Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public attitudes to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and publicly accessible defibrillator use in the UK

No fear: Willingness of smartphone activated first responders to assist with cardiac arrest during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Our work complements data from other regions where the willingness of bystanders to provide CPR did not waver during the COVID-19 pandemic. [3] , [20] , [21] , [22] …”

Epidemic of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Shanghai, China in 2022: Transient and persistent effects on Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests

“…Research suggests that during the COVID-19 pandemic prior to the spread of the Omicron variant, the incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) increased substantially, as did the risk that OHCA would lead to death. 8 These appear to be not only direct effects from virus infection but also indirect effects of the pandemic and controlling measures, which include exacerbation of chronic conditions due to interrupted primary care, [9] , [10] psychosocial and economic stresses, 11 longer response time in the EMS system, [12] , [13] reduced willingness from bystanders and EMS physicians to conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] delayed evaluations and treatments at hospitals, 18 reluctancy to seek emergency care due to fear of infection and travel ban, [19] , [20] etc.…”

COVID‐19 and reduced bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A thanatophobic attitude leading to increased deaths from cardiac arrest?

“…Indeed, during the COVID-19 pandemics, laypeople trained in CPR and involved in the first response system have been reported to be more reluctant to intervene during OHCA, reducing the rate of bystander CPR. [9][10][11] In the current issue of Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, Dr Stirparo et al confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemics significantly influenced the epidemiology of OHCA and the performance of bystander CPR in Italy. 12 The authors performed a large retrospective analysis of data collected from more than 25,500 OHCA patients in the Lombardy region in 2019 and 2020.…”

“…Indeed, during the COVID‐19 pandemics, laypeople trained in CPR and involved in the first response system have been reported to be more reluctant to intervene during OHCA, reducing the rate of bystander CPR. 9 , 10 , 11 …”

“…The COVID‐19 spread might have further decreased the already fragile people's willingness to provide help to someone who suddenly collapses in a public place. Indeed, during the COVID‐19 pandemics, laypeople trained in CPR and involved in the first response system have been reported to be more reluctant to intervene during OHCA, reducing the rate of bystander CPR 9–11 …”