Outcome from prehospital cardiac arrest in Melbourne, Australia

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Abstract
Although the incidence and outcome of prehospital cardiac arrest have been reported for many cities, relatively few have originated from Australia. This study reviewed ambulance and hospital records of all patients who were in cardiac arrest when first attended by ambulance officers in metropolitan Melbourne between 1 February and 31 July 1995. Of 361 patients with a presumed primary cardiac cause of arrest, 113 (31%) were initially in ventricular fibrillation. The average ambulance response time was 9.4 minutes. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed on 22% of patients. Ten patients (3%) were discharged alive from hospital of whom eight (2%) were to independent living at home. All survivors were in ventricular fibrillation when first seen. It is concluded that survival from prehospital cardiac arrest in Melbourne is low. Strategies to improve outcome are suggested.