EURECA Serbia One 2014: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation by bystander

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation initiated by witnesses before EMS responding is related with increased survival rate in out of hospital cardiac arrest cases. AIM: Investigating the incidence of basic life support measures provided by layman witnesses before EMS arrival in out of hospital cardiac arrest OHCA cases. METHOD: Prospective, observational study. The data were used from a single data base of Clinical Trials ID: NCT02236819 - Eureca ONE 2014. which is available at www.eureca.rs RESULTS: 1677 (63,31/100 000) cardiac arrests have been entered in this single registry, and in 534 (20,16/100 000) of all EMS provided CPR. Layman witnessed the patient collapse in 64,79% (N=346; n=13,78/100 000) of all cases, and started basic life support measures before EMS arrival in 7,11% (N=38; 1,43/100 000). 38 cardiac arrests with initiated basic life support by bystanders were analyzed: conventional CPR was conducted in 27 patients (5,47/100 000), and only chest compressions (only hand CPR) were used in 11 cases (2,27/100 000). Heart condition was presumed to be the etiological factor in 35 patients (1,32/100 000), respiratory failure in 1 (0,04/100 000), and in 2 cases etiological factor wasn't recorded. OHCA happened mostly at patient's home =31 (1.17/100 000), in the street =3 (0,62/100 000), at public institutions -3 (0,62/100 000), at elderly care facilities -1 (0,04/100 000). Initial shockable rhythm was recorded 4 times, and non-shockable 34. ROSC was achieved 6 times (0,23/100 000), and 6 patients (0,23/100 000) were transported to hospital with positive vitals. One month survival was recorded in 2 cases (0,08/100 000). CONCLUSION: Citizens' involvement in initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation of OHCA victims before EMS arrival is of great importance, but in practice the use of this link in the chain of survival is unsatisfactory in our country