Initial Outcomes and Survival of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: EuReCa Serbia Multicenter Cohort Study

Introduction Although the global survival rate of patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has increased in the previous years, there still remain significant multifactorial public health challenges with many important aspects influencing the overall survival rate of these patients. The objective of this article is to analyze basic epidemiological parameters of OHCA in Serbia and to evaluate the influence of pre-hospitalization factors on the survival of OHCA patients. Methods Data on OHCA within the EuReCa Serbia Registry was collected according to the EuReCa Study protocol during the period October 1, 2014 - December 31, 2019, and included basic demographic data of the patients, data related to OHCA prior to hospital arrival, as well as data regarding subsequent hospitalization. Results The study included 6,266 EuReCa events (54% males), with a median age of 73 years [interquartile range (IQR) 63-82]. Cardiac arrest was witnessed in 3,111 out of 6,266 cases (49.6%), of which 2,725 cases (87.6%) were witnessed by bystanders and 286 cases (12.4%) by the emergency medical service (EMS) team. Resuscitation measures were attempted in 2,097 of 3,111 (67.4%) witnessed OHCA cases. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated in 288 cases within the bystander-witnessed group of 2,725 cases (10.6%). An initial shockable rhythm was detected in 323 out of 3,111 witnessed cases (10.4%). Any return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) prior to hospital arrival was observed in 441 out of 2,097 cases where CPR was initiated (21.0%). Within the group of 2,097 events where CPR was initiated, in 287 cases the patient was transported to the hospital with ROSC (13.7%). An automated external defibrillator (AED) was used by bystanders in three cases. The collapse in locations other than the place of residence [p < 0.01; odds ratio (OR) 3.928], attempt to initiate CPR by a bystander (p < 0.01; OR 2.169), and presence of initial shockable rhythm (p = 0.01; OR 2.070) were observed as significant predictors of any ROSC in OHCA patients. Out of 287 patients hospitalized with ROSC, 54 (18.8%) were discharged alive. Conclusion Collapse outside of residence place, bystander CPR initiation, and initially detected shockable rhythm are important predictors of ROSC prior to hospital arrival and overall survival. Key factors of CPR-providing performance observed in this study were witnessing OHCA, CPR initiated by a bystander, presence of initial shockable rhythm, and any ROSC prior to hospital arrival.