Severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and presenting rhythm in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a non-shockable rhythm as presenting rhythm in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Whether the severity of the underlying disease is related to presenting rhythm is unknown. We hypothesize that increased severity of COPD in OHCA patients is associated with an increased prevalence of non-shockable rhythm.
Source: Resuscitation - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Clinical paper Source Type: research