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Seasonal variations in out of hospital cardiopulmonary arrest

J P Pell1, J Sirel, A K Marsden

  • 1Department of Public Health Medicine, Greater Glasgow Health Board, Dalian House, 350 St Vincents Street, Glasgow G3 8YU, UK. jill.pell@glasgow-hb.scot.nhs.uk

Heart (British Cardiac Society)
|November 26, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest are lower in winter. Even after accounting for risk factors, winter arrests show a poorer prognosis, highlighting seasonal disparities in cardiac arrest survival.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Seasonal variations in health outcomes are increasingly recognized.
  • Out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest (OHCA) survival rates vary significantly.
  • Understanding factors influencing OHCA survival is crucial for improving emergency medical services.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate potential seasonal differences in survival rates following out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest.
  • To identify if winter months are associated with poorer OHCA survival outcomes.
  • To analyze the impact of season on OHCA patient characteristics and survival.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study was conducted using the Heartstart (Scotland) database.
  • 10,890 patients experiencing OHCA during summer or winter between 1988 and 1997 were analyzed.
  • Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare survival rates between seasons, adjusting for patient demographics and clinical factors.

Main Results:

  • Survival to hospital discharge was lower in winter (6%) compared to summer (8%), with an odds ratio of 0.77 (p < 0.001).
  • Patients experiencing OHCA in winter were older, more likely to arrest at home, less likely to have a witness, and less likely to receive defibrillation.
  • After adjusting for case mix, winter OHCA patients remained 19% less likely to survive compared to summer patients.

Conclusions:

  • Individuals suffering cardiopulmonary arrest during winter have a significantly reduced likelihood of survival.
  • While increased risk factors contribute, poorer prognosis in winter persists even after statistical adjustment.
  • These findings underscore the need to address seasonal disparities in OHCA outcomes.
Abstract

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