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Updated: Jul 9, 2025
Utilizing the Modified T-Maze to Assess Functional Memory Outcomes After Cardiac Arrest
Published on: January 5, 2018
Accredited cardiac arrest centers facilitate eCPR and improve neurological outcome
Fabian Voß1, Tharusan Thevathasan2, Karl Heinrich Scholz3
1Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Background:
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a frequent medical emergency with low survival rates even after a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Growing evidence supports formation of dedicated teams in scenarios like cardiogenic shock to improve prognosis. Thus, the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) recommended introduction of Cardiac Arrest Centers (CAC) in their 2015 guidelines. Here, we aimed to elucidate the effects of newly introduced CACs in Germany regarding survival rate and neurological outcome.
Methods:
A multicenter retrospective observational cohort study was performed at three university hospitals and outcomes after OHCA were compared before and after CAC accreditation. Primary outcomes were survival until discharge and favorable neurological status (CPC 1 or 2) at discharge.
Results:
In total 784 patients (368 before and 416 after CAC accreditation) were analyzed. Rates of immediate percutaneous coronary intervention (40 vs. 52%, p = 0.01) and implementation of extracorporeal CPR (8 vs. 13%, p < 0.05) increased after CAC accreditation. Likelihood of favorable neurological status at discharge was higher after CAC accreditation (71 vs. 87%, p < 0.01), whereas overall survival remained similar (35 vs. 35%, p > 0.99).
Conclusion:
CAC accreditation is linked to higher rates of favorable neurological outcome and unchanged overall survival.
