Cardiac arrest in an emergency department in Colombia during 2011–2020: A descriptive study

BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrest is a public health problem related to high morbidity and mortality. In Colombia, objective data characterize in our population has been not available. The aim of this study has been to determined the epidemiological characteristics of patients with cardiorespiratory arrest treated in an emergency room. METHODS: A retrospective observational cross-sectional cohort study was performed. We included adult patients admitted with a diagnostic of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) or who presented with in-hospital cardiac arrest while in the emergency department (ED). RESULTS: A total of 415 patients were included 232 were men, and the median age was 67 years. OHCA was presented in 383 patients. In this group, 80.2% required orotracheal intubation, 90.1% received Epinephrine, and and 52.6% received immediate resuscitation. Survival after discharge was 43.1% in patients with non-shockable rhythm registered. Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved in 49.6%. The survival after hospital discharge was 22.2%. Cerebral performance category score <=2 was 20.4%. CONCLUSION: In our study, the epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of patients seen in the ED with cardiac arrest are similar to those described in the literature.