A concept for the development of a pioneer regional Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Program to improve patient outcomes

Abstract

Background: Immediate initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) increases chances of restoring spontaneous circulation and survival after out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). For some refractory cases, extended cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) may be a promising option.

Aims: The aim of the study was to estimate the possibility of implementation of ECPR procedure to improve current early outcomes of patients after OHCA.

Methods: The medicalcharts of the Province Emergency Station in Poznań from a 12‑month periodwere assessed retrospectively. All OHCA cases were identified and the following potential inclusion criteria for ECPR were analyzed: initial defibrillation rhythm, age between 18 and 65 years, CPR conducted by bystanders, and time to hospital arrival less than 40 minutes.

Results: In 576 (46.7%) of 1233 identified OHCA cases, CPR wasinitiated by bystanders and automated external defibrillatorwas applied only 17 times. An initial defibrillation rhythm was noted in 138 individuals (11.2%). Out of 65 patients who met the ECPR age criterion, 55 underwent CPR by bystanders which lead to a no‑flow time that did not exceed 10 minutes. The additional 9 of them would be excluded due to time to hospital arrival. This means that ECPR would be applicable in 46 patients after OHCA.

Conclusions: Our analysis showed that in some patients after sudden cardiac arrest, it would have been possible to implement ECPR as a crucial part of the Regional Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) Program, and in consequence, probably to improve early outcomes of patients with refractory and potentially reversible cardiac arrest.