Adherence to prehospital thoracostomy practice guidelines for traumatic cardiac arrest: A retrospective study.

Prehospital Management of Traumatic Cardiac Arrest: A Narrative Review of Evidence and Implications for Emergency Nursing.

For decades, survival rates of cardiac arrest following trauma were reported between 0 and 2 %. Since 2005, survival rates have increased with awide range up to 39 % and good neurological recovery in every second person injured for unknown reasons. Especially in children, high survival rates with good neurologic outcomes are published. Resuscitation following traumatic cardiac arrest differs significantly from nontraumatic causes. Paramount is treatment of reversible causes, which include massive bleeding, hypoxia, tension pneumothorax, and pericardial tamponade. Treatment of reversible causes should be simultaneous. Chest compression is inferior following traumatic cardiac arrest and should never delay treatment of reversible causes of the traumatic cardiac arrest. In massive bleeding, bleeding control has priority. Damage control resuscitation with permissive hypotension, aggressive coagulation therapy, and damage control surgery represent the pillars of initial treatment. Cardiac arrest due to hypoxia should be resolved by airway management and ventilation. Tension pneumothorax should be decompressed by finger thoracostomy, pericardial tamponade by resuscitative thoracotomy. In addition, resuscitative thoracotomy allows direct and indirect bleeding control. Untreated impact brain apnea may rapidly lead to cardiac arrest and requires quick opening of the airway and effective oxygenation. Established algorithms for treatment of cardiac arrest following trauma enable asafe, structured, and effective management.

Resuscitation of traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) is variable, with approaches that overlap Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) algorithms. There is no standard algorithm for TCA, with some withholding ACLS protocols given abysmal outcomes. This study aims to assess surgeon practices and attitudes toward resuscitation practices in TCA. A 16-question web-based survey was distributed to the membership of a national trauma association. Respondent demographics and management of TCA were analyzed. Chi-squared tests determined statistical significance. Open-ended responses were coded and analyzed inductively. Two hundred and three surveys were completed. 73.4% of respondents reported utilizing ACLS, while 26.6% reported they never utilized ACLS. A statistically significant difference in the performance of ACLS was found based on number of years in practice (P = .025) and the state of practice (P = .006). There was no significant difference in self-reported survival rates or legal, ethical, or interpersonal conflicts. Qualitative data highlighted themes of interpersonal conflict and futility. This study shows that one-quarter of respondents never utilize ACLS in TCA. Of those that utilize ACLS, there was variability in the technique, indication, and duration of resuscitation. Despite significant variability in technique, there appears to be similar survival rates and incidence of conflict. The association between years in practice and ACLS use suggests this may represent an emerging change in practice. The low response rate limits generalizability; however, there is significant variability in practice, highlighting a need for evidence-based guidelines.

Out-of-hospital traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) often has a poor prognosis despite rescue efforts. Although the incidence and mortality of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest have increased, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has decreased in some countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the prehospital setting, immediate treatment of cardiac arrest is required without knowing the patient's COVID-19 status. Because COVID-19 is usually transmitted through the respiratory tract, airway management can put medical personnel at risk for infection. This study explored whether on-scene treatments involving CPR for TCA patients changed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea. This retrospective study used data from emergency medical services (EMS) run sheets in Gangwon Province from January 2019 to December 2021. Patients whose initial problem was cardiac arrest and who received CPR were included. Data in 2019 were classified as pre-COVID-19 and all subsequent data (from 2020 and 2021) as post-COVID-19. Age, sex, possible cause of cardiac arrest, and treatments including airway maneuvers, oropharyngeal airway (OPA) or i-gel insertion, endotracheal intubation (ETI), bag-valve mask (BVM) ventilation, intravenous (IV) line establishment, neck collar application, and wound dressing with hemostasis were investigated. During the study period, 2,007 patients received CPR, of whom 596 patients had TCA and 367 had disease-origin cardiac arrest (DCA). Among the patients with TCA, 192 (32.2%) were pre-COVID-19 and 404 (67.8%) were post-COVID-19. In the TCA group, prehospital treatments did not decrease. The average frequencies were 59.7% for airway maneuvers, 47.5% for OPA, 57.4% for BVM, and 51.3% for neck collar application. The rates of ETI, i-gel insertion, and IV-line establishment increased. The treatment rate for TCA was significantly higher than that for DCA. Prehospital treatments by EMS workers for patients with TCA did not decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the rates of ETI, i-gel insertion, and IV-line establishment increased.

