External noninvasive cardiac pacing achieved electrocardiographic capture in 7 of 20 patients, but only 2 developed palpable pulses, confirming poor prognosis in asystolic arrest.
Observational (n=20)
Does external noninvasive cardiac pacing achieve capture and palpable pulses in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest or life-threatening bradycardia?
External noninvasive cardiac pacing is feasible in the prehospital setting but does not significantly alter the poor prognosis of asystolic cardiac arrest.
External noninvasive cardiac pacing was applied outside the hospital to 19 patients who had experienced cardiopulmonary arrest and 1 patient with life-threatening bradycardia. Seven patients developed electrocardiographic evidence of pacemaker capture, although only 2 had palpable pulses. The patient with bradycardia was successfully paced. This study demonstrates the feasibility of cardiac pacing in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest but confirms the poor prognosis of asystolic cardiac arrest even with the application of pacing.
Falk et al. (1983) conducted an observational in Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and life-threatening bradycardia (n=20). External noninvasive cardiac pacing was evaluated on Electrocardiographic evidence of pacemaker capture and palpable pulses. External noninvasive cardiac pacing achieved electrocardiographic capture in 7 of 20 patients, but only 2 developed palpable pulses, confirming poor prognosis in asystolic arrest.