Incidence of Cardiac Arrest During Anesthesia

Perioperative cardiac arrest generally refers to an event that requires chest compressions while a patient is under an anesthesiologist’s care during either the intraoperative or immediate postoperative period. Cardiac arrest may be the result of factors related to anesthesia, surgical procedure, or patient comorbidities. When comparing reports of anesthesia-related cardiac arrest, definitions and timeframes vary, with some including only the intraoperative period and others including the time from premedication through 24 hours postoperatively or longer. Some studies are based on electronic databases, and others depend on voluntary reporting to registries. The inclusion of events occurring during cardiac surgery by some studies and not others further complicates this comparison.

Results of studies that examined the incidence of pediatric perioperative cardiac arrest for all types of procedures, including cardiac surgery, are listed in Table 38-1. The overall incidence for pediatric perioperative cardiac arrest for all age groups undergoing all types of surgeries ranged from 7.2 to 22.9 per 10,000 procedures (Cohen et al., 1990a; Braz et al., 2006; Flick et al., 2007). Studies that excluded cardiac surgery reported a lower overall incidence, ranging from 2.9 to 7.4 per 10,000 (Murat et al., 2004; Flick et al., 2007; Bharti et al., 2009). When only anesthesia-related cardiac arrest was included, the incidence for all types of surgery (including cardiac) ranged from 0.8 to 4.58 per 10,000. The highest incidence of cardiac arrest was seen in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, ranging from 79 to 127 per 10,000 (Flick et al., 2007; Odegard et al., 2007). This information is helpful when estimating risk, but whatever the risk of pediatric perioperative cardiac arrest, the anesthesiologist must be ready and able to treat the cause and resuscitate the child.

As shown in Table 38-1, risk factors for pediatric perioperative cardiac arrest were consistently found in all studies to be associated with younger patient age. The highest risk was seen in infants younger than 1 month of age, followed by those younger than 1 year old. The Perioperative Cardiac Arrest (POCA) registry compared age groups in anesthesia-related cardiac arrests and found that between 1994 and 1997, 56% of cases were infants younger than 1 year old, whereas between 1998 and 2004, only 38% of the cases were infants younger than 1 year old. This significant decrease in the percentage of cardiac arrest in infants is attributed to the declining use of halothane and increasing use of sevoflurane, which is associated with less bradycardia and myocardial depression (Bhananker et al., 2007). Anesthesia-related cardiac arrest is reported to be higher overall for children (1.4 to 4.6 per 10,000) than adults (0.5 to 1 per 10,000), although the incidence in some studies is similar, presumably because both groups have high-risk patients at the extremes of age (Zuercher and Ummenhofer, 2008).

The patient’s physical condition impacts cardiac arrest risk. Risk significantly increases when American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status (PS) is 3 or higher (Morray et al., 2000; Murat et al., 2004; Braz et al., 2006; Bhananker et al., 2007; Flick et al., 2007). Patients at ASA PS 5 are often not included in reports of anesthesia-related events, because by definition they have a low likelihood of survival, making it difficult to determine whether events are a result of their condition or related to anesthesia. Patients with ASA PS 4 and 5 have a 30 to 300 times greater risk of cardiac arrest than patients with ASA PS 1 or 2 (Rackow et al., 1961; Newland et al., 2002). Prematurity, congenital heart disease, and congenital defects are common pediatric comorbidities that increase the risk for children (Morray et al., 2000; Bhananker et al., 2007; Odegard et al., 2007).

The designation of emergency status to a patient’s procedure was a risk factor for both cardiac arrest and mortality in some studies but not in others. Emergency surgery was associated with a significantly increased incidence of perioperative cardiac arrest, with 123 per 10,000 anesthesia procedures vs. 15 to 16 per 10,000 for nonemergent cases (p < 0.05) (Braz et al., 2006). In addition to a higher incidence of arrests during an emergency procedure, a poorer outcome was also reported (Vacanti et al., 1970; Marx et al., 1973; Olsson and Hallen, 1988; Morray et al., 2000; Biboulet et al., 2001; Newland et al., 2002; Sprung et al., 2003; Bharti et al., 2009). In contrast, several studies did not find a statistically significant trend to decreased survival as a result of emergency status (Biboulet et al., 2001; Flick et al., 2007; Zuercher and Ummenhofer, 2008). It is not clear whether emergency procedures have increased perioperative risk because of the patient’s condition, the lack of optimal personnel, or both.