Objectives While epinephrine is widely used for medical cardiac arrests, there is a knowledge gap regarding its utility for traumatic arrests. Traumatic arrests result from hypovolemia, hypoxia, or anatomic impairment of cardiac function such that the inotropic and vasoconstrictive effects of epinephrine may be ineffective or harmful. We hypothesized that epinephrine does not improve survival among patients with traumatic cardiac arrest. Methods This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of trauma patients sustaining prehospital cardiac arrest who were treated at seven level I and II trauma centers over 6 years (2011–2017), ascertained via trauma registry data and chart abstraction. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge; patients treated with or without epinephrine were compared. Multivariable analyses were performed using Poisson regression. Time to event analyses were conducted using Cox proportional hazard models. Results We included 1631 adult and pediatric trauma patients with prehospital cardiac arrest. Prehospital epinephrine was administered to 844 (52%). The median age was 35 years, 335 (21%) were female, 712 (44%) sustained blunt trauma, and 58 (4%) had a shockable initial rhythm. Survival to hospital discharge was significantly lower in the prehospital epinephrine cohort compared to the no epinephrine cohort in univariable analysis [43/844 (5%) vs. 125/787 (16%), p < 0.001]. Among patients with blunt mechanism, survival was significantly lower in the prehospital epinephrine cohort [12/382 (3%) vs. 54/330 (16%), p < 0.001]. Among patients with penetrating mechanism, survival was not statistically different [10/276 (4%) with epinephrine vs. 22/374 (6%) without, p = 0.19]. In multivariable analyses adjusting for age, sex, mechanism, and initial rhythm, epinephrine was associated with lower likelihood of survival in the overall and blunt cohorts; there was no significant difference in the penetrating cohort (overall aRR 0.33, 95% CI 0.23–0.46; blunt aRR 0.20, 95% CI 0.11–0.37; penetrating aRR 0.62, 95% CI 0.30–1.28). Adjusted and unadjusted time to event analyses across each of these cohorts showed that epinephrine was associated with either statistically inferior or indistinct hazard ratios. Conclusions Epinephrine was not associated with improved survival following traumatic cardiac arrest, and in multiple subanalyses, it was associated with inferior outcomes. These results may inform prehospital traumatic arrest protocols.

Pre-hospital CPR after traumatic arrest: Outcomes at a level 1 pediatric trauma center

BackgroundDespite advances in trauma care, traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) shows significantly poorer outcomes compared to non-traumatic cardiac arrest, with mortality rates exceeding 96%. However, no standardized protocol exists for appropriate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) duration in TCA. This study aimed to establish evidence-based CPR duration thresholds and identify factors associated with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in TCA patients.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective observational study using a single-centre trauma registry of adult patients with TCA between January 2021 and December 2023. Univariate analysis was used to identify differences in the baseline and outcome variables between the ROSC and no-ROSC groups. We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify factors independently associated with ROSC. We also investigated the appropriate cutoff time of pre-hospital and total CPR duration for ROSC (the CPR duration that has maximum sensitivity and specificity for ROSC).ResultsIn total, 422 patients with TCA were included, of whom 250 were eligible for analysis. The proportion of patients with ROSC was 22.4% (n = 56), and trauma bay/emergency department mortality and in-hospital mortality rates were 80.8% (n = 202) and 97.2% (n = 243), respectively. Factors associated with ROSC included alert mental status in the field, as indicated by verbal response (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01–1.12; p = 0.06), pain response (OR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01–0.43; p = 0.009), and unresponsiveness (OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.01–0.44; p = 0.009) and non-asystolic initial rhythms, such as pulseless electrical activity (OR, 4.26; 95% CI, 1.92–9.46; p < 0.001), shockable rhythm (OR, 14.26; 95% CI, 1.44–141.54; p = 0.023), pre-hospital CPR duration (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.85–0.95), and total CPR duration (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.84–0.92; p < 0.001). The upper limits of pre-hospital and total CPR durations for achieving a probability of ROSC < 1% were 23 and 30 min, respectively, whereas those for a cumulative portion of ROSC > 99% were 27 and 38 min, respectively. Among the survivors (n = 7), six had favourable functional outcomes at discharge.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence-based CPR duration thresholds in TCA, demonstrating that resuscitation efforts beyond 27 min in prehospital settings and 38 min in total were futile. Additionally, an alert mental status in the field and non-asystolic initial rhythm were identified as positive predictors of ROSC. These findings may help guide appropriate duration of resuscitation efforts in TCA.

Traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) presents a critical challenge in trauma care, often occurring rapidly after injury before effective interventions are available. To evaluate the association of prehospital resuscitative thoracotomy with survival outcomes for TCA. This retrospective cohort study examined all cases of prehospital resuscitative thoracotomy for TCA in London from January 1999 to December 2019. Data were analyzed from July 2022 to July 2023. Prehospital resuscitative thoracotomy for TCA. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included survival to hospital admission and neurological status at discharge. Prehospital resuscitative thoracotomy was undertaken in 601 patients with out-of-hospital TCA. The median (IQR) age was 25 (20-37) years; 538 (89.5%) were male and 63 (10.5%) female. A total of 529 patients (88.0%) had a penetrating mechanism of injury. TCA occurred at a median (IQR) of 12 (6-22) minutes after the emergency call, with 491 arrests (81.7%) before the advanced trauma team's arrival. TCA was the result of cardiac tamponade (105 patients, 17.5%), exsanguination (418 patients, 69.6%), and exsanguination combined with cardiac tamponade (72 patients, 12.0%). Thirty patients (5.0%) survived to hospital discharge, with a favorable neurological outcome observed in 23 survivors (76.6%). Survival varied significantly with the cause of TCA: 22 of 105 patients (21%) with cardiac tamponade, 8 of 418 patients (1.9%) with exsanguination, and none of the 72 patients with combined or other pathologies survived. There were no survivors beyond 15 minutes of TCA for cardiac tamponade and 5 minutes after exsanguination. Multivariable analysis revealed that the cause of TCA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 21.1; 95% CI, 8.1-54.7; P < .001), duration of TCA (aOR, 20.9; 95% CI, 4.4-100.6, P < .001), and absence of the need for internal cardiac massage (AOR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.06-0.5; P = .001) were independently associated with survival. TCA occurs soon after injury, with only a brief window available for effective intervention. This study found that resuscitative thoracotomy is feasible in a mature, physician-led, urban prehospital system and is associated with improved survival for patients with out-of-hospital TCA, particularly when caused by cardiac tamponade, in situations where other treatment options are limited.

Traumatic cardiac arrest is known to have a poor outcome, and some authors have stated that attempted resuscitation from traumatic cardiac arrest is futile. However, advances in damage control resuscitation and understanding of the differences in pathophysiology of traumatic cardiac arrest compared to medical cardiac arrest have led to unexpected survivors. Recently published data have suggested that outcome from traumatic cardiac arrest is no worse than that for medical causes of cardiac arrest, and in some groups may be better. This review highlights key areas of difference between traumatic cardiac arrest and medical cardiac arrest, and outlines a strategy for the management of patients in traumatic cardiac arrest. Standard Advanced Life Support algorithms should not be used for patients in traumatic cardiac arrest.

BackgroundTrauma is a main cause of death among young adults worldwide. Patients experiencing a traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) certainly have a poor prognosis but population-based studies are sparse. Primarily to describe characteristics and 30-day survival following a TCA as compared with a medical out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (medical CA).MethodsA cohort study based on data from the nationwide, prospective population-based Swedish Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (SRCR), a medical cardiac arrest registry, between 1990 and 2016. The definition of a TCA in the SRCR is a patient who is unresponsive with apnoea where cardiopulmonary resuscitation and/or defibrillation have been initiated and in whom the Emergency Medical Services (EMS, mainly a nurse-based system) reported trauma as the aetiology. Outcome was overall 30-day survival. Descriptive statistics as well as multivariable logistic regression models were used.ResultsIn all, between 1990 and 2016, 1774 (2.4%) cases had a TCA and 72,547 had a medical CA. Overall 30-day survival gradually increased over the years, and was 3.7% for TCAs compared to 8.2% following a medical CA (p < 0.01). Among TCAs, factors associated with a higher 30-day survival were bystander witnessed and having a shockable initial rhythm (adjusted OR 2.67, 95% C.I. 1.15–6.22 and OR 8.94 95% C.I. 4.27-18.69, respectively).DiscussionAssociation in registry-based studies do not imply causality but TCA had short time intervals in the chain of survival as well as high rates of bystander-CPR.ConclusionIn a medical CA registry like ours, prevalence of TCAs is low and survival is poor. Registries like ours might not capture the true incidence. However, many individuals do survive and resuscitation in TCAs should not be seen futile.

