Interventional Cardiologist Approach to Cardiac Arrest.

In this issue of Current Cardiology Reviews, a mini-thematic review of the important role of Interventional Cardiology and the cardiac cath lab in the management of cardiac arrest has been presented. Cardiac arrest is becoming an ever important topic for multiple reasons. Science is expanding regarding cardiac arrest, which includes the understanding of the processes involved, the appropriate use of new techniques and innovative devices in the management of these patients. The role of Interventional Cardiologists in the management of these patients is also expanding. Thus this mini-thematic review summarizes how Interventional Cardiologists and the Catheterization laboratory can have a major impact in improving the care of these patients, ultimately increasing the survival of those suffering cardiac arrest.

In this review, Rao P and Kern KB have outlined ways in which communities can improve their local outcomes from out of-hospital cardiac arrest [1]. Articles by Reddy S, Lee K, Kumar K and Lotun K have outlined the management of cardiac arrest patients with both ST elevation and Non ST elevation myocardial infarction [2, 3]. No review on cardiac arrest patients is complete without addressing post resuscitation care with targeted temperature control and addressing arrhythmias. Taimoor H and Shetty R have reviewed the current guidelines of targeted temperature management [4]. Prakash G and Hutchinson M have addressed the management of arrhythmias and defibrillator implantation in the survivors of cardiac arrest [5]. There is ample positive data regarding immediate cardiac catheterization of cardiac arrest patients with ST Elevation myocardial infarction. The Pearl Trial is underway to define the optimal management of cardiac arrest patients with non ST elevation myocardial. Yadav K and Truong T have reviewed the important considerations for patients who have cardiac arrest while undergoing cardiac procedures in the catheterization laboratory. Sundaram and Lotun have addressed the issue of refractory out of hospital cardiac arrest especially the use of mechanical CPR devices and Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (ECPR) [6]. They have summarized a potential new approach for these patients, by mechanical support and performing coronary intervention [7].

This mini-thematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the perspective of Interventional Cardiologists in the management of cardiac arrest patient’s along with the post resuscitation management.