Incidence and outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the COVID-19 era: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The impact of COVID-19 on pre-hospital and hospital services and hence on the prevalence and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) remain unclear. The review aimed to evaluate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence, process, and outcomes of OHCA.

Authors of the study on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the Covid-19 era

Zheng Jie Lim, Mallikarjuna Ponnapa Reddy, Afsana Afroz, Baki Billah, Kiran Shekar, Ashwin Subramaniam.

The study on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the Covid-19 era:

Methods

A systematic review of PubMed, EMBASE, and pre-print websites was performed. Studies reporting comparative data on OHCA within the same jurisdiction, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were included. Study quality was assessed based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Results

Ten studies reporting data from 35,379 OHCA events were included.

There was a 120% increase in OHCA events since the pandemic.

Time from OHCA to ambulance arrival was longer during the pandemic (p = 0.036). While mortality (OR = 0.67, 95%-CI 0.49-0.91) and supraglottic airway use (OR = 0.36, 95%-CI 0.27-0.46) was higher during the pandemic, automated external defibrillator use (OR = 1.78 95%-CI 1.06-2.98), return of spontaneous circulation (OR = 1.63, 95%-CI 1.18-2.26) and intubation (OR = 1.87, 95%-CI 1.12-3.13) was more common before the pandemic.

More patients survived to hospital admission (OR = 1.75, 95%-CI 1.42-2.17) and discharge (OR = 1.65, 95%-CI 1.28-2.12) before the pandemic.

Bystander CPR (OR = 1.08, 95%-CI 0.86-1.35), unwitnessed OHCA (OR = 0.84, 95%-CI 0.66-1.07), paramedic-resuscitation attempts (OR = 1.19 95%-CI 1.00-1.42) and mechanical CPR device use (OR = 1.57 95%-CI 0.55-4.55) did not defer significantly.

Conclusions

The incidence and mortality following OHCA was higher during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were significant variations in resuscitation practices during the pandemic. Research to define optimal processes of pre-hospital care during a pandemic is urgently required.

Studio attacco cardiaco extra ospedaliero COVID-19 Coronavirus

Read Also:

Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests And COVID, The Lancet Issued A Study On OHCA Increase

Read the italian article

Source:

European Resuscitation Council

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