Abstract 18794: Systemic Heparin Use and Outcomes in Cardiac Arrest Patients Treated With Therapeutic Hypothermia Without Coronary Intervention

Introduction: The effects of hypothermia on hemostatic function are complex and poorly understood. While cardiac arrest and CPR can elicit a pro-inflammatory, pro-coagulant state, hypothermia may alter platelet count, activation and aggregation. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that treatment with systemic heparin during therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is associated with improved neurologic outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 157 cardiac arrest survivors treated with TH at our institution from 2007-2014. A priori, we excluded TH patients (pts) presenting with an acute coronary syndrome requiring percutaneous coronary intervention, pulmonary embolus, venous thrombosis or need for mechanical circulatory support. We used a multivariable logistic regression model to examine the relationship between systemic heparin and neurologic outcome (Cerebral Performance Category score 1-2=good; 3-5=poor) as well as inpatient survival. We also performed a chi-square analysis for the secondary endpoint of maj...