results in limited practice guideline recommendations, which may lead to uncertainty and variability in management. Critical care management is crucial in patients after cardiac arrest and affects outcome. Although guidelines address some relevant topics (including temperature control and neurological prognostication of comatose survivors, 2 topics for which there are more robust clinical studies), many important subject areas have limited or nonexistent clinical studies, leading to the absence of guidelines or low-certainty evidence. The American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee and the Neurocritical Care Society collaborated to address this gap by organizing an expert consensus panel and conference. Twenty-four experienced practitioners (including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and a respiratory therapist) from multiple medical specialties, levels, institutions, and countries made up the panel. Topics were identified and prioritized by the panel and arranged by organ system to facilitate discussion, debate, and consensus building. Statements related to postarrest management were generated, and 80% agreement was required to approve a statement. Voting was anonymous and web based. Topics addressed include neurological, cardiac, pulmonary, hematological, infectious, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and general critical care management. Areas of uncertainty, areas for which no consensus was reached, and future research directions are also included. Until high-quality studies that inform practice guidelines in these areas are available, the expert panel consensus statements that are provided can advise clinicians on the critical care management of patients after cardiac arrest.
Topics: Humans; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; American Heart Association; Heart Arrest; Emergency Medical Services; Critical Care
PubMed: 38014539
DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001163 -
Resuscitation Jul 2023
Topics: Humans; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; Respiratory Insufficiency; Hypoxia; Heart Arrest; Oxygen
PubMed: 37211233
DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2023.109848 -
Circulation. Cardiovascular Quality and... Dec 2021Survival outcomes following in-hospital cardiac arrest vary significantly across hospitals. Research suggests clinician education and training may play a role. We sought...
BACKGROUND
Survival outcomes following in-hospital cardiac arrest vary significantly across hospitals. Research suggests clinician education and training may play a role. We sought to identify best practices related to the education and training of resuscitation teams.
METHODS
We conducted a descriptive qualitative analysis of semistructured interview data obtained from in-depth site visits conducted from 2016 to 2017 at 9 diverse hospitals within the American Heart Association "Get With The Guidelines" registry, selected based on in-hospital cardiac arrest survival performance (5 top-, 1 middle-, 3 low-performing). We assessed coded data related to education and training including systems learning, informal feedback and debrief, and formal learning through advanced cardiopulmonary life support and mock codes. Thematic analysis was used to identify best practices.
RESULTS
In total, 129 interviews were conducted with a variety of hospital staff including nurses, chaplains, security guards, respiratory therapists, physicians, pharmacists, and administrators, yielding 78 hours and 29 minutes of interview time. Four themes related to training and education were identified: engagement, clear communication, consistency, and responsive leadership. Top-performing hospitals encouraged employee engagement with creative marketing of new programs and prioritizing hands-on learning over passive didactics. Clear communication was accomplished with debriefing, structured institutional review, and continual, frequent education for departments. Consistency was a cornerstone to culture change and was achieved with uniform policies for simulation practice as well as reinforced, routine practice (weekly, monthly, quarterly). Finally, top-performing hospitals had responsive leadership teams across multiple disciplines (nursing, respiratory therapy, pharmacy and medicine), who listened and adapted programs to fit the needs of their staff.
CONCLUSIONS
Among top-performing hospitals excelling in in-hospital cardiac arrest survival, we identified core elements for education and training of resuscitation teams. Developing tools to expand these areas for hospitals may improve in-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes.
Topics: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Clinical Competence; Heart Arrest; Hospitals; Humans; Leadership; Resuscitation
PubMed: 34779653
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.121.008587 -
Intensive Care Medicine Aug 2022
Topics: Heart Arrest; Humans; Respiratory Mechanics; Ventilators, Mechanical
PubMed: 35776161
DOI: 10.1007/s00134-022-06779-x -
Langenbecks Archiv Fur Chirurgie 1969
Topics: Angiography; Apnea; Brain; Brain Damage, Chronic; Brain Death; Cerebral Arteries; Death; Electroencephalography; Germany, West; Heart Arrest; Heart Massage; Humans; Jurisprudence; Lung; Religion and Medicine
PubMed: 5372310
DOI: No ID Found