Abstract
In this review, the author summarizes the incidence, causes, and survival associated
with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA).
The resuscitation guideline process is outlined, and the impact of resuscitation interventions
is discussed. The incidence of OHCA treated by emergency medical services varies throughout
the world, but is in the range of 30 to 50 per 100,000 of the population. Survival-to-hospital-discharge
rates also vary, but are in the range of 8 to 10% for many countries. Cardiac disease
accounts for the vast majority of OHCAs; however, although it is a common cause of
IHCAs, many other diseases are also common causes of IHCA. Five yearly reviews of
resuscitation science have been facilitated in recent years by the International Liaison
Committee on Resuscitation; these have been followed by the publication of regional
resuscitation guidelines. There is good evidence that increasing rates of bystander
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and earlier defibrillation are both contributing to
improving the survival rate after an OHCA.
Keywords
cardiac arrest - cardiopulmonary resuscitation - outcomes - guidelines
