External validation of GO-FAR 2 calculator for outcomes after in-hospital cardiac arrest with comparison to GO-FAR and trial of expanded applications

Aim: Externally validate the GO-FAR 2 tool for predicting survival with good neurologic function after in-hospital cardiac arrest with comparison to the original GO-FAR tool. Additionally, we collected qualitative descriptors and performed exploratory analyses with various levels of neurologic function and discharge destination. Methods: Retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent in-hospital resuscitation after cardiac arrest during the calendar years 2016–2019 in our institution (n = 397). GO-FAR and GO-FAR 2 scores were calculated based on information available in the medical record at the time of hospital admission. Cerebral performance category (CPC) scores at the time of admission and discharge were assessed by chart review. Results: The GO-FAR 2 score accurately predicted outcomes in our study population with a c-statistic of 0.625. The original GO-FAR score also had accurate calibration with a stronger c-statistic of 0.726. The GO-FAR score had decreased predictive value for lesser levels of neurologic function (c-statistic 0.56 for alive at discharge) and discharge destination (0.69). Descriptors of functional status by CPC score were collected. Conclusion: Our findings support the validity of the GO-FAR and GO-FAR 2 tools as published, but the c-statistics suggest modest predictive discrimination. We include functional descriptors of CPC outcomes to aid clinicians in using these tools. We propose that information about expected outcomes could be valuable in shared decision-making conversations.