Background: Little is known about hemodynamics in adult, out-of-hospital (OHCA) patients following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). A 1994 study when "high-dose epinephrine" use was common showed consistently elevated systemic vascular resistance (SVR) lasting ≥6 h in 49 adult patients after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).
Study aim: To characterize hemodynamic abnormalities in adult OHCA patients soon after ROSC. Our hypothesis was that, unlike the consistently high SVR values reported when "high-dose" epinephrine was in common use, there would be a more heterogenous distribution of SVR values using current adrenergic therapy.
Methods: We included adult, OHCA patients transported by paramedics to the Emergency Department (ED) post-ROSC. Children, prisoners, pregnant women, and those with ongoing CPR or arrest due to traumatic injury were excluded. Hemodynamics were recorded non-invasively as soon as feasible after ED arrival but were not used to influence therapy, which was guided by clinical judgment of treating ED physicians.
Results: Hemodynamics were recorded on 30 patients 20 [16,25] minutes after ED arrival: 50% had a normal SVR, 30% had a high SVR, and 20% had a low SVR. There was no difference in survival to admission among groups, although there was a difference among groups in survival to discharge. Comparing the low SVR group vs the combined normal and high group revealed a trend for fewer 0/6 (0%) low vs. 10/24 (42%) normal or high SVR patients surviving to hospital discharge (p = .053).
Conclusion: A heterogeneous range of hemodynamic states exist post-ROSC rather than consistent vasoconstriction. Adequately powered, randomized clinical trials will be needed to determine whether noninvasively-derived, hemodynamic-directed therapy can play a role in improving neurologically-intact survival following OHCA in adults.
Keywords: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Hemodynamics.
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