Jesuan Alumni trio participates in NAP7 Report unveiling insights into perioperative cardiac arrest

The Seventh National Audit Project (NAP7) by the Royal College of Anaesthetists examined perioperative cardiac arrest sudden heart failure during surgery – in the UK, with notable involvement from three Jesuans: Professor Tim Cook (1981, NatSci), who co-led and directed the project; Dr Richard Armstrong (2005, Medicine and Psychology), who co-authored the successful topic proposal; and Professor Iain Moppett (1988, Medicine), who sat on the NAP7 Steering Panel.

The majority of NHS hospitals participated in the study, conducted between June 2021 and June 2022, which allowed the project to comprehensively assess the incidence, current practices, and outcomes related to perioperative cardiac arrest. The project, structured in a similar way to previous NAPs, included: a baseline survey to evaluate anaesthetists' experience, readiness, and facilities for perioperative cardiac arrest and resuscitation; an activity survey to quantify UK anaesthetic activity and collect details on perioperative cardiac events, including patient demographics and complications; and, an individual case registry that compiled and reviewed detailed information on all perioperative cardiac arrest cases, identifying key issues and themes.

The formal report of the project, published on 17 November 2023, presents crucial insights into the management, impact, and outcomes of perioperative cardiac arrest. Previous NAP reports have played a crucial role in advancing understanding and improving patient safety in anaesthesia, and this report stands out for its comprehensive scope and recommendations. For further details and to read the report in full, visit NAP7: Perioperative Cardiac Arrest | The Royal College of Anaesthetists (rcoa.ac.uk).