,
Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Emergency Medical Service of Canton Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Emergency Medical Service of Canton Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Emergency Medical Service of Canton Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Emergency Medical Service of Canton Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Emergency Medical Service of Zenica, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Emergency Medical Service of Canton Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Emergency Medical Service of Canton Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Outpatient Clinic of Canton Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Aim To investigate out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) trend, provided advanced life support (ALS) measures, automated external defibrillator (AEDs) utilization and by-standers involvement in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during OHCA incidents.
Methods This cross-sectional study encompassed data pertaining to all OHCA incidents attended to by the Emergency Medical Service of Canton Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, covering the period from January 2018 to December 2022.
Results Among a total of 1131 OHCA events, 236 (20.8 %) patients achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC); there were 175 (74.1%) males and 61 (25.9%) females. The OHCA incidence was 54/100.000 inhabitants per year. After a 30-day period post-ROSC, 146 (61.9%) patients fully recovered, while 90 (38.1%) did not survive during this timeframe. Younger age (p<0.05), initial rhythm of ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) (p<0.05) and faster emergency medical team (EMT) response time (p<0.05) were significantly associated with obtaining ROSC. Only 38 (3.3%) OHCA events were assisted by bystanders, who were mostly medical professionals, 25 (65.7%), followed by close family members, 13 (34.3%). There was no report of AED usage.
Conclusion This follow-up study showed less ROSC achievement, similar bystanders’ involvement, similar factors associated with achieving ROSC (age, EMT response time) and a decline in OHCA events (especially in year 2021 and 2022) comparing to our previous study (2015-2019). There was an extremely low rate of bystander engagement and no AEDs usage. Governments and health organizations must swiftly improve public awareness, promote better practice (basic life support), and actively encourage bystander participation.
No specific funding was received for this study.
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