Barriers to the Initiation of Telecommunicator-CPR during 9-1-1 Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Calls: A Qualitative Study.

INTRODUCTION: Fewer than 10% of individuals who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survive with good neurologic function. Bystander CPR more than doubles the chance of survival, and telecommunicator-CPR (T-CPR) during a 9-1-1 call substantially improves the frequency of bystander CPR. OBJECTIVE: We examined the barriers to initiation of T-CPR. METHODS: We analyzed the 9-1-1 call audio from 65 EMS-treated OHCAs from a single US 9-1-1 dispatch center. We initially conducted a thematic analysis aimed at identifying barriers to the initiation of T-CPR. We then conducted a conversation analysis that examined the interactions between telecommunicators and bystanders during the recognition phase (i.e., consciousness and normal breathing). RESULTS: We identified six process themes related to barriers, including incomplete or delayed recognition assessment, delayed repositioning, communication gaps, caller emotional distress, nonessential questions and assessments, and caller refusal, hesitation, or inability to act. We identified three suboptimal outcomes related to arrest recognition and delivery of chest compressions, which are missed OHCA identification, delayed OHCA identification and treatment, and compression instructions not provided following OHCA identification. A primary theme observed during missed OHCA calls was incomplete or delayed recognition assessment and included failure to recognize descriptors indicative of agonal breathing (e.g., "snoring", "slow") or to confirm that breathing was effective in an unconscious victim. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that modifiable barriers identified during 9-1-1 calls where OHCA was missed, or treatment was delayed, were often related to incomplete or delayed recognition assessment. Repositioning delays were a common barrier to the initiation of chest compressions.

Assessment of telecommunicator cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest using a standardized tool for audio review.

OBJECTIVE: Telecommunicator cardiopulmonary resuscitation (T-CPR) is a critical component of optimized out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) care. We assessed a pilot tool to capture American Heart Association (AHA) T-CPR measures and T-CPR coaching by telecommunicators using audio review. METHODS: Using a pilot tool, we conducted a retrospective review of 911 call audio from 65 emergency medical services-treated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. Data collection included events (e.g., OHCA recognition), time intervals, and coaching quality measures. We calculated summary statistics for all performance and quality measures. RESULTS: Among 65 cases, the patients' mean age was 64.7 years (SD: 14.6) and 17 (26.2%) were women. Telecommunicator recognition occurred in 72% of cases (47/65). Among 18 non-recognized cases, reviewers determined 12 (66%) were not recognizable based on characteristics of the call. Median time-to-recognition was 76 seconds (n = 40; IQR:39-138), while median time-to-first-instructed-compression was 198 seconds (n = 26; IQR:149-233). In 36 cases where coaching was needed, coaching on compression-depth occurred in 27 (75%); -rate in 28 (78%); and chest recoil in 10 (28%) instances. In 30 cases where repositioning was needed, instruction to position the patient's body flat occurred in 18 (60%) instances, on-back in 22 (73%) instances, and on-ground in 22 (73%) instances. CONCLUSIONS: Successful collection of data to calculate AHA T-CPR measures using a pilot tool for audio review revealed performance near AHA benchmarks, although coaching instructions did not occur in many instances. Application of this standardized tool may aid in T-CPR quality review.

Variation in pre-hospital outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Michigan.

AIM: Care by emergency medical service (EMS) agencies is critical for optimizing prehospital outcomes following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We explored whether substantial differences exist in prehospital outcomes across EMS agencies in Michigan-specifically focusing on rates of sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) upon emergency department (ED) arrival. METHODS: Using data from Michigan Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (MI-CARES) for years 2014-2017, we calculated rates of sustained ROSC upon ED arrival across EMS agencies in Michigan. We used hierarchical logistic regression models that accounted for patient, arrest-, community-, and response-level characteristics to determine adjusted rates of sustained ROSC among EMS agencies. RESULTS: A total of 103 EMS agencies and 20,897 OHCA cases were included. Average age of the cohort was 62.5 years (SD = 19.6), 39.7% were female, and 17.9% had an initial shockable rhythm due to ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. The adjusted rate of sustained ROSC upon ED arrival across all EMS agencies was 23.8% with notable variation across EMS agencies (interquartile range [IQR], 20.5-29.2%). The top five EMS agencies had mean adjusted rates of sustained ROSC upon ED arrival of 42.7% (95% CI: 34.6-51.1%) while the bottom five had mean adjusted rates of 9.8% (95% CI: 7.6-12.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial variation in sustained ROSC upon ED arrival exists across EMS agencies in Michigan after adjusting for patient-, arrest, community-, and response-level features. Such differences suggest opportunities to identify and improve best practices in EMS agencies to advance OHCA care.

Enhancing Prehospital Outcomes for Cardiac Arrest (EPOC) study: sequential mixed-methods study protocol in Michigan, USA.

