Clinical significance of early echocardiography after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest on arrival to a heart attack centre

Abstract Background Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is common after out of hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) and can manifest as global or regional change. Purpose We evaluated the extent of global and regional LVSD and its association with coronary artery disease (CAD) and outcome in those undergoing coronary angiography after OOHCA. Methods 619 patients with OOHCA were admitted at our centre between 1st May 2012 and 31st December 2017. 398 patients were included. Rates of cardiogenic shock and extent of CAD, as classified by the SYNTAX score were measured. The primary endpoint was 12-month mortality. Patients with incomplete data were excluded from the analysis. Results Two hundred and sixty-six patients (median age 62 [53–71] 76.3% male) underwent both trans-thoracic echocardiography andcoronary angiography on arrival and were included in the final analysis. 81.6% had ventricular fibrillation, 83.5% were witnessed and 51.9% occurred at residence. Ninety-six patients (36%) had significant LVSD (Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction [LVEF]