Abstract

Purpose

Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is a marker of severe brain injury. Here we aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of CDI in cardiac arrest survivors treated with targeted temperature management (TTM).

Methods

This retrospective observational study included consecutive adult cardiac arrest survivors treated with TTM between 2008 and 2014. CDI was confirmed if all of the following criteria were met: urine volume >50 cc/kg/day; serum osmolarity >300 mmol/L; urine osmolarity <300 mmol/L; and serum sodium >145 mEq/L. The primary outcome was the incidence of CDI.

Results

Of the 385 included patients, 45 (11.7%) had confirmed central CDI. Univariate analysis showed that younger age, non-witness of collapse, non-shockable rhythm, a high incidence of asphyxia arrest, longer downtime, and lower initial core temperature were associated with CDI development. Patients with CDI had a higher incidence of poor neurologic outcomes at discharge and higher in-hospital mortality rate (20/45 vs. 76/340, p = 0.001) as well as 180-day mortality (44/45 vs. 174/340, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that age (odds ratio [OR], 0.963; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.942–0.984), shockable rhythm (OR, 0.077; 95% CI, 0.009–0.662), downtime (OR, 1.025; 95% CI, 1.006–1.044), and asphyxia etiology (OR, 6.815; 95% CI, 2.457–18.899) were independently associated with CDI development.

Conclusion

CDI developed in 12% of cardiac arrest survivors treated with TTM, and those with CDI showed poor neurologic outcomes and high mortality rates. Younger age, non-shockable rhythm, long downtime, and asphyxia arrest were significant risk factors for development of CDI.