Factors Associated with PEA vs. VF/VT in Sudden Cardiac Arrest

History of syncope or pulmonary disease, older age, female sex, and black race were significantly associated with pulseless electrical activity versus ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia.

Worldwide, several recent studies record a decline in the prevalence of ventricular fibrillation (VF)/ventricular tachycardia (VT) as cause of death from cardiac arrest, with a corresponding increase in the prevalence of pulseless electrical activity (PEA). Researchers reviewed records for 1277 adult patients (mean age, 65; 67% men) who underwent resuscitation for sudden cardiac death in Portland, Oregon, from 2002 to 2007 to identify factors associated with PEA versus VF/VT.

The initial rhythm was VF/VT in 48% of patients and PEA in 25%. Overall, 13% of patients survived to hospital discharge; survival rates were significantly lower in PEA cases than in VF/VT cases (6% vs. 24%). In multivariate analysis, history of syncope (odds ratio, 2.64…

Reviewing Author

J. Stephen Bohan, MD, MS, FACP, FACEP

Disclosures

RoyaltiesKlint Law Firm

Editorial boardsCritical Decisions in Emergency Medicine

J. Stephen Bohan, MD, MS, FACP, FACEP

Disclosures

RoyaltiesKlint Law Firm

Editorial boardsCritical Decisions in Emergency Medicine