Prospective observational survey of the utilisation of anaesthetists and the outcome following cardiac arrest calls

Background and Aims: Hie wanted to determine whether the practice of routinely sending a it anaesthetist to cardiac arrests is common within Scotland. We also wished to evaluate the interventions performed by our intensive care anaesthetist when responding to cardiac arrest calls. Methods: I've performed a telephone survey of the 26 Scottish hospitals with an intensive care unit. We conducted a prospective observational survey over a period of six months in one Scottish teaching hospital. Structured interviews with the anaesthetist who responded to the cardiac arrest call were undertaken. Results: Routine attendance of an anaesthetist at cardiac at-rests occurs in 25 of the 26 hospitals surveyed. We analysed 68 Of 73 arrest calls. In 28 calls (41%) there was no requirement for anaesthetic intervention. In 40 (59%) the anaesthetist intervened. The interventions were for cardiac arrest procedures in 33 cases and ventilatory failure in the remaining 7 cases. One patient survived to hospital discharge: a mortality of 98%. Conclusions: Patients who remain in cardiac arrest upon the arrival of the anaesthetist have a very high mortality. The practice of routinely sending an anaesthetist to cardiac arrest calls is not justified.