Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients require immediate cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR). Early initiation of CPR and defibrillation before arrival at
Emergency Department (ED) increases the chance of survival from sudden cardiac
arrest. The main objective of this study was to identify the factors that influenced
the outcome of early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in out-of-hospital cardiac
arrest (OHCA) patients managed at the ED of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Medical Centre (UKMMC). The second objective was to determine the incidence
of CPR initiated by the public prior to ambulance arrival. The present study was a
one-year cross-sectional study. The OHCA patients were identified from the ED
resuscitation logbook. Patients’ medical records were used to obtain details of the
resuscitation. Factors recorded included: aetiology of arrest, initiation of on-scene
CPR, use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), mode of transportation and
the incidence of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in the ED. Categorical
data was analysed using chi-square and Fisher exact tests. Nine patients out of 98
had early CPR. Three patients achieved ROSC. Gender was significantly associated
with ROSC (p-value=0.015). More patients who received early CPR achieved ROSC
compared to those who received late CPR. The provision of early CPR and usage
of AEDs by the public is still low. Female gender had a positive influence on ROSC.
Efforts are required to increase the awareness and involvement of the public in
initiating early CPR prior to the arrival of ambulance service.