Effects of telephone-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the sex disparity in provision of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation in public locations

Global Sex Disparities in Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Scoping Review

This scoping review collates evidence for sex biases in the receipt of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCPR) among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients globally. The MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, and Embase databases were screened for relevant literature, dated from inception to March 9, 2022. Studies evaluating the association between BCPR and sex/gender in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, except for pediatric populations and cardiac arrest cases with traumatic cause, were included. The review included 80 articles on BCPR in men and women globally; 58 of these studies evaluated sex differences in BCPR outcomes. Fifty-nine percent of the relevant studies (34/58) indicated that women are less likely recipients of BCPR, 36% (21/58) observed no significant sex differences, and 5% (3/58) reported that women are more likely to receive BCPR. In other studies, women were found to be less likely to receive BCPR in public but equally or more likely to receive BCPR in residential settings. The general reluctance to perform BCPR on women in the Western countries was attributed to perceived frailty of women, chest exposure, pregnancy, gender stereotypes, oversexualization of women's bodies, and belief that women are unlikely to experience a cardiac arrest. Most studies worldwide indicated that women were less likely to receive BCPR than men. Further research from non-Western countries is needed to understand the impact of cultural and socioeconomic settings on such biases and design customized interventions accordingly.

Barriers to successful dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Korea

Introduction

Dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR) improves bystander CPR rates and survival outcomes. This study aimed to identify barriers to successful DA-CPR in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Methods

This retrospective observational study used data from a nationwide OHCA database from 2017 to 2021. Adult emergency medical services (EMS)-treated patients with OHCA with a presumed cardiac etiology were enrolled. The main exposure variable was compliance with DA-CPR. The primary outcome was good neurological recovery at hospital discharge. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the major factors associated with unsuccessful DA-CPR with and without multiple imputations. Causal mediation analysis was conducted using witnessed status as a mediator.

Results

In the final analysis, 49,165 patients with OHCA were included. A total of 36,865 (75.0%) patients successfully underwent DA-CPR. A higher proportion of good neurological recovery was observed in the successful DA-CPR group than in the non-successful DA-CPR group (P < 0.001). The following factors were identified as risk factors for unsuccessful DA-CPR: age > 65 years, male sex, OHCA occurring in a non-metropolitan area or private place, unwitnessed status, whether the bystander was a non-family member or non-cohabitant, female sex or had not received CPR training, and primary call dispatchers not receiving any first-aid training. Additional analyses after multiple imputations showed similar results. Mediation effect was significant for most risk factors for unsuccessful DA-CPR.

Conclusions

Bystander characteristics (non-family member or non-cohabitant, female, and uneducated status for CPR) and primary call dispatchers not receiving first-aid training were identified as risk factors for unsuccessful DA-CPR.

Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation differences by sex - The role of arrest recognition

PURPOSE

To assess whether bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) differed by patient sex among bystander-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA).

METHODS

This study is a retrospective analysis of paramedic-attended OHCA in New South Wales (NSW) between January 2017 to December 2019 (restricted to bystander-witnessed cases). Exclusions included OHCA in aged care, medical facilities, with advance care directives, from non-medical causes. Multivariate logistic regression examined the association of patient sex with bystander CPR. Secondary outcomes were OHCA recognition, bystander AED application, initial shockable rhythm, and survival outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 4,491cases, females were less likely to receive bystander CPR in private residential (Adjusted Odds ratio [AOR]: 0.82, 95%CI: 0.70-0.95) and public locations (AOR: 0.58, 95%CI:0.39-0.88). OHCA recognition during the emergency call was lower for females arresting in public locations (84.6% vs 91.6%, p = 0.002) and this partially explained the association of sex with bystander CPR (∼44%). This difference in recognition was not observed in private residential locations (p = 0.2). Bystander AED use was lower for females (4.8% vs 9.6%, p < 0.001); however, after adjustment for location and other covariates, this relationship was no longer significant (AOR: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.60-1.12). Females were less likely to be in an initial shockable rhythm (AOR: 0.52, 95%CI: 0.44-0.61), but more likely to survive the event (AOR: 1.34, 95%CI: 1.15-1.56). There was no sex difference in survival to hospital discharge (AOR: 0.96, 95%CI: 0.77-1.19).

CONCLUSION

OHCA recognition and bystander CPR differ by patient sex in NSW. Research is needed to understand why this difference occurs and to raise public awareness of this issue.

