Cardiac arrest secondary to acute coronary syndrome: a 4-year observational study of patient characteristics and outcomes

Background: Cardiac arrest due to ischaemia is frequently the first manifestation of cardiovascular disease. We sought to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with a diagnosis of cardiac arrest secondary to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to the intensive care unit over a 4 year period. Baseline demographic characteristics, the use of therapeutic hypothermia, rates of percutaneous coronary intervention, co-morbidities and baseline left ventricular function were all documented. Outcomes included Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at time of discharge from the ICU, survival to hospital discharge, 6 months survival and left ventricular function at 6 months. Results: We identified 31 admissions to the ICU following cardiac arrest due to ACS during the study period. 71 % of patients survived to hospital discharge and all of these were still alive at 6 months. 65 % had good neurological function (GCS > 13) when discharged from ICU. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction remained stable at 6 months. Conclusions: A significant proportion of patients admitted to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of cardiac arrest secondary to acute coronary syndrome survive to hospital discharge with meaningful recovery in neurological and cardiac function.