The beneficial effect of mild therapeutic hypothermia depends on the time of complete circulatory standstill in patients with cardiac arrest

Publication

The beneficial effect of mild therapeutic hypothermia depends on the time of complete circulatory standstill in patients with cardiac arrest

Journal Paper/Review - Nov 29, 2011

Testori Christoph, Weiser Christoph, Stöckl Mathias, Hörburger David, Schober Andreas, Stratil Peter, Wallmüller Christian, Krizanac Danica, Herkner Harald, Arrich Jasmin, Losert Heidrun, Holzer Michael, Sterz Fritz, Uray Thomas

Citation

Testori C, Weiser C, Stöckl M, Hörburger D, Schober A, Stratil P, Wallmüller C, Krizanac D, Herkner H, Arrich J, Losert H, Holzer M, Sterz F, Uray T. The beneficial effect of mild therapeutic hypothermia depends on the time of complete circulatory standstill in patients with cardiac arrest. Resuscitation 2011; 83:596-601.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Resuscitation 2011; 83

Publication Date

Nov 29, 2011

Issn Electronic

1873-1570

Pages

596-601

Brief description/objective

AIM
Mild therapeutic hypothermia has shown to improve long-time survival as well as favorable functional outcome after cardiac arrest. Animal models suggest that ischemic durations beyond 8 min results in progressively worse neurologic deficits. Based on these considerations, it would be obvious that cardiac arrest survivors would benefit most from mild therapeutic hypothermia if they have reached a complete circulatory standstill of more than 8 min.

METHODS
In this retrospective cohort study we included cardiac arrest survivors of 18 years of age or older suffering a witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, which remain comatose after restoration of spontaneous circulation. Data were collected from 1992 to 2010. We investigated the interaction of 'no-flow' time on the association between post arrest mild therapeutic hypothermia and good neurological outcome. 'No-flow' time was categorized into time quartiles (0, 1-2, 3-8, >8 min).

RESULTS
One thousand-two-hundred patients were analyzed. Hypothermia was induced in 598 patients. In spite of showing a statistically significant improvement in favorable neurologic outcome in all patients treated with mild therapeutic hypothermia (odds ratio [OR]: 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-1.93) this effect varies with 'no-flow' time. The effect is significant in patients with 'no-flow' times of more than 2 min (OR: 2.72; CI: 1.35-5.48) with the maximum benefit in those with 'no-flow' times beyond 8 min (OR: 6.15; CI: 2.23-16.99).

CONCLUSION
The beneficial effect of mild therapeutic hypothermia increases with cumulative time of complete circulatory standstill in patients with witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.