Predictors of sudden death after 12-year follow-up in acute coronary syndrome (from the ABC study on acute coronary syndrome)

animals) of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), animals were randomized to a total of either 45 minutes (group A) or 4 hours (group B) of LAD occlusion. Animals without ROSC after 15 minutes of CPR were classified as refractory VF (group C). In those pigs, CPR was continued up to 45 minutes of total LAD occlusion at which point reperfusion was achieved. CPR was continued until ROSC or another 10 minutes of CPR had been performed. Primary endpoints for groups A and B were 24-hour survival and cerebral performance category (CPC). Primary endpoint for group C was ROSC before or after reperfusion. Results: Early compared to late reperfusion improved survival (10/11 versus 4/10, p= 0.02), mean CPC (1.4±0.7 versus 2.5±0.6, p= 0.017), LVEF (43±13 versus 32±9%, p=0.01), troponin I (37±28 versus 99±12, p=0,005) and CK-MB (11±4 versus 20.1±5, p=0.031) at 24-hr after ROSC. ROSC was achieved in 4/6 animals only after reperfusion in group C. Conclusions: Early reperfusion after ischemic cardiac arrest improved 24h survival rate and neurological function. In animals with refractory VF, reperfusion was necessary to achieve ROSC.