Efficience of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Emergency Medical Service and University Hospital

Introduction.Survival rate among patients with cardiac arrest remains unclear. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is just the first step toward the goal of complete recovery from cardiac arrest. It depends on quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during resuscitation and factors of postresuscitation care. Regular CPR analysis has not been carried out in Latvia.

Aim of the study was to evaluate survival rate among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and in-hospital cardiac arrest.

Materials and methods. The study was conducted in the State Emergency service of Latvia and Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital during 15 months in 2010/2011. There were 221 adult patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest and 162 adult patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and performed CPR included in retrospective research. The information was analyzed by medical records. The obtained results were expressed in percents and compared, using the Pearson’s Chi-square (Pearson χ2) test.

Results. The short-term ROSC was achieved among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in 62 cases and among patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in 186 cases. Survival to discharge was achieved in 20.3% among patients with OHCA and 15.8% among patients with IHCA. The most commonly used CPR algorithm was pulseless electrical activity/asystole (72 - 73%). Short-term ROSC was achieved most frequently by ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia (41.3-56%), but the largest number of unsuccessful CPR episodes was observed by pulseless electrical activity/ asystole.

Conclusion. Results of CPR were different among patients with OHCA and IHCA. ROSC is rhythm-specific outcome.