Overview
The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of institutionalized care program of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Description
Patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest included in the program will be treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with additional invasive procedures including coronary/pulmonary angiography and intervention. This type of treatment was not provided in institutionalized fashion in Wroclaw, Poland. Implementation of this program should improve survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients, which currently is less than 10%.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age < 60 years
- witnessed sudden cardiac arrest with immediate CPR
- supposed cardiac cause of the event
- ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) at first medical contact with 3 unsuccessful defibrillations (no ROSC)
- CPR conducted with Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System (LUCAS™)
- Estimated transfer time from the scene to the Emergency Department < 30 minutes.
- End tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) > 10 mmHg
Exclusion Criteria:
- Total presumed time from 112 call to ECMO implantation longer than 60 minutes
- Age < 18 years old or > 60 years old;
- Non-shockable initial rhythm
- Unavailability of the automated CPR device
- Unavailability of the catheterisation laboratory
- Severe concomitant illness with decreased life expectancy
- Severe body injury
- Severe active bleeding
- Drowning
- Terminal cancer