Abstract:

Aim: Covid 19 pandemic caused significant changes in social life directly and indirectly. In this study, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) cases, which have an important role in emergency medical services, were evaluated. It was aimed to investigate whether demographic, etiological factors and emergency health care outcomes differ from the pre-pandemic period. Materials and Methods: Patients who admitted to the Emergency Department between March 11 and June 01 of 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 for the reason of OHCA were evaluated retrospectively. Two groups were formed as pandemic period and normal period. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the groups were compared. Results: Totally 263 patients were included, 25.1% (n: 66) in 2017, 27.0% (n:71) in 2018, 25.5% (n: 67) in 2019, and 22.4% (n: 59) in 2020 respectively. We find significant difference between the groups in terms of age (p:0.010). The prevalence of OHCA patients under <65 years was higher in 2020 when compared with other years (57.6% vs 33.3%, p:0.003). Comorbidities were similar between groups. During the pandemic period, the frequency of basic life support at the scene was higher than other periods (p: 0.033). OHCA patients were transported to the ED more frequently with ambulance during the pandemic period (p: 0.048). The return of spontaneous circulation rates was less during the pandemic period (22% vs 37.3%, p:0.030). The first contact time between the healthcare professionals and patients was shorter in the pandemic period (p: 0.034). Conclusions: There was no difference in the frequency of OHCA between pandemic and non-pandemic period. Emergency medical system service was same between two groups. Decrease in the average age of OHCA patients in pandemic period should be investigated with well-designed studies.

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