Sex Differences in Receipt of Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Considering Neighborhood Racial and Ethnic Composition

BACKGROUND

Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (B-CPR) and defibrillation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) vary by sex, with women being less likely to receive these interventions in public. It is unknown whether sex differences persist when considering neighborhood racial and ethnic composition. We examined the odds of receiving B-CPR stratified by location and neighborhood. We hypothesized that women in predominantly Black neighborhoods will have a lower odds of receiving B-CPR.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a retrospective study using the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES). Neighborhoods were classified by census tract. We modeled the odds of receipt of B-CPR (primary outcome), automatic external defibrillation application, and survival to hospital discharge (secondary outcomes) by sex. CARES collected 457 621 arrests (2013-2019); after appropriate exclusion, 309 662 were included. Women who had public OHCA had a 14% lower odds of receiving B-CPR (odds ratio [OR], 0.86 [95% CI, 0.82-0.89]), but effect modification was not seen by neighborhood (P=not significant). In predominantly Black neighborhoods, women who had public OHCA had a 13% lower odds of receiving B-CPR (adjusted OR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.76-0.98]) and 12% lower odds of receiving automatic external defibrillation application (adjusted OR, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.78-0.99]). In predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods, women who had public OHCA were less likely to receive B-CPR (adjusted OR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.73-0.96]) and less likely to receive automatic external defibrillation application (adjusted OR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.64-0.87]).

CONCLUSIONS

Women with public OHCA have a decreased likelihood of receiving B-CPR and automatic external defibrillation application. Findings did not differ significantly according to neighborhood composition. Despite this, our work has implications for considering strategies to reduce disparities around bystander response.

Sex disparities in bystander defibrillation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Background

Previous studies have suggested that females experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) receive lower rates of both bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation compared to males. Whether this disparity has improved over time is unknown.

Methods

A state-wide OHCA registry in Victoria, Australia collected data over twenty years (2002-2021) regarding rates of bystander interventions in OHCA. Characteristics and outcomes of each OHCA were compared with logistic regression according to sex and time (defined in two-year periods).

Results

32,502 OHCAs were included (69.7% male). Both bystander CPR and defibrillation rates increased for females over time (p < 0.0001). There was no sex disparity in receipt of bystander CPR after adjustment for baseline differences. Females were less likely than males to receive bystander defibrillation, with sex disparity increasing from 2010 onwards (adjOR 0.26 (95%CI 0.09-0.80) in 2020-21 for females compared to males).

Conclusion

Initiatives to increase bystander CPR and defibrillation have resulted in higher overall rates of bystander interventions in the last two decades and no significant sex differences in provision of bystander CPR. However, females receive less bystander defibrillation than males, and sex disparity is increasing. Strategies to promote bystander defibrillation in females experiencing OHCA with a shockable rhythm should be a priority.

Sex Disparities in Prehospital Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in South Korea

OBJECTIVE

Sex disparities have been reported in the prehospital and in-hospital care among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between sex and prehospital advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) interventions provided by emergency medical services (EMS).

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional observational study using a nationwide OHCA registry in South Korea. The study included adult OHCAs with presumed cardiac etiology from January 2016 to December 2019. The main exposure was the sex of the victim, and the primary outcomes were prehospital ACLS interventions, including advanced airway management (AAM), intravenous access (IV), and epinephrine (EPI) administration. Multivariable logistic regression analysis accounted for age group, health insurance, comorbidities, place of arrest, urbanization level, witness status, bystander CPR and initial rhythm was performed to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

RESULTS

Among 71,154 eligible patients, females with OHCA received less prehospital ACLS interventions than males: risk difference, (95% CIs) -2.76 (-3.41;-2.11) for AAM, -6.03 (-6.79;-5.27) for IV, and -3.81 (-4.37;-3.25) for EPI. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, female sex was significantly associated with a lower probability of prehospital ACLS provision: AOR, (95% CIs) 0.87 (0.84-0.91) for AAM, 0.85 (0.82-0.88) for IV, and 0.81 (0.77-0.84) for EPI.

CONCLUSION

Compared to male patients, female patients were less likely to receive prehospital ACLS. This offers opportunities for EMS systems to reduce disparities and to improve compliance with OHCA resuscitation guidelines and outcomes through quality improvement and educational interventions.

Sex difference in the association between type of bystander CPR and clinical outcomes in patients with out of hospital cardiac arrest

Background

A recent study suggested that women with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest have a smaller survival benefit with bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation than men. We evaluated whether this weaker association between bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and survival in women is related to dispatcher-assisted vs unassisted bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Methods

In a national registry in the Republic of Korea, we identified adult patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest during 2013-2018. The main exposure was type of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (categorized as none, dispatcher-assisted, and unassisted). The primary outcome was favourable neurological survival. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated for an interaction between sex and type of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Results

Of 93,245 patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, there were 31,578 (33.9%) women and 61,667 (66.1%) men. Overall, both types of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation were associated with favourable neurological survival (unassisted: adjusted OR, 1.81 [95% CI: 1.66-1.98]; dispatcher-assisted: adjusted OR, 1.44 [95% CI: 1.33-1.56]). When unassisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation was administered, the association between bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and favourable neurological survival was similar between women and men: adjusted ORs of 1.59 (95% CI: 1.30-1.95) in women and 1.88 (95% CI: 1.71-2.08) in men; interaction p = 0.65). In contrast, when dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation was administered, the association differed by sex: adjusted ORs of 1.08 (95% CI: 0.90-1.92) in women and 1.55 (95% CI: 1.42-1.69) in men; interaction p < 0.0002).