Etiology of Cardiac Arrest During Anesthesia

Causes of cardiac arrest during anesthesia are typically grouped either by organ systems involved or interventions applied. A summary of the etiologies and timing of cardiac arrest during anesthesia as reported in the literature is listed in Table 38-2. The pediatric POCA registry uses a classification system that involved both interventions and organ systems, thus grouping cardiac arrests as being related to medication, cardiovascular factors, respiratory factors, or equipment (Morray et al., 2000; Odegard et al., 2007). Some etiologies may be difficult to classify because they fit into several grouping schemes. For example, succinylcholine-induced dysrhythmia may be classified as either a medication-related or a cardiovascular cause of cardiac arrest. A set of guidelines for reporting cardiac arrest data in children, known as the pediatric Utstein guidelines, suggested a classification based on organ systems for etiologies (Zaritsky et al., 1995). The Utstein guidelines used three groups consisting of cardiac, pulmonary, and cardiopulmonary factors for comparison of etiologies of cardiac arrest in children. The Utstein guidelines have not yet been widely incorporated into anesthesia-related cardiac arrest literature. The anesthesia literature generally groups the etiology of cardiac arrest into those related to medication, cardiovascular, or respiratory categories, as shown in Box 38-1.

Previously, medication-related etiologies were the most common reasons for cardiac arrest related to anesthesia in children, representing approximately 35% of cardiac arrests (range of 4% to 54%) (Rackow et al., 1961; Salem et al., 1975; Keenan and Boyan, 1985; Olsson and Hallen, 1988; Morgan et al., 1993; Morray et al., 2000, Biboulet et al., 2001; Newland et al., 2002; Kawashima et al., 2003; Sprung et al., 2003). There has been a decrease in reports of medication-related etiologies to between 18% and 28%, and cardiac and respiratory causes are now the most commonly reported (Fig. 38-1) (Braz et al., 2006; Bhananker et al., 2007). This may be the result of a decrease in incidence of inhalation-agent overdose when use of sevoflurane replaced halothane for anesthetic induction. It is not clear whether sevoflurane is less cardiotoxic than halothane or the delivered dose of sevoflurane is lower because of vaporizer limits relative to a higher minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) for sevoflurane. Similarly, a decrease in succinylcholine-induced dysrhythmias was reported after a warning was issued related to use of succinylcholine in children. Other medication-related causes of cardiac arrest include those associated with regional anesthesia: intravenous (IV) administration of local anesthetic intended for caudal space, high spinal anesthesia, and local anesthesia toxicity. Inadequate reversal of a paralytic agent and opioid-induced respiratory depression are medication-related causes of cardiac arrest that more often present in the postoperative period.

FIGURE 38-1 Causes of anesthesia-related cardiac arrest in 1998 through 2004 compared with 1994 through 1997. Multiple and miscellaneous other causes (3% from 1998 to 2004 vs. 4% from 1994 to 1997) not shown.** P < 0.01, 1998 to 2004 vs. 1994 to 1997 by Z test.

(Data for 1994 to 1997 from Morray et al: Anesthesia-related cardiac arrest in children: initial findings of the Pediatric Perioperative Cardiac Arrest [POCA] Registry, Anesthesiology 93:6, 2000.)

Cardiovascular-related causes of cardiac arrest now represent approximately over 40% of cardiac arrests related to anesthesia in children (Braz et al., 2006; Bhananker et al., 2007). Cardiac arrests caused by decreased intravascular volume are most commonly reported in this group, and causes include inadequate volume administration, excessive hemorrhage, and inappropriate volume or transfusion administration (Braz et al., 2006; Bhananker et al., 2007; Flick et al., 2007). Dysrhythmias caused by hyperkalemia are seen with succinylcholine administration, transfusion, reperfusion, myopathy, or renal insufficiency (Larach et al., 1997). Dysrhythmia or cardiovascular collapse (asystole) may have a vagal etiology as a result of traction, pressures, or insufflations of the abdomen, eyes, neck, or heart. Cardiovascular collapse can occur with anaphylaxis from exposure to latex, contrast, drugs, or dextran. Venous air embolism is another important cause of cardiovascular collapse and cardiac arrest in patients who are under anesthesia. Malignant hyperthermia is a seldom-reported cause of cardiac arrest in this group.

