Successful prolonged resuscitation involving the use of tenecteplase without neurological sequelae

• Published in: The American journal of emergency medicine Vol. 26; no. 9; pp. 1068.e5 - 1068.e7
• Main Authors: Archan, Sylvia, MD, Prause, Gerhard, MD, Kügler, Bernhard, MD, Gumpert, Rainer, MD, Giacomini, Giorgio, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-11-2008; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Angina, Unstable - complications; Angina, Unstable - surgery; Carbon dioxide; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - methods; Coronary Artery Bypass; CPR; Emergency; Emergency medical care; Fibrinolytic Agents - therapeutic use; Heart Arrest - complications; Heart Arrest - therapy; Heart attacks; Humans; Intensive care; Male; Medical imaging; Middle Aged; Multiple Organ Failure - complications; Multiple Organ Failure - therapy; Respiratory distress syndrome; Response time; Rhythm; Tissue Plasminogen Activator - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0735-6757; 1532-8171
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2008.03.024

Prehospital cardiac arrest is associated with a very poor prognosis. We report a case of complete neurological recovery after prolonged resuscitation involving the use of tenecteplase in a patient with undifferentiated cardiac arrest with a return of spontaneous circulation after 1 hour of resuscitation, where basic life support was commenced immediately by a bystanding family member. Factors associated with an increased chance of survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are discussed as well as the role of thrombolytics in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.