Epidemiology and Outcomes from Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Kuwait

Abstract

Background. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival remains low in most countries. Few studies examine OHCA outcomes out of the Middle East region. This is the first study to describe characteristics and outcomes of patients with OHCA treated by emergency medical services (EMS) in regions of Kuwait. Objectives. To describe characteristics and outcomes of adult patients affected with OHCA in regions of Kuwait. Methods. This was a retrospective observational study on all adult OHCA patients transported by EMS to regional emergency departments over a 10- month period (21 February–31 December 2017). Data were collected from various sources: national emergency medical services archived data, emergency department, intensive care unit, and cardiac care unit of two hospitals. Results. A total of 332 EMS-treated OHCA cases were reviewed, and 286 incidents with OHCA from cardiac aetiology were included in the study. Most were non-Kuwaiti (60.8%) males (67.1%) with mean age 61 (+−16) years. Most OHCA cases occurred at home (76%) but with low witness rate (11.5%). Bystander CPR rate was low (8.7%). ROSC was achieved in ten patients (3.5%), but only 1 (0.3%) patient survived to hospital discharge. Conclusion. OHCA survival rates in this region of Kuwait are low. Targeted measures such as creating cardiac registry, dispatcher-assisted CPR with ongoing training and quality improvement, and community-based CPR education program are needed to improve the survival rates of OHCA victims.

Epidemiology of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: comparison of Turkish nationals and refugees

“…In the study conducted by Erdur et al (2008) in the province of Denizli in Turkey, the average EMS response time was found to be 5.4 minutes 15 . In at study conducted by Hasan et al in which OHCA cases in Kuwait were evaluated, the EMS response time was found to be 9.3±5 16 . According to the results of the OHCA study conducted by Ong et al in seven Asian countries, the median EMS reaction time in Taiwan was 17.4 minutes 4 .…”

Güvenli bir hayat için bilinçli ilk yardım: hastane dışı kardiyak arrest ve temel yaşam desteğinin önemi

“…16 Başka bir çalışmada HDKA vakalarının %76'sının evde gerçekleştiği belirlenmiş ve araştırmacılar kurbanların hayatta kalma oranlarını iyileştirmek için toplum temelli KAC eğitim programı gibi önlemlere ihtiyaç olduğunu belirtmişlerdir. 21 Al-Dury ve ark. 'da çalışmalarında HDKA vakalarının çoğunun evde meydana geldiğini ve KAC'nin sağlıkçı olmayan kişiler tarafından yapıldığını saptamışlardır.…”

High School Student CPR Training in Kuwait: A Cross-Sectional Study of Teacher Perspectives, Willingness, and Perceived Barriers

“…Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening condition with a very low survival rate in Kuwait (<1%). 1 One key component of the chain of survival is bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Early Bystander CPR is associated with 3–4 times higher rates of survival and the use of Automated external defibrillator (AED) is associated with 4–5 times higher survival in some studies.…”

“…The absence of Good Samaritan law and lack of bystanders’ recognition of cardiac arrest signs and symptoms are major obstacles in improving bystander CPR rates in Kuwait. 1 In response, the Ministry of Health runs regular CPR campaigns to enhance bystander CPR rates in Kuwait. 4 Despite that, the national bystander CPR rate remains low, 8.7%.…”

“…4 Despite that, the national bystander CPR rate remains low, 8.7%. 1 Therefore, there is a national need to optimize existing methods and/or pursue new, more effective ones in order to enhance bystander CPR rates in this community.…”