INTRODUCTION: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a common, life-threatening event encountered routinely by first responders, including police, fire and emergency medical services (EMS). Current literature suggests that there is significant regional variation in outcomes, some of which may be related to modifiable factors. Yet, there is a persistent knowledge gap regarding strategies to guide quality improvement efforts in OHCA care and, by extension, survival. The Enhancing Prehospital Outcomes for Cardiac Arrest (EPOC) study aims to fill these gaps and to improve outcomes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This mixed-methods study includes three aims. In aim I, we will define variation in OHCA survival to the emergency department (ED) among EMS agencies that participate in the Michigan Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) in order to sample EMS agencies with high-survival and low-survival outcomes. In aim II, we will conduct site visits to emergency medical systems-including 911/dispatch, police, non-transport fire, and EMS agencies-in approximately eight high-survival and low-survival communities identified in aim I. At each site, key informant interviews and a multidisciplinary focus group will identify themes associated with high OHCA survival. Transcripts will be coded using a structured codebook and analysed through thematic analysis. Results from aims I and II will inform the development of a survey instrument in aim III that will be administered to all EMS agencies in Michigan. This survey will test the generalisability of factors associated with increased OHCA survival in the qualitative work to ultimately build an EPOC Toolkit which will be distributed to a broad range of stakeholders as a practical 'how-to' guide to improve outcomes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The EPOC study was deemed exempt by the University of Michigan Institutional Review Board. Findings will be compiled in an 'EPOC Toolkit' and disseminated in the USA through partnerships including, but not limited to, policymakers, EMS leadership and health departments.

Intrastate Variation in Treatment and Outcomes of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to analyze and compare out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) system of care performance and outcomes at the Medical Control Authority (MCA) level in the state of Michigan. We hypothesized that clinically and statistically significant variations in treatment and outcomes of OHCA exists within a single U.S. state. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, observational study of all non-traumatic EMS-treated OHCA from the state of Michigan CARES registry for 2014-2015. Geocoding of the OHCA incident address was used to assign records to individual MCAs. MCA-based demographics, arrest characteristics, system of care performance and outcomes were quantified and compared. Associations between demographics, system of care parameters, and outcomes were examined at the MCA level. RESULTS: A total of 8,115 records with complete data were available for analysis. Eleven MCAs met study inclusion criteria of >100 cases, producing a final sample size of 7,788 records (96%). Statistically significant variations in survival to hospital discharge ranged from 4.5% to 15% (p < 0.001) (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] range 0.6-2.0) and survival with good neurologic outcome 2.7-12.5% (p < 0.001; AOR range 0.5-2.2,) were observed across MCAs. Bystander CPR ranged from 32% to 53% (p < 0.001) and bystander AED application ranged from 3.5% 11.5% (p < 0.05). Of patients admitted to the hospital alive, 29-68% received targeted temperature management. In hospital mortality ranged from 53.1% to 73.9% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Significant intrastate variability in OHCA system of care performance and outcomes currently exist and are similar to what has been previously reported across North America almost a decade ago. This degree of variability highlights the opportunity to optimize modifiable factors within local systems of care to improve OHCA outcomes.

The influence of age and chronic medical conditions on neurological outcomes in out of hospital cardiac arrest.

AIM: It is unknown whether older patients with out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have worse outcomes because of aging itself, or because age can be a marker for overall health status. We aimed to study the prognostic utility of age and pre-arrest comorbidities. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study, reviewing electronic health records of all adults treated for non-traumatic OHCA in the University of Michigan Emergency Department (N=588). Primary covariates included age, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and a combined Charlson-age index. The primary dichotomized outcome was favorable neurological outcome (cerebral performance category, 1-2), evaluated by logistic regressions. RESULTS: Dementia (p=0.01), witnessed arrest (p=0.03), bystander CPR (p<0.001), presenting rhythm (p<0.001), and mild therapeutic hypothermia (p<0.001) were associated with the primary outcome. Increasing age (unadjusted OR for each decade of life, 95% CI: 0.78, 0.70-0.88; adjusted 0.79, 0.67-0.94) was negatively associated with likelihood of a favorable neurological outcome. CCI and combined Charlson-age index significantly predicted outcome in the unadjusted, but not adjusted analysis. Composite variables were stronger predictors in patients with shockable than non-shockable presenting rhythms (interaction terms: age and rhythm [p=0.004], CCI and rhythm [p=0.01]). CONCLUSION: Age, but not CCI, was significantly associated with less favorable neurological outcomes in patients with OHCA after adjusting important covariates. Age appears to be an independent predictor of prognosis rather than a marker for comorbidity.

Risk factors related to transfusion requirements in patients undergoing implantation of ventricular assist devices.