Respiratory-related causes are responsible for approximately 31% (range of 15% to 71%) of cardiac arrest related to anesthesia in children and adults (Rackow et al., 1961; Salem et al., 1975; Keenan and Boyan, 1985; Olsson and Hallen, 1988; Morgan et al., 1993; Morray et al., 2000; Biboulet et al., 2001; Newland et al., 2002; Kawashima et al., 2003; Sprung et al., 2003; Braz et al., 2006; Bhananker et al., 2007; Flick et al., 2007). Respiratory-related events as the primary cause of cardiac arrest have declined over the years as a source of malpractice claims, from 51% in the 1970s to 41% in the 1980s and 23% from 1990 through 2000 (Jimenez et al., 2007). Inadequate ventilation and oxygenation are broad categories often listed in this group as causes of cardiac arrest. “Loss of the airway” may involve laryngospasm or bronchospasm; an anatomy that is difficult to manage; or a misplaced, kinked, plugged, or inadvertently removed endotracheal tube (ETT). Aspiration remains a cause of respiratory-related cardiac arrest but is not often mentioned in the recent literature.

Equipment-related causes involve approximately 4% (range of 0% to 20%) of cardiac arrest related to anesthesia in children and adults (Rackow et al., 1961; Salem et al., 1975; Keenan and Boyan, 1985; Olsson and Hallen, 1988; Morgan et al., 1993; Morray et al., 2000; Biboulet et al., 2001; Newland et al., 2002; Kawashima et al., 2003; Sprung et al., 2003). Categories of equipment-related cardiac arrest most commonly described include central-venous-catheter–induced bleeding, dysrhythmias, and breathing circuit disconnection. Other etiology groups of cardiac arrest reported in some studies include multiple events (3%), inadequate vigilance (6%), or an unclear etiology (9%, range of 1% to 18%) (Olsson and Hallen, 1988; Morray et al., 2000; Biboulet et al., 2001; Kawashima et al., 2003).

Determination that a cardiac arrest is anesthesia related is subjective, as is the extent that a cardiac arrest is related to anesthesia care. Patient-related factors, procedure-related factors, and anesthesia care-related factors are the three most important determinants of etiology of operating-room cardiac arrests. Attempts to determine extent of contribution of anesthesia care in cardiac arrest has produced terms such as anesthesia-associated and anesthesia-attributable cardiac arrest. Determination of an anesthesia-related contribution is complicated by the contribution of patient- and procedure-related factors. To what extent does anesthesia care contribute to a cardiac arrest related to surgical bleeding in a patient with a coagulopathic condition? Is failing to keep up with major hemorrhage or to correct a coagulopathy related to the procedure, to the patient, or to the anesthesia care? Many studies simply use the term anesthesia- related to describe a cardiac arrest after an anesthesiologist has been involved in care of the patient.

Anesthesia-related cardiac arrest may be preventable 53% of the time, and anesthesia-related mortality is preventable 22% of the time (Kawashima et al., 2003). Human error may be the most important factor in deaths attributable to anesthesia and usually manifests not as a fundamental ignorance but as a failure in application of existing knowledge (Olsson and Hallen, 1988). Poor preoperative preparation and inadequate vigilance are often reported as avoidable errors. Examples of poor preoperative preparation relevant to the pediatric anesthesiologist include failure to identify patients with symptoms of an undiagnosed skeletal myopathy, coronary involvement from Williams syndrome, prolonged QT syndrome, or a cardiomyopathy. Another category of preventable causes is inadequate vigilance, such as failure to recognize progressive bradycardia and failure to respond to persistent hypotension. In addition to improving preparation and vigilance, the use of “test doses” or divided dosing when administering medications (especially drugs that may cause hypotension in unstable patients) is suggested to minimize medication errors. Other important and preventable causes of anesthesia-related cardiac arrest include transfusion-related hyperkalemia, local anesthetic toxicity, and inhalation-anesthetic overdose (Morray et al., 2000).

Cardiac arrest that is not related to anesthesia is most often the result of the patient’s underlying condition or the procedure being performed. Trauma, exsanguination, and failure to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are three of the most commonly reported causes of cardiac arrest that are not anesthesia related. Myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolus, sepsis, and ruptured aneurysm are other, less often observed, patient-related causes of cardiac arrest. Procedure-related causes include technical problems, caval compression, vagal asystole related to traction or insufflation, and complications related to transplantation.

Outcomes of Cardiac Arrest During Anesthesia

What is the risk of a child dying during the perioperative period? Studies that have investigated this question have reported varied results, depending on whether they include only anesthesia-related causes or all causes of cardiac arrest. Although survival is the outcome most commonly viewed as a measure of successful resuscitation after cardiac arrest, mortality is the rate most commonly reported. Anesthesia-related mortality is currently reported to be 0.1 to 1.6 per 10,000 cases, which is down from 2.9 per 10,000 cases between 1947 and 1958 (Rackow et al., 1961; Morita et al., 2001; Morray et al., 2000; Flick et al., 2007). Some studies have even reported no anesthesia-related deaths (Tay et al., 2001; Murat et al., 2004; Braz et al., 2006). When all causes of perioperative cardiac arrest are included (i.e., anesthesia-related, surgical, and patient disease), risk of mortality is higher, ranging from 3.8 to 9.8 per 10,000 cases (Cohen et al., 1990a; Morita et al., 2001; Braz et al., 2006; Flick et al., 2007). Compared with neonates and infants, older children had a lower incidence of both cardiac arrest and mortality.

