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Reducing duration of peri-shock pause is associated with improved survival to discharge following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (NEJM JW Emerg Med Jul 29 2011; NEJM JW Emerg Med Dec 12 2013). Whether performing chest compressions during defibrillator charging reduces peri-shock pause in the prehospital environment is not known.
Investigators reviewed data collected during 1 year after paramedics in Ontario were trained to perform chest compressions during defibrillator charging in adults with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and shockable rhythms.
Of 129 eligible patients, 70 (54%) received compressions during defibrillator charging for >50% of shocks delivered during resuscitation. Baseline characteristics were similar between patients who di…