The association between early hemodynamic variables and outcome in normothermic comatose patients following cardiac arrest

Background Currently, few data exist on the association between post-cardiac arrest hemodynamic function and outcome. In this explorative, retrospective analysis, the association between hemodynamic variables during the first 24 h after intensive care unit admission and functional outcome at day 28 was evaluated in 153 normothermic comatose patients following a cardiac arrest. Methods Medical records of a multidisciplinary intensive care unit were reviewed for comatose patients (Glasgow Coma Scale < 9) admitted to the intensive care unit after successful resuscitation from an in- or an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The hourly variable time integral of hemodynamic variables during the first 24 h after admission was calculated. At day 28, outcome was assessed as favorable or adverse based on a Cerebral Performance Category of 1-2 and 3-5, respectively. Bi- and multivariate regression models adjusted for relevant confounding variables were used to evaluate the association between hemodynamic variables and functional outcome. Results One hundred and fifty-three normothermic comatose patients were admitted after a cardiac arrest, of whom 64 (42%) experienced a favorable outcome. Neither in the adjusted bivariate models (r2, 0.61-0.78) nor in the adjusted multivariate model (r2, 0.62-0.73) was the hourly variable time integral of any hemodynamic variable during the first 24 h after intensive care unit admission associated with functional patient outcome at day 28 in all patients as well as in patients after an in- or an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Conclusion Commonly measured hemodynamic variables during the first 24 h following intensive care unit admission due to a cardiac arrest do not appear to be associated with the functional outcome at day 28.