June 5, 2020

Prevalence of COVID-19 in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Implications for Bystander CPR

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

• Out of 537 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Seattle and King County from February 26-April 15, 2020, COVID-19 (laboratory-confirmed or COVID-19 like illness) was diagnosed in 5% of cases that occurred in homes, 11% of cases that occurred in nursing homes, and in no cases that occurred in public places. The authors conclude that delaying bystander CPR to put on PPE should only be considered if prevalence of COVID-19 is high. 

Sayre et al. (June 4, 2020). Prevalence of COVID-19 in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Implications for Bystander CPR. Circulation. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.048951