Do carboxyhaemoglobin and methaemoglobin levels predict the return of spontaneous circulation and prognosis of cardiac arrest patients?

Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Oct;75(10):e14686. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14686. Epub 2021 Aug 7.

Abstract

Background: Early prediction of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) for cardiac arrest (CA) patients is a major challenge. Different biomarkers have been studied as an early predictor for ROSC, but a consensus has not been achieved in this regard. This study's goal was to investigate the value of the carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) and methaemoglobin (MetHb) levels as a predictive marker for ROSC and prognostic marker for patients who achieve ROSC.

Methods: A total of 241 adult patients (109 female, 132 male) diagnosed as non-traumatic CA were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they achieved ROSC. The ROSC group was divided into two sub-groups: survivors and non-survivors. Complete blood count parameters, routine biochemistry measurements, coagulation parameters, and blood gas analysis, and cardiac markers values were compared between the groups.

Results: COHb levels were significantly lower in the non-ROSC group than in the ROSC group (P = .002). Urea, creatinine, potassium and cTn (cardiac troponin) levels in the non-ROSC group were significantly higher than in the ROSC group (P < .001, .001, .014, and .005, respectively). COHb levels were significantly lower in the non-survivor group than in the survivor group (P = .022). Urea, creatinine, potassium, lactate dehydrogenase, and cTn levels were significantly higher in the non-survivor group than the survivor group (P = .001, .005, .001, .010 and .008, respectively). There was no significant difference between the ROSC and non-ROSC groups and survivor group and non-survivor groups in terms of MetHb levels (P = .769 and .668, respectively). Moreover, CPR duration is significantly shorter in the survivor group than the non-survivor group (P ˂ .001).

Conclusion: COHb levels in the blood gas analysis at the time of admission could be used as a predictive marker for ROSC and prognostic marker for the patients who achieved ROSC.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carboxyhemoglobin
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation*
  • Female
  • Heart Arrest*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methemoglobin
  • Prognosis
  • Return of Spontaneous Circulation

Substances

  • Methemoglobin
  • Carboxyhemoglobin