38 Heart rate variability and pre-hospital risk stratification of chest pain patients

Abstract

Results In the study period, there were 6 626 OHCAs attended by Prague EMS, of which 121 met the criteria of CH-OHCA (1.8%, 0.78 CH-OHCA per 100.000 inhabitants and year). The majority of CH-OHCA occurred in age groups 0-0.99 (35; 28.9%; p<0.05) and 1-1.99 (26; 21.5% p<0,05). In no other age group the number of CH-OHCA exceeded 9 (n/s). No CH-OHCA was witnessed by ambulance personnel. Layperson CPR was performed in 95 cases (78,5%). The first captured rhythm was most often asystole (96; 79.4%). Ventricular fibrillation (VF-first subgroup) as the first rhythm was present in 12 patients (10.0%). The most common cause of CH-OHCA was recorded as unknown (39%). The overall survival rate from CH-OHCA (with CPC 1-2) was 10.7%, in VF-first subgroup it was 41.7%. Conclusion CH-OHCA is relatively rare event. The most vulnerable group is children under 2 years of age. Small children are most frequently found in asystole, while VF occurs more frequently in age over 15. Even though CH-OHCA is uncommon in pre-hospital setting, everyone in the emergency service must be adequately trained for it.