In-hospital Cardiac Arrest Following Spinal Cord Injury: A Scoping Review

This review aimed to examine the characteristics of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) who experience in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA), as well as the timing, circumstances, and interventions associated with these events.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Igaku Chuo Zasshi Web (in Japanese), for studies published up to 2024. Two independent reviewers screened the literature. Data were extracted from the selected studies regarding the characteristics of patients with SCI who experienced IHCA, the timing of IHCA, the circumstances under which it occurred, and the interventions provided.

A total of 56 studies met the inclusion criteria. IHCA most commonly occurs in patients with complete cervical SCI. The time frame for IHCA occurrence ranged from 1 day and 2.5 months post-injury. IHCA frequently occurs during endotracheal suctioning or postural changes. The most commonly reported intervention for IHCA was the use of a pacemaker.

In patients with SCI, IHCA is more prevalent among those with severe cervical injuries and is often triggered by procedures such as suctioning or postural adjustments. Physical therapist needs to implement robust risk management strategies. These findings are crucial for both clinical practice and future research.