Out of hospital cardiac arrest in the pediatric patient is an uncommon
event [1]. Exact incidence of occurrence in the United States is
difficult to determine as epidemiologic reporting is not nationally
mandated. Previous data has suggested an annual incidence of 0.8-
6.0 per 100,000 patients [2]. International data has helped answer
this question suggesting the annual incidence of pediatric sudden
cardiac arrest of 0.23 percent [3]. Out of hospital cardiac arrest
can be due to a variety of insults and accordingly, outcomes vary
depending upon the initial insult. Overall survival in children aged
0-17 years old is approximately 7.2 percent [1] to 8.3 percent [4].
The purpose of this article is to review present therapeutic tools and
recommendations available to the healthcare provider.