Long-term neurological outcomes in patients aged over 90 years who are admitted to the intensive care unit following cardiac arrest.

Abstract

The number of cardiac arrests (CA) in the group of very elderly patients (≥ 90 years) is expected to increase markedly due to the world`s rapidly ageing population. However, only little is known about long term outcome, CA- and intensive care unit (ICU) characteristics of patient's ≥ 90 years (nonagenarians) suffering from CA. This single-center retrospective study included all adult patients ≥ 90 years after CA and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) which were treated at our ICU between January 1^st 2008 and September 15^th 2016. Patients were followed at least 1-Year after ICU discharge for assessment of survival and neurological outcome. Aim of the study was to evaluate CA- and patients characteristics, as well as ICU- and neurological outcome after CA in patient's ≥ 90 years. 657 patients ≥ 90 years were treated at our ICU during the study period, of these we could identify 48 patients with CA and successful resuscitation. 27 (56%) were female and the median age was 91.7 (90.7 - 92.6) years. 41 (85%) patient suffered from in-hospital CA. Cardiac events leading to CA were observed in 19 (40%) patients. Initial rhythm was shockable (VT/VF) in 12 (25%) patients and time to ROSC was median 4 (1.6 - 9.5) minutes. Patients after CA who survived the ICU stay had significantly lower SAPS II score (44 (36 - 55) vs. 58 (46.5 - 75.5), p < 0.05), lower maximum lactate (2.8 (1.9 - 4.3) mmol/l vs. 6.2 (4 - 9) mmol/l, p < 0.001) and higher pH (7.29 (7.26 - 7.38) vs. 7.23 (7.12 - 7.32), p < 0.05) on admission compared to patients with CA who did not survive the ICU stay. Overall, after CA, 39 (81%) patients needed mechanical ventilation, 44 (92%) received catecholamine support, 17 (35%) received red blood cell transfusion and 4 (8%) received renal replacement therapy. Mechanical ventilation and red blood cell transfusion was significantly more common in ICU non-survivors (both p < 0.05). 19 (46%) patients survived the ICU-stay, of these 86% had favourable neurological outcome (CPC I/II) at ICU discharge. One year survival rate was 23% (n = 11), of these 55% (n = 6) had favorable neurological outcome. 46% of successfully resuscitated nonagenarians survived the ICU stay, the majority with favourable neurological outcome at ICU discharge. Resuscitation and post-CA care, in the highly selected group of very elderly patients (≥ 90 years), seems to be justified.