Although survival is used to describe a positive outcome for a patient who suffers a cardiac arrest, it is imprecise as to duration or quality of patient outcome. A patient may survive initial resuscitation attempts but subsequently die in the intensive care unit (ICU) from persistent hemodynamic instability or devastating neurologic injury. Initial survival from cardiac arrest after successful resuscitation efforts is defined as return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), meaning that native heartbeat and blood pressure are adequate for at least 20 minutes. Although ROSC indicates a successful reversal of cardiac arrest, it may not be a meaningful indicator if many patients subsequently die in the ICU. The number of patients with ROSC after cardiac arrest is usually much greater than the number that has a longer, more meaningful, period of survival, such as survival to discharge from the hospital. Although survival to discharge indicates a longer survival than ROSC, surviving for a longer time does not address the quality of that outcome. An assessment of the quality of survival should acknowledge either the presence of a new neurologic deficit or a return to the patient’s neurologic baseline. These terms are found in some descriptions in the anesthesia-related literature on outcomes of children who suffer cardiac arrest. Full recovery after intraoperative cardiac arrest in children is reported to range from 48% to 61% (Bharti et al., 2009; Bhananker et al., 2007; Flick et al., 2007).

It is often presumed that the duration and quality of survival from a cardiac arrest that occurred in the operating room should be good, because personnel who witness the cardiac arrest and provide resuscitation are trained and prepared. A review of the anesthesia literature reveals that cardiac arrest can be reversed in over 80% of anesthesia-related episodes (Sprung et al., 2003; Bhananker et al., 2007; Bharti et al., 2009). The likelihood of ROSC decreases to 50% or 60% if the cause of arrest includes those causes not related to anesthesia. Survival to hospital discharge after an anesthesia-related cardiac arrest appears to be approximately 65% to 68% (the range for pediatric studies of this variable is large). Survival to discharge is 30% if causes of cardiac arrest unrelated to anesthesia are included. Comparing these data with data in literature not related to anesthesia reveals that studies of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in children show a 23% rate of survival to discharge (range of 8% to 42%) (Gillis et al., 1986; Von Seggern et al., 1986; Davies et al., 1987; Carpenter and Stenmark, 1997; Parra et al., 2000; Suominen et al., 2000; Reis et al., 2002; Nadkarni et al., 2006, Tibballs and Kinney, 2006). This 23% survival-to-discharge rate is comparable with the 30% rate for all causes and much lower than the 65% rate for anesthesia-related causes of cardiac arrest in the operating room. The presence of anesthesiologists may account, in part, for the better survival outcomes in anesthesia-related cardiac arrests.

Outcome studies for cardiac arrest should include a determination of the presence of new neurologic injuries. Pediatric studies of IHCA show a 71% favorable neurologic outcome for the survivors (range of 45% to 90%) (Gillis et al., 1986; Davies et al., 1987; Carpenter and Stenmark, 1997; Parra et al., 2000; Suominen et al., 2000; Reis et al., 2002). Compilation of the available anesthesia-related literature indicates that 57% of children who suffer perioperative cardiac arrest survive and return to their baseline neurologic status, whereas 5% survive with a new neurologic deficit. Thus, for anesthetic-related cardiac arrest, a child has a 62% chance of surviving, and survivors have a 92% chance of having a favorable neurologic outcome. This percentage for pediatric survivors falls to 22% for those who return to neurologic baseline out of a rate of 36% for total survivors, or a 61% favorable neurologic outcome when all causes of cardiac arrest are included. The 71% favorable neurologic outcome for IHCA is comparable with the 61% rate for all causes and lower than the 92% rate for anesthesia-related causes of cardiac arrest in the operating room. It is noteworthy to mention that the number of studies and patients for these estimates are small and the ranges are large. These data indicate that both the duration and quality of survival are favorable for children who experience cardiac arrest from anesthesia-related causes.

