| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2016 | Volume
: 9
| Issue : 3 | Page : 115-121 |
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Assessment of cardiopulmonary resuscitation practices in emergency departments for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims in Lebanon
Samar Noureddine1, Tamar Avedissian1, Hussain Isma'eel2, Mazen J El Sayed3
1 Department of Nursing, Hariri School of Nursing, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
2 Division of Cardiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
3 Department of Emergency Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
Correspondence Address:
Mazen J El Sayed
Department of Emergency Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020
Lebanon
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0974-2700.185275
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Background: The survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) victims in Lebanon is low. A national policy on resuscitation practice is lacking. This survey explored the practices of emergency physicians related to the resuscitation of OHCA victims in Lebanon. Methods: A sample of 705 physicians working in emergency departments (EDs) was recruited and surveyed using the LimeSurvey software (Carsten Schmitz, Germany). Seventy-five participants responded, yielding 10.64% response rate. Results: The most important factors in the participants' decision to initiate or continue resuscitation were presence of pulse on arrival (93.2%), underlying cardiac rhythm (93.1%), the physician's ethical duty to resuscitate (93.2%), transport time to the ED (89%), and down time (84.9%). The participants were optimistic regarding the survival of OHCA victims (58.1% reporting > 10% survival) and reported frequent resuscitation attempts in medically futile situations. The most frequently reported challenges during resuscitation decisions were related to pressure or presence of victim's family (38.8%) and lack of policy (30%). Conclusion: In our setting, physicians often rely on well-established criteria for initiating/continuing resuscitation; however, their decisions are also influenced by cultural factors such as victim's family wishes. The findings support the need for a national policy on resuscitation of OHCA victims. |
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