COVID-19 patients have higher risk of dying after cardiac arrest
What's the story
COVID-19 patients who suffer a cardiac arrest are far more likely to die than those who are not infected, according to a study published on Friday which found that women, in particular, have the highest risk.
The research from Sweden found that women infected with the COVID-19 virus are nine times more likely to die as compared to men after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Research and findings
COVID-19 involved in at least 16 percent of IHCAs
The study, published in the European Heart Journal, included 1,946 people who suffered a cardiac arrest out of hospital (OHCA) and 1,080 who suffered in hospital (IHCA) between January 1 and July 20, last year.
The researchers from the University of Gothenburg noted that during the pandemic phase, COVID-19 was involved in at least 10 percent of all OHCAs and 16 percent of IHCAs.
Information
Cardiac arrest and COVID-19 is a very lethal combination
COVID-19 patients who had an OHCA had a 3.4-fold increased risk of dying within 30 days, while IHCA patients had a 2.3-fold increased risk of dying. "Cardiac arrest and COVID-19 is a very lethal combination," said the first author of the study, Pedram Sultanian.
Further findings
Women at a higher risk than men
When the researchers compared pre-pandemic cases with COVID-19 cases, they found that the overall risk of dying following an OHCA nearly tripled. It was increased 4.5-fold for men and by a third for women.
According to the study, the overall risk of dying after an IHCA more than doubled. It was increased by a half in men and more than nine-fold in women.
More details
Increase in the proportion of OHCAs caused by breathing problems
The researchers also found a 2.7-fold increase in the proportion of OHCAs caused by breathing problems and an 8.6 percent increase in compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during the pandemic.
The percentage of people who were treated with both chest compression as well as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation fell from 33 percent pre-pandemic to 23 percent during the pandemic, they said.
Instructions
Compression-only CPR proved ineffective for COVID-19 patients
In March, the European Resuscitation Council and the Swedish Resuscitation Council issued guidelines that bystanders who see a cardiac arrest should avoid mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in case of suspected COVID-19 infection.
"Compression-only CPR delivered by bystanders may be as effective as compressions and ventilation combined, but not for COVID-19 patients since they are suffering from respiratory failure," said senior author of the study, Araz Rawshani.