There are many potential explanations for a higher resuscitation rate from anesthesia-related cardiac arrest. Factors such as the resuscitation skills of the anesthesiologist, preparation for emergencies by the anesthesiologist, reversible causes of cardiac arrest in the operating room, and increased monitoring during anesthesia to provide early recognition of problems may contribute to improved resuscitation rates during anesthesia care. The survival rate after cardiac arrest is affected by many factors, some of which are the same that predispose a patient to cardiac arrest: age of patient, ASA PS, and emergency procedures.

The etiology of cardiac arrest also impacts likelihood of successful resuscitation and survival. Mortality is increased if the cause of cardiac arrest is hemorrhage or is associated with protracted hypotension (both have a P < 0.001) (Girardi and Barie, 1995; Newland et al., 2002; Sprung et al., 2003). Resuscitation-related factors have an effect on outcome. These factors include cardiac rhythm during resuscitation, duration of resuscitation, and duration of no-flow and low-flow states during cardiac arrest and resuscitation. A no-flow state occurs when a patient is in cardiac arrest before receiving resuscitation efforts. A low-flow state occurs when a patient is in cardiac arrest and receiving resuscitation that is unable to provide adequate circulation. The longer the patient is in a no-flow or low-flow state, the worse the outcome is likely to be.

Asystole is a rhythm that, if present during resuscitation, has been associated with a decreased rate of both ROSC and survival to discharge for children with cardiac arrest outside of the operating room. Usually asystole is caused by prolonged hypoxia or myocardial ischemia and represents a terminal rhythm. Prolonged hypoxia causes the myocardium to be more resistant to resuscitation efforts and is more likely to result in neurologic injury. Thus, if the heart can be resuscitated, there is still the possibility of a poor outcome. In the operating room, continuous patient monitoring decreases the risk of prolonged periods of hypoxia or ischemia. Instead of asystole being a terminal rhythm, asystole in the operating room is often an initial rhythm that results from a vagal stimulation. As an initial rhythm, asystole is more likely to be reversed. Usually discontinuation of the vagal stimulus and chemical support of the heart rate are effective resuscitation measures. Unlike with cardiac arrests that occur outside the operating room, asystole is a commonly reported rhythm with anesthesia-related cardiac arrest and is associated with a good prognosis (Sprung et al., 2003).

The duration of the resuscitative efforts has an effect on patient outcome. Prolonged duration of CPR increases the possibility of low-flow intervals, thereby resulting in myocardial and cerebral injury. The need for CPR for more than 15 minutes has been determined to be a predictor of mortality in anesthesia-related cardiac arrests (P < 0.001) (Girardi and Barie, 1995). The interpretation of these data is complicated by reports of successful outcomes even after prolonged periods of resuscitation efforts. Up to 3 hours of CPR has been reported in anesthetic-related cardiac arrests, with eventual resuscitation and a good outcome (Cleveland, 1971; Lee et al., 1994). In summary, the cause of the cardiac arrest, the rhythm disturbance, and the duration of CPR can impact outcome from cardiac arrest that takes place in the operating room.

Recognition of the Need for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Early recognition that a child’s vital signs are inadequate and a response with rapid initiation of CPR reduces potential for injury from low-flow or no-flow intervals. It is difficult to give guidelines for the limit of each vital sign at which vital organ blood perfusion becomes inadequate for each child under anesthesia (Table 38-3). These limits depend on many factors, including the patient’s general health, the patient’s age, the type and depth of anesthesia, and the intensity and duration of deterioration of the vital signs. Pediatric training and experience are valuable in these uncommon but critical situations to help with the decision about when to initiate CPR.

In general, CPR including chest compressions should be initiated when it is felt that perfusion is inadequate to deliver oxygen, substrates, or resuscitative medications to the heart or brain. Extensive monitoring and continuous presence of anesthesia personnel should be optimal for early detection of inadequate perfusion or ventilation in the operating room. In the absence of adequate monitoring, health care personnel should palpate the umbilical artery in the newborn, the brachial artery in the infant, and the carotid artery in the child to detect an abnormal heart rate (Cavallaro and Melker, 1983; Lee and Bullock, 1991; AHA, 2006a). The analysis of a pulse in anesthetized and slightly hypotensive (systolic pressure lower than 70 mm Hg) infants revealed that detection of a pulse within 10 seconds was best with auscultation; brachial palpation was less successful than auscultation but better than carotid or femoral palpation by operating room nurses (Inagawa et al., 2003). Femoral palpation of pulse was more successful than carotid or brachial in anesthetized and hypotensive (systolic pressure lower than 70 mm Hg) infants in a subsequent study with personnel who had more pediatric resuscitation training (Sarti et al., 2006). Both authors agree that successful counting of heart rate over a brief time was better with auscultation.

