Baseline characteristics and outcomes of end-stage renal disease patients after in-hospital sudden cardiac arrest: a national perspective

Examining safety of cardiac surgery in patients with preoperative cardiac arrest

BACKGROUND

Although postoperative cardiac arrest is a well-studied complication of cardiac surgery, few guidelines exist regarding timing of surgery in preoperative cardiac arrest (pCA). We examined the association between delayed timing of operation and postoperative outcomes following cardiac surgery in a large cohort of pCA.

METHODS

Adults with a diagnosis of pCA undergoing a cardiac operation were identified in the 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample. Those requiring surgery within 24 hours fo cardiac arrest were excluded. Patients who underwent a cardiac procedure after 5 days of cardiopulmonary resuscitation were classified as Delayed (others: Early). Multivariable regression models were constructed to evaluate associations between delayed timing of surgery with in-hospital mortality, postoperative complications, hospitalization duration, and costs.

RESULTS

Of an estimated 9,240 patients meeting study criteria, 4,860 (52.6%) received delayed cardiac surgery. Following entropy balancing, delayed surgery was significantly associated with decreased odds of in-hospital mortality (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 0.75, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.58 - 0.97). However, delayed operation demonstrated greater odds of postoperative thromboembolic (AOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.02 - 2.04), and infectious (AOR 1.65, 95% CI 1.31 - 2.08) complications. Notably, delay did not alter odds of neurologic complication, and was linked to a decrement in per-day costs (β -$2,100, 95% CI -2,600 - -1,700).

CONCLUSIONS

While preoperative cardiac arrest remains challenging, the present study demonstrates the safety profile of delaying cardiac operation among patients tolerating at least 24 hours of a delay to surgery. Future studies are needed to elucidate the factors associated with favorable outcomes in this population.

Racial and Ethnic and Sex Disparities in the Outcomes and Treatment of In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Nationwide Analysis From the United States

BACKGROUND

In-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The relationships between race and ethnicity and sex on outcomes and treatment patterns among patients with IHCA remain poorly understood.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a retrospective study using the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2016 to 2020 to identify adult patients with IHCA and examine the associations between in-hospital outcomes and race and ethnicity (White, Black, Hispanic) and sex. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included rates of in-hospital procedures. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for potential confounders. Among 207 770 patients with IHCA, 26.6% had ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation and 73.4% had pulseless electrical activity/asystole. For ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation arrest, Black men (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.42 [95% CI, 1.21-1.66]), Black women (aOR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.05-1.50]), and Hispanic women (aOR, 1.30 [95% CI, 1.01-1.66]) had higher odds of mortality compared with White men (corresponding adjusted risk ratios [aRRs], 1.10 [CI, 1.06-1.14], 1.06 [95% CI, 1.02-1.11], and 1.08 [95% CI, 1.01-1.14], respectively). In the pulseless electrical activity/asystole arrest subgroup, Black men (aOR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.11-1.39]) and Hispanic men (aOR, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.07-1.40]) had higher odds of mortality (corresponding aRRs, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.02-1.06] and 1.04 [95% CI, 1.01-1.06], respectively). Black patients with IHCA were less likely to receive percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting, and mechanical circulatory support compared with White men.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant racial and ethnic and sex disparities exist in outcomes and treatment patterns among patients with IHCA. Targeted efforts and further studies are needed to better understand and address these disparities and improve outcomes.

Mortality of in-hospital cardiac arrest among patients with and without preceding sepsis: A national inpatient sample analysis

INTRODUCTION

The impact of preceding sepsis on in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA)-related mortality has not been established. This study aimed to determine the association between IHCA-related mortality and sepsis.

METHODS

This retrospective study used the National Inpatient Sample data from 01/2017 to 12/2019. The study included adults (≥18 years) who suffered from IHCA. The study classified cardiac arrest rhythms as ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation or pulseless electronic activity/asystole. We compared the IHCA-related in-hospital mortality between sepsis and non-sepsis groups in all patients and subgroups divided by cardiac arrest rhythm and age. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the independent association between sepsis and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 357,850 hospitalizations who suffered from IHCA were identified, with sepsis present in 17.6% of patients. IHCA-related in-hospital mortality was 84.8% in sepsis and 68.4% in non-sepsis-related hospitalizations (p < 0.001). IHCA-related in-hospital mortality was higher in sepsis than in non-sepsis groups, regardless of age or cardiac arrest rhythms. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, sepsis was significantly associated with higher mortality with an odds ratio of 2.27 (95% confidence interval: 2.07-2.50, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Sepsis was associated with higher in-hospital cardiac arrest mortality compared to non-sepsis cases, regardless of age and cardiac rhythm.

Temporal Trends in Characteristics and Outcomes Associated With In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A 20-Year Analysis (1999-2018)

Background Despite advances in resuscitation medicine, the burden of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) remains substantial. The impact of these advances and changes in resuscitation guidelines on IHCA survival remains poorly defined. To better characterize evolving patient characteristics and temporal trends in the nature and outcomes of IHCA, we undertook a 20-year analysis of a national database. Methods and Results We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample (1999-2018) using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM) codes to identify all adult patients suffering IHCA. Subgroup analysis was performed based on the type of cardiac arrest (ie, ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation or pulseless electrical activity-asystole). An age- and sex-adjusted model and a multivariable risk-adjusted model were used to adjust for potential confounders. Over the 20-year study period, a steady increase in rates of IHCA was observed, predominantly driven by pulseless electrical activity-asystole arrest. Overall, survival rates increased by over 10% after adjusting for risk factors. In recent years (2014-2018), a similar trend toward improved survival is noted, though this only achieved statistical significance in the pulseless electrical activity-asystole cohort. Conclusions Though the ideal quality metric in IHCA is meaningful neurological recovery, survival is the first step toward this. As overall IHCA rates rise, overall survival rates are improving in tandem. However, in more recent years, these improvements have plateaued, especially in the realm of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation-related survival. Future work is needed to better identify characteristics of IHCA nonsurvivors to improve resource allocation and health care policy in this area.