Asystolic cardiac arrest in Melbourne, Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To study the outcome of victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest presenting to the Metropolitan Ambulance Service in asystole, in Melbourne, Australia.


METHODS
A retrospective case-note review of all patients presenting to the Metropolitan Ambulance Service in asystole for 1997 was performed. Metropolitan Ambulance Service case notes and hospital records were examined to determine the presenting rhythm and the patients' outcome.


RESULTS
In a 12-month period, 778 patients met the entry criteria. Age mean was 67 years, 36% female, 64% male. Metropolitan Ambulance Service response time to scene time was a mean of 9.76 min. Resuscitation was commenced on 37% of patients. There was one survivor (0.12%).


CONCLUSIONS
Adult victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest presenting as asystole should not receive treatment.
Meyer
A D
AD
Emergency Department, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Monash University, Australia. alastair.meyer@mh.org.au
Bernard
S
S
Smith
K L
KL
McNeil
J J
JJ
Cameron
P A
PA
D000368:Aged; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014739:Victoria