Return of consciousness during ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A systematic review

Alexander Olaussen; Matthew Shepherd; Ziad Nehme; Karen Smith; Stephen Bernard; Biswadev Mitra

doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2014.10.017

Return of consciousness during ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A systematic review

Resuscitation. 2015 Jan:86:44-8. doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2014.10.017. Epub 2014 Nov 4.

Authors

Alexander Olaussen¹, Matthew Shepherd², Ziad Nehme³, Karen Smith⁴, Stephen Bernard⁵, Biswadev Mitra⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice, Monash University, Australia; Emergency & Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Australia. Electronic address: alexander.olaussen@monash.edu.
² Ambulance Victoria, HEMS, Australia.
³ Department of Research and Evaluation, Ambulance Victoria, Doncaster, Victoria, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Prahran, Victoria, Australia.
⁴ Department of Research and Evaluation, Ambulance Victoria, Doncaster, Victoria, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Prahran, Victoria, Australia; Emergency Medicine, University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia.
⁵ Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Prahran, Victoria, Australia; Intensive Care Unit, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Medical Advisor, Ambulance Victoria, Victoria, Australia.
⁶ Emergency & Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Prahran, Victoria, Australia.

PMID: 25447435
DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2014.10.017

Abstract

Objectives: Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may generate sufficient cerebral perfusion pressure to make the patient conscious. The incidence and management of this phenomenon are not well described. This systematic review aims to identifying cases where CPR-induced consciousness is mentioned in the literature and explore its management options.

Methods: The databases Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, Cinahl and the Cochrane Library were searched from their commencement to the 8th July 2014. We also searched Google (scholar) for grey literature. We combined MeSH terms and text words for consciousness and CPR, and included studies of all types.

Results: The search yielded 1997 unique records, of which 50 abstracts were reviewed. Nine reports, describing 10 patients, were relevant. Six of the patients had CPR performed by mechanical devices, three of these patients were sedated. Four patients arrested in the out-of-hospital setting and six arrested in hospital. There were four survivors. Varying levels of consciousness were described in all reports, including purposeful arm movements, verbal communication, and resuscitation interference. Management strategies directed at consciousness were offered to six patients and included both physical and chemical restraints.

Conclusion: CPR-induced consciousness was infrequently reported in the medical literature, and varied in management. Given the increasing use of mechanical CPR, guidelines to identify and manage consciousness during CPR are required.

Keywords: Awareness; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Consciousness; Emergency Care, Prehospital; Incidence; Outcome.

Publication types

Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation*
Consciousness*
Humans