[Cardiac arrest outside the hospital]

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest remains a clinical problem with a survival rate of less than 5%. Prompt initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and rapid delivery of advanced cardiac-life procedures are required. Combined in-hospital management by experienced cardiologists and intensive care specialists is recommended. Acute coronary-artery occlusion is frequent and poorly predicted by clinical and electrocardiographic findings. Accurate diagnosis by immediate coronary angiography can be followed if necessary by coronary angioplasty. Survivors undergo extensive work-up to determine the indications of an implantable defibrillator or coronary revascularization.