G O Appleton1, R O Cummins, M P Larson, J R Graves. 1. Center for Evaluation of Emergency Medical Services, King County EMS Division of the Seattle-King County Department of Public Health.
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the age-related frequency of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in cardiac arrest supports the guideline that single rescuers should "call first" for all victims of sudden collapse older than 8 years. DESIGN: Analysis of data on all nontraumatic cardiac arrests treated by emergency medical service (EMS) personnel in King County, Washington, between 1976 and 1992. MEASUREMENTS: Age, initial cardiac rhythm, witnessed versus unwitnessed status, whether patient was discharged alive. RESULTS: We analyzed 10,992 cardiac arrests. Initial rhythm was VF in 4,252 (40%) and non-VF in 6,740 (60%). VF frequencies were 3% (0 to 8 years old), 17% (8 to 30 years), and 42% (30 years or older). CONCLUSION: Most patients under age 30 were not in VF at the time of EMS evaluation. Our data suggest that a "call fast" strategy may be more effective when a single rescuer is present and the victim is between 8 and 30 years old.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the age-related frequency of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in cardiac arrest supports the guideline that single rescuers should "call first" for all victims of sudden collapse older than 8 years. DESIGN: Analysis of data on all nontraumatic cardiac arrests treated by emergency medical service (EMS) personnel in King County, Washington, between 1976 and 1992. MEASUREMENTS: Age, initial cardiac rhythm, witnessed versus unwitnessed status, whether patient was discharged alive. RESULTS: We analyzed 10,992 cardiac arrests. Initial rhythm was VF in 4,252 (40%) and non-VF in 6,740 (60%). VF frequencies were 3% (0 to 8 years old), 17% (8 to 30 years), and 42% (30 years or older). CONCLUSION: Most patients under age 30 were not in VF at the time of EMS evaluation. Our data suggest that a "call fast" strategy may be more effective when a single rescuer is present and the victim is between 8 and 30 years old.
Authors: Marc D Berg; Stephen M Schexnayder; Leon Chameides; Mark Terry; Aaron Donoghue; Robert W Hickey; Robert A Berg; Robert M Sutton; Mary Fran Hazinski Journal: Circulation Date: 2010-11-02 Impact factor: 29.690
Authors: Marc D Berg; Stephen M Schexnayder; Leon Chameides; Mark Terry; Aaron Donoghue; Robert W Hickey; Robert A Berg; Robert M Sutton; Mary Fran Hazinski Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2010-10-18 Impact factor: 7.124