Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 29, 2026
Standardized Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Swine
Published on: January 30, 2020
Is there a difference between women and men in characteristics and outcome after in hospital cardiac arrest?
J Herlitz1, S Rundqvist, A Bång
1Division of Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, S-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden. johan.herlitz@hjl.gu.se
Insights
Women experiencing in-hospital cardiac arrest had different characteristics and rhythms than men. After adjustments, female gender was linked to a slight survival improvement in cardiac arrest patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
- Clinical Research
Background:
- In-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) affects numerous patients annually.
- Understanding demographic and clinical differences in IHCA between sexes is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous studies have shown varied outcomes for men and women post-cardiac arrest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the characteristics and outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest between women and men.
- To identify sex-specific differences in cardiac arrest etiology and presenting rhythms.
- To evaluate the impact of female gender on survival after IHCA.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study of 557 patients experiencing IHCA over four years at Sahlgrenska Hospital, Sweden.
- Data collection included patient demographics, medical history, cardiac arrest characteristics, and resuscitation team interventions.
- Statistical analysis compared outcomes between men and women, including survival rates and adjusted odds ratios.
Main Results:
- Women constituted 39% of IHCA patients; they had fewer prior myocardial infarctions and less renal disease but more rheumatic disease.
- Ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT) was more common in men (57%) than women (41%), while pulseless electrical activity was more frequent in women (30%) than men (15%).
- Unadjusted survival to discharge was similar (36.4% for women, 38.0% for men), but adjusted analysis showed a significantly higher likelihood of survival for women (OR 1.66, P=0.028).
Conclusions:
- Women represent a significant proportion of IHCA cases and present with distinct clinical profiles and arrhythmias.
- Despite similar unadjusted survival rates, female gender is independently associated with improved survival after IHCA when accounting for baseline differences.
- Further research into sex-specific mechanisms and treatment strategies for IHCA is warranted.
Aim:
To describe the characteristics and outcome among patients suffering from an in-hospital cardiac arrest in women and men.
Methods:
All patients who suffered an in-hospital cardiac arrest during a 4 year period in Sahlgrenska Hospital Göteborg, Sweden, where the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) team was called, were recorded and described prospectively in terms of characteristics and outcome.
Results:
There were 557 patients suffering in-hospital cardiac arrest in whom the CPR-team was alerted. Among them, 217 (39%) were women. Women differed from men having a lower prevalence of earlier myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, renal disease and a higher prevalence of rheumatic disease. In terms of aetiology of the cardiac arrest, 47% men and 48% women were judged to have had a confirmed or possible AMI. More men than women were found in ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT) (57 vs. 41%; P<0.001), whereas more women were found in pulseless electrical activity (30 vs. 15%; P<0.0001). Cerebral performance categories (CPC)-score at discharge did not differ between men and women. Among women, 36.4% survived to discharge as compared with 38.0% among men (NS). Survival from VF/VT was 64.3% in women and 52.7% in men (NS). When correcting for dissimilarities at baseline, the adjusted odd ratio for being discharged alive from hospital among women as compared with men was 1.66 (95% confidence limit 1.06-2.62; P=0.028).
Conclusion:
Thirty nine percent of patients suffering in-hospital cardiac arrest for whom the CPR-team was alerted, were women. Women were less frequently found in VF/VT than men. After correcting for dissimilarities at baseline, female gender was associated with a small improvement in survival.
More Related Videos
08:19Transthoracic Echocardiography to Assess Post-Resuscitation Left Ventricular Dysfunction After Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiac Arrest in Pigs
Published on: July 12, 2022
03:13Technical Refinement of a Bilateral Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Mouse Model for Acute Kidney Injury Research
Published on: November 3, 2023
Related Concept Videos
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
01:28Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
01:30Introduction Cardiac Emergencies
01:21Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation I: Adult
01:25Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management