Survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Sydney, Australia
ABSTRACT
Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is asignificant cause of death, but there is little publishedinformation on its incidence and outcomes in Australia.
Aim: This study was undertaken to determine the incidence and survival from OHCA in Sydney, New South Wales.
Methods: Patients listed on the Ambulance Service ofNSW database as having an OHCA during the 12-monthperiod 1 June 2004 to 31 May 2005 were matched with theNSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages to determineif they had died, and how long they survived. Survival wasalso determined for patients aged 80 years or older, and forthe presenting electrocardiograph (ECG) rhythm.
Results: OHCAs were recorded for 2011 people in apopulation of 3.993 million. The age-standardisedincidence was 52.6 events per 100 000 person-years (95%CI, 51.6-53.6). Incidence was significantly higher in olderage groups. Only 24% of patients survived past the day ofthe OHCA. Survival for 28 days, 90 days and 1 year was12.6%, 12.2%, and 11.5%, respectively. Survival washighest when the presentation ECG was ventricularfibrillation. Patients aged 80 years or older had lowersurvival rates.
Conclusion: Survival from OHCA in Sydney is low, andlower in patients aged 80 years or older. The incidence ofOHCA in Sydney is similar to that in the rest of the world.Mortality occurs early after OHCA. Hence, for interventionsto be effective in improving survival, they need to betargeted at the early stages of OHCA.
Crit Care Resusc 2006; 8: 321-327
