A meta-analysis of cardiopulmonary resuscitation with and without the administration of thrombolytic agents

SummaryObjectiveTo pool data on the role of thrombolytic agents in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and evaluate the efficacy and safety of thrombolysis.Materials and methodsThe clinical studies in MEDLINE database from 1966 to August 2004 that studied the efficacy and safety in CPR with and without treatment with thrombolytic agents were assessed by a meta-analysis performed to evaluate the effect of the treatment.ResultsA total of eight papers evaluating the effect of thrombolysis in CPR were identified. This meta-analysis showed that thrombolytic agents significantly improved the rate of return of spontaneous circulation, 24 h survival rate, survival to discharge and long-term neurological function in patients treated with CPR (p < 0.01). However, the patients receiving thrombolysis had a risk of severe bleeding (p < 0.01).ConclusionThrombolytic agents during CPR can improve the survival rate to discharge and neurological function.