Sex differences in the association of comorbidity with shockable initial rhythm in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Background: Lower survival chances after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in women is associated with lower odds of a shockable initial rhythm (SIR). We hypothesized that sex differences in the prevalence of SIR are due to sex differences in comorbidities. We aimed to establish to what extent sex differences in the cumulative comorbidity burden, measured using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), or in individual comorbidities, account for the lower proportion of SIR in women.

Management of first responder programmes for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe.

Aim: First responder (FR) programmes dispatch professional FRs (police and/or firefighters) or citizen responders to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use automated external defibrillators (AED) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We aimed to describe management of FR-programmes across Europe in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: In June 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional survey sent to OHCA registry representatives in 18 European countries with active FR-programmes.

European first responder systems and differences in return of spontaneous circulation and survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A study of registry cohorts.

Background: In Europe, survival-rates after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) vary widely between regions. Whether a system dispatching First Responders (FRs; main FR-types: firefighters, police officers, citizen-responders) is present or not may be associated with survival-rates. This study aimed to assess the association between having a dispatched FR-system and rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival across Europe.

Factors that motivate individuals to volunteer to be dispatched as first responders in the event of a medical emergency: A systematic review protocol.

Voluntary First Response is an important component of prehospital care for medical emergencies, particularly cardiac arrest, in many countries. This intervention entails the mobilisation of volunteers, known as Community First Responders (CFRs), by the Emergency Medical Services to respond to medical emergencies in their locality. They include lay responders and/or professional responders (e.

Comorbidity and survival in the pre-hospital and in-hospital phase after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Introduction: Cumulative disease burden may be associated with survival chances after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The relative contributions of cumulative disease burden on survival rates at the pre-hospital and in-hospital phases of post-resuscitation care are unknown.

Methods: The association between cumulative comorbidity burden as measured by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and pre-hospital and in-hospital survival rates was studied using data (2010-2014) from a prospective OHCA registry in the Netherlands.

Occurrence of shockable rhythm in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest over time: A report from the COSTA group.

Background: Prior research suggests that the proportion of a shockable initial rhythm in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) declined during the last decades. This study aims to investigate if this decline is still ongoing and explore the relationship between location of OHCA and proportion of a shockable initial rhythm as initial rhythm.

Methods: We calculated the proportion of patients with a shockable initial rhythm between 2006-2015 using pooled data from the COSTA-group (Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Amsterdam).

The contribution of comorbidity and medication use to poor outcome from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest at home locations.

Introduction: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) at home is associated with lower rates of shockable initial rhythm and survival than OHCA in a public location. We determined whether medical history and medication use explain the association between OHCA location and presence of shockable initial rhythm and survival rate.

Methods: Data from ARREST, an OHCA registry in the Netherlands, were used (January 2009-December 2012).

First-response treatment after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a survey of current practices across 29 countries in Europe.

Background: In Europe, survival rates after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) vary widely. Presence/absence and differences in implementation of systems dispatching First Responders (FR) in order to arrive before Emergency Medical Services (EMS) may contribute to this variation. A comprehensive overview of the different types of FR-systems used across Europe is lacking.

Socio-economic differences in incidence, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A systematic review.

Background: Individuals with a low socioeconomic status (SES) may have a greater mortality rate from out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) than those with a high SES. We explored whether SES disparities in OHCA mortality manifest in the incidence of OHCA, the chance of receiving bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or in the chance of surviving an OHCA. We also studied whether sex and age differences exist in such SES disparities.

Women have lower chances than men to be resuscitated and survive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Aims: Previous studies on sex differences in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) had limited scope and yielded conflicting results. We aimed to provide a comprehensive overall view on sex differences in care utilization, and outcome of OHCA.

Methods And Results: We performed a population-based cohort-study, analysing all emergency medical service (EMS) treated resuscitation attempts in one province of the Netherlands (2006-2012).