Conclusions

Dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation was associated with favourable neurological survival in men but not in women whereas unassisted bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation was associated with favourable neurological survival in women and men.

Health inequities in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a time-critical emergency in which a rapid response following the chain of survival is crucial to save life. Disparities in care can occur at each link in this pathway and hence produce health inequities. This review summarises the health inequities that exist for OHCA patients and suggests how they may be addressed.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is international evidence that the incidence of OHCA is increased with increasing deprivation and in ethnic minorities. These groups have lower rates of bystander CPR and bystander-initiated defibrillation, which may be due to barriers in accessing cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, provision of public access defibrillators, and language barriers with emergency call handlers. There are also disparities in the ambulance response and in-hospital care following resuscitation. These disadvantaged communities have poorer survival following OHCA.

SUMMARY

OHCA disproportionately affects deprived communities and ethnic minorities. These groups experience disparities in care throughout the chain of survival and this appears to translate into poorer outcomes. Addressing these inequities will require coordinated action that engages with disadvantaged communities.

Gender disparities among adult recipients of layperson bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation by location of cardiac arrest in Pan-Asian communities: A registry-based study

BACKGROUND

Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCPR) is a critical component of the 'chain of survival' in reducing mortality among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) victims. Inconsistent findings on gender disparities among adult recipients of layperson BCPR have been reported in the literature. We aimed to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the extent of gender disparities in a cross-national setting within Pan-Asian communities.

METHODS

We utilised data collected from the Pan-Asian Resuscitation Outcomes Study (PAROS), an international, multicentre, prospective study conducted between 2009 and 2018. We included all OHCA cases with non-traumatic arrest aetiology transported by emergency medical services and excluded study sites that did not consistently collect information about the location of cardiac arrest. Logistic regression was used to analyse the association between gender and BCPR, stratified by location.

FINDINGS

We analysed a cohort of 56,192 OHCA cases with an overall BCPR rate of 36.2% (20,329/56,192). At public locations, the BCPR rate was 31.2% (631/2022) for female and 36.4% (3235/8892) for male OHCA victims; while at home, the rate was 38.3% (6838/17,842) for females and 35.1% (9625/27,436) for males. Controlling for site differences and several factors in multivariable logistic regression, we found females less likely to receive BCPR than males in public locations (odds ratio [OR]=0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.70-0.99), but more likely to receive BCPR at home (OR=1.16, 95% CI: 1.11-1.21).

INTERPRETATION

In Pan-Asian communities, gender differences exist in adult recipients of BCPR and differ between home and public locations. Future studies should account for additional information on bystanders and societal factors to identify targets for interventions.

FUNDING

The study was supported by grants from the National Medical Research Council (NMRC/CSA/0049/2013) and Laerdal Foundation (20040).

Dispatcher-assisted CPR can it do harm as well as good?

Outcomes for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest can be improved by bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Dispatcher-assisted CPR increases both the likelihood of CPR being performed, and the chance of survival for the arrested patient. Due to the urgency of the situation, CPR may be advised in patients who are subsequently found not to be in cardiac arrest. Ng and colleagues look at whether bystander CPR causes harm in this group of patients.

Do Women Have a Higher Mortality Risk Than Men following ICU Admission after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest? A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

Purpose: previous studies showed that women have a higher mortality risk than men after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). This sex difference may disappear after adjustment for cardiac arrest characteristics. Most studies also included patients who were not admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). We analyzed whether sex impacts the mortality of ICU-admitted OHCA patients. Methods: a retrospective cohort analysis of 1240 OHCA patients admitted to the ICU (310 women, 25%, Age_Median 64.0 (IQR 53.8–73.0)) at an academic hospital in the Netherlands between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2018. The primary outcome was 90-day mortality; the secondary outcome was a favorable cerebral performance category (CPC) score at ICU discharge and ICU length of stay (ICU LOS). Results: we found no association between sex and 90-day mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 0.867; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.678–1.108) after adjusting for relevant cardiac arrest characteristics. Similarly, we found no difference for favorable CPC score (OR 1.117; 95% CI 0.777–1.608) or ICU LOS between sexes (Beta 0.428; 95% CI −0.442 to 1.298). Conclusions: after adjusting for cardiac arrest characteristics, we found no difference between women and men with respect to 90-day mortality, ICU LOS, and CPC score.