A review of consecutive cardiac arrests in 2007 and 2012 at a regional hospital in Denmark: a retrospective cohort study

Results We identified 246 cardiac arrests; 154 out-of-hospital and 90 in-hospital (and 2 unknown). 66% were male and the median age was 69 years (range 11-99 years). 38% occurred during daytime, 33% during evenings and 29% at night. Over all, the primary cause was unknown in 85/246 (29%). There was a decrease in CA caused by acute coronary syndrome (ACS) from 29/117 (25%) in 2007 to 19/129 (15%) in 2012, and an increase caused by respiratory insufficiency from 18/117 (15%) in 2007 to 31/129 (24%) in 2012. In 2007 83/117 (71%) presented with asystolia/PEA compared to 65/129 (50%) in 2012. The proportion of ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation remained unchanged. 27/117 (23%) achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in 2007 and 60/129 (47%) in 2012. 18/60 (30%) were discharged or transferred for further treatment in 2012, in comparison to 14/27 (52%) in 2007.