ORIGINAL ARTICLE   Open access

Italian Journal of Emergency Medicine 2023 December;12(3):146-56

DOI: 10.23736/S2532-1285.23.00196-9

Copyright © 2023 THE AUTHORS

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language: English

The AED network and CPR maneuvers in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: the role of bystanders. A case study from the province of Verona (Italy)

Giacomo ZENI, Elisabetta SALVADÈ, Marco MANZINI, Alessandro BISOFFI VARANI ✉, Adriano VALERIO

SUEM-118 Unit, AOUI Verona, Verona, Italy

BACKGROUND: Public awareness related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation issues has led to increased bystander practice of cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers (CPR). In contrast, the use of AEDs is still low despite the increasing diffusion of the devices. The aim of the study was to analyze the importance of these maneuvers in terms of ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation) and to identify factors that could improve the role of the bystander.
METHODS: In this retrospective analysis we collected the data of OHCA patients in the province of Verona (Italy), handled by medicalized vehicles, focusing on interventions in which bystanders performed CPR and applied an AED device, in the period from 1^st July 2019 to 31^st December 2019. The data were collected following UTSTEIN criteria. Data on the AEDs were also collected from the management software provided at the Verona SUEM operations center.
RESULTS: The number of OHCA was 133 patients. The percentage of ROSC was higher in patients to whom CPR maneuvers were performed and an AED applied, in patients with sustained arrest from a shockable rhythm and in patients with witnessed arrest. The distribution of AEDs is greater in the municipality of Verona than in the provincial area.
CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to hypothesize that if in all cases of witnessed cardiac arrest, the bystanders had an AED at their disposal and used it, the prognosis of all patients suffering from OHCA sustained by a shockable rhythm would improve. To this end, we have developed a strategy to improve the diffusion of AEDs and their use.

KEY WORDS: Censuses; Prevalence; Italian people; Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation