Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest and Acute Coronary Syndromes: Reviewing Post-Resuscitation Care Strategies

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) carries an enormous global burden of mortality and morbidity. The post-cardiac arrest syndrome consists of complex pathophysiological changes that result in hypoxic brain injury, myocardial and peripheral organ dysfunction, and the systemic ischemia-reperfusion response. We review common cardiac arrest cases to highlight key management issues and recommendations in post-resuscitation care, including therapeutic hypothermia, coronary angiography and revascularization, and circulatory support. Guidelines still suggest mild therapeutic hypothermia be administered for OHCA over targeted temperature management preventing pyrexia. Similarly, early invasive coronary angiography is particularly beneficial when there is ST-elevation on the post-resuscitation electrocardiogram, but might be considered in the absence of ST-elevation if there is no noncardiac cause to explain the OHCA. However, there remain a large number of unanswered questions that require ongoing research.