In the operating room, monitoring is usually available to help determine vital signs of an anesthetized child. When the monitoring is unavailable or the readings are in question, having one rescuer auscultate and another palpate may increase reliability and decrease time needed to count a heart rate and determine the palpability of a pulse. Whereas either unresponsiveness or apnea is an indication to resuscitate in most situations, the administration of anesthesia masks these signs, and bradycardia by auscultation or lack of pulse by palpation may be valid indicators to start CPR.

Physiology of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Reestablishment of Ventilation

The fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio₂) that should be administered during CPR is important, because either too much or too little may be detrimental. A report by Elam et al. (1954) showed that exhaled air from the rescuer (16% oxygen) provided adequate oxygenation of the victim (arterial oxygen level [Sao₂] of 90% or greater) and became the basis for ventilation during CPR when supplemental oxygen is not available. In the operating room, the anesthesiologist has the ability to administer 100% oxygen via tracheal intubation during CPR. The anesthesiologist is faced with the theoretic concern that delivery of high oxygen levels during reperfusion may increase formation of oxygen free radicals and increase cellular injury. This concern is weighed against the knowledge that CPR is less effective in restoring oxygen delivery to the brain and heart than is native circulation and that during CPR the administration of low levels of oxygen may increase the delay in restoration of oxygen delivery. Adequacy of oxygen delivery during CPR depends on many variables, including the cause of cardiac arrest, the length of decreased perfusion, the effectiveness of CPR, and the patient’s metabolic demands. The complexity of the determination makes it unlikely that oxygen delivery during CPR can be measured or predicted. A review of newborn resuscitation using 21% or 100% Fio₂ found that newborns with depressed (but not arrested) cardiac function can be effectively resuscitated with either 21% or 100% oxygen and that 21% oxygen administration is associated with less markers of oxidative stress. This review also found that for cardiac arrest in newborns there is no evidence that 21% is as effective as 100% oxygen in resuscitation of circulation, and that animal studies suggest 100% oxygen administration is more effective (Ten and Matsiukevich, 2009). A model of brain-tissue oxygen monitoring in piglets during CPR for cardiac arrest showed that despite administration of 100% Fio₂, the brain-tissue oxygen levels remained either at or below the levels before cardiac arrest until after ROSC, when they became dramatically elevated (Cavus et al., 2006). This finding implies that maximal oxygen administration is needed during CPR, but that it can create hyperoxic conditions after ROSC. Without adequate data to resolve this question, it seems reasonable to continue to use 100% Fio₂ during CPR for intraoperative cardiac arrest to help maximize the oxygen delivery during this low flow-state but to reduce oxygen levels once reliable oxygen monitoring shows adequate oxygenation during the hyperdynamic phase that occurs after ROSC (see Postresuscitation Care). The exception to the use of 100% O₂ for resuscitation may be the child with a circulatory condition such as a hypoplastic left heart, whose poor systemic perfusion is the result of pulmonary overcirculation. In such a case, the anesthesiologist needs to decide whether high levels of oxygen administration would contribute to the poor systemic circulation.

The contribution of chest compressions to ventilation during CPR impacts the decision of how much ventilation to provide to victims of cardiac arrest. Early in the study of external compressions, researchers did not add ventilation during CPR because they believed that closed-chest compression alone provided adequate ventilation (Kouwenhoven et al., 1960). The findings, that chest compressions alone provide some ventilation for adult victims and that minimal ventilation is necessary shortly after a sudden fibrillatory arrest, have resulted in over-the-phone instruction for CPR with compressions alone to untrained bystanders or those unwilling to provide mouth-to-mouth ventilation. It is difficult to determine how much chest compressions contribute to ventilation; their adequacy may vary with the cause of cardiac arrest, duration of cardiac arrest, the child’s age, an underlying medical condition, the efficacy of resuscitation, and the child’s metabolic needs. Requirements to administer oxygen and remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) differ by type of cardiac arrest; a sudden fibrillatory arrest has little loss of oxygen reserve or accumulation of CO₂, and a gradual asphyxial cardiac arrest has greatly depleted oxygen reserve and large accumulation of CO₂. Asphyxial cardiac arrest derives a greater benefit from ventilation efforts. A model of asphyxial arrest in piglets shows greatest benefit with delivery of both compressions and ventilations compared with compression or ventilation alone (Berg et al., 2000). Provision of ventilation early in resuscitation from cardiac arrest may be less necessary and has the potential to cause a respiratory alkalosis, resulting in unwanted effects on brain circulation and oxygen delivery. As the duration of cardiac arrest continues, despite CPR efforts, metabolic acidosis predominates and respiratory compensation may be difficult. Lack of data usually leads the pediatric anesthesiologist to choose a rate based on recommendations for age (10 ventilations per minute in children and 30 ventilations per minute for newborns) and to adjust the rate if blood-gas analysis becomes available during resuscitation (Table 38-4).

