2-year survival of patients undergoing mild hypothermia treatment after ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest is significantly improved compared to historical controls.
BACKGROUND
Therapeutic hypothermia has been proven to be effective in improving neurological outcome in patients after cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation (VF). Data concerning the effect of hypothermia treatment on long-term survival however is limited.


METHODS
Clinical and outcome data of 107 consecutive patients undergoing therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest due to VF were compared with 98 historical controls. Neurological outcome was assessed at ICU discharge according to the Pittsburgh cerebral performance category (CPC). A Kaplan-Meier analysis of follow-up data concerning mortality after 24 months as well as a Cox-regression to adjust for confounders were calculated.


RESULTS
Neurological outcome significantly improved after mild hypothermia treatment (hypothermia group CPC 1-2 59.8%, control group CPC 1-2 24.5%; p < 0.01). In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis hypothermia treatment was also associated with significantly improved 2-year probability for survival (hypothermia 55% vs. control 34%; p = 0.029). Cox-regression analysis revealed hypothermia treatment (p = 0.031) and age (p = 0.013) as independent predictors of 24-month survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrates that the early survival benefit seen with therapeutic hypothermia persists after two years. This strongly supports adherence to current recommendations regarding postresuscitation care for all patients after cardiac arrest due to VF and maybe other rhythms as well.
Storm
Christian
C
Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. christian.storm@charite.de
Nee
Jens
J
Krueger
Anne
A
Schefold
Joerg C
JC
Hasper
Dietrich
D
D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*