Clinical Considerations for Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Management During COVID-19

Overview

Journal Resusc Plus

Date 2021 Jan 6

PMID 33403363

Citations 8

Authors

Yuen Chin Leong

Sheldon Cheskes

Ian R Drennan

Jason E Buick

Ron G Latchmansingh

P Richard Verbeek

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Managing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest requires paramedics to perform multiple aerosol generating medical procedures in an uncontrolled setting. This increases the risk of cross infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Modifications to conventional protocols are required to balance paramedic safety with optimal patient care and potential stresses on the capacity of critical care resources. Despite this, little specific advice has been published to guide paramedic practice. In this commentary, we highlight challenges and controversies regarding critical decision making around initiation of resuscitation, airway management, mechanical chest compression, and termination of resuscitation. We also discuss suggested triggers for implementation and revocation of recommended protocol changes and present an accompanying paramedic-specific algorithm.

Citing Articles

Updated trends in the outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest from 2017-2021: Prior to and during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Fan C, Sung C, Chen C, Chen C, Chen L, Chen Y J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open. 2023; 4(6):e13070.

PMID: 38029023 PMC: 10680430. DOI: 10.1002/emp2.13070.

Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review.

Husain A, Rai U, Sarkar A, Chandrasekhar V, Hashmi M Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(2).

PMID: 36673557 PMC: 9858873. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11020189.

Impact of COVID-19 on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A registry-based cohort-study from the German Resuscitation Registry.

Ristau P, Wnent J, Grasner J, Fischer M, Bohn A, Bein B PLoS One. 2022; 17(9):e0274314.

PMID: 36103547 PMC: 9473624. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274314.

First responder systems can stay operational under pandemic conditions: results of a European survey during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Metelmann C, Metelmann B, Muller M, Bottiger B, Trummer G, Thies K Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2022; 30(1):10.

PMID: 35183230 PMC: 8857892. DOI: 10.1186/s13049-022-00998-3.

Consensus statement on cardiac electrophysiology practices during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: From the Indian Heart Rhythm Society.

Namboodiri N, Bhargava K, Padmanabhan D, Selvaraj R, Pandurangi U, Arora V Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J. 2021; 21(5):281-290.

PMID: 34332047 PMC: 8318672. DOI: 10.1016/j.ipej.2021.07.009.

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