Background Metabolic and electrolyte imbalances are some of the reversible causes of cardiac arrest and can be diagnosed even in the pre-hospital setting with a mobile analyser for point-of-care testing (POCT). Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study, which included analysing all pre-hospital resuscitations in the study region between October 2015 and December 2016. A mobile POCT analyser (Alere epoc®) was available at the scene of each resuscitation. We analysed the frequency of use of POCT, the incidence of pathological findings, the specific interventions based on POCT as well as every patient’s eventual outcome. Results N = 263 pre-hospital resuscitations were included and in n = 98 of them, the POCT analyser was used. Of these measurements, 64% were performed using venous blood and 36% using arterial blood. The results of POCT showed that 63% of tested patients had severe metabolic acidosis (pH < 7.2 + BE < − 5 mmol/l). Of these patients, 82% received buffering treatment with sodium bicarbonate. Potassium levels were markedly divergent normal (> 6.0 mmol/l/ < 2.5 mmol/l) in 17% of tested patients and 14% of them received a potassium infusion. On average, the pre-hospital treatment time between arrival of the first emergency medical responders and the beginning of transport was 54 (± 20) min without POCT and 60 (± 17) min with POCT (p = 0.07). Overall, 21% of patients survived to hospital discharge (POCT 30% vs no POCT 16%, p = 0.01, Φ = 0.16). Conclusions Using a POCT analyser in pre-hospital resuscitation allows rapid detection of pathological acid–base imbalances and potassium concentrations and often leads to specific interventions on scene and could improve the probability of survival.
Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Das SARS-CoV‑2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2) hat sich weltweit ausgebreitet. Folgen von Infektionspräventionsmaßnahmen im Rahmen solcher Ansteckungsereignisse können speziell für Patienten mit außerklinischem Kreislaufstillstand (OHCA) Nachteile ergeben. Methodik Retrospektive Analyse von OHCA eines Landkreises in den Monaten Januar bis einschließlich Mai von 2018 bis 2020, wobei in 2020 die erste Welle der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie und in 2018 eine Hochinzidenzphase des Influenzavirus vorlag. Ergebnisse N = 497 OHCA wurden untersucht (2018 n = 173, 2019 n = 149, 2020 n = 175). Es zeigte sich eine gleichbleibende Reanimationsinzidenz (85–99 Reanimationen/100.000 Einwohner/Jahr) und eine lokal typische Klientel („mean“ 70 Jahre, 66 % männlich; Median PES 3). Es ergaben sich keine statistisch signifikanten Unterschiede bei der Ausgangslage der Patienten (Anzahl beobachteter OHCA, Häufigkeit an Laienreanimationen, vermutete Ursachen des OHCA, initialer EKG-Rhythmus) und dem Behandlungsverlauf (Häufigkeit an ROSC/Krankenhausaufnahme/Überleben bis Krankenhausentlassung, neurologisches Outcome). Keiner der OHCA-Patienten in 2020 bot ein positives SARS-CoV-2- und drei Patienten in 2018 ein positives Influenzatestergebnis. Diskussion Die Lockdown-Maßnahmen während der ersten SARS-CoV-2-Welle scheinen das Outcome von OHCA-Patienten ohne COVID-19 insgesamt nicht beeinflusst zu haben.
BackgroundMetabolic and electrolyte imbalances are some of the reversible causes of cardiac arrest and can be diagnosed even in the pre-hospital setting with a mobile analyser for point-of-care testing (POCT).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective observational study, which included analysing all pre-hospital resuscitations in the study region between October 2015 and December 2016. A mobile POCT analyser (Alere epoc®) was available at the scene of each resuscitation. We analysed the frequency of use of POCT, the incidence of pathological findings, the specific interventions based on POCT as well as every patient’s eventual outcome.ResultsN=263 pre-hospital resuscitations were included and in n=98 of them, the POCT analyser was used. Of these measurements, 64% were performed using venous blood and 36% using arterial blood. The results of POCT showed that 63% of tested patients had severe metabolic acidosis (pH<7.2+BE<-5mmol/l). Of these patients, 82% received buffering treatment with sodium bicarbonate. Potassium levels were markedly divergent normal (>6.0mmol/l / <2.5mmol/l) in 17% of tested patients and 14% of them received a potassium infusion. On average, the pre-hospital treatment time between arrival of the first emergency medical responders and the beginning of transport was 54 (+/- 20) min without POCT and 60 (+/- 17) min with POCT (p=0.07). Overall, 21% of patients survived to hospital discharge (POCT 30% vs no POCT 16%, p=0.01).Conclusions Using a POCT analyser in pre-hospital resuscitation allows rapid detection of pathological acid-base imbalances and potassium concentrations and often leads to specific interventions on scene and could improve the probability of survival.
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