Early risk stratification after resuscitation from cardiac arrest

Emergency clinicians often resuscitate cardiac arrest patients, and after acute resuscitation, clinicians face multiple decisions regarding disposition. Recent evidence suggests that out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with return of spontaneous circulation have higher odds of survival to hospital discharge, long-term survival, and improved functional outcomes when treated at centers that can provide advanced multidisciplinary care. For community clinicians, a high volume cardiac arrest center may be hours away. While current guidelines recommend against neurological prognostication in the first hours or days after return of spontaneous circulation, there are early findings suggestive of irrecoverable brain injury in which the patient would receive no benefit from transfer. In this Concepts article, we describe a simplified approach to quickly evaluate neurological status in cardiac arrest patients and identify findings concerning for irrecoverable brain injury. Characteristics of the arrest and resuscitation, initial neurological assessment, and brain computed tomography together can identify patients with high likelihood of irrecoverable anoxic injury. Patients who may benefit from centers with access to continuous electroencephalography are discussed. This approach can be used to identify patients who may benefit from rapid transfer to cardiac arrest centers versus those who may benefit from care close to home. Risk stratification also can provide realistic expectations for recovery to families.