J Korean Crit Care Nurs.  2021 Oct;14(3):128-140. 10.34250/jkccn.2021.14.3.128.

Incidence of Peripheral Cyanosis in Patients with Therapeutic Hypothermia after Cardiac Arrest in the Acute Care Unit of a Tertiary General Hospital

• Bang SY
• Yi YH

• KMID: 2521675
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.34250/jkccn.2021.14.3.128

Abstract

Purpose
: This study aimed to identify the incidence of peripheral cyanosis and the characteristics and clinical results of patients with therapeutic hypothermia after a cardiac arrest.
Methods
: Data were collected from April to June 2021 via the electrical medical records of 95 patients with therapeutic hypothermia for 72 hours after a cardiac arrest admitted to an acute care unit at a tertiary hospital between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2019. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, Chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression using SPSS/WIN.
Results
: The incidence of peripheral cyanosis was 20%. In the peripheral cyanosis group, peripheral vascular disease, fibrinogen, vasopressor, infection, disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute physiology, chronic health evaluation II score on the second hospital day, nursing intervention, and mortality on the seventh hospital day were higher. The level of fibrinogen and use of vasopressors affected the occurrence of peripheral cyanosis.
Conclusion
: Considering the influencing variables, careful observation is necessary for patients with high fibrinogen levels and vasopressor use. These results provide basic data to recognize the need for nursing intervention for peripheral cyanosis and encourage nurses to deliver them during therapeutic hypothermia.

Keyword

Peripheral cyanosis, Therapeutic hypothermia, Post-cardiac arrest syndrome; 말초 청색증, 저체온요법, 심정지 후 증후군