Cardiac arrest & resuscitation
Using laxative to recover intestinal function could improve the survival outcome for patients with cardiac arrest: a retrospective cohort study from MIMIC-IV database
Main finding · 30-day mortalityResult — go to the resultHazard ratio 0.686 95% CI 0.550–0.855Authors' conclusion
Early using laxative to improve intestinal function is associated with improved survival outcomes.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with cardiac arrest in the MIMIC-IV database898 after propensity score matching (PSM)
- Participants
- 2,604 patients
- Exposure
- Laxative vs no laxative
- Outcome
- 30-day mortality
- Follow-up
- 30 days
Methodological detailspropensity-score matched, MIMIC-IV database, time-dependent Cox regression
- Propensity-score matched
- MIMIC-IV database
- Time-dependent Cox regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Hazard ratio
0.686
95% CI 0.550–0.855
P = 0.001
Laxative vs Non-laxative
HR 0.686 (95% CI 0.550–0.855); P = 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
30-day mortality, docusate sodium (subgroup)
| HR (95% CI) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Docusate sodiumMay be associated with decreased mortality risk | 0.753 (0.566–1.000) | P = 0.050 | |
| 0.512Hazard ratio (log scale) |
30-day mortality, time-dependent Cox regression (sensitivity analysis)
- Time-varying HR for laxative; results remain consistent
- HR = - 0.771 + 0.632 × ln[day + 1], 95%CI [0.528-0.835], P = 0.001
Bowel sounds recovery and ICU-free days
- Laxative improved bowel sounds recovery and increased ICU-free days
Safety
- Laxative did not increase the risk of sepsis or Clostridium difficile infection
Original publication
Using laxative to recover intestinal function could improve the survival outcome for patients with cardiac arrest: a retrospective cohort study from MIMIC-IV database. J Intensive Care. Published 9 February 2026. doi:10.
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