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Title: American Heart Association Publishes Statement on Post-Cardiac Arrest Care
URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/2314BA.htm
Doctor's Guide
October 23, 2008

DALLAS -- October 23, 2008 -- The urgent need for treatment doesn't end when a person regains a pulse after suffering sudden cardiac arrest -- healthcare providers need to move quickly into post-cardiac arrest care to keep a person alive and ensure the best outcome.

That's the conclusion of the American Heart Association science advisory published today in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

The new statement says there is growing evidence that post-cardiac arrest care can lower the death rate and improve functional outcome for these patients.

"Although we have become better at restarting the heart, we are only beginning to learn and implement the best ways to keep patients alive and minimise brain damage after their heart is re-started," said coauthor of statement Robert W. Neumar, MD, Center for Resuscitation Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Research shows that many aspects of post cardiac arrest syndrome can be treated. The advisory discussed treatments for various types of patients such as:

· Unconscious adult patients resuscitated after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were recommended to receive mild therapeutic hypothermia, for at least 12 to 24 hours.
· Patients resuscitated from a cardiac arrest caused by a heart attack should have immediate coronary angiography to check for artery blockages. Standard guidelines for heart attack treatment should be followed, which may include an angioplasty or administering a clot-busting drug to re-establish blood flow to the heart.

The advisory also discussed treatment for high blood sugar, seizures and infection, all of which are common concerns after cardiac arrest resuscitation. Also, inserting an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is indicated for many patients with good neurological function.

The entire statement can be viewed here: http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.190652

SOURCE: American Heart Association

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