whole-body CT scan after code blue

Q: Data/evidence favors whole-body CT scan after code blue?

A) True

B) False

Answer: A

Head-to-pelvis CT scan, popularly known as 'whole-body CT', after cardiac arrest, in particular out-of-hospital cardiac arrest shows benefit in identify both CPR-related trauma and the underlying etiology of the arrest. This can be very valuable in recognizing time-urgent complications, if there is a solid organ injury and in particular occult pneumothorax. It also helps to identify rib and sternal fractures.

Such scan should be performed (only and only) if patient is clinically stable to travel to CT suit post-code. Also, this should not hamper life-saving procedures such as cardiac angiography for ST elevation myocardial infarction.

#cardiology

#trauma

#code-blue

#hemodynamics

#radiology

References:

1. Branch KRH, Strote J, Gunn M, et al. Early head-to-pelvis computed tomography in out-of-hospital circulatory arrest without obvious etiology. Acad Emerg Med 2021; 28:394.

2. Karatasakis A, Sarikaya B, Liu L, et al. Prevalence and Patterns of Resuscitation-Associated Injury Detected by Head-to-Pelvis Computed Tomography After Successful Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation. J Am Heart Assoc 2022; 11:e023949.