Intubation of the trachea by the anesthesiologist is recommended for the management of ventilation during intraoperative cardiac arrest. Without intubation and positive pressure ventilation, soft-tissue obstruction may prevent adequate ventilation in some victims (Safar et al., 1961). An unprotected airway puts patients at greater risk for aspiration during CPR because of loss of the airway’s protective reflexes and increased likelihood of stomach distention with positive pressure ventilation. At onset of cardiac arrest, the lower esophageal sphincter competency falls from approximately 20 cm H₂O to 5 cm H₂O (Gabrielli et al., 2005). The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) compares favorably with mouth-to mouth ventilation, mask ventilation, and other airway adjuncts during CPR, but there are limited data for a comparison with tracheal intubation during CPR and non-intubation technique may be less protective of gastric distention or aspiration (Samarkandi et al., 1994; Rumball and MacDonald, 1997; Stone et al., 1998). Airway adjuncts are not recommended as a replacement for tracheal intubation during CPR in children, especially when an anesthesiologist is available (Grayling et al., 2002). Tracheal intubation is optimal to assure ventilation during CPR for pediatric anesthesiologists, because they maintain training to use this procedure.

The appropriate placement of the ETT during cardiac arrest can be verified in most instances by the presence of end-tidal CO₂ (Etco₂). The incidence of accidentally placing an ETT in the esophagus of a child is greater during cardiac arrest (19% to 26%) than during an intubation that is not involved with cardiac arrest (3%) (Bhende and Thomson, 1992; Bhende and Thomson, 1995). Demonstration of persistent Etco₂ wave forms after intubation is extremely reliable to confirm correct placement of the ETT in children with spontaneous circulation (Bhende et al., 1992). The lack of a measurable Etco₂ level in the ETT usually indicates esophageal intubation. In resuscitation from a cardiac arrest, the pulmonary blood flow is decreased during CPR and the Etco₂ level may be falsely low or absent despite a correctly placed ETT. This finding of no Etco₂ detected during CPR in children experiencing cardiac arrest was seen in 14% to 15% of correctly placed ETTs (Bhende et al., 1992; Bhende and Thomson, 1995). Continually detectable Etco₂ is proof of tracheal intubation even during cardiac arrest. The absence of Etco₂ on placement of the ETT indicates that the larynx should be visually inspected to discriminate esophageal intubation. Loss of Etco₂ during resuscitation efforts may indicate the ETT is dislodged and should be reinspected or replaced, that the ETT is plugged or kinked and a suction catheter should be passed, or that pulmonary blood flow is diminished and resuscitation efforts need to be increased. Tracheal intubation for resuscitation also offers the option of access (although limited) to the circulation for drug administration.

Interruption of chest compressions for delivery of ventilation increases the percentage of time that there is an absence of perfusion to vital organs; this percentage of CPR without perfusion is referred to as the no-flow fraction (NFF). In addition to producing times with no perfusion, interruptions in the delivery of compressions result in a pooling of blood in the vasculature that causes the need for several compressions to be delivered before perfusion is back to the preinterruption level (Berg et al., 2001). Thus, there are both no-flow and low-flow problems caused by pausing compressions for ventilation or any other reason. The presence of an ETT during CPR eliminates concern for ventilation attempts contributing to the NFF. During CPR performed by bystanders compressions are held, ventilations are delivered, and then compressions are resumed. These pauses in chest compressions make it easier for ventilation provided by mouth-to-mouth or bag-mask ventilation to be delivered to the lungs, thereby improving the patient’s ventilation and reducing the probability of gastric inflation. The need to interpose ventilations, thus interrupting compressions, during CPR is eliminated by placement of an ETT. A significant amount of research compares the effects of chest compression with ventilation ratios of 15:2, 30:2, and longer (continuous compressions) with varying results for fibrillatory and asphyxial cardiac arrest in prehospital settings. These ratios become irrelevant to the anesthesiologist when an ETT is placed, and compressions can be performed without interruptions for ventilation in a 10:1 ratio, generating 100 compressions and 10 ventilations per minute. The goal for the anesthesiologist is to maintain continuous delivery of compressions with interruption only at the 2-minute intervals necessary for switching of compression providers to prevent fatigue, pulse checks to determine ROSC, and when needed, the delivery of shocks. Intubation, central line placement, and placement of adhesive pads for defibrillation are other commonly reported interruptions to chest compressions and should be minimized and compressions should be continued when possible. It is important to remember the negative impact of holding compressions during intubation attempts and to absolutely minimize the duration of procedures that require these interruptions.

