Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest without return of spontaneous circulation in the field: Who are the survivors?

Background: Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in the field is a vital determinant contributing to survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, nearly one third of survivors at the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC) site did not obtain ROSC in the field.

Methods: A retrospective, observational analysis was performed on all adult patients with non-traumatic OHCA treated on scene and transported to hospital, who did not gain ROSC in the field at DFW ROC site between 2006 through 2011.

Year in review 2012: Critical Care--Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and trauma.

In 2012 Critical Care published many articles pertaining to the resuscitation of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and trauma. In this review, we summarize several of these articles, including those regarding advances in resuscitation techniques and methods. We examine articles pertaining to prehospital endotracheal intubation, the use of specialized devices for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and policies regarding transport destinations for both cardiac arrest and trauma patients.