The role of point-of-care testing in cardiac arrest patients

Point-of-care testing (POCT) provides real time information to the clinical team, leading to early diagnosis and treatment. Whether POCT plays a role in improving outcomes in patients with out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains unknown. The objective of this study was to describe use of POCT...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of emergency medicine 2023-12, Vol.74, p.32-35
Main Authors: Rampersaud, Vishnu M., Barberis, Trinity, Thode, Henry C., Singer, Adam J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anemia
Cardiac arrest
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Clinical outcomes
CPR
Electrolytes
Emergency medical care
Emergency medical services
Heart
Hyperkalemia
Out of hospital cardiac arrest
Patients
Point of care testing
Survival
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Summary:Point-of-care testing (POCT) provides real time information to the clinical team, leading to early diagnosis and treatment. Whether POCT plays a role in improving outcomes in patients with out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains unknown. The objective of this study was to describe use of POCT in OHCA and to explore its association with outcomes. We conducted a retrospective chart review on patients transferred by emergency medical services (EMS) to the ED for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in 2019. Data collected from patient charts included baseline information, the Utstein criteria for cardiac arrest, whether POCT was used, whether POCT was abnormal, and what treatment was given, if any, as a result of the abnormal POCT. Outcomes included return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to hospital discharge. Outcomes in patients with and without POCT were compared using chi-square and t-tests. There were 119 study patients. Their mean (SD) age was 65 (18) years and 65% were male. Cardiac arrest was witnessed in 48% and initial rhythm was asystole in 66%. The rates of ROSC and survival were 22.7% (95%CI, 16.1–31.1) and 3.4% (95%CI, 1.3–8.3). POCT was used in 66 patients (55.4%; 95%CI, 46.5–64.1) all of whom had at least one abnormality. The results of POCT led to administration of a therapy in 60 patients (91.0%; 95%CI, 81.6–95.8). The rates of ROSC in patients with and without POCT were 22.6% vs 22.7% respectively. The rates of survival to discharge in patients with and without POCT were 0% vs 3.8% respectively. POCT is commonly used in the ED for patients with OHCA and its results often lead to changes in therapies. However, use of POCT was not associated with ROSC or survival to discharge.
ISSN:0735-6757
1532-8171
DOI:10.1016/j.ajem.2023.09.006