VACAR Annual Report 2011/12 - Ambulance Victoria

Survival
CARDIAC RHYTHMS
Presenting rhythms on arrival
The cardiac rhythm on arrival of EMS demonstrates strong prognostic information for survival
from OHCA. In 2011/12, survival for patients who presented to EMS in VF or VT was
significantly greater than those who presented in pulseless electrical activity (PEA) or asystole.
In fact, 30% of VF/VT patients survived to hospital discharge compared with 4% for patients
presenting in PEA. Three patients (0.3%) who presented in asystole survived to hospital
discharge in 2011/12.
Figure 39: Adult
survival by presenting
rhythm on arrival,
2011/12. 1
60%
40%
52%
20%
30%
34%
0%
15%
4%
0.3%
VF/VT Asystole PEA
Survival to Hospital
Survival to Discharge
The vast majority of patients presented to EMS in asystole in 2011/12, with 44% of adults and
83% of paediatrics presenting in this rhythm. Patients who presented in VF/VT on arrival of
EMS accounted for 33% of all adult OHCA in 2011/12, and 3% of all paediatric events.
Figure 40: Presenting
rhythm on arrival for
adult events, 2011/12
(left). 1
Figure 41: Presenting
rhythm on arrival for
paediatric events,
2011/12 (right). 2
33%
1%
44%
22%
83%
14%
3%
VF/VT Asystole PEA Other
VF/VT Asystole PEA
1. Adults > 15 years or missing age, who received EMS attempted resuscitation. Excludes EMS witnessed events.
2. Paediatrics < 16 years, who received EMS attempted resuscitation. Excludes EMS witnessed events.
VACAR Annual Report 2011/12 Page 42