%0 Journal Article
%T Cardiac arrest caused by acute intoxication-insight from a registry
%J American journal of emergency medicine
%D 2013
%A Hörburger, David
%A Kurkciyan, Istepan
%A Sterz, Fritz
%A Schober, Andres
%A Stöckl, Mathias
%A Stratil, Peter
%A Uray, Thomas
%A Testori, Christoph
%A Weiser, Christoph
%A Haugk, Moritz
%V 31
%N 10
%P 1443-1447
%X INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to evaluate the epidemiology and outcome after cardiac arrest caused by intoxication. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1991 to 2010 medical record of patients experiencing cardiac arrest caused by self-inflicted, intentional intoxication was performed. The setting was an emergency department of a tertiary care university hospital. The primary end point was the presentation of epidemiologic data in relation to favorable neurologic outcome, defined as cerebral performance categories 1 or 2 and 180-day survival. Furthermore, the patients were subdivided into a single-substance and polysubstance group, depending on the substances causing the intoxication. RESULTS: Of 3644 patients admitted to our department, 99 (2.7%) with a median age of 26 (interquartile range, 19-42) years (37% female) were included. Cardiac arrest was witnessed in 62 cases (63%). Eleven patients (11%) received basic life support by bystanders, and 11 (11%) had a shockable rhythm in the initial electrocardiogram. The combined end point "good survival" was achieved by 34 patients (34%). Cardiac arrest occurred out of hospital in 73 patients (74%) and in-hospital in 26 patients (26%). A single substance causing the intoxication was found in 56 patients (56%). Opiates were the leading substance, with 25 patients (25%) using them. CONCLUSION: Cardiac arrest caused by intoxication is found predominately in young patients. Overall, favorable neurologic survival was achieved in 34%. Opiate-related cardiac arrest was associated with poor survival and a high incidence of neurologic deficits.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Elsevier Publishing
%@ 0735-6757
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2013.07.005