Hanging and asphyxia: Interventions, patient outcomes and resource utilisation in a UK tertiary intensive care unit

Suicide is increasing in the UK, and hanging is now the commonest mechanism. United Kingdom intensive care unit outcomes (including organ donation) after hanging have not been reported.

Retrospective analysis of cases admitted to a UK tertiary intensive care unit with a primary or secondary diagnosis of hanging/asphyxia. Case analysis divided between those with and without a history of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and outcomes described using the cerebral performance category score.

A total of 33 cases were reviewed, 19 with a history of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (three survivors with cerebral performance category of 1-2), 14 without history of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (14 survivors, 11 cerebral performance category score of 1, 3 cerebral performance category score of 3). Three cases went on to have a good neurological outcome with a cerebral performance category score of one, and 16 died. The three survivors only had bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and cardiac arrest was not independently confirmed. All three had a good neurological recovery despite two having hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy on computed tomography head. Of the three survivors, one received no temperature management and two received targeted temperature management. Median intensive care unit length of stay after hanging with cardiopulmonary resuscitation was 3.0 days (2.4-6.7 days). Fifteen patients were discussed with the organ donation specialist nurse, with six consenting to donation and six declining consent, with 18 solid organs donated. All 14 of those without a history of cardiopulmonary resuscitation survived, 11 with a cerebral performance category score of 1 and three having a cerebral performance category score of 3. No patients received active temperature management. Median intensive care unit length of stay in this group was 2.9 days (1.2-3.8).

Outcomes after confirmed cardiac arrest following hanging are poor, in keeping with existing international data, even in those surviving to intensive care unit admission. Despite low rates of consent to organ donation, the overall organ donation is high due to high referral rates. Despite the poor prognosis in this population, early initiation of full resuscitation should be offered to optimise survival and facilitate the possibility of donation.