Survival rates following traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) are known to be poor but resuscitation is not universally futile. There are a number of potentially reversible causes to TCA and a well-defined group of survivors. There are distinct differences in the pathophysiology between medical cardiac arrests and TCA. The authors present some of the key differences and evidence related to resuscitation in TCA, and suggest a separate algorithm for the management of out-of-hospital TCA attended by a highly trained physician and paramedic team.

The objective of this study is to describe the epidemiology and causes of traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) in Kuwait aiming to provide a preliminary background to update the current guidelines and improve patients’ management.This is a retrospective analysis of TCA cases retrieved from emergency medical services archived data between 1 January and 31 December 2017. The TCA cases were sub-grouped based on mechanism of injury then compared in terms of patient demographics, vital signs, patterns of injuries, resuscitation practices, and outcomes.Outcomes; On scene mortality rate and pre-hospital return of spontaneous circulation.Among the 204 TCA patients, 140 patients met the inclusion criteria. This whole group was then divided in to 4 subgroups: road traffic accident (RTA) 76% (n=106), fall from height (FFH) 13% (n = 18), slip/fall 4% (n = 6), and assaults 7% (n = 10). There was significant difference between the four mechanisms in: mean age (P = < .001), type of injury (P = .005), head injury (P = .005), chest injury (P = .003), GCS score < 9 (P = .004) and initial hypertension (P = < .001). Initial hypertension and GCS score < 9 were only documented in head injuries of RTA and slip/fall groups. Significant difference was also seen in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (P = .006), airway management (P = .035) and on scene mortality rate (P = .003). All patients who had isolated head injury in FFH were pronounced dead on scene, 60%.Not all TCA incidents are the same, there are different pattern of injuries in each TCA mechanism. Head injuries are predominantly seen in RTA, FFH, slip /falls and chest injuries are seen in assaults. This can influence emergency medical services personals resuscitation plan. Further research is required to address the resuscitation of TCA of different mechanisms.

Emergency airway management in penetrating neck injury

BackgroundCurrent resuscitation guidelines deemphasise the role of endotracheal intubation (ETI) in cardiac arrest. Although supraglottic airways (SGA) are increasingly used in the management of prehosptial cardiac arrest, there is limited...

IntroductionTimely out‐of‐hospital notifications in patients with traumatic cardiac arrest are associated improvements in mortality. Details surrounding these events are often limited, and decisions to perform advanced resuscitative procedures must be made based on limited data. This study evaluated the ability of a mobile application (app) called Citizen (sp0n Inc., New York, NY) to address these issues by providing a novel, secondary source of out‐of‐hospital information in traumatic cardiac arrest. Citizen sends notifications to mobile devices in response to nearby detected public safety events, and we sought to evaluate its utility in prenotification for traumatic cardiac arrest.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study. Patients ≥ 15 years of age with traumatic cardiac arrest attributed to penetrating trauma were included. The 2 coprimary outcomes observed were the time difference between the app notification and emergency medical services notification, and the app's success rate in generating a notification for each patient in traumatic cardiac arrest.ResultsFrom February 2, 2019 to October 10, 2019, there were 43 patients who met the criteria for this study. On average, the Citizen app notification arrived 12.9 minutes before emergency medical services radio notification (95% confidence interval, 9.2–16.6; P < 0.001). Citizen generated a notification for 36 of 43 patients (84%).ConclusionThe Citizen app generates earlier notifications in traumatic cardiac arrest compared with standard radio communications. It also provides a previously unavailable secondary source of information for making rapid resuscitative decisions upon the arrival of the arresting patient to the emergency department. Further research is needed to determine how to optimally integrate the app into existing trauma systems.