CT imaging in idiopathic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: An assessment of current practice and diagnostic utility

Idiopathic Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) requires urgent treatment. Early Computed Tomography (CT) imaging may be useful to aid diagnosis. We aimed determine current CT practice, safety, and diagnostic value in this patient population. This study was a single-centre, retrospective cohort of patients presenting the Emergency Department (ED) Royal Infirmary Edinburgh with idiopathic non-traumatic OHCA Return Of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC). Between 1st January 2016 31st December 2019, 140 156 (90%) eligible underwent 195 scans identifying cause 6 (4%). head diagnosed one ischaemic three haemorrhagic strokes, pulmonary angiogram acute coronary syndrome embolism. (134), (25) cervical spine (16) were commonest scans. 68 (35%) showed important pathology, mostly secondary OHCA. safe no cases contrast nephropathy, allergic reaction, or other complications. The population limited. However, valuable method pathology.