Date: December 21st, 2021

Guest Skeptic: Dr. Spencer Greaves is an Emergency Medicine resident at Florida Atlantic University. He received his Bachelors in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University and his Masters in Public Health from Dartmouth College.  Spencer completed his medical doctorate at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He and his wife live in Boynton Beach, FL where they recently celebrated the birth of their first child.

Disclaimer: “While I am proud to be attending this institution, my opinions expressed here are mine alone and do not represent my residency program, hospitals I work at, or any other affiliated organizations.”

Reference: Vallentin et al. Effect of Intravenous or Intraosseous Calcium vs Saline on Return of Spontaneous Circulation in Adults With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest – A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2021

This was an SGEM Journal Club and all the slides from the presentation can be downloaded using this LINK. As a reminder, here are the five rules for SGEM JC.

Case: An EMS crew arrives at the home of a 68-year-old suffering from a witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). They have a history of hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and smoked cigarettes for 50+ years. Bystander CPR is being performed. The monitor is hooked up. The paramedics performed high-quality CPR and follow their ACLS protocol. Intraosseous access is quickly obtained, and a dose of epinephrine is provided. CPR is continued while a supraglottic airway is placed successfully. The patient is transported to the emergency department with vital signs absent (VSA).

Background: We have covered adult OHCA multiple times on the SGEM. This has included the following issues:

Calcium has a theoretical benefit on patients with cardiac arrest as it has inotropic and vasopressor effects. Previous small, randomized control trials (RCTs) have shown no superiority to calcium for return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). However, the point estimated did favor calcium.

Clinical Question: Does administration of calcium during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest improve sustained return of spontaneous circulation?

Reference: Vallentin et al. Effect of Intravenous or Intraosseous Calcium vs Saline on Return of Spontaneous Circulation in Adults With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest – A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2021

* Population: Adults 18 years of age and older with OHCA in the central Denmark region from January 2020 to April 2021 who received at least one dose of epinephrine

* Exclusions: Traumatic cardiac arrest, known or strongly suspected pregnancy, prior enrollment in the trial, receipt of epinephrine outside the trial, or a clinical indication for calcium administration during the cardiac arrest.

* Intervention: Calcium chloride 5 mmol given IV or IO immediately after first dose of ACLS epinephrine up to two doses

* Comparison: Saline placebo given IV or IO immediately after first dose of ACLS epinephrine up to two doses

* Outcome:

* Primary Outcome: Sustained ROSC defined as no further need for chest compressions for at least 20 minutes

* Secondary Outcomes: Survival, favorable neurological outcome, and quality of life assessment at 30 and 90 days

* Trial: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, superiority, randomized clinical trial

Authors’ Conclusions: “Among adults with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, treatment with intravenous or intraosseous calcium compared with saline did not significantly improve sustained return of spontaneous circulation.