Predictive value of venous bicarbonate levels for survival to hospital discharge in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients

Abstract Background Acid-base disturbances significantly impact cardiac function and prognostic outcomes in cardiac arrest. Previous studies have highlighted the correlation between pH levels from arterial blood gas (ABG) analyses during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in out-of-hospital cardiac...

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Main Authors: Pariwat Phungoen, John M. O’Donnell, Jirat Tosibphanom, Praew Kotruchin, Thummasorn Phurisetthasak, Thanat Tangpaisarn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:International Journal of Emergency Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00851-1
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author Pariwat Phungoen
John M. O’Donnell
Jirat Tosibphanom
Praew Kotruchin
Thummasorn Phurisetthasak
Thanat Tangpaisarn
author_facet Pariwat Phungoen
John M. O’Donnell
Jirat Tosibphanom
Praew Kotruchin
Thummasorn Phurisetthasak
Thanat Tangpaisarn
author_sort Pariwat Phungoen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Acid-base disturbances significantly impact cardiac function and prognostic outcomes in cardiac arrest. Previous studies have highlighted the correlation between pH levels from arterial blood gas (ABG) analyses during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and survival outcomes. However, ABG measurements are often impractical in resource-limited settings. This study explores the relationship between serum bicarbonate levels and survival outcomes in patients with OHCA. Methods This retrospective cohort study examined patients with OHCA who presented at Srinagarind Hospital (Thailand) between 2015 and 2021. We analyzed venous bicarbonate levels and other laboratory markers (Na+, K+, BUN, Creatinine). Demographic and clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records. The primary objective was to assess the association between venous bicarbonate levels and survival and to determine the optimal cutoff values for predicting survival in these patients. Results Of the 461 identified patients, 19% survived hospital discharge. Survivors exhibited higher bicarbonate and BUN levels but lower potassium levels. Bicarbonate levels ≥ 12.6 demonstrated a sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 47%, with an 88.44% negative predictive value (NPV) for survival. A sensitivity analysis, which reclassified patients who left against medical advice as non-survivors, revealed that a bicarbonate cutoff of 13.9 mmol/L yielded the best predictive value, with a sensitivity of 93.8% and a specificity of 52.1%. Factors associated with increased survival included BUN ≥ 19.5, bicarbonate ≥ 12.6, private transport, and initial PEA or VT/VF rhythms, while potassium ≥ 5.1 decreased survival likelihood. Conclusion Bicarbonate levels, particularly with a threshold greater than 12.6 mmol/L, may be effective prognostic indicators. Other factors influencing survival include BUN, potassium levels, private transport, and initial cardiac rhythm. These insights can help clinicians improve resuscitation strategies and prognosis assessment, especially in resource-limited settings.
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spelling doaj-art-b63c2db4032842098e7dd142ca7262032025-08-20T02:59:23ZengBMCInternational Journal of Emergency Medicine1865-13802025-03-011811910.1186/s12245-025-00851-1Predictive value of venous bicarbonate levels for survival to hospital discharge in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patientsPariwat Phungoen0John M. O’Donnell1Jirat Tosibphanom2Praew Kotruchin3Thummasorn Phurisetthasak4Thanat Tangpaisarn5Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen UniversityPeter M. Winter Institute for Simulation, Education, and Research (WISER), University of PittsburghDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen UniversityDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen UniversityDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen UniversityDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen UniversityAbstract Background Acid-base disturbances significantly impact cardiac function and prognostic outcomes in cardiac arrest. Previous studies have highlighted the correlation between pH levels from arterial blood gas (ABG) analyses during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and survival outcomes. However, ABG measurements are often impractical in resource-limited settings. This study explores the relationship between serum bicarbonate levels and survival outcomes in patients with OHCA. Methods This retrospective cohort study examined patients with OHCA who presented at Srinagarind Hospital (Thailand) between 2015 and 2021. We analyzed venous bicarbonate levels and other laboratory markers (Na+, K+, BUN, Creatinine). Demographic and clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records. The primary objective was to assess the association between venous bicarbonate levels and survival and to determine the optimal cutoff values for predicting survival in these patients. Results Of the 461 identified patients, 19% survived hospital discharge. Survivors exhibited higher bicarbonate and BUN levels but lower potassium levels. Bicarbonate levels ≥ 12.6 demonstrated a sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 47%, with an 88.44% negative predictive value (NPV) for survival. A sensitivity analysis, which reclassified patients who left against medical advice as non-survivors, revealed that a bicarbonate cutoff of 13.9 mmol/L yielded the best predictive value, with a sensitivity of 93.8% and a specificity of 52.1%. Factors associated with increased survival included BUN ≥ 19.5, bicarbonate ≥ 12.6, private transport, and initial PEA or VT/VF rhythms, while potassium ≥ 5.1 decreased survival likelihood. Conclusion Bicarbonate levels, particularly with a threshold greater than 12.6 mmol/L, may be effective prognostic indicators. Other factors influencing survival include BUN, potassium levels, private transport, and initial cardiac rhythm. These insights can help clinicians improve resuscitation strategies and prognosis assessment, especially in resource-limited settings.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00851-1Out-of-hospital cardiac arrestMetabolic acidosisVenous bicarbonate levelsSurvivalResuscitation strategies
spellingShingle Pariwat Phungoen
John M. O’Donnell
Jirat Tosibphanom
Praew Kotruchin
Thummasorn Phurisetthasak
Thanat Tangpaisarn
Predictive value of venous bicarbonate levels for survival to hospital discharge in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients
International Journal of Emergency Medicine
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Metabolic acidosis
Venous bicarbonate levels
Survival
Resuscitation strategies
title Predictive value of venous bicarbonate levels for survival to hospital discharge in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients
title_full Predictive value of venous bicarbonate levels for survival to hospital discharge in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients
title_fullStr Predictive value of venous bicarbonate levels for survival to hospital discharge in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients
title_full_unstemmed Predictive value of venous bicarbonate levels for survival to hospital discharge in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients
title_short Predictive value of venous bicarbonate levels for survival to hospital discharge in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients
title_sort predictive value of venous bicarbonate levels for survival to hospital discharge in out of hospital cardiac arrest patients
topic Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Metabolic acidosis
Venous bicarbonate levels
Survival
Resuscitation strategies
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00851-1
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