It is important to understand the effect of positive-pressure ventilation on perfusion produced by chest compression. In the previous section, the importance of minimizing NFF by maintaining compressions and not interrupting for ventilations was discussed. There are other physiologic interactions that cause ventilation to influence the effectiveness of chest compressions. Factors affected by these interactions include increased intrathoracic pressure, affecting the ability of chest compressions to move blood out of the thorax; intracranial pressure (ICP), reducing perfusion of the brain; myocardial perfusion pressure (MPP), and venous return to the thorax.

A comparison of different methods of delivery of ventilation during chest compressions revealed differences in oxygenation, ventilation, and hemodynamics (Wilder et al., 1963). Delivery of ventilations independent of compressions, interposed between compressions, and synchronized with compressions allows both adequate oxygenation and ventilation, but their effects on hemodynamic pressures vary. Delivery of positive pressure ventilation has an impact on the hemodynamic variables caused by changes in intrathoracic pressure. CPR with simultaneous compression and ventilation increases intrathoracic pressure at the time of compression and yields improvement in blood flow and survival in a canine model, but it has not shown the same benefit in humans. The simultaneous increase in intrathoracic pressure may lead to increased ejection of blood from the thorax, but elevation of intrathoracic pressure also leads to increases in intracardiac and ICP. Increasing intracardiac pressure at the time of compression may result in no change in the MPP and no overall benefit to the heart. Increases in ICP occur with increases in intrathoracic pressure and may result in no change in the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and no overall benefit to the brain (see section that follows, Physiology of Cardiopulmonary Resucitation: Reestablishment of Circulation, for mechanism). Increasing intrathoracic pressure during the relaxation phase of chest compressions has the potential to decrease venous return and may have significant impact on the effectiveness of subsequent compressions, depending on the duration of ventilation pressure. Attention to rate, duration, and pressure used during delivery of ventilations can prevent excessive ventilation that is common during these high-stress events and the impact overventilation has on venous return. Use of the impedance threshold device, the intrathoracic pressure regulator (ITPR), and decompression during CPR are techniques used to increase venous return by lowering intrathoracic pressure and are discussed in later sections.

Overventilation or underventilation can be detrimental during CPR. As discussed previously, overventilation can have hemodynamic effects or result in hypocarbia; either of these could result in decreased perfusion of the brain. Underventilation could result in a decrease in perfusion either from reduced pulmonic blood flow during CPR secondary to the increased vascular resistance that results from atelectasis or from the systemic effects of hypercarbia in addition to metabolic acidosis. The determination of a ventilation rate during CPR depends on the age of the child, whether the airway is secured, the number of rescuers, the type of cardiac arrest, and duration of the cardiac arrest. The young child has an increased baseline metabolic activity and a greater need for an increase in the number of ventilations during CPR. Recommendations for newborns include rates of about 30 breaths per minute, whether there are 1 or 2 rescuers and whether or not the child is intubated. The infant, the child between 1 and 8 years old, the child older than 8 years, and the adult share recommendations for 8 to 10 breaths per minute with intubation (Table 38-4). The newborn has both the highest metabolic activity and baseline CO₂ production and a greater chance of having a cardiac arrest with a prolonged ischemic period, resulting in a greater need to eliminate CO₂. There may be an ideal range for ventilation during CPR; overventilation may increase intrathoracic pressure (causing reduced venous return and increased ICP) and lower arterial carbon dioxide tension (Paco₂). Causing cerebral vasoconstriction while under ventilation may allow lung collapse and atelectasis, reducing pulmonary blood flow, MPP, and CPP. The decrease in pulmonary blood flow during CPR for cardiac arrest produces higher levels of venous CO₂ and lower levels of arterial and Etco₂. Determining the adequacy of ventilation efforts during CPR is difficult, because low pulmonary blood flow impacts the CO₂ levels of both Etco₂ and blood-gas monitoring. These techniques regain their usefulness in monitoring ventilation efforts as pulmonary blood is improved with resuscitation or ROSC.

The anesthesiologist will encounter the decision of whether to use mechanical or manual ventilation during CPR for intraoperative cardiac arrest. There are no data available to use to recommend one technique or the other.

Physiology of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Reestablishment of Circulation