Incidence of Cardiac Arrest and Related Factors in a Multi-Center Thai University-Based Surgical Intensive Care Units...

To describe the incidences, outcomes and determine the risk factor(s) of cardiac arrest in surgical intensive care unit (SICU).

We collected data between April 2011 and January 2013. The case record form (CRF) included the CRF 1 (admission, daily screening and discharge data) and the CRF 2 for cardiac arrest events. The patients were followed-up until discharge from SICU or for up to 28 days after admission in SICU.

The incidence of cardiac arrest in SICU was 226 in 4,652 patients (4.9%). The APACHE II score at the day with cardiac arrest were 24.1. Initial monitor rhythm during cardiac was asystole (35.4%), bradycardia (22.6%) and pulseless electrical activity (14.6%). The main cause was poor patient condition before admission (51.3%). Most of the cardiac arrest patients (73.9%) had antecedents within 24 hour and the most common antecedents were hypotension, metabolic disturbances and sepsis and/or septic shock. The overall return of spontaneous circulation rate was 23.5%. At hospital discharge, the mortality rate (91.6%) was statistically different between the cardiac arrest and non-cardiac arrest group (p<0.001). The Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (APACHE II score) (Odds ratio, (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.11-1.19, p<0.001), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA score) (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.20, p = 0.005) and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status physical status (ASA PS) ≥3 (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.33-4.04, p = 0.003) were significantly risk factors for cardiac arrest.

Cardiac arrest in the SICU was uncommon. Initial non-shockable rhythms were common and mostly had antecedents before cardiac arrest. The APACHE II score, SOFA score and ASA PS ≥3 were independent risk factors for cardiac arrest in SICU.