Early Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life of Post-CPR Survivors in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Ventilation at a Tertiary Care Center: A Case Series and Review of Literature

In-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation often leads to poor outcomes. However, successful resuscitation followed by intensive care may result in varying degrees of recovery. This case series evaluates early clinical outcomes and quality of life (QoL) in ventilated patients who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in an intensive care unit (ICU) in North India. We retrospectively analyzed seven ventilated patients who experienced IHCA in the ICU of a tertiary care hospital and achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after CPR. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), EuroQoL, and Barthel Index at the final follow-up. The study participants had a mean age of 45.7 years (range 18–69). Common arrest rhythms included ventricular arrhythmias, asystole, bradycardia, and torsades de pointes. CPR duration ranged from 2 to 8 min. Three patients survived to hospital discharge, two died following a second IHCA, and two remain admitted with low GCS. All three discharged patients had good neurological outcomes; one regained full independence. Patients with a lower sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score (<6) at admission had better outcomes. Poor functional status and QoL were associated with pre-existing multi-organ dysfunction. Outcomes after CPR in ventilated ICU patients are heterogeneo us and strongly influenced by comorbidities, illness severity, and neurological status at the time of arrest. Rapid identification and treatment of reversible cardiac causes during IHCA improve chances of ROSC and favorable neurological recovery.