Factors affecting neurological outcomes of patients with sudden cardiac arrest in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND

Little is known about patients with sudden cardiac arrest in the emergency department (ED). This study aimed to identify factors affecting the prognosis of patients with cardiac arrest in the ED.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed patients with sudden cardiac arrest admitted to the ED of a general hospital between January 2016 and July 2020. A total of 153 patients with sudden cardiac arrest were identified, and 149 patients for whom all data could be confirmed were included in the statistical analysis of this study. A good neurological outcome was defined as a Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scale score of 1 or 2, assessed 6 months after discharge.

RESULTS

In the univariate analysis, the characteristics of patients included in the good neurological outcomes group were younger (t = 3.553, p < .001), had shorter low flow time (t = 3.31, p = .019), and had more shockable initial rhythms (χ = 28.038, p =  < .001). As a result of multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, among 43 patients alive 6 months after discharge, age 60 years or younger (odds ratio = 32.703, p = .005), low flow time 6 min or less (odds ratio = 38.418, p = .006), and initial shockable rhythm (odds ratio = 31.214, p < .001) were identified as predictors that had a significant impact on good neurological outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Young age, short low-flow-time, and initial shockable rhythm are predictors of good neurological outcomes in patients with acute cardiac arrest in the ED.