Hemodynamics and vasopressor support during targeted temperature management after cardiac arrest with non-shockable rhythm: A post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Patients admitted after cardiac arrest with non-shockable rhythm frequently experience hemodynamic instability. This study assessed the hemodynamic consequences of TTM in this sub population. METHODS: This is a post hoc analysis of the HYPERION trial (NCT01994772), that randomized patients to either hypothermia or normothermia after non-shockable rhythm related cardiac arrest. Patients with no, moderate or severe circulatory failure were identified with cardiovascular Sequential Organ Failure Assessment at randomization. Primary outcome was the number of patients at day 7 with resolution of shock, accounting for the risk of death (competing risk analysis). Secondary endpoint included neurological outcome and death at day-90. RESULTS: 584 patients were included in the analysis: 195 (34%), 46 (8%) and 340 (59%) had no, moderate and severe circulatory failure, respectively. Resolution of circulatory failure at day 7 was more frequently observed in the normothermia group than in the TTM group (60% [95 %CI 54–66] versus 53% [95 %CI 46–60], Gray-test: p = 0.016). The severity of circulatory failure at randomization was associated with its less frequent resolution at day 7 accounting for the risk of death (76 % [62–86] versus 54% [49–59] for patients with moderate versus severe circulatory failure, Gray test, p < 0.001, respectively). At day 90, the proportion of patients with Cerebral Performance Category score of 1 or 2 was lower in patients presenting severe circulatory failure (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Circulatory failure is frequent after CA with non-shockable rhythm. Its severity at admission and TTM were associated with delayed resolution of circulatory failure.