This was a review of the cardiac arrest registry of Norway between 2016-2021. The incidence of pediatric out of hospital cardiac arrests was 4.6 per 100,000 child years and significantly higher in children < 1 year (20.9 per 100,000 child years). There was an overall 18% one year survival rate in the 308 patients included.
Leading causes of arrests were choking, respiratory disease, drowning and SIDS, making up 67% of cases.
73% of the arrests were initially asystolic and 14% were PEA on EMS arrival. The presence of shockable rhythms increased with age and VT/VF were the initial rhythm in up to 15% of the 13-17 year age group.
88% of patients received bystander CPR ( with 68% receiving both chest compressions and ventilations). A minority of these patients were in a shockable rhythm, but 7 total patients were in refractory VF. Mechanical CPR devices were used in 35 patients aged 11-17. ECMO was started in 19 cases.
Bottom line: The rate of bystander CPR in this study was very high and other jurisdictions can attempt to learn from the system in place in Norway to increase their local prehospital interventions.
References
Kelpanides IK, Katzenschlager S, Skogvoll E, et al. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in children in Norway: A national cohort study, 2016-2021. Resusc Plus. 2024;18:100662. Published 2024 May 18. doi:10.1016/j.resplu.2024.100662
