Outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Beijing,China

Aim

The purpose of this study was to assess the outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) in Beijing, China.

Methods

In this prospective study, data were collected according to the Utstein style on all cases of OHCA that occurred between January and December 2012 in urban areas covered by Beijing Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The cases were followed-up for 1 year.

Results

Out of the 9897 OHCAs recorded, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated in 2421 patients (24.4%). Among the CPR-receivers (n = 2421), 1804 patients (74.5%) had collapsed at home, while 375 patients (15.5%) at a public place. The average time interval from call to EMS arrival at the collapse location was 16 min (range, 4–43 min). Of the 1693 OHCA cases with cardiac aetiology, 1246 cases (73.6%) were witnessed, and basic CPR was performed by bystanders before arrival of the EMS personnel in 193 patients (11.4%). Of the OHCAs with cardiac aetiology, 1054 patients (62.3%) had asystole, 131 patients (7.7%) had shockable rhythms, restoration of spontaneous circulation was achieved in 85 patients (5.0%), 71 patients (4.2%) were admitted to the hospital alive, and of the 22 patients (1.3%) who were discharged alive, 17 patients (1%) had good neurological outcomes. At 1 year post-OHCA, 17 patients were alive.

Conclusion

In the urban areas of Beijing with EMS services, survival rate after OHCA was unsatisfactory. Improvements are required in every link of the ‘chain of survival’.