Post cardiac arrest left ventricular ejection fraction associated with survival to discharge

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Critical Care Medicine
• Echocardiography

Background:

• Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is routinely assessed post-cardiac arrest.
• The prognostic implications of post-cardiac arrest LVEF remain largely unknown.
• This study investigates the association between LVEF and survival outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the relationship between post-cardiac arrest left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and survival to hospital discharge.
• To identify LVEF thresholds predictive of patient outcomes following cardiac arrest.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study including 736 patients with cardiac arrest (in-hospital and out-of-hospital).
• Data collected included demographics, arrest characteristics, interventions, and earliest post-arrest LVEF from echocardiograms.
• Primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge.

Main Results:

• Patients with LVEF < 30% had 36% lower odds of survival to discharge compared to those with LVEF >= 52% (p=0.014), after covariate adjustment.
• A shockable initial rhythm and targeted temperature management were associated with improved survival.
• Mean patient age was 58 years, with 44% females; 15% experienced out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Conclusions:

• An initial LVEF < 30% post-cardiac arrest is a significant predictor of reduced survival to hospital discharge.
• These findings highlight the prognostic value of early LVEF assessment in cardiac arrest survivors.