The Hospital's Role in Improving Survival of Patients With Out‐of‐Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Abstract

Out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major public health problem. Unfortunately, in spite of recurring updated guidelines, survival of patients with OHCA had been unchanged for decades. Recently, new approaches to patients with OHCA during the community and prehospital phases of therapy for cardiac arrest have resulted in a dramatic improvement in survival. Further improvement in survival has resulted from hospitals designated as Cardiac Receiving Centers. These centers are committed to the treatment of post‐cardiac arrest syndrome by providing 24/7 therapeutic mild hypothermia, urgent cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention, evidence‐based termination of resuscitation protocols that limit premature withdrawal of care, protocol to address organ donation, commitment of cardiocerebral resuscitation training in their community, and a commitment and proven ability of data collection to assure that instituted changes result in improved survival. This newer aspect of hospital practice is an aspect that needs to be embraced by either becoming a Cardiac Receiving Center or partnering with other hospitals that can provide this critically important service. Clin. Cardiol. 2012 doi: 10.1002/clc.21992 The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.

A multicenter controlled trial on knowledge and attitude about cardiopulmonary resuscitation among secondary school children in Malaysia

“…Even though the ambulance personnel are taught on how to use the automated external defibrillator, unfortunately we do not have the actual figure on the rate of its use nationwide. Immediate commencement of CPR has been highlighted as crucial for surviving cardiac arrest, especially bystander CPR, as many cardiac arrest cases occur at home and in public places [ 17 ].…”

Role of German cardiac arrest centers in mediating basic life support

“…Das aktive Engagement von 31 % der Teilnehmer*innen in der Durchführung von Laienreanimationsschulungen stellt einen guten Anfang dar, sollte jedoch in Zukunft ausgebaut werden. In einem 2012 publizierten Review zu CAC in Arizona (USA) wurde ein etabliertes Programm zur Reanimationsschulung in der Bevölkerung bereits als essenzielle Bedingung erwähnt [ 15 ]. In den aktuellen Zertifizierungskriterien der CAC nach GRC und DGK findet sich dieses Kriterium jedoch bisher noch nicht.…”

Favorable Outcome and Survival Using a Hypothermia Protocol After Successful Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

“…The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends mild therapeutic hypothermia after ROSC for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with an initial documented rhythm of ventricular fibrillation (class I, level of evidence B) [ 3 ]. International resuscitation guidelines also support mild therapeutic hypothermia as the best medical practice for shockable rhythms in patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia after ROSC [ 4 ].…”