Implementation of a mechanical CPR device in a physician staffed HEMS - a prospective observational study - Publication

Publication

Implementation of a mechanical CPR device in a physician staffed HEMS - a prospective observational study

Journal Paper/Review - Apr 28, 2018

Rauch Simon, Mair Peter, Pietsch Urs, Forti Alessandro, Rauch Lydia, Masoner Christian, Fop Ernst, Brodmann Monika, Strapazzon Giacomo, Brugger Hermann

Citation

Rauch S, Mair P, Pietsch U, Forti A, Rauch L, Masoner C, Fop E, Brodmann M, Strapazzon G, Brugger H. Implementation of a mechanical CPR device in a physician staffed HEMS - a prospective observational study. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2018; 26:36.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2018; 26

Publication Date

Apr 28, 2018

Issn Electronic

1757-7241

Brief description/objective

In this prospective, observational study we describe the incidence and characteristics of out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) cases who received mechanical CPR, after the implementation of a mechanical CPR device (LUCAS 2; Physio Control, Redmond, WA, USA) in a physician staffed helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) in South Tyrol, Italy. During the study period (06/2013-04/2016), 525 OHCA cases were registered by the dispatch centre, 271 (51.6%) were assisted by HEMS. LUCAS 2 was applied in 18 (6.6%) of all HEMS-assisted OHCA patients; ten were treated with LUCAS 2 at the scene only, and eight were transported to hospital with ongoing CPR. Two (11.1%) of the 18 patients survived long term with full neurologic recovery. In seven of eight patients transferred to hospital with ongoing CPR, CPR was ceased in the emergency room without further intervention. Retrospectively, all HEMS-assisted OHCA cases were screened for proposed indication criteria for prolonged CPR. Thirteen patients fulfilled these criteria, but only two of them were transported to hospital. Based on these results, we propose a standard operating procedure for HEMS-assisted patients with refractory OHCA in a region without hospitals with ECLS capacity.