The RECOVER initiative has generated interest regarding the poor prognosis for veterinary patients suffering cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) and produced evidence-based guidelines for their care. There is, however, scant documentation of post-discharge outcomes for animals that survive. This study aimed to describe mortality associated with in-hospital CPA, determine median survival time of dogs and cats that survive CPA, and examine the incidence and persistence of acquired neurological deficits. Medical records of animals that underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at a referral centre were reviewed. Factors examined included species and age, managing department, location in hospital of arrest, primary disease process, closed versus open CPR, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), time to death, and cause of death. Where survivors to discharge were identified, the animal's primary care veterinarian was contacted for provision of medical records following discharge. A total of 241 animals underwent CPR (196 dogs and 45 cats) with 116 (48%) animals achieving ROSC and 29 of 41 (12%) surviving to discharge. Complete medical records were obtained for 79% (23/29) of survivors. Five of 29 (17%) had neurological deficits including depressed mentation, ataxia, circling and blindness on leaving hospital. All had either complete resolution or significant improvement of neurologic deficits within one month. Eight animals (35%) died following discharge prior to completion of the study period, however two were excluded from analysis as they were discharged explicitly for a palliative visit. The remaining six animals had a median survival time of 1284 days (502–1508 days). Fifteen animals (65%) were alive on completion of the study, with a median of 1362 days following discharge (162–2901). The proportion of animals surviving to discharge was similar to that reported in the veterinary literature. Whilst the immediate prognosis for animals undergoing CPA is poor, for animals surviving to discharge life expectancy is reasonable and the prognosis good for improvement of acquired neurological deficits.

Disclosures

No disclosures to report.