OBJECTIVE: The identification of transfusion risk factors in patients receiving left ventricular assist devices to allow for targeted use of blood conservation strategies and improved blood utilization. DESIGN: This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data between April 2009 and June 2012. Linear regression was used to determine factors associated with increased transfusion. Logistic regression was used to determine factors that were associated with more than the median number of units transfused. SETTING: Single center, university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (n=144) who underwent left ventricular assist device implantation. INTERVENTION: Transfused blood product data for the day of surgery and for 3 days after were obtained from the blood bank. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Beta-blockers were associated with 1.7±0.65 fewer red blood cell (RBC) units and 2.2±0.7 fewer fresh frozen plasma units transfused. Each year of older age was associated with 0.113±0.023 units of RBC, 0.543±0.101 platelet, and 0.098±0.017 plasma units transfused. International normalized ratio was associated with more platelet transfusion (20.813±5.757 units per 1.0 increase), but not with plasma or RBC transfusion. Lower platelet counts were associated with both platelet (-0.045±0.019 units per 10,000 µL(-1)) and plasma transfusions (-0.011±0.004). Myocardial infarction was associated with increased RBC and plasma transfusion, and cardiogenic shock was associated with increased platelet transfusions, but nitrate use was associated with reduced platelet transfusion. CONCLUSION: Beta-blockers may be a modifiable factor to decrease transfusions. The association between international normalized ratio and platelet transfusions suggests that better determination of the type of coagulopathy may promote more appropriate transfusions.

Impact of adding aspirin to beta-blocker and statin in high-risk patients undergoing major vascular surgery.

BACKGROUND: Beta-blockers (BB) and statins (S) independently have been shown to reduce perioperative mortality and myocardial infarction (MI) in patients undergoing vascular surgery. In this study we evaluated the benefits of adding aspirin (A) to BB and S (ABBS), with/without angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) on postoperative outcome in high-risk patients undergoing major vascular surgery. METHODS: Analysis of consecutive patients undergoing elective vascular surgery at the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center was performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done using cardiac risk index [Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI), coronary artery disease (CAD), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), cerebral vascular disease, renal dysfunction, congestive heart failure, and major surgery]; pulmonary disease; and A, BB, S (ABBS)±ACE-I use. Baseline clinical characteristics and medication were adjusted using propensity scores. Endpoints were bleeding, 30-day MI, stroke, and 12-month mortality. RESULTS: Between 2003 and 2010, 4,149 arterial procedures were performed, 819 of which were risk stratified as RCRI≥3. The incidence of MI was 3-fold lower (2.5% vs. 7.8%, OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.15-0.61, P=0.001) in ABBS±ACE-I (n=513) as compared with non-ABBS±ACE-I (n=306). The 12-month mortality was 8-fold lower in ABBS±ACE-I as compared non-ABBS±ACE-I (5.9% vs. 37.5%, HR 0.13, 95% CI 0.08-0.20, P<0.0001). After adjustment for the propensity to use various therapies, A (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.24-0.53, P<0.0001), BB (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.43-1.0, P=0.05), and S (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.25-0.53, P<0.0001) remained associated with improved 12-month survival. ACE-I use (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.54-1.19, P=0.27) was not predictive. Aspirin did not predict severe/moderate bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: In high-risk patients undergoing major vascular surgery, ABBS therapy has superior 30-day and 12-month risk reduction benefits for MI, stroke, and mortality as compared with A, BB, or S independently. ACE-I did not demonstrate additional risk-reduction benefits.

The effect of St John's Wort on the pharmacodynamic response of clopidogrel in hyporesponsive volunteers and patients: increased platelet inhibition by enhancement of CYP3A4 metabolic activity.

Clopidogrel is metabolically activated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes. We evaluated whether St. John's wort (SJW), a CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 inducer, enhances the pharmacodynamic response of clopidogrel. Volunteers (n = 45) were screened for clopidogrel hyporesponsiveness after a 300-mg load. After a 7-day washout, hyporesponders (n = 10) received 14 days of SJW (300 mg 3 times a day) followed by a second 300-mg clopidogrel. Platelet aggregation was measured at 0, 2, 4, and 6 hours postloading; hepatic CYP3A4 activity was simultaneously determined at 0 and 4 hours by the erythromycin breath test. A prospective, randomized, double-blind pilot study was conducted in postcoronary stent patients (n = 85) on clopidogrel 75 mg/d screened for clopidogrel hyporesponsiveness. Hyporesponders (n = 20) were randomized to SJW (n = 10) or placebo (n = 10); platelet aggregation was measured before and after 14 days of therapy. In volunteers, SJW decreased platelet aggregation (59% ± 14% vs. 40% ± 15% at 2 hours, P = 0.02; 56% ± 10% vs. 44% ± 13% at 4 hours, P < 0.03; and 55% ± 14% vs. 37% ± 14% at 6 hours, P = 0.01) and increased CYP3A4 activity (2.1% ± 0.4% CO2 exhaled per hour before vs. 2.9% ± 0.6% CO2 exhaled per hour after SJW, P = 0.002). In patients, SJW decreased platelet reactivity (226 ± 39 vs. 185 ± 49 P2Y12 reactivity units, P = 0.0002) and increased platelet inhibition (23% ± 11% vs. 41% ± 16%, P = 0.002). SJW may be a future therapeutic option to increase CYP metabolic activity and antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel in hyporesponders.