Background: There is a wide variation in reported survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). One factor in this variation may be the contribution of general practitioners to pre-hospital resuscitation. Studies using self-reported data describe increased survival proportions when general practitioners are involved.
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the contribution of general practitioner involvement in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest events.
Design and setting: A retrospective observational study using data collected from ambulance records in the Republic of Ireland to describe general practitioner (GP) contribution to pre-hospital resuscitation attempts (n = 2369). Analysis is limited to patients with presumed cardiac cause and first arrest rhythm recorded as shockable (n = 510).
Results: When a GP is present at scene (n = 199) patients are less likely to achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (P < 0.001) or be transported to hospital (P < 0.001). When GPs participate in resuscitation (n = 92), patients are more likely to have collapsed in a public place (P < 0.01), receive bystander CPR (P < 0.001) and survive to hospital discharge (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic analysis of survival suggests that GP participation in resuscitation increases the odds of survival (4.6; 95% CI 1.6-13.3) and having collapsed in a public place increases chances of survival (5.8; 95% CI 2.1-15.7).
Conclusion: Our analysis suggests that in this subgroup, GP participation in OHCA resuscitation attempts is associated with improved patient survival. Furthermore, resuscitation is more likely to be ceased at scene when a GP is present, highlighting the role that GPs play in the compassionate management of death in unviable circumstances.
Keywords: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; general practitioners.