Comprehensive Summary
Determining when to terminate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) remains a major clinical challenge, particularly in patients with non-shockable rhythms. The decision on whether or not to terminate cardiopulmonary resuscitative (CPR) efforts is not always straightforward. This study assessed whether serial point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) could predict the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to hospital discharge, aiming to support decision-making during resuscitation. Data was collected from 154 non-traumatic patients over 18 years old treated in two academic hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. POCUS was conducted every two minutes during a strict 10-second window to limit CPR interruptions. Cardiac standstill duration, defined as the absence of cardiac motion on POCUS, was strongly predictive of outcomes. Out of the 98 patients with cardiac standstill ≥ 8 minutes, only two achieved ROSC, while none of the patients with a duration ≥10 minutes achieved ROSC. Initial cardiac activity on POCUS was associated with higher ROSC rates (52.1% vs 12.3%, p < 0.001). The authors noted limitations including potential for diagnostic errors and the risk of CPR interuptions. The study concludes that POCUS is a valuable adjunct but should not serve as the sole determinant for terminating CPR.
Outcomes and Implications
POCUS has been included in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) guidelines since 2018 for evaluation of pulse electrical activity (PEA) and asystole rhythms. Evidence of the prognostic value of serial POCUS in cardiac arrest has been limited. The study demonstrates that serial POCUS provides real-time prognostic insights during resuscitation to guide termination decisions and optimize resource allocation.