Approximately 350,000 adults in the US experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year, with only around 10% surviving. The key factors that determine survival are bystanders administering CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator, though currently only around 40% receive CPR and 12% have an AED used. High quality CPR, early defibrillation if a shockable rhythm is detected, and advanced medical care upon emergency response team arrival can improve chances of survival. Post-cardiac arrest care is also important for recovery.

1. By Dominic Hartzenberg

2. OUT OF HOSPITAL CARDIAC ARREST
In 2015, approximately 350 000 adults in the US experienced non- traumatic out-of-hospital
cardiac arrest (OHCA) attended by emergency medical personnel. Approximately 10.4% of
patients with OHCA survive their initial hospitalization, and 8,2% survive with good
functional status. The key drivers of successful resuscitation from the OHCA are lay rescuer
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and public use of an automated external defibrillator
(AED). despite recent gains, only 39.2% of adults receive layperson -initiated CPR, and
general public applied an AED in only 11.9% of cases.

3. ACTIVATION OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE

4. HIGH QUALITY CPR

5. EARLY DEFIBRILLATION
• Early defibrillation using the Public Access Defibrillator
(PAD) is critical for survival if cardiac is caused by
Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) or pulseless Ventricular
Tachycardia (pVT)
• Defibrillation is most successful when done as soon as
possible after onset of VF/pVT
• Improved chances of Return Of Spontaneous Circulation
(ROSC)
• Attach the AED as the pictures and instructions on AED
suggests. switch the AED on and follow the voice
prompts given.

6. ADVANCED RESUSCITATION
● Emergency Care Personal taking over responsibility for the patient will improve the
survival chances for the patient by providing Advanced life support (ALS) resuscitation
for the patient
● The use of Advanced airway interventions (Endotracheal intubation or supraglottic
airway placement), the administration of epinephrine with concurrent high quality
CPR improves the chances of survival, particularly in patients with nonshockable
rhythms
● Extracorporeal CPR may also improve outcomes in specific resuscitation situations

7. POST-CARDIAC ARREST CARE AND RECOVERY
Post cardiac arrest care is a critical component of the chain of survival and
demands a comprehensive, structured, multidisciplinary system that
requires consistent implementation for optimal patient outcomes.

8. REFERENCES
2020 American Heart Association. (2020, October 20). Part 3: Adult Basic and Advanced Life Support.
Retrieved from 2020 American Heart Assosciation Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and
Emergency Cardiovascular Care: https://www.ahajournals.org/journal/circ
Health Professions Council of South Africa. (2020). HPCSA emergency care policy & guidelines. Retrieved
from Health Professions Council of South Africa:
https://www.hpcsa.co.za/?contentId=0&menuSubId=45&actionName=Professional%20Boards
The Resuscitation Council of Southern Africa ©. (2020). http://resus.co.za. Retrieved from The Resuscitation
Council of Southern Africa: http://resus.co.za
https://venngage.net/ps/HIGcBsydflw/save-a-life